Kirk Herbstreit has seen Fernando Mendoza play football on a national microphone more than any other player, and he has been watched a lot.

On the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, the ESPN college football analyst compared the new Raiders quarterback’s learning curve to that of two Hall of Famers and teased one that Raider Nation is going to be chewing on all summer long.

“You know why you trust him? Because he’ll beat you out of his mind,” Herbstreit said. “There aren’t a lot of guys who know the game and understand the game well enough to see the pre-snap movement in the NFL, the complexities of half the defense playing this coverage and the other half playing something else.”

He then dropped a comp that would remain on sports radio for the next month.

“He may need some time. I mean, Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning, everybody needs time to adjust to the speed of the game,” Herbstreit told McAfee. “But he’s going to be a game manager. He’s going to be a distributor. And his X factor is that he moves better than I think a lot of people want to give him credit for.”

Pump the brakes if you want. Herbstreit did not say Mendoza was Manning. He said the adjustment timeline for the typical quarterback isn’t immediate. There is a difference. But the names themselves tell you where the ceiling resides in Herbstreit’s mind.

Herbstreit is not alone in his praise of Fernando Mendoza

Pat McAfee, who had covered many of Indiana’s games the past two seasons, was right there with him. And he wasn’t subtle about it.

“Each ball is a tight spiral,” McAfee said. “Yeah, we saw him make throws during TV timeouts. We saw him make throws during games; we saw him make throws on the sideline with his brother. We saw him almost take Curt Cignetti’s head off when he was warming up. Every ball is a dart, every single ball.”

This too was no different.

Mel Kiper Jr. has been playing this drum for a month. An ESPN draft analyst called Mendoza “a mix between Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan” earlier this spring and made the point that this kid’s Indiana season wasn’t created out of thin air. Mendoza was getting first-round buzz from his Cal tape in August, before he even threw a pass for the Hoosiers.

Then, Bleacher Report’s analytics team this week took a look at what the most useful framing might be for Raider Nation. The range of his results for Mendoza spans from Ryan Tannehill on the floor to Peyton Manning on the ceiling.

Tannehill won 22 games in two seasons at Tennessee and pulled the Titans to within a quarter of the Super Bowl. This worst situation is coming to light. Worst case.

Read it again.

Clint Kubiak is managing Fernando Mendoza’s expectations like a pro

Clint Kubiak has been smart about all this. He has publicly stated that he wants Mendoza to sit behind Kirk Cousins ​​for a year and learn the offense before being thrown to the wolves. Owner Mark Davis opened the door earlier this week by calling Mendoza “potentially the starting QB,” but the soft consensus is still that Cousins ​​gets Week 1.

None of this changes what Herbstreit, McAfee, Kipper and Bleacher Report presented over the course of a news cycle.

Children are wired differently. The arm is real. Processing speed is the one trait scouts can’t teach. And the comparisons coming from national voices, which don’t do the Raiders any favors, keep landing in the same neighborhood.

Manning. Aikman. Matt Ryan.

Raider Nation has spent more than two decades waiting for a quarterback worthy of pinning the franchise. National media told him he might finally have one.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

With Cade Cunningham firing on all cylinders throughout the season, the Detroit Pistons have emerged as a major force in the current campaign. They currently lead the Eastern Conference with a 49–19 record. A similar uptrend has been evident with the Toronto Raptors, who finished 11th in the East last season, but currently sit in 5th with a 38-29 record.

However, for former Toronto head coach Sam Mitchell, the Raptors may be even more talented than the Pistons, according to a post on X by Omar Osman, despite both teams’ current records.

Sam Mitchell says the Toronto Raptors may have more talent than the first-seeded Detroit Pistons overall 👀:

“You think about Cade Cunningham, who’s his second best player?”

“Look at the Raptors. You got Scotty Barnes and Bey. They’re your 2 best players.”

“You see… pic.twitter.com/zzr39iikJR

– Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) 18 March 2026

“You think about Cade Cunningham, who’s their second best player? Look at the Raptors. You got Scotty Barnes and BI. Those are your 2 best players,” he said during his appearance on TSN, citing the huge gap between the Pistons’ best and second best players.

This may be understandable since Cunningham is the only Pistons player averaging more than twenty points per game, with Duncan Robinson, who is going at 19 points per game, the only other player averaging more than 15 points a pop. In comparison, the Raptors have a more balanced offensive engine, with RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes averaging more than 15 points per game.

“You look at the center position. Jakob Poeltl and Duren? About the same. So if you look at this Raptors team, and you look at what players have accomplished on the Raptors, you can argue that the Raptors might be a better team in terms of talent than Detroit,” Mitchell concluded.

Of course, Mitchell has a point considering that the Raptors are hardly viewed as favorites to make it out of the Eastern Conference. Detroit has an offensive engine that relies heavily on Cunningham.

However, they still went 5-2 without their main man and fans will argue that their scoring is actually a result of the extremely physical bad-boys-throwback type of basketball they have adopted under JB Bickerstaff. This has resulted in an impressive 25-8 home record this season, which can only be expected to extend into the playoffs.

Phoenix Suns legend Kevin Johnson offered a remarkable perspective on Devin Booker’s playing style, comparing him to Los Angeles Lakers icon Jerry West during a recent interview. Speaking with Ratings’ DJ Siddiqui, Johnson initially made the comparison in an unconventional way before settling on West as the most appropriate parallel.

Johnson emphasized Booker’s scoring approach, particularly his ability to operate without relying too heavily on the three-point shot, a trait that has become less common in today’s NBA.

“First I throw it at you, and then if it doesn’t work you tell me. I’m going to flip this script for you – Jerry West.”

Johnson later expanded on the comparison by referencing other perimeter scorers before confirming his initial choice.

“I’ve got another name, he’s better than this guy, so don’t quote me on this, but he reminds me a little bit of Allan Houston, a little bit of Rip Hamilton. But Devin is more distinctive than those guys. But I’m going with Jerry West. I’ll leave it at that.”

Comparisons to West, one of the most skilled guards in NBA history, highlight Booker’s midrange scoring ability, shot creation and overall offensive versatility. While Booker operates in a modern era that emphasizes spacing and three-point shooting, his game often stands out for the balance between perimeter scoring and efficient work inside the arc.

Devin Booker’s production draws Jerry West comparisons amid Suns’ playoff push

The 29-year-old Booker is leading Phoenix with consistent production during the 2025-26 season. In 53 games, he averaged 25.8 points, 5.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds, while shooting 45.5% from the field, 32.2% from three-point range, and 86.9% from the free-throw line. He has logged 33.5 minutes per game, serving as the focal point of the Suns’ attack.

Phoenix entered the latter half of the season with a 39–30 record, clinching the seventh seed in the Western Conference standings. The team remains in the playoff race as it continues to advance in the competitive conference landscape.

The Suns suffered a 116-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, a result that ended a challenging stretch during their current six-game road trip. Phoenix will try to regroup as it prepares to wrap up the trip against the San Antonio Spurs (51-18) on Thursday at 5:00 pm PT.

The Johnson comparisons underscore Booker’s continued development as one of the league’s premier scoring guards, with a skill set that bridges eras and invites comparisons with some of the game’s most respected figures.

Hasne Kamara has had two very different spells at Watford over the last few seasons, well, two turned into one.

The left-back joined the Hornets from Nice in January 2022. He played the second half of the season in the Premier League but was then sold permanently to Udinese in the summer.

Shortly thereafter, he was loaned back to Watford before the Italian side brought him back for the 2023/24 campaign.

The 32-year-old is an important part of the Serie A team, having established himself as a regular player over the past three seasons.

The praise has now come from Pierpaolo Marino, who worked closely with the Pozzo family and Udinese from 2019 to 2023.

Marino brings Kamara from Watford

The director spoke to Udinese tonight about a number of things relating to Kosta Rungic’s side. He chose to particularly praise Kamara, who has played 16 times in Serie A this season despite injury concerns.

He highlighted its importance and praised its ability to transcend.

Marino said- relayed by All Udinese: : “When I was here, I followed Watford. Kamara makes crosses with a turn that allows the attacker to score more easily. He crosses with impeccable technique, he knows it, and that’s why he says one assist is not enough.”

He also used a reference to a quote from Diego Maradona and seemed to be indirectly comparing the left-back to the legend.

“This is also true [Lorenzo] Lucca is no longer in the box. Davis isn’t exactly an expert in heading, and neither is Zaniolo. To preach a good sermon also requires a listener.

“Maradona used to say that he crosses with the ball, when the ball comes, the attacker just has to touch it and put it into the net. Kamara has that quality to a certain extent.”

While comparisons to the late Argentinian are exaggerated, Marino has a point. Kamara has shown his excellent crossing ability, assisting four times last season.

Watford made significant gains

This is a way of justifying the signing by Marino himself, as Watford made approximately €19m from the sale.

At the time, Kamara was around 20 years old and the Hornets had spent less than €5m to sign him.

The defender has had a great career and Udinese find themselves tenth in the table. They could still return to Europe and that would be fair reward for the Ivorian’s progress.

Kevin Durant is coming off a historic 40-point performance that led the Houston Rockets to a 113-108 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday. He is regularly viewed as one of the best net scorers in league history. On Saturday, Kendrick Perkins took those claims a little further by comparing Durant to 35-time Grammy Award winner Beyoncé.

During the latest segment of ESPN’s “First Take,” Perkins claimed the 37-year-old forward is the greatest scorer in league history. The former center turned NBA analyst says there are no flaws in Durant’s game, which is why the Rockets star is similar to Beyoncé.

“[Kevin Durant is] “The greatest scorer to ever play the game of basketball,” Perkins said. When you talk about someone who has zero flaws, it’s Beyoncé on the aggressive end. He is innocent… There are no holes in his game.”

“[Kevin Durant is] The greatest scorer to ever play the game of basketball… When you talk about a guy who has zero flaws, he’s Beyoncé on the offensive end… There’s no flaws in his game.’

– Kendrick Perkins 🤔

(via @FirstTech)pic.twitter.com/wqeycSMGly

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 28 February 2026

Although he is in his 18th NBA season, Kevin Durant is still lighting up the scoreboard. He’s a legitimate threat from anywhere on the floor, and it’s hard to disagree with Kendrick Perkins’ sentiment. Especially after watching Durant record 40 points on 50.0% shooting and 10 of 10 from the free-throw line against the Magic.

In 55 games played so far this season, the 16-time All-Star is averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He also has a 50.8% field goal percentage, while shooting 40.2% from beyond the three-point line.

Durant will have another opportunity to showcase his skills on Saturday when the Rockets take on the Miami Heat on the road. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM EST.

NBA Hall of Famer Ben Wallace supports the comparison between himself and Isaiah Stewart, further validating the young forward’s emergence during the Detroit Pistons’ standout season.

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill, Wallace addressed several parallels between his Hall of Fame career and Stewart’s evolving role in Detroit’s frontcourt.

“I definitely see it,” Wallace said.

Stewart, 24, is having one of the most accomplished stretches of his career. In 48 games and 13 starts, he has averaged 10 points, 5.1 rebounds, a career-high 1.7 blocks and 1.1 assists, while shooting 54% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range in 23.3 minutes per game. His impact has helped Detroit reach an NBA-best record of 43–14.

Comparisons focus primarily on defensive intensity and physical presence. Despite being undersized for a traditional center, Wallace made his legacy as one of the league’s most dominant defenders. A four-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-Star, Wallace anchored Detroit’s 2004 championship team and became synonymous with the franchise’s gritty identity. His rebounding, rim protection and tireless energy defined the era of Pistons basketball.

Isaiah Stewart credits Ben Wallace’s path for growing mutual respect

Stewart acknowledged the connection.

“He paved the way for us guys to be smaller,” Stewart said. “I’m trying to live up to that and keep my name in this organization in a positive way.”

According to ESPN, the mutual respect between the two goes beyond public comments.

Watching the respectful exchange, a source who knows Wallace well summed it up:

“Ben looks at Stewart like a proud father.”

As Detroit continues its rise to the top of the standings, Stewart’s development remains central to the team’s identity. Wallace’s endorsement reinforces the belief that Stewart’s defensive growth and physical style is up to the standard set by one of the franchise’s most iconic players.

Atlanta Hawks star Jalen Johnson has drawn immense praise for his game this season. Johnson was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and has picked up a lot of fanfare around the league. His above-the-rim play, penchant for triple-doubles, and all-around skill have often drawn comparisons to Bulls legend Scottie Pippen.

On the Mind the Game podcast in January, LeBron James spoke about Johnson. LeBron James set Johnson’s ceiling as the six-time champion.

“I’ve mentioned Scottie Pippen, man. Obviously, he has a long way to go, but as far as the talent. You look at a guy with long arms, 6-(foot)-9 (or) 6-10, runs like a deer, super athletic. He’s improved his outside touch.

James added, “Putting pressure on the rim. His ability to rebound. He can guard (positions) one through five for the majority of (opposing) ones and fives … And his playmaking. I see that he is going to continue to improve.”

Now, Hawks legend and broadcaster Dominique Wilkins is the latest to compare Johnson to Pippen. In an interview with Casino.org, Wilkins competed against the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen-led Bulls during his time with the Hawks in the mid-’80s and sees the resemblance.

“Well, I must say he’s a little bit of Scottie Pippen as far as being a point forward. Pippen was a point forward, and was very effective at the position. This guy Jalen, he brings even another element, because the way he rebounds, the way he passes, and he flirts with a triple-double every single night.

Johnson is currently averaging 23.4 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists. He is now seen as the number one option on the team following the Hawks’ decision to trade Trae Young to the Wizards.