The Herd with Colin Cowherd - "520 in the Morning"
Jeff Teague on Blake Griffin, Chris Paul's LOB CITY, Kobe vs. Wade, Payton Pritchard starting, and NBA/WNBA talk
Episode Date: August 18, 2025
Host: DJ Wells with Jeff, T, Mook, and guests
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode Overview
This lively and opinionated morning episode of "The Herd" dives deep into NBA nostalgia, current storylines, and hot takes with former pro Jeff Teague and the crew. The guys relive highlights from Blake Griffin’s prime, debate the legacy of Lob City, discuss elite guard rivalries and defense (Kobe vs. Wade), analyze current NBA rosters, and touch on transitions and future stars—plus, they share hilarious insights on locker room antics and what it really takes to make it in today’s league. The show closes with spirited debates about WNBA star power and the league's future.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Blake Griffin Appreciation & Lob City Legacy
- Blake’s Athletic Prime: The crew watches and reacts to a 2013 Blake Griffin highlight reel, marveling at his power and athleticism on the Clippers.
- Detroit Version of Blake: T and DJ Wells argue that Griffin’s Detroit years, playing hurt and still delivering, showed a unique level of toughness, though most agree his Clippers highlights are unmatched.
- Rafters Debate: Should Griffin and Chris Paul’s numbers be retired by the Clippers? Consensus: Yes, since they elevated the franchise to new heights.
Jeff (07:29): “You gotta highlight your best players. Him, Chris Paul... They gotta be in the rafters.”
2. NBA Throwback: Kobe Bryant vs. Dwyane Wade and Physical Era Defense
- Kobe vs. Wade Physicality: The crew analyzes a viral clip of a hard foul and laughs about 2000s basketball intensity: "That was crazy for him to knock him out the air like that..."
T (09:51): "Punched me in my neck. What you thought I was about to do?" - Old School Defense: Comparing the bad boys' Pistons’ bruising style to today's play. Most agree the league was more physical and “real,” but some are glad it's less violent now.
- Modern Intensity? Anthony Edwards and Draymond Green called some of the league's last hard-nosed competitors.
- Kobe’s Defensive Reputation:
Jeff (10:07): “We never said Kobe didn’t play defense... He had the most All-Defensive teams.”
3. Super Chats: Shaq’s Locker Room Antics & Andrew Luck’s Retirement
- Shaq’s Pranks: The group erupts into laughter and disgust recounting legendary locker room pranks by Shaquille O'Neal, including hygiene horror stories.
Mook (13:22): “You got the right to shoot him up... You do, bro. Feces on, bro...” - Andrew Luck's Sudden Retirement: Reflection on the shock of Luck’s halftime retirement, discussing fan reactions and his impact.
DJ Wells (15:16): “Andrew Luck was cold, bro... It’s a lot of teams wish they could have Andrew Luck.” - Playoff Resume Debate: The group debates Luck’s career arc and “what could have been,” comparing him to Derrick Rose in terms of talent and injuries.
4. All-Time Greats and Current Comparisons
- Bam Adebayo vs. Evan Mobley: The consensus leans Bam, citing versatility, strength, and untapped ceiling.
Jeff (21:48): “Bam can go to another level that Evan Mobley can’t, just ‘cause his physicality and skill level.” - How “Prettiness” Affects Perception: They argue fans are hypnotized by stylish scores (Kyrie, KD) versus brute efficiency (LeBron).
5. Franchise Values & Wealth Fantasies
- Portland Trail Blazers Sale: Crew reacts to their $4.25B team sale versus $6B Celtics. Investment as a sports owner is debated.
- “What Would You Do With $4 Billion?”: Classic banter on wild spending, generosity, and buying sports teams—most say they'd take care of their friends/family, get private jets, maybe buy into NBA or WNBA teams.
6. NBA Scoring Debates: Who’s the Best?
- Is Points or Style What Matters Most? They debate if scoring leaders (LeBron, KD) are truly the “best scorers,” with some claiming efficiency and impact trumps style. Jeff (38:26): "If I can get the basket just as efficient as you... I’m the best scorer… LeBron scores just as many points as anybody."
- LeBron’s Playmaking Love: Acknowledgement that LeBron loves fancy passing more than scoring, but his efficiency is historic.
- Team Elevation: LeBron vs. KD - who elevates talent around them? DJ and Jeff agree LeBron is the master at raising teammates’ games.
7. Specialization vs. Versatility for Young Players
- Advice for Young Ballers:
- To make the NBA, be a specialist (shooter or defender), unless you’re a point guard, then be good at a bit of everything.
- Athleticism alone doesn’t cut it—skill and IQ are mandatory, especially for smaller guards (rare exception: freak athletes).
8. Celtics & Roster Analysis
- Pritchard Starting?: Reactions are skeptical about the Celtics’ future with Payton Pritchard (52:11).
Jeff (52:41): “I don’t know, boy. They might not make the playoffs, bro.” - East Power Shifts: Most believe Boston looks like a 5-7 seed, not title contenders, and should consider tanking if the season goes awry.
9. WNBA: Star Power and Sustainability
- Post-Caitlin Clark Excitement: The panel worries the WNBA will struggle to maintain hype once its current star wave (Clark, Reese, etc.) fizzles due to injuries or graduation. Jeff (85:55): “For the W to sustain that popularity... it's a lot of pressure on her. We haven’t shown that anybody else is exciting.”
- Need for Multiple Stars: Comparison to the men's league, arguing the WNBA needs a critical mass of “must-watch” personalities.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Jeff (07:29): “You gotta highlight your best players. Him, Chris Paul... They gotta be in the rafters.”
T (09:51): “Punched me in my neck. What you thought I was about to do?”
DJ Wells (15:16): “Andrew Luck was cold, bro... It’s a lot of teams wish they could have Andrew Luck.”
Mook (13:22): “You got the right to shoot him up... You do, bro. Feces on, bro...”
Jeff (21:48): “Bam can go to another level that Evan Mobley can’t, just ‘cause his physicality and skill level.”
Jeff (38:26): "If I can get the basket just as efficient as you... I’m the best scorer… LeBron scores just as many points as anybody."
Jeff (52:41): “I don’t know, boy. They might not make the playoffs, bro.”
Jeff (85:55): “For the W to sustain that popularity... it's a lot of pressure on her. We haven’t shown that anybody else is exciting.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Blake Griffin/Lob City Nostalgia: 05:05–07:41
- Kobe vs. Wade & Old School NBA: 08:32–12:17
- Shaq Locker Room Antics: 12:44–13:32
- Andrew Luck Retirement Shock: 14:01–18:31
- Bam vs. Mobley Debate: 19:20–22:33
- Franchise Sale & Money Dreams: 30:03–35:53
- NBA Scoring “Best Ever” Debate: 37:18–44:04
- Specialization vs. Versatility for Kids: 44:05–51:56
- Celtics Roster & Pritchard Starter Talk: 52:11–54:45
- WNBA Star Power Concerns: 83:53–88:57
Final Thoughts
The episode's freestyling energy delivers laughter, sharp basketball insight, and a dose of nostalgia—blending NBA hot takes with honest conversations about legacy, success, and what the future holds for up-and-coming talent. Their debates about NBA and WNBA star power, roster strategy, and player development are peppered with real-world pro anecdotes and roast sessions, making for a vibrant and entertaining ride for any hoop fan.