Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd - "Best of The Herd" Release Date: June 5, 2025

Introduction In the latest episode of "Best of The Herd," hosted by Jason McIntyre alongside Alex Curry, the discussion dives deep into the current NBA Finals, NFL quarterback dynamics, and a comprehensive ranking of top players in the Finals. The episode, released on June 5, 2025, offers insightful analysis and engaging debates, providing listeners with a thorough overview of pivotal sports narratives.

1. NBA Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers

Overview of Betting Odds and Team Performance Jason McIntyre opens the segment by addressing the overwhelming favoritism towards the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) in the NBA Finals. Highlighting their staggering odds of -700 to win the series, Jason remarks:

"OKC is an overwhelming favorite is an understatement. They are minus 700 currently to win the series."
[02:35]

He critiques the heavy betting skew towards OKC, emphasizing the lack of support for the Indiana Pacers despite their strong performance throughout the season.

Tyrese Halliburton's Impact Tyrese Halliburton receives significant attention for his leadership and performance:

"Take a listen to Tyrese Halliburton of the Pacers. They're historically great on both sides of the ball. They have the MVP. I mean, there's so many different things that you could name down the list of why they are so great at what they do and why they're such a great team."
[05:10]

Jason underscores Halliburton's pivotal role, suggesting that the Pacers' depth and strategic coaching by Rick Carlisle could challenge OKC's dominance.

Team Dynamics and Potential Upsets The conversation shifts to the Pacers' victories over higher-seeded teams and the subsequent turmoil in their rivals, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks. Jason asserts:

"Pacers wiped him out. Then the Pacers beat Cleveland, and there was basically a fan mutiny in Cleveland."
[07:45]

He argues that the Pacers' ability to disrupt top teams indicates their championship potential, despite the heavy odds favoring OKC.

2. NFL Quarterback Drama: Shadour Sanders and Cleveland Browns

Shadour Sanders' Position and Comparisons The discussion transitions to the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation, focusing on Shadour Sanders' limited opportunities:

"Shador Sanders is not atop the depth chart, that shouldn't shock anybody because regardless of what his name is, he's a fifth round pick."
[15:00]

Jason compares Sanders' trajectory to Dak Prescott's rise from a fourth-round pick, highlighting the slim chances Sanders has to ascend the depth chart without significant changes.

Injury Concerns and Team Strategy Tom Pelissaro from NFL Network joins the conversation, providing clarity on the Browns' quarterback depth and injury concerns:

"Anthony Richardson has missed so much time in his young career. ... Shador is a complete enigma at this point."
[33:56]

Pelissaro emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding Sanders' future with the team, especially in light of injuries like Anthony Richardson's shoulder issue.

3. Top 10 Players in the NBA Finals

Jason McIntyre presents his ranking of the top 10 players in the NBA Finals, offering detailed justifications for each selection:

1. SGA MVP

   • Recognized as the league's Most Valuable Player with exceptional performance metrics.

2. Tyrese Halliburton

   • Praised for clutch performances, including key buzzer-beaters that influenced pivotal games.

     "Tyrese Halliburton, second best player in the finals."
     [24:14]

3. Pascal Siakam

   • Noted for his consistent scoring and defensive prowess.

     "Pascal Siakam...you know, but man, he went over 33 times against the Knicks."
     [22:15]

4. Jalen Williams

   • Acknowledged for his scoring ability and impact on the Thunder's success.

     "Jalen Williams...if he goes off, usually OKC wins."
     [23:12]

5. Chet Holmgren

   • Highlighted for his youth and defensive capabilities.

     "Chet Holmgren is awesome...super young."
     [22:46]

6. Miles Turner

   • Valued for his rim protection and three-point shooting consistency.

     "Miles Turner...he can get open from the corner."
     [22:44]

7. Kayson Wallace

   • Recognized for his defensive ratings and potential as a future star.

     "Kayson Wallace is a name to watch."
     [22:15]

8. Aaron N.E. Smith

   • Commended for his three-point shooting and clutch performances.

     "Aaron N.E. Smith...hit eight of nine threes."
     [22:00]

9. Alex Caruso

   • Lauded for his defensive excellence and pivotal game performances.

     "Alex Caruso is awesome...second best defensive rating."
     [20:28]

10. Ben McEathrin

    • Appreciated for his scoring off the bench and athleticism.

      "Ben McEathrin...great at getting to the rim."
      [20:27]

Jason provides a comprehensive breakdown of each player's contributions, positioning them within the broader context of the Finals.

4. Additional NFL Insights: Minnesota Vikings and NFC North Quarterbacks

Minnesota Vikings' Quarterback Situation The conversation shifts back to NFL topics, specifically focusing on JJ McCarthy's recovery and the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback race:

"JJ McCarthy has put the weight back on...developing chemistry with his new quarterback."
[36:57]

Jason and Alex discuss McCarthy's physical recovery and his integration with teammates like Justin Jefferson, highlighting the potential impact on the Vikings' season.

Ranking NFC North Quarterbacks Jason seeks Tom Pelissaro's expertise in ranking NFC North quarterbacks, leading to an analysis of Jordan Love, Jared Goff, JJ McCarthy, and Caleb Williams:

"Jordan Love as the top quarterback within the division...but when we got multiple guys that we just haven't seen do it, those rankings could be all over the place by September."
[38:41]

Pelissaro provides a nuanced view, emphasizing the potential and uncertainties surrounding each quarterback's future performance.

Conclusion The episode of "Best of The Herd" offers an in-depth exploration of the NBA Finals and NFL quarterback dynamics, enriched by expert opinions and strategic analyses. Jason McIntyre and Alex Curry engage listeners with their passionate discussions, providing valuable insights into the current sports landscape. Whether dissecting the odds of the NBA Finals or unraveling the complexities of NFL quarterback lineups, the episode serves as a comprehensive resource for sports enthusiasts seeking detailed narratives and thoughtful commentary.

Notable Quotes:

• "OKC is an overwhelming favorite is an understatement. They are minus 700 currently to win the series."
  — Jason McIntyre, [02:35]

• "Tyrese Halliburton, second best player in the finals."
  — Jason McIntyre, [24:14]

• "Shador Sanders is not atop the depth chart, that shouldn't shock anybody because regardless of what his name is, he's a fifth round pick."
  — Jason McIntyre, [15:00]

Key Takeaways:

• NBA Finals: Despite heavy odds favoring OKC, the Indiana Pacers, led by Tyrese Halliburton, present a formidable challenge with their depth and strategic coaching.
• NFL Quarterbacks: Shadour Sanders' limited opportunities with the Cleveland Browns highlight ongoing quarterback uncertainties, drawing comparisons to historical NFL scenarios.
• Top Players: Jason McIntyre's top 10 ranking in the NBA Finals underscores the significance of both established stars and emerging talents in determining the series outcome.
• NFC North Dynamics: The Minnesota Vikings and the broader NFC North division exhibit complex quarterback competitions, with potential shifts expected as the season progresses.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses presented in the episode.