Podcast Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode: Best of The Herd
Release Date: May 14, 2025

Introduction

In the "Best of The Herd" episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, released on May 14, 2025, host Colin Cowherd delves into a comprehensive analysis of the current sports landscape. The episode, rich with insightful commentary and expert opinions, navigates through the latest NFL schedule releases, scrutinizes NBA playoffs dynamics, and features engaging discussions with guests like Michael Hawley. Skipping over advertisements and non-content segments, the episode presents an engaging and informative journey for sports enthusiasts.

NFL Schedule Release and Team Analyses

Release Overview

Colin Cowherd kicks off the episode by addressing the much-anticipated Wednesday NFL schedule release. Emphasizing its significance, he remarks, “Wednesday, we are live. It's the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day” ([02:35]).

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the Dallas Cowboys' schedule, particularly their opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Colin expresses skepticism about the matchup, stating, “the Cowboys are in the opener at Philly... Cowboys are one in five in their last six against Philadelphia” ([03:29]). He criticizes the NFL’s scheduling decisions, highlighting the Cowboys' declining performance: “the Cowboys are the fifth most watched NFL team by the end of this year, maybe sixth” ([03:29]).

Kansas City Chiefs Dominance

Colin underscores the Kansas City Chiefs as the premier NFL team, labeling them “America's team” due to their robust viewership and consistent performance. He notes, “the most watched team in the NFL was Kansas City. The second most watched team in the NFL was Detroit” ([03:29]).

Broadcasting Influence

He further critiques the NFL’s broadcasting preferences, suggesting that the Cowboys' high visibility is artificially maintained: “the only thing keeping the Cowboys TV numbers up is networks putting them on and the NFL putting them on more” ([03:29]). Colin argues that better-performing teams like the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, and Kansas City Chiefs deserve more spotlight, implying that the current focus on the Cowboys is misplaced.

Future Projections

Looking ahead, Colin predicts a shift in viewership rankings, anticipating that “the Cowboys will be the fifth most watched NFL team by the end of this year, maybe sixth” ([03:29]). He attributes this decline to the team’s poor performance and the NFL's flawed scheduling choices.

NBA Playoffs and Team Dynamics

Transitioning to the NBA, Colin critically examines the current playoff series, particularly focusing on the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Colin praises the Thunder's roster construction and depth, contrasting it with the Nuggets' reliance on a single star, Nikola Jokic. He remarks, “Oklahoma City's got the roster and they just have fresher players at the end of games” ([14:04]). Highlighting a recent competitive game, he states, “OKC won last night, could have lost, game was tied late” ([14:04]).

Roster Construction Over Star Power

Emphasizing the shift in the NBA towards strategic roster building, Colin asserts, “the league is about roster construction” ([03:29]). He lauds teams like Houston, San Antonio, and Boston for their strategic approaches, contrasting them with teams overly reliant on superstars like LeBron James.

Nikola Jokic’s Performance

Critiquing Jokic’s recent performances, Colin shares, “Nikola Jokic: After the loss... but one of the reasons they don't finish as well is because Oklahoma City has so much energy at the end of these games” ([14:04]). He underscores the Thunder's ability to sustain energy and performance throughout games, attributing their success to depth and strategic planning.

Player Evaluations and Performance Insights

Tyrese Halliburton’s Impact

A significant focus is placed on Tyrese Halliburton, with Colin defending his prowess against critics. He challenges the notion of Halliburton being overrated, emphasizing his leadership and composure: “Tyrese Halliburton is exactly what an NBA star should be... he controls pace, he's mature, high iq, high eq” ([22:28]). Colin praises Halliburton’s ability to maintain execution and efficiency, stating, “He's great in the big moments” ([22:28]).

Jalen Brunson’s Role

Colin also highlights Jalen Brunson as a crucial asset for the Indiana Pacers, praising his playoff experience and clutch performances: “Brunson having played in so many big tournament games at Villanova now in New York, he's just built for the moment” ([25:14]).

Comparative Player Analysis

Comparing Halliburton and other NBA stars, Colin emphasizes the importance of selflessness and team-oriented play over individual flashiness: “Halliburton doesn't end up with that many assists, but he's always sharing the ball” ([22:28]). He contrasts this with players like LeBron James, advocating for efficient execution and team success over individual accolades.

Interviews and Expert Opinions

Guest: Michael Hawley

Colin engages in an insightful discussion with Michael Hawley, an NBC Sports and New York Times bestselling author. They delve into the Celtics vs. Knicks playoff series, analyzing team performances and managerial decisions.

• Celtics’ Challenges: Michael addresses the Celtics' struggles, noting, “Drew Holiday is unlikely to come back because of these payroll issues” ([43:20]). He critiques the team’s roster decisions, highlighting the impact of injuries and aging players.

• Knicks’ Potential: Discussing the Knicks, Michael acknowledges their defensive strength and physicality, stating, “the Knicks today are better built than the Celtics going forward” ([53:05]). He predicts a favorable outcome for the Knicks, emphasizing their structured approach and team cohesion.

• Indiana Pacers as Championship Contenders: Michael surprises Colin by naming the Indiana Pacers as his top pick for the NBA championship, citing their physicality and strategic gameplay: “I'll tell you who's better than both of them and my pick to win the NBA championship. Indiana Pacers” ([53:33]).

Interview Highlights:

• Playoff Atmosphere: Michael anticipates a mixed crowd at the Celtics’ home games, blending Celtics and Knicks fans, contributing to an intense atmosphere.

• Coach Evaluations: They discuss coaching philosophies, with Colin expressing disappointment in Joe Mazzulla’s strategies, while Michael defends Doc Rivers and others, stressing the importance of organizational support.

Roster Construction and League Dynamics

Colin elaborates on the evolving dynamics of team building in both the NFL and NBA, emphasizing the shift from star-centric rosters to strategically constructed teams.

NFL Perspectives:

He critiques the traditional focus on acquiring star players, advocating for comprehensive roster development: “it is about roster construction” ([03:29]). Colin highlights the importance of a balanced team, where depth and strategic planning outweigh individual star power.

NBA Strategic Shifts:

Drawing parallels to the NFL, Colin discusses how NBA teams are now prioritizing versatile rosters with multiple high-end players: “it's about roster construction, flexibility, lots of picks” ([03:29]). He praises teams that adapt to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by focusing on long-term success rather than short-term gains.

Denver Nuggets’ Future:

Colin warns about the Denver Nuggets’ over-reliance on Jokic, suggesting the need for diversification: “Denver needs its next superstar GM or they're the Bucks by the middle of next year” ([03:29]). He advocates for Denver to make significant roster changes to sustain competitiveness.

Cultural Changes and Analytics in Sports

A notable segment of the episode explores the cultural shifts and the increasing role of analytics in sports strategy.

Analytics vs. Physicality:

Colin expresses concern over the over-reliance on analytics, especially in the NBA, arguing that it sometimes undermines the importance of physicality and leadership: “I love the cultural changes. I love analytics. I would prefer Manhattan... everybody loves Boston because manhynamics hitting an occasional three, but really about physicality, leadership, resilient toughness” ([03:29]).

Impact on Team Performance:

He discusses how teams like the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics balance analytics with traditional basketball values, promoting a more holistic approach to the game: “They are not consumed with points. They're consumed with execution and winning” ([25:14]).

Future of Team Building:

Colin foresees a future where team construction will increasingly rely on strategic flexibility and balanced rosters, integrating both analytical insights and traditional team dynamics to achieve sustained success.

Conclusion and Final Insights

As the episode wraps up, Colin Cowherd synthesizes the discussions, reiterating the importance of strategic team building and the evolving nature of sports management. He emphasizes that both the NFL and NBA are in periods of significant transition, with teams that adapt strategically poised for long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Roster Construction: Success in modern sports hinges on well-rounded team rosters rather than isolated star performances.

• Adaptation to Change: Teams embracing flexibility and strategic planning are more likely to thrive amidst evolving league dynamics and regulations.

• Cultural Balance: Balancing analytics with traditional values like physicality, leadership, and team cohesion is crucial for sustained success.

Notable Quote:

Colin encapsulates the episode's essence with his observation on roster strategies: “The only way for the little guys to catch up to the big guys is to do things differently” ([41:25]).

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd: “the Cowboys are in the opener at Philly... Cowboys are one in five in their last six against Philadelphia” ([03:29]).

• Colin Cowherd: “Tyrese Halliburton is exactly what an NBA star should be... he controls pace, he's mature, high iq, high eq” ([22:28]).

• Michael Hawley: “We're not the Belichick we saw. It's actually Belichick stepping back and letting someone else come forward” ([48:59]).

• Michael Hawley: “I'll tell you who's better than both of them and my pick to win the NBA championship. Indiana Pacers” ([53:33]).

• Colin Cowherd: “The only way for the little guys to catch up to the big guys is to do things differently” ([41:25]).

Final Thoughts

The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a compelling analysis of current sports trends, blending strategic insights with passionate commentary. By dissecting team performances, player evaluations, and cultural shifts, the episode serves as a valuable resource for fans seeking an in-depth understanding of the evolving sports landscape.

This summary is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the "Best of The Herd" episode. For the full experience and detailed discussions, listening to the original podcast is recommended.