Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd" (April 2, 2025)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd brings listeners an engaging and in-depth exploration of the top sports stories of the day. In the "Best of The Herd" episode released on April 2, 2025, host Colin Cowherd, alongside co-host J. Mac, delves into significant topics ranging from the NBA's standout performances to strategic moves in the NFL. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the episode.

1. Introduction and New Podcast Announcement

• New Ventures:

  • [01:49] J. Mac: Introduction of a new podcast, Energy Line with Nate and JSB, co-hosted with former NHL player Nate Thompson.
    • “We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.”

• Energy Line Podcast Details:

  • [01:55] J. Mac: The podcast will cover diverse topics related to hockey life, with guest appearances from current players, former teammates, and Hall of Famers.
    • “Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?”
  • [02:09] Colin Cowherd: Highlights J. Mac’s extensive connections and the potential for surprise guest appearances.
    • “You'll never know who will drop by to join us.”

2. NBA Spotlight: Nikola Jokic's Dominance

• Jokic’s Exceptional Performance:

  • [03:00] Colin Cowherd: Discusses Nikola Jokic’s extraordinary game, highlighting his versatility and statistical achievements.
    • “He does about six things well. Shoot, pass, screens, post play, handles the ball, outlet passing, maybe the best in the league.” [04:15]
  • [06:00] J. Mac: Praises Jokic as possibly the greatest basketball player currently, comparing his impact to legendary players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal.
    • “If you’re going to put Duncan, if you’re going to put Shaq and Akeem, all-time great players near that top 10 or 12, it’s silly not to put him in there.” [05:25]

• Analyzing Jokic’s Skills:

  • [07:07] J. Mac: Emphasizes Jokic's basketball IQ, multi-dimensional playstyle, and consistency, noting his three MVPs and All-Star appearances.
    • “Jokic is in historic territory right now... he's the top basketball player in my entire life.” [06:50]
  • [12:24] Colin Cowherd: Compares Jokic’s unique style to multi-faceted athletes like LeBron James and Shohei Ohtani.
    • “Jokic and Ohtani, you can’t defy them. You can’t define them by position.” [12:24]

3. NFL Focus: San Francisco 49ers and Brock Purdy

• 49ers’ Strategic Moves:

  • [07:22] Colin Cowherd: Analyzes the San Francisco 49ers' commitment to quarterback Brock Purdy, emphasizing the role of head coach Kyle Shanahan in valuing Purdy's cognitive abilities.
    • “Shanahan, not as much, but Purdy's gonna get the bag because Kyle Shanahan believes he's a top 10 quarterback.” [07:22]

• Brock Purdy’s Attributes:

  • [08:15] Colin Cowherd: Highlights Purdy's quick decision-making and arm confidence, contrasting him with predecessors like Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance.
    • “He sees the play quickly, he processes uber quickly and then he lets 'er rip.” [07:54]
  • [07:59] J. Mac: Supports the analysis by discussing Shanahan’s trust in Purdy’s abilities.
    • “He views Brock Purdy as a top 10 quarterback, then he is. The deal will get done.” [07:59]

4. Warriors’ Performance and Steve Kerr’s Coaching

• Steph Curry’s Outstanding Game:

  • [23:41] J. Mac: Commends Steph Curry’s 52-point game with twelve three-pointers, underscoring his enduring talent and work ethic.
    • “I've been watching this for 11 years... but to coach him, you get a real sense of just the magnitude of his talent.” [23:41]

• Steve Kerr’s Offensive Strategy:

  • [24:10] Colin Cowherd: Discusses the intricacies of Steve Kerr’s motion-heavy offense and how it leverages players like Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler to complement Steph Curry’s playstyle.
    • “The offensive nature of it. It takes special players like Draymond. Jimmy Butler works well because he gets stuff, good looks.” [24:10]
  • [33:34] J. Mac: Notes the impact of strategic rests and rejuvenation on Curry’s performance.
    • “The week off was helpful for him. I think he looks recharged, rejuvenated.” [33:34]

• Warriors’ Bench Depth:

  • [40:40] Colin Cowherd: Evaluates the Warriors' bench strength, mentioning players like Jonathan Kuminga and Eric Paschall as crucial contributors.
    • “Their size, Looney post off the bench. Buddy Heald can give you shooting.” [07:22]

5. NFL Draft Analysis with Todd McShay

• Evaluating the Draft Class:

  • [36:33] Colin Cowherd: Engages with NFL draft analyst Todd McShay on the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the current draft class, particularly focusing on defensive linemen and running backs.
    • “Give me two position groups, Todd, that you'll go to the well on and you'll say, okay, it's a good year for...” [36:33]

• Defensive Line Strength:

  • [36:50] J. Mac: Highlights the abundance of quality defensive linemen in the draft, citing the highest number in 30 years with 35 potential first-round picks.
    • “I've got 35 players along the interior and at Edge that could get drafted in the first three rounds.” [36:50]

• Running Back Surge:

  • [38:17] J. Mac: Praises the running back cohort as the best he has evaluated in 25 years, forecasting a record number of high-impact running backs entering the league.
    • “I just, I love this class of running backs. It's crazy.” [38:17]
  • [40:05] Colin Cowherd: Discusses the potential impact of versatile players like Travis Hunter, debating their roles as wide receivers or defensive backs.
    • “He's a dynamic athlete... he's going to become a serviceable blocker.” [43:41]

• Tight End Prospects:

  • [47:53] J. Mac: Analyzes top tight end prospects, comparing them to legends like Gronkowski and predicting their significant impact in the NFL.
    • “He reminds me more of Gronk. He's going to become a serviceable blocker.” [49:24]

6. Additional Insights and Final Thoughts

• Influence of Traditions in Sports:

  • [28:32] Colin Cowherd: Reflects on the importance of adapting to modern athleticism and the evolving nature of sports strategies.
    • “You’ve got to have a running back now to counter it, who's explosive.” [28:32]

• Player Longevity and Influence:

  • [33:50] Colin Cowherd: Commends Steph Curry’s longevity and influence in the NBA, comparing his impact to iconic figures like LeBron James.
    • “It’s really remarkable what he’s done. He is.” [33:50]

Conclusion

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, listeners are treated to a comprehensive analysis of some of the most compelling sports narratives of early 2025. From Nikola Jokic’s historic performances redefining basketball to strategic NFL draft insights and the Boston Warriors' exceptional coaching dynamics under Steve Kerr, the discussion offers valuable perspectives for sports enthusiasts. The episode underscores the blend of statistical prowess, strategic foresight, and individual talent shaping the current sports landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• “He does about six things well. Shoot, pass, screens, post play, handles the ball, outlet passing, maybe the best in the league.” — Colin Cowherd [04:15]
• “Jokic is in historic territory right now... he's the top basketball player in my entire life.” — J. Mac [06:50]
• “Shanahan, not as much, but Purdy's gonna get the bag because Kyle Shanahan believes he's a top 10 quarterback.” — Colin Cowherd [07:22]
• “He doesn't fit in the All Star festivities, but we are looking at, I think, not only the best player in the game.” — Colin Cowherd [16:24]

For those who wish to delve deeper into these analyses and more, The Herd with Colin Cowherd continues to stream live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio and is available on the iHeartRadio app.