Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – “Best of The Herd”
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Introduction
In the “Best of The Herd” episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, released on June 6, 2025, host Colin Cowherd, along with guest co-hosts Jason McIntyre and Alex, delve into a comprehensive analysis of the recent NBA Finals Game 1 between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The episode also touches on significant NFL news, notably Aaron Rodgers’ transition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and features insights from NBA analytics expert John Hollinger.
NBA Finals Game 1 Analysis
Timestamp: [02:46] - [22:57]
The main focus of the episode is the electrifying Game 1 of the NBA Finals, where the Indiana Pacers faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game was marked by a last-second heroics from Pacers’ Tyrese Halliburton, who secured a one-point victory with a decisive pull-up jumper.
Tyrese Halliburton’s Stellar Performance
Halliburton emerged as the standout player, delivering clutch performances throughout the postseason. Colin Cowherd praised his consistency under pressure, stating at [03:24], “Tyrese Halliburton is the man,” highlighting his ability to make critical plays when it matters most.
A notable moment from the game was captured at [04:42]:
Jason McIntyre: “Eight seconds to go.”
Colin Cowherd: “The Pacers are not going to call a timeout.”
Jason McIntyre: “Halliburton has it with three, driving with.”
Colin Cowherd: “Two, pulling up and hitting with three.”
Jason McIntyre: “Tenths of a second to go.”
Alex: “How many more times can this team do that?”
Halliburton’s ability to maintain composure and execute under immense pressure was a recurring theme. Colin shared his personal excitement, mentioning how he watched the game with his kids and was thrilled by Halliburton’s decisive shot.
Game Breakdown and Coaching Decisions
The Pacers showcased strategic brilliance, despite facing numerous turnovers. Colin Cowherd discussed the Pacers’ ability to overcome 24 turnovers, which averaged 12 per game, emphasizing coach Rick Carlisle’s adjustments:
Colin Cowherd: “Rick Carlisle, who I hyped up when I picked the Pacers 4:2 yesterday, said, listen, this guy's good. Look what he did to LeBron and the Heats.”
The Thunder, despite their strong regular-season performance of 61 double-digit wins—the most in NBA history—could not capitalize on their dominance. Cowherd critiqued Thunder coach Mark Daigneault’s decisions, particularly the late-game substitutions that led to the Pacers’ comeback.
Statistical Highlights
- Pacers: 56 rebounds, 39 assists
- Thunder: 17 turnovers, 14 steals
- Three-Point Shooting: Pacers led with 21 points from three-pointers, compared to Thunder’s 14.
Cowherd highlighted the Pacers' superior three-point shooting as a key factor in their narrow victory, noting:
Colin Cowherd: “They are the number one three-point shooting team in the playoffs. 40% last night, seven more threes than the PA than the Thunder.”
Post-Game Reflections
Post-game, Tyrese Halliburton emphasized teamwork and strategic play over individual heroics:
Tyrese Halliburton [08:12]: “Those moments to not call timeouts. Trust me in those moments, guys. Trust me and just try to make a play.”
Cowherd lauded Halliburton’s leadership and ability to perform without relying on constant scoring:
Colin Cowherd: “Tyrese Halliburton, there's something about this guy. And I don't know if SGA, I don't want to say, has that clutch gene, but people love to say, like, what is the guy's defining moment?”
NFL Update: Aaron Rodgers Joins the Pittsburgh Steelers
Timestamp: [22:57] - [43:49]
Shifting gears to the NFL, the episode covers the high-profile signing of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cowherd expressed skepticism about the move, analyzing the potential impact on the Steelers:
Colin Cowherd: “Aaron Rodgers is letting you know right out of the gate I'm calling the shots.”
He compared Rodgers’ arrival to Tom Cruise's character in the movie “Captain Phillips,” emphasizing Rodgers' dominant personality and desire to lead:
Colin Cowherd: “He said, I'm the captain now. This was Aaron Rodgers essentially saying, hey, this is my show.”
Challenges Ahead for Rodgers and the Steelers
Cowherd outlined the Steelers' roster changes and questioned the team’s ability to integrate Rodgers effectively, especially given the existing dynamics with coach Mike Tomlin:
Colin Cowherd: “The Steelers ain’t doing that. So Rodgers is now not going into a comfortable setting.”
He expressed doubt about Rodgers achieving a successful tenure with the Steelers, citing potential conflicts with coaching strategies and the existing team dynamics. The discussion also touched upon the comparison with Brett Favre’s transitional stints, reinforcing the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers’ future performance.
Player Comparisons: Tyrese Halliburton vs. Shea Gilgis Alexander (SGA)
Timestamp: [35:34] - [44:31]
A significant portion of the episode contrasts the performances of Tyrese Halliburton and SGA (Shea Gilgis Alexander) in the playoffs. Cowherd and Alex debated the effectiveness and leadership qualities of both players, ultimately favoring Halliburton for his consistent clutch performances.
Colin Cowherd: “Tyrese Halliburton, there's something about this guy. And I don't know if SGA, I don't want to say, has that clutch gene.”
Alex further elaborated on Halliburton’s strategic playmaking and SGA’s occasional inefficiencies under pressure, suggesting that Halliburton’s rise could redefine team dynamics and playoff outcomes.
Guest Segment: Insights from John Hollinger
Timestamp: [31:03] - [44:00]
The episode features a special interview with John Hollinger, renowned NBA analyst and creator of the Player Efficiency Rating (PER). Hollinger provides a deep dive into the Pacers' strategic decisions and the Thunder’s shortcomings in Game 1.
Game Strategy and Coaching Insights
Hollinger commends Halliburton’s killer instinct and analyzes coach Mark Daigneault’s late-game decisions, particularly the benching of key players like Chet Holmgren:
Alex: “Were you surprised, John, that he pulled Shet Holmgren with like three minutes left down the stretch and they went no bigs?”
John Hollinger: “I was not at all. I rewatched the game this morning. Chet Holmgren was terrible.”
Hollinger emphasizes the Pacers’ defensive strategies and the Thunder’s offensive lapses, attributing the outcome to both tactical prowess and opportunistic plays by the Pacers.
Future Implications for the Series
Hollinger projects the potential developments in the series, assessing the Thunder’s capacity to adapt and overcome their early mistakes. He highlights the importance of maintaining defensive discipline and optimizing offensive strategies to counter the Pacers’ strengths.
Conclusions and Future Outlook
Timestamp: [44:31] - [46:51]
As the episode wraps up, Colin Cowherd reflects on the thrilling start to the NBA Finals and the promising performances of Tyrese Halliburton. He hints at continued analysis and discussions in future episodes, anticipating the Thunder’s adjustments in Game 2 and the evolving dynamics within the NBA Finals.
Cowherd also briefly touches upon the broader implications of player movements in the NBA and NFL, suggesting that the ongoing seasons are reshaping team compositions and competitive landscapes.
Notable Quotes
- Colin Cowherd [03:31]: “Aaron Rodgers is letting you know right out of the gate I'm calling the shots.”
- Tyrese Halliburton [08:12]: “Those moments to not call timeouts. Trust me in those moments, guys. Trust me and just try to make a play.”
- John Hollinger [31:55]: “What I love about Halliburton is he's such a killer.”
Final Thoughts
The “Best of The Herd” episode provides listeners with an in-depth analysis of a pivotal NBA Finals game, enriched by expert insights and engaging discussions on player performance and strategic decisions. Additionally, the segment on Aaron Rodgers adds a compelling dimension to the sports discourse, highlighting the interconnectedness of major American sports leagues.
For those who missed the live broadcast, this summary encapsulates the episode's key discussions and expert viewpoints, offering a comprehensive overview of the current sports landscape as covered by The Herd with Colin Cowherd.