Best of The Herd - The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd" (May 6, 2025)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, offers a dynamic and opinionated exploration of the day's top sports stories. In the "Best of The Herd" episode released on May 6, 2025, Colin Cowherd engages in in-depth discussions with guest Jason McIntyre, covering pivotal moments from the NBA playoffs, team performances, player evaluations, and coaching philosophies. This summary captures the episode's key points, insightful analyses, and notable quotes, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.

1. Celtics vs. Knicks Playoff Showdown

Overview: The episode opens with a critical analysis of the playoff game between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. Colin and Jason dissect Boston's surprising home loss, emphasizing the team's reliance on three-point shots and their defensive shortcomings.

Key Points:

Boston's Shooting Strategy: Colin criticizes the Celtics for their excessive dependence on three-pointers, leading to lower efficiency.
Jayson Tatum's Performance: Tatum's inconsistent shooting and decision-making were central to Boston's struggles.
Knicks' Resilience: The Knicks showcased strong defense and effective use of their shooters, giving Boston significant challenges.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd [03:12]: "Boston, they don't get layups, they don't shoot mid-range, they don't get to the free throw line. They're shooting 63s."
Jason McIntyre [06:50]: "We can't just fire up threes, you know, to break up momentum. You got to get to the free throw line, get to the paint, get to the basketball."

Timestamp Highlights:

[03:11] – Introduction to the Celtics' unexpected home loss.
[07:00] – Detailed critique of Boston's shot selection and defensive play.
[22:07] – Transition into broader playoff strategies.

2. Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: A Clash of Styles

Overview: The conversation shifts to the Denver Nuggets' playoff performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Colin praises Nuggets' strategic play, highlighting Nikola Jokic's leadership and the team's effective use of the free throw line.

Key Points:

Nikola Jokic’s Dual Role: Jokic not only excels offensively but also acts as a coach on the floor, facilitating team dynamics.
OKC's Vulnerabilities: The young and nervous Thunder team struggled under Denver’s seasoned playstyle.
Team Chemistry: The Nuggets demonstrated superior cohesion, especially in late-game situations.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd [09:00]: "Jokic can create so many opportunities around the basket. He is the anti Kawhi."
Jason McIntyre [10:54]: "He's the soul of this team. He's a glue guy."

Timestamp Highlights:

[07:11] – Comparison between Jokic and other NBA stars.
[10:54] – Emphasis on Jokic’s integral role within the Nuggets.
[22:16] – Transition to discussions about team strategies and player performances.

3. Lakers’ Playoff Performance and Future Prospects

Overview: A significant portion of the episode delves into the Los Angeles Lakers' playoff exit. Colin and Jason evaluate the team's performance, center on LeBron James and Luka Doncic, and speculate on potential offseason moves.

Key Points:

Coaching Decisions: Critique of J.J. Redick’s coaching methods and their impact on the Lakers' playoff run.
Player Dynamics: Examination of Luka Doncic's defensive limitations and the necessity for a strong center in the Lakers' lineup.
Roster Stability: Discussion on the challenges of maintaining team cohesion amidst potential trades and player movements.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd [36:34]: "Luka will never be a great defender."
Jason McIntyre [37:55]: "What matters most is what you put around him."

Timestamp Highlights:

[32:33] – Introduction to J.J. Redick’s coaching philosophy.
[40:14] – Detailed analysis of Luka Doncic’s strengths and weaknesses.
[49:54] – Speculation on potential Lakers’ roster changes and the importance of building around key players.

4. Coaching Philosophies and Team Building

Overview: The episode explores different coaching styles and their effectiveness in high-stakes playoff environments. Colin and Jason compare historical coaching figures to contemporary ones, emphasizing flexibility and adaptability.

Key Points:

Adaptability in Coaching: Importance of coaches like Phil Jackson and Steve Kerr who balance structure with player autonomy.
J.J. Redick’s Approach: Assessment of Redick’s ability to adapt his coaching strategies during playoffs.
Team Chemistry: The necessity of fostering a positive locker room environment to enhance on-court performance.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd [34:09]: "You have to let Ronaldo do his thing, play out of structure from time to time."
Jason McIntyre [35:14]: "If you're giving me a starting five and I get Jokic and Murray and Gordon and then I get like a Westbrook who's a spark plug, we talked about this yesterday."

Timestamp Highlights:

[34:32] – Comparison of different coaching philosophies.
[36:48] – Discussion on J.J. Redick’s tight coaching style.
[46:56] – The role of authentic belief in team leadership and coaching.

5. Player Evaluations and Future Predictions

Overview: Towards the episode's conclusion, Colin and Jason offer insights into player performances, potential trades, and future team strategies across the NBA. They discuss the importance of building around star players and making strategic offseason decisions.

Key Points:

Player Development: Emphasis on improving key players’ skills, such as Luka Doncic’s defense.
Strategic Trades: The potential impact of acquiring players like Nick Claxton to strengthen team rosters.
Future Predictions: Speculative analysis on team performances in upcoming seasons based on current trajectories.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd [49:38]: "The Lakers are becoming the Clippers."
Jason McIntyre [51:43]: "The Lakers are becoming the Clippers. They're not going to like that."

Timestamp Highlights:

[43:28] – Evaluation of potential trades and team compositions.
[50:28] – Predictions on team strategies and player acquisitions.
[52:07] – Final thoughts on team building and future success.

6. Discussion on J.J. Redick and Coaching Challenges

Overview: An in-depth conversation about J.J. Redick’s tenure as the Lakers' coach, his coaching philosophy, and the challenges he faces in balancing team dynamics and performance under pressure.

Key Points:

Coaching Under Pressure: How Redick’s internal pressure affects his coaching style and team performance.
Adaptability: Redick's ability to adjust strategies based on player strengths and game situations.
Player-Coach Relationships: The impact of Redick’s interactions with star players like LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd [32:33]: "JJ got very tight in his biggest game as a college player, as an NBA player."
Jason McIntyre [33:23]: "He is very hard on himself. His pressure does come from within."

Timestamp Highlights:

[32:33] – Initial critique of Redick’s coaching demeanor.
[34:28] – Discussion on Redick’s flexibility and coaching decisions.
[37:00] – Analysis of Redick’s playoff strategies and team management.

Conclusion

The "Best of The Herd" episode provides a comprehensive analysis of recent NBA playoff developments, focusing on team performances, coaching strategies, and player evaluations. Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre offer nuanced perspectives, blending statistical analysis with personal insights to deliver an engaging and informative discussion. Notable moments include critiques of Boston's shooting strategy, praise for Denver Nuggets’ cohesive play, and a detailed examination of the Lakers' coaching challenges. This episode serves as a valuable resource for sports enthusiasts seeking in-depth commentary on the ever-evolving landscape of professional basketball.

Notable Quotes Compilation:

Colin Cowherd [03:12]: "Boston, they don't get layups, they don't shoot mid-range, they don't get to the free throw line. They're shooting 63s."
Jason McIntyre [06:50]: "We can't just fire up threes, you know, to break up momentum. You got to get to the free throw line, get to the paint, get to the basketball."
Colin Cowherd [09:00]: "Jokic can create so many opportunities around the basket. He is the anti Kawhi."
Jason McIntyre [10:54]: "He's the soul of this team. He's a glue guy."
Colin Cowherd [36:34]: "Luka will never be a great defender."
Jason McIntyre [37:55]: "What matters most is what you put around him."
Colin Cowherd [34:09]: "You have to let Ronaldo do his thing, play out of structure from time to time."
Jason McIntyre [35:14]: "If you're giving me a starting five and I get Jokic and Murray and Gordon and then I get like a Westbrook who's a spark plug, we talked about this yesterday."
Colin Cowherd [49:38]: "The Lakers are becoming the Clippers."
Jason McIntyre [51:43]: "The Lakers are becoming the Clippers. They're not going to like that."
Colin Cowherd [32:33]: "JJ got very tight in his biggest game as a college player, as an NBA player."
Jason McIntyre [33:23]: "He is very hard on himself. His pressure does come from within."

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the "Best of The Herd" episode, highlighting the critical discussions and analyses that Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre provide on the current state of the NBA playoffs and team dynamics. Whether you're a casual fan or a dedicated follower of basketball, this episode offers valuable insights into the strategies and performances shaping the league.