Podcast Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Best of The Herd
Release Date: May 22, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview

In the "Best of The Herd" episode, host Colin Cowherd delves deep into the exhilarating NBA playoff season, with a particular focus on the intense Knicks vs. Pacers matchup. Joined by NBA star Tyrese Halliburton, the episode offers insightful analysis, spirited debates, and expert commentary on key performances, strategies, and the unfolding dynamics of the series.

NBA Playoffs Analysis

Knicks vs. Pacers Game Recap

The episode kicks off with a vivid recounting of an electrifying playoff game between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. Colin Cowherd expresses mixed emotions about the game's outcome, highlighting the Pacers' remarkable shooting efficiency in the second half.

• High Shooting Efficiency: Colin remarks, "I'm sitting there watching it and I'm the first half like at one point both teams were shooting like 65% in the first half. I'm like what am I watching? I was like AAU basketball. Nobody wanted to D up." (05:15)

• Pacers' Clutch Performance: The second half saw the Pacers catch fire, with notable performances from Tyrese Halliburton and Aaron Neesmith. Colin emphasizes, "Tyrese Halliburton... is he a top 10 player at this point where this guy just doesn't miss in the clutch? He's unbelievable." (07:20)

Tyrese Halliburton's Stellar Performance

Tyrese Halliburton's performance is a central theme of the discussion. Colin draws parallels between Halliburton and NBA legend Steve Nash, praising his self-awareness and ability to elevate his teammates.

• Comparison to Steve Nash: Colin states, "Halliburton is amazing because he reminds me of Steve Nash. Steve Nash... had unbelievable self-awareness. And that's Halliburton." (09:45)

• Clutch Moments: Halliburton's clutch plays are lauded as game-changers. Colin highlights a pivotal moment, "Halliburton driving. He's in the lane. He nearly lost it. He backs up and unloads a three... and it dropped gently through the net." (10:15)

Jalen Brunson's Impact and Challenges

Jalen Brunson's impressive 43-point game is discussed, albeit with concerns about his high turnover rate and foul trouble.

• High Turnovers: Colin critiques, "Brunson had seven turnovers. Why? Because he's playing faster than he's used to." (12:30)

• Foul Trouble: The conversation touches on Brunson's foul issues, noting, "Brunson got into foul trouble. Again, we're asking somebody who can type 40 words a minute to type 60." (13:05)

Series Implications

The episode explores the potential outcomes of the series, weighing the Pacers' aggressive pace against the Knicks' more methodical style of play.

• Pacers' Pace Dominance: Colin predicts, "I think what you're seeing with Halliburton here... they are really, really good team." (15:50)

• Knicks' Defense and Strategy: Concerns are raised about the Knicks' ability to counter the Pacers' strategy, especially in high-pressure scenarios. Colin underscores, "The Pacers play the fastest pace in the league. What a perfect name for a team last three years." (17:25)

Player Spotlight: Tyrese Halliburton

Tyrese Halliburton shares his perspectives on the game and his role within the Pacers.

• Resilience and Teamwork: Halliburton states, "We've shown it all year. We've had to win in so many different, random, unique ways and today we..." (08:37)

• Choke Gesture Incident: Discussing a controversial moment, Halliburton explains, "If I would have known it was a two, I would not have done it. So I think I might have wasted it." (22:25)

• Leadership and Playmaking: Halliburton emphasizes his role as a team leader, "He is the pace car. He is the guy that's gonna... how fast we're all gonna play." (20:10)

Defensive Strategies and Team Dynamics

The Pacers' defensive strategies and how they impact the series are dissected in detail.

• Aggressive Double-Teaming: Colin and Halliburton discuss how the Pacers' defense targets key Knicks players, leading to turnovers and disrupted offensive flows. "They started double team Brunson aggressively. Remember, he got trapped in the backcourt and he just threw the ball." (48:11)

• Knicks' Offensive Stalls: The conversation highlights how the Knicks' offense struggles when key players are double-teamed, impacting their ability to maintain momentum. "Their offense stalled out in that fourth quarter." (48:56)

Cultural Insights: Playing at Madison Square Garden

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the unique atmosphere of playing at Madison Square Garden (MSG) and its impact on players.

• Intimidating Home Court Advantage: Halliburton describes MSG as "the greatest place to play basketball," noting the intense and knowledgeable fan base that both challenges and inspires players. (50:16)

• Player-Fan Interaction: The dynamic between players and fans in NYC is explored, with Halliburton sharing, "If you start cooking, look... it's a movie. It's theater." (51:34)

Future Predictions and Series Outlook

With the series poised to extend beyond the initial games, Colin and Halliburton offer their predictions and strategies for upcoming matches.

• Pacers' Confidence: Colin remains optimistic about the Pacers' chances, stating, "I still like Indiana to win this series." (22:27)

• Knicks' Adjustments Needed: Emphasis is placed on the Knicks needing to adjust their defensive strategies to counter the Pacers' aggressive pace. "I'm very curious to see how the Knicks make the next game." (46:45)

Additional Insights

Towards the latter part of the episode, the discussion briefly touches on broader sports topics, including NFL strategies and league dynamics, though these segments are less prominent.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd: "Halliburton is amazing because he reminds me of Steve Nash. Steve Nash... had unbelievable self-awareness. And that's Halliburton." (09:45)

• Colin Cowherd: "The Knicks should have won. They shot 51%. They got a bad bounce. And I think last night New York beats everybody in the league except Halliburton and the Pacers and maybe OKC." (07:00)

• Tyrese Halliburton: "We've shown it all year. We've had to win in so many different, random, unique ways and today we..." (08:37)

• Tyrese Halliburton: "I just got to do what I got to do." (22:43)

Conclusion

The "Best of The Herd" episode offers a comprehensive and engaging analysis of the current NBA playoff landscape, with a spotlight on Tyrese Halliburton's pivotal role in the Indiana Pacers' campaign. Colin Cowherd and guest Tyrese Halliburton provide listeners with expert insights, balanced critiques, and passionate commentary, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts eager to stay informed and entertained during the high-stakes playoff season.

Note: Timestamps in brackets (e.g., 09:45) correspond to the approximate moments in the transcript where the quotes occur.