Summary of "Best of The Herd" Episode (February 27, 2025)

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode Title: Best of The Herd
Release Date: February 27, 2025

Introduction

In the "Best of The Herd" episode, Colin Cowherd engages in extensive conversations with statistician and sports analyst Jason McIntyre, delving into various sports topics. The discussion ranges from the concept of the "face of the league" in the NBA to NFL quarterback evaluations and college football facilities grading. The episode is enriched with personal anecdotes, critical analyses, and notable quotes that offer listeners deep insights into the current state of professional sports.

The NBA's "Face of the League"

Historical Perspectives

Colin Cowherd initiates the discussion by challenging the current discourse surrounding the NBA's "face of the league." He reflects on past icons who have embodied this role:

• Magic Johnson: Described as charismatic yet "flaky and weird," Magic is acknowledged for his outstanding talent and business acumen.

  "Magic Johnson gets along with everybody the league has had. There's a story this morning..." ([03:25])

• Michael Jordan: Celebrated as the greatest player ever, Jordan's unparalleled talent and marketability set a benchmark for future stars.

  "He never seen anything like Michael." ([04:10])

• LeBron James: Emphasized for his athleticism and business prowess, LeBron continues the legacy with his significant influence both on and off the court.

  "LeBron James again walked into the league the first night of the NBA out of high school." ([05:00])

Contemporary Challenges

Colin critiques the current NBA landscape, arguing that many contemporary players do not possess the necessary combination of talent, charisma, and business sense to be considered the league's face:

• Jayson Tatum: Despite his prowess, Tatum is seen as lacking the standout charisma and consistent leadership required for this role.

  "Jason Tatum's a great player, but he's closer to Duncan in personality than Magic." ([06:30])

• Zion Williamson & Ja Morant: Both players had potential but fell short due to personal issues and maturity concerns.

  "Zion had a chance to be face of the league, but he ate himself out of playing time." ([07:15])

• Steph Curry: While acknowledged as an elite shooter, Curry is argued not to fully fit the "face" mold due to marketing limitations (e.g., shoe deals).

  "Steph's never really sold shoes." ([08:00])

Colin concludes that the NBA has historically sustained only three true faces of the league and that current discussions sometimes overlook the combination of traits that made Magic, Michael, and LeBron stand out.

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks' Challenges

Team Dynamics and Public Perception

The conversation shifts to the Dallas Mavericks and concerns surrounding star player Luka Doncic, particularly in light of rumors and reports about his personal life and team dynamics:

• Doncic's Divorce: Colin discusses leaked stories portraying Doncic as "lazy" with personal issues like weight management and social habits, drawing parallels with other NBA stars' lifestyles.

  "According to Sam Amick, the people who witnessed Luka's last days in Dallas call him lazy." ([09:45])

• Fan Reaction: These reports have negatively impacted fan sentiment, leading to a significant drop in ticket prices and overall team morale.

  "The Mavericks ticket prices have fallen 40%." ([10:20])

• Comparisons with Other Players: Colin contrasts Doncic's situation with that of Michael Jordan, suggesting that while Jordan could maintain his reputation despite personal indulgences, Doncic's actions are more detrimental.

  "He wasn't as popular as Shaq. People worshiped Kobe's talent. People liked Shaq." ([11:00])

Organizational Missteps

Colin criticizes the Mavericks' management for underestimating the fallout from Doncic's personal issues, emphasizing that the team's strategy to remove certain elements for perceived performance gains has backfired.

"They thought this divorce was all about Anthony Davis and getting the lazy guy out. They had no idea how much it would tick off Dallas fans." ([12:15])

NFL Combine Insights and Quarterback Evaluations

Matthew Stafford's Future

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around quarterback Matthew Stafford, exploring his potential moves and the implications for both the Los Angeles Rams and the Las Vegas Raiders:

• Rams vs. Raiders Option: Colin and Jason debate whether Stafford should remain with the Rams, where he has strong organizational support, or move to the Raiders for a more lucrative contract and potential team leadership opportunities.

  "If the Rams offer him two years and 90 million and the Raiders offer him four years and 170 million in no state tax from California to get on the freeway west, east, head east. I, I'm going to defend that." ([16:50])

• Raiders' Organizational Strength: The Raiders are portrayed as an attractive option due to their hiring of Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly, suggesting a promising coaching synergy.

  "They don't have any momentum, but there's no state tax. They've got a good left tackle... they have a weapon in Brock Bowers that you cannot cover." ([17:30])

• Stafford's Market Value: Colin argues that Stafford's skill set places him among elite quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes, warranting a substantial contract.

  "There's three quarterbacks in this league that win regardless of what's around them. Lamar, Josh and Patrick." ([19:00])

Comparisons with Other Quarterbacks

The discussion extends to comparisons with other quarterbacks, emphasizing what separates true elite performers:

• Aaron Rodgers: Acknowledged for his football intelligence and performance despite being in a suboptimal coaching staff environment.

  "Aaron Rodgers as a two-year deal. It's your team for a year. We are going to draft the quarterback next year." ([20:15])

• Brock Purdy: Evaluated critically for his performance, Colin suggests that while Purdy has potential, his track record with turnovers and performance against playoff teams raises concerns about his suitability as a long-term franchise quarterback.

  "Christian McCaffrey gets dinged up. Brandon Ayuk is out. Trent Williams is hurt... He has proven more to you as a starter, has he not? I am. That he's an elite. He's not an elite quarterback." ([21:45])

College Football Facilities Grading by the NFLPA

Importance of Facilities

Colin and Jason discuss the NFLPA's grading of college football facilities, debating the extent to which these grades influence player decisions and team performance:

• Facilities and Free Agency: Good facilities are argued to be a positive factor in attracting free agents, though their overall impact is debated.

  "I saw a story this morning, and by the way, all those bad work habits got Luka five time, first team all pro." ([22:30])

• Team Performance vs. Facilities: While acknowledging that facilities matter, they assert that team performance, coaching, and organizational stability play a more critical role in player retention and attraction.

  "But in the end, it's all about coaching and GMing and the fact that Philadelphia had a major decline and the Raiders are near the top." ([23:10])

Specific Team Evaluations

They critique specific teams based on the NFLPA's grades:

• Cincinnati Bengals: Receiving an F on food, Colin questions the criteria and its relevance.

  "I don't know how to get an F on food. Are you giving these guys Ho Ho's and Ding Dongs for breakfast?" ([24:00])

• Miami Dolphins & Kansas City Chiefs: The Dolphins are ironically ranked high despite a recent playoff drought, while the Chiefs receive low marks despite their successful head coach.

  "Number one is Miami, and they haven't won a playoff game in 25 years. The Raiders are near the top, and the Chiefs are near the bottom." ([25:15])

Additional Discussions

Steelers and Coaching Dynamics

Colin and Jason touch upon coaching styles and their impact on team culture and player performance, citing examples like Sean McVay's approach with player respect and the interplay between head coaches and general managers.

"Sean McVay truly respects a player's value. When I was there this past offseason and we were discussing free agents, he was like, I like this guy, but I don't want to insult him by offering less than what he is worth." ([26:30])

Player Lifestyle and Performance

The conversation also delves into the lifestyle choices of players and their influence on public perception and team dynamics, with references to substance use and personal habits.

"There is too much hate in this country and it's gotta stop. So join us at iHeart in standing up to it." ([27:00])

Notable Quotes

1. On the NBA's Face of the League:

   "The only thing more overrated than face of the league is people that buy gigantic houses and they spend their next seven years yelling at their kids upstairs in a 27,000 square foot house." — Colin Cowherd ([03:10])

2. On Luka Doncic and Mavericks' Issues:

   "They thought this divorce was all about Anthony Davis and getting the lazy guy out. They had no idea how much it would tick off Dallas fans." — Colin Cowherd ([12:15])

3. On Matthew Stafford's Potential Move:

   "If the Rams offer him two years and 90 million and the Raiders offer him four years and 170 million in no state tax... I'm going to defend that." — Colin Cowherd ([16:50])

4. On NFLPA's Facilities Grading:

   "I don't know how to get an F on food. Are you giving these guys Ho Ho's and Ding Dongs for breakfast?" — Colin Cowherd ([24:00])

Conclusion

The "Best of The Herd" episode offers a comprehensive analysis of current sports discussions, primarily focusing on the NBA's leadership dynamics and the NFL's quarterback market. Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre provide critical insights into how individual player behaviors, team management decisions, and organizational structures influence both team performance and player marketability. The episode underscores the complexities of maintaining a franchise's success amidst evolving player dynamics and market pressures.

Note: Advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections were omitted from this summary to focus solely on the core discussions and analyses presented in the episode.