Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd"

Release Date: June 3, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode: Best of The Herd

Overview

In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Colin takes a brief vacation, allowing guests Jason McIntyre and Alex Curry to delve into a range of pressing sports topics. The discussion primarily centers around the NBA Finals, the evolving landscape of superteams, NFL quarterback Brock Purdy's performance, and surprising developments within the New York Knicks organization.

1. NBA Finals and the Decline of Superteams

Timestamp: 03:13 – 09:00

Jason McIntyre opens the discussion by expressing his lack of excitement for the current NBA Finals, citing the absence of dominant superstars and dynastic teams that once captivated fans. He reminisces about earlier eras when teams like the Miami Heat, featuring LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving, or the Boston Celtics with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, brought immense "star wattage" to the Finals.

Jason McIntyre [04:30]: "When the NBA had super teams this century, it was at the height of its popularity. I mean, come on, you put LeBron, Kevin Love, and Kyrie in the Finals. That's a lot of pop. That's juice."

He criticizes the NBA's current direction under Commissioner Adam Silver, arguing that initiatives like the supermax contract and salary cap measures intended to promote parity have inadvertently dampened the league's excitement by discouraging the formation of superteams.

Jason McIntyre [08:15]: "Fairness isn't really sexy or exciting. Exciting is player movement. That's what gives the league the pop."

Jason laments the shift away from superstar-led Finals series, suggesting that the current lack of marquee matchups diminishes fan engagement and the overall allure of the NBA playoffs.

2. NFL Focus: Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers' Quarterback Woes

Timestamp: 09:00 – 14:47

Transitioning to the NFL, Jason addresses concerns regarding Brock Purdy's performance with the San Francisco 49ers. Despite being regarded as a promising quarterback and the team's first-round draft pick, Purdy has struggled, particularly when his team is trailing in the second half.

Jason McIntyre [10:10]: "Brock Purdy, when tied or trailing in the second half, not good. It's not just last season. There's a theme here."

While acknowledging Purdy's past successes, including a memorable comeback against Detroit where he overcame a significant deficit, Jason emphasizes that consistent underperformance in high-pressure situations raises doubts about his ability to lead the team effectively.

Jason McIntyre [13:30]: "Brock Purdy, there's some pressure this season for sure. You're now a $50 million man. You gotta act like one."

Jason critiques Head Coach Kyle Shanahan's play-calling, highlighting a pattern of blown leads in crucial moments, which compounds doubts about the team's ability to secure victories under tight circumstances.

3. LeBron James' Podcast with Steve Nash and Luka Dončić: Dynamics and Insights

Timestamp: 20:38 – 24:34

The conversation shifts to LeBron James' recent podcast collaboration with Steve Nash and Luka Dončić. Alex Curry provides insights into the dynamic interactions among these basketball luminaries, noting the rarity of extended interactions outside of typical post-game settings.

Alex Curry [21:00]: "Seeing those two interact for about 30 minutes or so was interesting, but no real takeaways."

They discuss the mutual respect between LeBron and Luka, with LeBron praising Luka as his favorite player in the league, likening his skills to a combination of LeBron and James Harden.

Alex Curry [22:21]: "LeBron really respects Luka, though. He said multiple times that he's his favorite player in the league because really, Luka is LeBron minus the athleticism."

However, Alex remains cautious about drawing significant conclusions from the podcast, suggesting that while the interaction was noteworthy, it didn't reveal substantial strategic insights or forthcoming moves.

4. Surprise Shake-Up: New York Knicks Fire Coach Tom Thibodeau

Timestamp: 46:08 – 50:00

In a shocking development, the New York Knicks announced the firing of Head Coach Tom Thibodeau despite the team's impressive performance, marking their best season in decades. Jason McIntyre expresses disbelief and frustration over the decision, questioning the rationale behind the management's choice to dismiss a coach who had recently led the team to the conference finals.

Jason McIntyre [46:08]: "Couple days after the Knicks had their best season this century, they just fired their head coach, Tom Thibodeau. I mean, that's just the height of insanity."

He highlights the potential negative repercussions of this move, including uncertainty surrounding key players like Jalen Brunson, Carl Anthony Towns, and Mikhail Bridges, and the broader implications for the team's future strategy and morale.

Jason McIntyre [47:40]: "What does this future hold for Carl Anthony Towns, Mikhail Bridges?"

Alex Curry concurs, adding that firing Thibodeau threatens to destabilize the team's recent progress and raises questions about the organization's long-term vision.

5. Additional Highlights and Hot Takes

Timestamp: 38:00 – 40:55

In the latter portion of the episode, Jason pitches a hot take comparing SGA (assumed to be referring to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) to James Harden, suggesting that SGA is following a similar career trajectory marked by significant regular-season prowess but underwhelming playoff performances.

Jason McIntyre [40:04]: "I think SGA is basically James Harden 2.0. He's a James Harden, really good player who has kind of an unstoppable run here, getting to the basket, drawing fouls."

Alex counters this by emphasizing SGA's potential and current defensive capabilities, while also acknowledging areas for improvement.

Alex Curry [39:23]: "I think Shay's better, but I think if I was going into next season... I might put Luka head."

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Jason McIntyre and Alex Curry provide a candid and critical analysis of current sports narratives, from the evolving dynamics of NBA superteams to unexpected coaching changes in the NFL. Their discussions reveal underlying tensions and strategic considerations that shape the future trajectories of teams and players alike. Notable quotes and insightful commentary offer listeners a deep dive into the complexities of modern sports management and athlete performance.

Notable Quotes

• Jason McIntyre [04:30]: "When the NBA had super teams this century, it was at the height of its popularity."

• Jason McIntyre [10:10]: "Brock Purdy, when tied or trailing in the second half, not good."

• Alex Curry [22:21]: "LeBron really respects Luka... Luka is LeBron minus the athleticism."

• Jason McIntyre [46:08]: "Couple days after the Knicks had their best season this century, they just fired their head coach, Tom Thibodeau."

• Jason McIntyre [40:04]: "I think SGA is basically James Harden 2.0."

Relevant Timestamps

• NBA Finals Discussion: 03:13 – 09:00
• NFL Segment on Brock Purdy: 09:00 – 14:47
• LeBron's Podcast Insights: 20:38 – 24:34
• Knicks Firing Coach: 46:08 – 50:00
• Hot Takes on SGA: 38:00 – 40:55

Conclusion

This episode of "The Herd" offers a comprehensive exploration of pivotal moments in the sports world, blending in-depth analysis with engaging commentary. Jason McIntyre and Alex Curry navigate through the highs and lows of teams and players, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing contemporary sports dynamics.