The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of The Herd

Episode Date: April 2, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Dell Curry (select segment)

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Herd" dives into the meteoric rise and game-changing impact of San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama, the unique leadership qualities of NFL draft prospect Fernando Mendoza, and the evolution of NBA culture and skillsets, with a special focus on three-point shooting. The show features insightful discussions, memorable analogies, and a thought-provoking conversation with NBA veteran and analyst Dell Curry.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Victor Wembanyama’s Unprecedented NBA Dominance

[00:51 – 06:46, 19:30 – 20:15, 31:59 – 33:46]

• Unmatched Versatility and Statistical Impact:

  • Cowherd marvels at Wembanyama’s latest performance: "Wemby last night did it again. 41 points and 18 rebounds. But that's not the story. He did it in 29 minutes." ([01:02])
  • Compared Wemby to legends, stressing that even early LeBron needed 44 minutes for what Wemby’s doing in 29.
  • Wemby’s stat lines (40+ points, 10+ rebounds in under 30 minutes) are historic – “The only offense using a microwave in a cooking contest. You're still preheating your oven–the meal's finished.” ([01:48])

• Defensive Disruption:

  • Wemby's +433 on-court plus-minus and high block numbers are highlighted as historic.
  • Draymond Green, a perennial defensive star, struggles mightily against him; “Draymond can't do anything. The only other player in the league that Draymond acknowledges I can't do much is Jokic.” ([03:26])

• Changing the Calculus of the Game:

  • "Michael Jordan was amazing. LeBron's amazing. They didn't change the calculus of the sport. That's what Steph Curry did with three point shots... that's what Wemby is doing now." ([02:40])

• Wemby’s Leadership and Self-Awareness:

  • Cowherd likens the experience of watching Wemby to seeing a UFO: “It's like he's a walking, talking UAP. Nobody knows what to make of it.” ([04:16])
  • Praises Wemby’s MVP ambition and honesty: “It's so refreshing. I love that he wants the MVP.” ([14:44])
  • Wemby's own words: "If I want to make my spot among the greats, I gotta try to not miss any occasion. I have to put my name up there." ([20:15])

• Steve Kerr’s Take:

  • “He just looks like he knows exactly what to do at both ends all the time... There’s plays where you can't do anything about it. Several lobs... looked like a Nerf hoop.” ([06:08], Steve Kerr)

• Dell Curry’s Perspective:

  • “He’s a total package... this guy is beyond anything anybody could have imagined.” ([29:40])
  • “He can win you a game on the defensive end. Face of the league... as long as that guy stays healthy.” ([32:27])

2. Leadership and the Modern Quarterback: Fernando Mendoza

[07:54 – 14:13]

• Selfless Pro Day and Leadership:

  • Cowherd details Mendoza’s showcase approach: “He literally announced the routes his receivers would be running before because he wanted to make sure that all his receivers were showing to the NFL scouts... that's leadership.” ([08:09])
  • “Leadership is not cool. Leadership is hard.” ([08:38])

• Comparisons and Critiques:

  • Calls Mendoza "Peyton Manning-esque" in responsibility and self-awareness.
  • Critiques QBs more focused on “being cool” and image than substance, referencing Cam Newton and Jay Cutler: “Are you about winning? Not about what the image of quarterback is, but what the reality of it is.” ([09:27])

• Lance Zierlein’s Scouting Report:

  • “There’s no real airs... I like guys who throw touchdowns and don’t throw interceptions... 39 touchdowns, no interceptions in the red zone over the last two years.” ([11:38], Lance Zierlein)

• Cowherd’s Jersey Rant:

  • “I’m going to buy a Mendoza jersey. In fact, I’m going to buy 20 of them... I know it’s cringy. I’m telling you... the second he enters the building, you have a culture. That is a franchise quarterback.” ([12:10])

3. Building a Football Team: Protecting the Quarterback

[13:30 – 14:44]

• O-Line Over Weapons:

  • Stresses the importance of offensive line as an “insurance policy” after drafting a QB: “Get the quarterback, protect the quarterback. Don’t worry about weapons... that’s what the Colts with Andrew Luck never figured out.” ([13:51])

• NFL Draft Notes:

  • Praises the Raiders’ potential with Mendoza, provided the O-line is addressed, using historical and recent team-building examples.

4. The Value of Wanting to Be the Face of the League

[18:34 – 20:15]

• Star Ambition Is Good:
  • Affirms that aspiring to be MVP and face of the NBA is not arrogance, but honesty and drive: “Wemby wants to be the face of the league and wants to be MVP. And I find his honesty completely and utterly refreshing.” ([18:36])
  • “I want my athletes to care. Just be honest about it.” ([19:52])
  • Wemby’s own take: “I do care deeply about it... if I want to make my spot among the greats, I gotta try to not miss any occasion.” ([20:15])

5. SPECIAL GUEST: Dell Curry Interview

[23:08 – 37:07]

The Evolution of the Three-Point Era

• Curry reflects on his career when long-range shooting was a “specialty... You'd post the center up on that side and dare them to go help. But I was a specialty guy... We’d take two, three, four, maybe five [threes] a game.” ([23:08])
• Notes Hornets averaged 11 threes per game in 1993; now it’s 43 per game ([36:25])

Dynasty Leadership and Locker Room Dynamics

• Cowherd on dynasties: “When you're part of a dynasty... you got the Draymond factor... here comes Kevin Durant... when you're winning, there's a lot of mouths to feed.” ([23:50])
• Dell Curry on Steph’s leadership: “...being a leader in a championship locker room... you don’t know what that’s going to be like from year to year... he’s handled it tremendously.” ([24:47])
• On Steph & Draymond dynamic: “Every championship team has those two types of guys. A guy who can handle things on the floor... then a guy that's kind of out of control, that the coach has a hard time with... I had teammates like that. Charles Barkley, Anthony Mason.” ([26:22])

On Wembanyama & Next-Gen Talent

• “He sets the tone as a rookie. That’s a lot of pressure... but he’s such a mature guy. He is so focused on his tasks... Low maintenance. He has a skill set that’s beyond rookies.” ([28:28], on Hornets rookie Khan)
• On Wemby: “No [comp]. The Spurs have done a great job getting him stronger. He’s an underrated passer... If Wemby’s not having a great offensive night... he can win your game on the defensive end.” ([32:27])

Three-Point Revolution: Old School vs. New School

• Cowherd proposes getting rid of the corner three to bring back rim collisions; Dell Curry adamantly disagrees: “Absolutely hate it... You have to adapt as a team... that's going to always be there.” ([31:05])

Dell Curry’s Personal Reflections and Family Legacy

• On getting his jersey retired: “I wanted to slow down so that I could soak up everything that was happening... it’s still surreal for me to walk in the Spectrum Center, look up and see number 30, Curry up in the stands.” ([35:06])
• On golfing with Steph and the family: “He is [the better golfer], but 140 yards out, I’m hitting the pitching wedge... Our golf communication and text thread is over the top.” ([34:09])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cowherd, on Wembanyama: “Michael Jordan, if he played against Wemby, would have his tongue out, but that's because his jaw would be on the floor.” ([02:37])
• Steve Kerr, on Wemby: "I thought Draymond did a really good job on him defensively. And then there's plays where you can't do anything about it. It was like a Nerf hoop." ([06:08])
• Cowherd, on Mendoza: "I'm telling you right now... the second he enters the building, you have a culture. That is a franchise quarterback." ([12:10])
• Cowherd: "Leadership is not cool. It's hard." ([08:38])
• Dell Curry, on adapting: "You got to bring fine guys... get rid of the corner 3? I like your idea of collisions at the rim... but the corner three is going to always be there." ([31:05])
• Wemby, on MVP drive: "I do care deeply about it... if I want to make my spot among the greats, I gotta try to not miss any occasion." ([20:15])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:51 – 06:46]: Wembanyama’s dominance and historical context
• [06:08]: Steve Kerr’s postgame on Wemby
• [07:54 – 14:13]: Fernando Mendoza’s leadership and the qualities of true franchise quarterbacks
• [13:30 – 14:44]: The importance of the offensive line in football team-building
• [18:34 – 20:15]: Discussion on Wemby, MVP ambitions, and the value of star hunger
• [23:08 – 37:07]: Dell Curry interview: Shooting evolution, Steph's leadership, dynasty dynamics, Wemby reactions, family legacy

Episode Tone and Style

• Colin Cowherd’s analysis is enthusiastic, analogical, irreverent, and often humorous, blending historical perspective with current trends.
• Dell Curry delivers thoughtful, humble, and appreciative reflections on his career, the state of the NBA, and his family’s sporting legacy.

Summary Conclusion

This episode unpacks how singular talents like Wemby and Mendoza can redefine their sports by blending otherworldly skills with earnest, sometimes "cringy" leadership. The conversation illustrates the evolution of both sports and athletes, with wisdom from legends and fresh faces alike. Colin’s signature takes, coupled with Dell Curry’s first-hand insights, provide listeners with an engaging, substantial portrait of where the NBA is now—and where it’s headed.