The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Best of The Herd (February 26, 2025)

Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview In this "Best of The Herd" episode, Colin Cowherd delves deep into some of the most pivotal sports stories of the day, featuring insightful discussions with guest Dan Wojke from the LA Times. The episode navigates through standout performances in the NBA, potential NFL quarterback moves, and the broader impact of star athletes on sports league dynamics. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the key points, discussions, and notable quotes from the episode.

1. NBA Showdown: Lakers vs. Mavericks

Game Analysis Colin Cowherd kicks off the episode by analyzing the thrilling final game of the NBA season between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. With the Mavericks missing key bigs, the Lakers capitalized, especially through alley-oops and Jackson Hayes' stellar performance.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic Dynamics A significant focus is placed on the evolving partnership between LeBron James and Luka Doncic:

• JJ Redick’s Insights: Cowherd highlights JJ Redick’s recent analysis, stating, “JJ Redick has figured out the LeBron code” ([05:30]). Redick suggests that Luka serves as a quarterback, controlling the game’s tempo, which allows LeBron to conserve energy and unleash remarkable bursts of performance.

• LeBron’s Remarkable Performance: LeBron’s 16 points and defensive stops in the fourth quarter are lauded as some of the best performances by an older NBA player in a meaningful game. Cowherd remarks, “[...] I could not believe what I was watching. His energy was a notch above every other player on the floor and he's the old guy” ([07:45]).

Guest Insights: Dan Wojke Dan Wojke agrees, emphasizing LeBron's elevated energy and his seamless integration with Luka, which enhances the Lakers' gameplay. Wojke notes, “LeBron's playing at an all NBA defense level. He doesn't get scored on in isolation” ([42:03]).

2. Matt Stafford’s Potential Move to the Raiders

Discussion on NFL Quarterback Dynamics The conversation shifts to NFL quarterback Matt Stafford and his potential interest in joining the Las Vegas Raiders:

• Tom Brady’s Influence: Cowherd discusses rumors that Tom Brady reached out to Stafford, presenting the Raiders as an attractive option due to factors like no state income tax in Nevada and a more lucrative contract offer compared to the Rams.

• Raiders’ Team Composition: Highlighting the Raiders’ robust roster, Cowherd mentions, “Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly give you a legitimate coaching staff” ([17:15]). The combination of seasoned coaches and elite players like Max Crosby and Brock Bowers positions the Raiders as a formidable team.

Financial Considerations: The financial incentives are underscored, with Cowherd stating, “The difference between a two-year deal in LA and a four-year deal with the Raiders could be $70 million” ([18:00]).

3. Impact of Star Athletes on Sports League Ratings

Cyclical Nature of Sports Popularity Colin discusses the cyclical impact that star athletes have on their respective leagues' popularity and television ratings:

• NBA’s Resilience: Drawing parallels with past NBA legends like Michael Jordan and Tim Duncan, Cowherd asserts that the league remains resilient due to current stars like LeBron James and Luka Doncic. He notes, “New York, Jalen Brunson, Steph Butler, LeBron, Luka, Jimmy... they work. They're gonna be fine” ([54:30]).

• Comparisons to Other Sports: He also compares the NBA’s situation to other sports, emphasizing how iconic players like Shohei Ohtani in baseball and Jim Harbaugh in football have similarly influenced their leagues.

Quotes Highlight:

• “[...] LeBron plus Luka plus the Laker brand is good for the league right now” ([54:10]).
• “When you get Jim Harbaugh to Michigan, it changed the Big Ten ratings” ([16:15]).

4. Jimmy Butler’s Fit with the Golden State Warriors

Integration into a Championship Team The episode explores Jimmy Butler’s seamless fit with the Warriors, evaluating his impact on the team’s dynamic and performance:

• Emotional Intelligence and Competitiveness: Butler is praised for his high emotional intelligence and competitive spirit, which align perfectly with the Warriors’ culture. Colin observes, “Jimmy is so competitive, so competitive. And you've put him in an environment where competition has thrived” ([51:35]).

• Statistical Contributions: Despite some analytic concerns about his shooting, Butler’s overall contributions are deemed invaluable. Wojke remarks, “Jimmy is an incredible fit because he fits in this system” ([51:35]).

Quotes Highlight:

• “It's like this is an environment that has continued to win at the highest level” ([51:35]).
• “Jimmy Butler is the anti-wiggins. He's intentional on every possession” ([51:02]).

5. Kevin Durant and Team Fit Considerations

Critical Evaluation of Durant’s Fit in Teams Colin and Wojke engage in a candid discussion about Kevin Durant’s suitability for different NBA teams, debating his fit and leadership style:

• Personality and Leadership: Durant is compared to Aaron Rodgers in terms of being a highly talented yet introspective player. Wojke notes, “He's like Aaron Rodgers. You have to be built for that” ([59:25]).

• Team Dynamics: The challenges of integrating Durant into teams mid-season are highlighted, suggesting that mismatched team dynamics could hinder performance. Wojke states, “It just don't make sense for either side right now to go through that” ([60:23]).

Quotes Highlight:

• “You're going to get a little bit of an older, prickly player who could be a little passive-aggressive” ([60:25]).
• “Durant needs to take ownership” ([60:25]).

6. Broader Reflections on Sports and Society

Event Culture and Audience Engagement Colin reflects on how modern technology and social media have transformed sports into major event spectacles, emphasizing the urgency and engagement required to maintain audience interest:

• Event-like Atmosphere: The Lakers vs. Mavericks game is described as feeling like an “event,” driven by the high-stakes performance of superstars ([09:05]).

• Influence of Major Cities: The discussion also touches upon how major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago amplify the visibility and impact of star athletes on national ratings.

Quotes Highlight:

• “When you watch LeBron play with Luka, it's like a kid that got a new bike at Christmas” ([43:35]).
• “The NBA is going to survive. It's cyclical” ([54:50]).

Conclusion In this episode, Colin Cowherd masterfully navigates through a spectrum of hot topics in the sports world, providing listeners with in-depth analyses and expert opinions. From the electrifying performances of LeBron James and Luka Doncic transforming the NBA, to potential high-stakes moves in the NFL, and the overarching influence of star athletes on sports leagues’ popularity, "Best of The Herd" offers a rich and engaging overview of the current sports landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• “JJ Redick has figured out the LeBron code.” – Colin Cowherd ([05:30])
• “I could not believe what I was watching. His energy was a notch above every other player on the floor and he's the old guy.” – Colin Cowherd ([07:45])
• “Durant needs to take ownership.” – Dan Wojke ([60:25])

Listeners who missed the episode can catch "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio from noon to 3 PM Eastern and 9 AM to noon Pacific, or stream it live on the iHeartRadio app by searching "Fox Sports Radio" or "FSR."