Best of The Herd with Colin Cowherd – May 5, 2025
The "Best of The Herd" episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, delves deep into the intricacies of the NBA playoffs, offering insightful analysis, candid opinions, and compelling discussions on standout players and pivotal moments. This long-form summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and the dynamic exchanges between Colin Cowherd and guest Jason McIntyre.
1. Introduction
In this episode, Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre dissect the recent NBA playoff games, focusing particularly on the Golden State Warriors' impressive performance against the Houston Rockets and the Denver Nuggets' unexpected victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Their conversation spans player performances, team strategies, and overarching themes that shaped the outcomes of these high-stakes matchups.
2. Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets: A Tactical Masterclass
a. Warriors' Strategic Prowess
Colin opens the discussion by praising the Warriors' ability to win despite lacking depth and facing an ostensibly superior Rockets squad. He states:
"Steph Curry... gets doubled so often. Buddy Heald open, and Jimmy Butler more breathing room. Steph hits five of six... he's the hammer, Houston's the nail."
[08:23]
The Warriors' reliance on their starting five, especially the synergy between Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Buddy Heald, is highlighted as a key factor in their victory. Colin emphasizes the strategic defensive moves made by Coach Steve Kerr and Draymond Green:
"Draymond Green shut down Shen Goon... he shut down the middle. He's the best defensive player I've ever seen and can also be an offensive catalyst."
[07:45]
b. Houston Rockets' Challenges
The Rockets, despite their size and athleticism, struggled against the disciplined Warriors. Colin criticizes their half-court game plan and the lack of cohesive team play:
"Houston flourishes... they were reduced to just a half court offensive team and it is ugly."
[09:15]
Jason McIntyre concurs, acknowledging the Warriors' resolve and disciplined defense as pivotal to their win:
"That was an incredibly impressive display of resolve, discipline. The defense was fantastic."
[08:08]
3. Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets: Leadership and Depth Decoded
a. Questioning the Clippers' Performance
Colin expresses skepticism about the Clippers' loss to the Nuggets, despite their deeper and seemingly more talented roster. He critiques key players' leadership qualities:
"Kawhi Leonard... doesn't set the tone. Unlike Jokic, who got on his teammates multiple times in the series."
[10:30]
He further elaborates on James Harden's limitations, highlighting his dependency on scoring:
"James Harden... he will give you buckets, but if he's not scoring, you get nothing else."
[12:05]
b. Denver Nuggets' Unexpected Triumph
Contrary to expectations, the Nuggets triumphed over the Clippers, thanks largely to Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook. Colin admits his misjudgment:
"I thought the Clippers... were going to be a bit over their skis. But they made great adjustments."
[35:23]
Jason adds that Jokic's dominance and Westbrook's leadership were instrumental:
"Jokic is dominant. Murray was at the right time... Westbrook was a tone setter."
[36:31]
4. Player Spotlights and Team Dynamics
a. Draymond Green: The Unsung Hero
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Draymond Green's multifaceted role. Colin lauds his defensive acumen and offensive versatility:
"Draymond is the iPhone... scorers only like James Harden are the iPod. They just don't do a lot."
[22:55]
Jason echoes this sentiment, highlighting Green's ability to influence the game beyond the box score:
"Defense, just kind of owning the court... being in the right spots offensively."
[22:40]
b. Stephen Curry: The Relentless Scorer
Curry's clutch performances are a focal point, especially his ability to carry the team during critical moments. Colin remarks:
"When Steph was off in the first half, it was Draymond who kept him in the game."
[22:00]
c. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden: Talent vs. Leadership
The contrast between Kawhi Leonard's exceptional skill and questionable leadership is a recurring theme. Colin asserts:
"Kawhi is a really talented instrument, a bit of a loner... he has to be like KD, an accessory."
[12:05]
Likewise, James Harden's brilliance is marred by his lack of versatility outside scoring:
"James Harden will give you buckets, but if he's not scoring, you get nothing else."
[35:23]
5. Where Colin Was Right vs. Wrong: A Reflective Analysis
a. Predictions Colin Got Right
Colin acknowledges hitting the mark on certain predictions, particularly regarding individual player performances:
"Jimmy Butler got to the Warriors... he's a bridge between Steph and Draymond Green."
[35:23]
b. Predictions Colin Missed
However, he concedes errors in forecasting team outcomes, notably the Warriors' victory over the Rockets and the Nuggets' success over the Clippers:
"I picked Houston to beat the Warriors... but they were reduced to half court... that didn't work."
[35:23]
6. Broader Sports Insights
Beyond the NBA, the episode touches on other sports topics, including college football dynamics and standout baseball performances. Notably, Colin discusses Paul Goldschmidt's underrated excellence in baseball:
"Paul Goldschmidt... hitting .349 for the first place Yankees... nobody's been this good and gotten less press."
[40:34]
7. Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Draymond Green's Impact
"Draymond Green shut down Shen Goon... he's the best defensive player I've ever seen and can also be an offensive catalyst."
[07:45] -
James Harden's Dependency
"James Harden will give you buckets, but if he's not scoring, you get nothing else."
[35:23] -
Kawhi Leonard's Limitations
"Kawhi is a really talented instrument, a bit of a loner... he has to be like KD, an accessory."
[12:05] -
Warriors' Resilience
"When Steph was off in the first half, it was Draymond who kept him in the game."
[22:00]
8. Conclusion
The episode of "Best of The Herd" offers a comprehensive examination of the NBA playoffs, blending tactical analysis with candid opinions. Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre provide a nuanced perspective on team strategies, player performances, and the underlying factors that influence playoff outcomes. Their discussions underscore the importance of leadership, versatility, and strategic adaptability in high-stakes basketball scenarios. Whether celebrating the Warriors' mastery or questioning the Clippers' shortcomings, the episode serves as a valuable resource for sports enthusiasts seeking in-depth commentary on the evolving landscape of professional basketball.