The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of The Herd

Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Jason McIntyre (in for Colin Cowherd)
Co-host: Rachel Nichols
Guest: Yovon Buha (Lakers/NBA journalist)

Episode Overview

This episode of “The Herd” is a high-energy drive through the latest in sports, with Jason McIntyre filling in for Colin Cowherd and Rachel Nichols as co-host. Major themes include the surging LA Lakers, the hype around the World Baseball Classic, March Madness picks and storylines, and deep dives into NBA playoff races and team chemistry. The episode is packed with analysis, insider perspectives, and candid roundtable debate, with featured guest Yovon Buha providing expert Lakers insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lakers Surge: Are They True Contenders?

Segment Start: [03:45]

• Lakers’ Recent Wins:
  • The Lakers have beaten the Knicks, Timberwolves (3–0 season sweep), and reigning champion Nuggets in overtime ("their third straight impressive win.")
  • McIntyre highlights skepticism from pundits about the Lakers’ ability to beat top teams:

    “All that talk, Lakers can’t beat the good teams. Well, they’ve beaten three in a row now. So are they contenders?” — Jason McIntyre [04:10]

• Luka Dončić’s Clutch Performance:
  • Luka’s game-winner against Denver—with less than a second left—turns media sentiment, as McIntyre notes “now everybody's back on the Laker bandwagon.”
• LeBron James’ New Role:
  • LeBron has accepted a reduced offensive role:

    “LeBron’s numbers this month are way down… He’s just not the offensive threat he used to be. Now he can still score. We know he makes big plays. He’s the greatest player in basketball history, but he is 41 years old.” — Jason McIntyre [07:58]

  • Insightful contrast is made between LeBron’s downbeat comments in February ("we’re not a championship team") versus his more optimistic post-Nuggets win tone.

Notable Quote:

“LeBron has shifted into full-on role player… Has he got LeBron to buy in?” — Jason McIntyre [08:21]
“I think it feels like we’re coalescing right now in a really nice way.” — Lakers Head Coach J.J. Redick (via postgame audio, paraphrased by Rachel Nichols) [06:14]

• Key Factors in Lakers‘ Turnaround:
  • Austin Reaves’ emergence as a reliable secondary scorer.
  • Coach J.J. Redick’s system leading to better net ratings (especially with Marcus Smart in the starting lineup).
• LeBron’s Intensity:
  • Described vivid moment: LeBron’s “full Superman extension dive” for a loose ball, showing effort and buy-in despite age [08:39].

2. World Baseball Classic: Bigger Than Ever?

Segment Start: [11:40]

• USA Beats Dominican Republic:
  • U.S. advances to the final after a 2–1 win. Jason marvels at the WBC’s rapid rise in cultural impact.
• Player Perspective:
  • Aaron Judge (postgame):

    “There’s nothing like it. And that’s what you dream of as a kid.” — Aaron Judge [12:21]

  • Mark DeRosa (Manager) on the win:

    “That was high-level baseball at its finest… Just a game we’ll remember forever, right?” — Mark DeRosa, played by Rachel Nichols [13:20]

• Upcoming Final:
  • USA will face Italy or Venezuela, with anticipation at an all-time high.

3. March Madness: Bracketology & Predictions

Segment Start: [18:47]

• McIntyre’s Final Four:
  • East: Duke (led by Cam Boozer)
  • South: Illinois (“very dangerous… I like European players in March.”)
  • West: Arizona (“They are the best team in the country, folks… cash cow.”)
  • Midwest: Michigan
  • Championship Pick: Arizona over Illinois; Wildcats to “cut down the nets in Indy.”

Notable Moment:

“Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday are four of the best days of the year. So please don’t ask me to drive to school pickup… I need to lock in.” — Jason McIntyre [19:44]

• Breakdown:
  • Emphasis on offense, pro-experience, and depth.
  • Skepticism toward Purdue after their Big Ten tournament exertion.

4. Expert Lakers Deep Dive — Yovon Buha Interview

Segment Start: [23:09]

• Lakers Locker Room Vibe:

  “The vibes are high right now. They’ve won five in a row… three of them against top 10 teams.” — Yovon Buha [23:09]

• The Marcus Smart Effect:
  • Smart’s promotion to starter has massively improved team net rating.

    “Promoting [Smart] full time to being a starter and the [team] getting healthier… The Luke Kennard addition has been huge.” — Yovon Buha [24:55]

• LeBron’s Buy-In:
  • The shift wasn’t from a single meeting, but organic—each star adapting as teammates returned from injury, with LeBron settling in as the “number three” option [26:13].
• Key Play Breakdown — Austin Reaves’ Missed Free Throw:
  • Redick instructed Reaves to miss to the right, but the ball went left, leading to a crucial play.

    “That might be the most impressive play of the season. It’s got to be up there.” — Yovon Buha [27:39]

• Austin Reaves’ Value:
  • Reaves is beloved and a key piece for the future:

    “He’s maybe the most loved Laker… He’s going to make 30 if not $35M annually… and sign a four or five-year deal.” — Rachel Nichols [28:35]

5. NBA Playoff Picture, Weaknesses & Drama

Segment Start: [32:11]

• LeBron’s Mindset:
  • Early defeatist attitude (“We’re not a championship team”) contrasts with renewed locker room belief after top wins [32:43].
• West Standings:
  • Lakers in third after their win streak, but face a tough road trip (Houston twice, Detroit, Miami, Orlando).
• Houston Rockets’ Collapse:
  • Sengun’s performance fell off dramatically post-All-Star break, with off-court KD text drama possibly correlating to the slump [35:23].
• Minnesota’s Julius Randle Downturn:
  • After failed trade efforts (for Giannis), Randle’s play has dropped, contrasted with Minnesota’s credibility from recent playoff history.
• Lakers’ Defense & Marcus Smart:
  • Smart’s defense (5 steals, 5 threes vs. Denver) is called out as key to shutting down stars like Anthony Edwards, Brunson, and Murray:

    “He to me has been their fourth best player this season and is their fourth most important player.” — Yovon Buha [38:00]

6. Rapid-Fire NBA takes

• Steph Curry Return:
  • Expected back soon; Warriors “kind of locked into the play-in” and likely first-round exit against OKC [40:02].
• East Contenders:
  • Rachel picks Celtics, Jason leans Knicks. Both agree Boston looks strong post-Tatum injury [40:27].
• Victor Wembanyama (Wemby) and SGA:
  • MVP discussion; Rachel picks SGA, but both agree Wemby’s team is a potential title threat this year:

    “They have a top five offense… I think they’re ready.” — Rachel Nichols [42:07]

Notable Quotes & Sharp Exchanges

• Jason McIntyre, on Lakers’ reputation:

  “For all this, oh, they’re not contenders nonsense from some, shall we say, some people that are paid by the league to talk about the league but aren’t nice about the league. Lakers are contenders. There’s 17 games over .500.” [09:38]

• Rachel Nichols, on team chemistry:

  “I think it feels like we’re coalescing right now in a really nice way. Still got a long way to go, but certainly optimistic.” [06:14]

• Yovon Buha, on Marcus Smart’s impact:

  “If the Lakers make any noise in the playoffs… it’s going to be because Marcus Smart is playing a big role.” [38:00]

• Aaron Judge (WBC):

  “There’s nothing like it. That’s what you dream of as a kid.” [12:21]

Timestamped Highlights

• Lakers hot streak / LeBron’s changing role: [03:45]–[09:38]
• World Baseball Classic hype: [11:40]–[14:00]
• March Madness picks: [18:47]–[22:30]
• Yovon Buha (Lakers analysis): [23:09]–[29:00]
• NBA playoff picture, team chemistry: [32:11]–[36:40]
• NBA defense, Marcus Smart: [37:33]–[39:21]
• Steph Curry return, East picks, SGA/Wemby: [39:29]–[43:28]

Episode Tone & Energy

• High-energy banter, sharp opinions, insider insights.
• Frequent humor and asides (family stories, bracketology, Cheesecake Factory, kids’ chess drama).
• Dead-serious sports debate contrasted with lighter, relatable moments.

Conclusion

This episode is a sports fan’s whirlwind tour—from the Lakers’ dramatic turnaround and role evolutions, to the adrenaline surge of March Madness and the World Baseball Classic, to granular NBA playoff projections. Loaded with stats, chemistry talk, and real on-court insight, the conversation serves die-hard fans and casuals alike.

For next time: Listen for Yovon Buha’s further playoff coverage and McIntyre’s daily bracket breakdowns as March Madness unfolds.