Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd" (April 22, 2025)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the top sports stories of the day. In the "Best of The Herd" episode released on April 22, 2025, Colin Cowherd and his guest, Jason McIntyre (J. Mac), delve deep into pivotal NBA series, the intricacies of the 2025 NFL Draft, and critical team management decisions. This summary highlights the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

I. NBA Series Analysis

a. Clippers vs. Nuggets: A Coin Flip Series

Colin and J. Mac kick off their discussion by analyzing the Clippers and Nuggets' playoff series. They describe the matchup as a "coin flip series," emphasizing the unpredictability and high stakes involved.

• Colin Cowherd [03:20]: "So, when you watch the Knicks and the Pistons, you thought coming into it, well, the Knicks gonna make pretty quick work of them."

b. Knicks vs. Pistons: Offensive Struggles

The conversation shifts to the Knicks' performance against the Pistons, highlighting significant offensive shortcomings. Colin criticizes the reliance on Jalen Brunson, pointing out his limited effectiveness and the team's stagnant offensive tempo.

• Colin Cowherd [04:00]: "The Knicks are better with pace and tempo when they're moving up the floor. But often they become very static and very stale offensively."

• J. Mac [42:15]: "He [Jalen Brunson] is a good guy and he totally gets it. But some of this may just be coaching."

II. 2025 NFL Draft Insights

a. Quarterback Controversies: Jackson Dart vs. Shador Sanders

A significant portion of the episode centers on the NFL Draft, particularly the quarterback selections. Colin and J. Mac explore the Giants' dilemma between drafting Jackson Dart and Shador Sanders, debating the merits and potential pitfalls of each candidate.

• Colin Cowherd [09:00]: "So this just can't be a Jalen Brunson team. He's not that good. He's good, very good. He's not transformational."

• J. Mac [32:14]: "Jackson Dart lines up with what Brian Daboll is looking for in a quarterback. Sturdier build, mobility, energy on the ball."

Colin expresses skepticism about Dart being a first-round pick, questioning his college performance and readiness for the NFL.

• Colin Cowherd [13:02]: "I just never watched him with Lane Kiffin and all those players, because I watch Ole Miss football for the big games. I never watched them and went, wow, first round quarterback."

b. Running Back Draft: A Deep Pool of Talent

The hosts commend the 2025 draft class for its depth in running back talent, suggesting that late-round picks could yield significant starters.

• Colin Cowherd [35:58]: "It's a remarkable running back draft. This class is so good at running back and it's so deep that the running backs could fall a little bit."

• J. Mac [36:35]: "This is going to be Aston Ginty in the top 10. We'll get to that in a minute."

III. Team Management and GM Decisions

a. Giants' Strategic Dilemmas

The Giants' potential draft choices illustrate broader themes of overcompensation and poor organizational decisions. Colin criticizes the Giants' approach, comparing it to historical mistakes by other teams.

• Colin Cowherd [12:58]: "Giants are considering trading up for a quarterback, Jackson Dart. Let me just ask you this. You ever notice that a lot of the quarterbacks that don't make it, you weren't paying a lot of attention to in college?"

b. Mavericks' Luca Trade Fallout

A heated discussion unfolds around the Mavericks' controversial trade involving Luca, with Colin openly criticizing GM Nico Harrison's handling and communication of the deal.

• Colin Cowherd [22:18]: "You don't want to be the Cincinnati Bengals who never move on the draft. You want to be Philadelphia."

• Colin Cowherd [23:29]: "Nico Harrison said this regarding the Luca disaster trade. I did know that LUCA was important to the fan base. I didn't quite know it to the [h]."

• Charlamagne Tha God [28:08]: "I think this is a class where everyone I've talked to lines up with a lot of my grades. There's no offense."

IV. Predictions and Future Outlook

a. Draft Pick Strategies and Team Needs

Colin and J. Mac share their predictions for draft picks, emphasizing the importance of team-specific needs and the potential for certain players to move up based on performance and fit.

• J. Mac [35:58]: "I'm starting to get the sense, and in part because this class is so good at running back and it's so deep that the running backs could fall a little bit."

b. Evaluating Player Potential and Team Fit

The discussion includes an evaluation of player characteristics and how they align with team strategies, projecting which teams might pick certain players based on their current roster and future prospects.

• Colin Cowherd [40:33]: "That's a mecca. You trust him implicitly. He's a force multiplier in your locker room."

V. Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, several impactful quotes underscore the hosts' perspectives:

• Colin Cowherd [04:00]: "The Knicks are better with pace and tempo when they're moving up the floor. But often they become very static and very stale offensively."

• J. Mac [32:14]: "Jackson Dart lines up with what Brian Daboll is looking for in a quarterback. Sturdier build, mobility, energy on the ball."

• Colin Cowherd [09:00]: "So this just can't be a Jalen Brunson team. He's not that good. He's good, very good. He's not transformational."

• J. Mac [36:35]: "This is going to be Aston Ginty in the top 10. We'll get to that in a minute."

VI. Conclusion

In this episode of The Herd, Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre provide a thorough examination of current NBA playoff dynamics and the critical decisions looming in the 2025 NFL Draft. Their insights reveal a landscape of strategic gambles, highlighting the fine line between potential and downfall for both players and management. The hosts emphasize the importance of informed decision-making, adaptability, and the consequences of past mistakes, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the ever-evolving sports world.

For those who missed the episode, this summary encapsulates the essence of the discussions, providing valuable takeaways on team performances, draft strategies, and the intricate balance of talent and management in professional sports.