The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of The Herd (April 4, 2025)

Hosted by Steve Covino and Rich Davis, sponsored by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1. Introduction and Opening Banter

[03:19] Steve Covino:
Steve kicks off the episode with a light-hearted discussion about his week’s pizza consumption, sharing humorous anecdotes about overeating and the challenges of maintaining healthy eating habits.

[03:26] Rich Davis:
Rich playfully teases Steve about his pizza intake, setting a relaxed and friendly tone for the show.

2. NBA Showdown: Lakers vs. Warriors

The hosts delve into the recent NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, analyzing key performances and team dynamics.

[04:41] Rich Davis:
Rich highlights Juan Soto's debut at Citi Field, expressing surprise that "Juan Soto's first game at Citi Field is a Met barf."

[05:07] Steve Covino:
Steve shares his personal feelings about Soto’s move, stating, “I won’t forgive him for chasing the bag and leaving the Yankees with unfinished business,” indicating a mix of disappointment and frustration.

[06:35] Steve Covino:
Steve praises Jimmy Butler’s performance, noting, “Jimmy Butler, who seems to get better in high-pressure situations. He has personal unfinished business and a chip on his shoulder.”

[07:09] Rich Davis:
Rich observes, “Every Lakers fan I know felt the same way,” referring to Draymond Green’s defensive plays and his intense demeanor, adding, “His face is so punchable, I imagine.”

[10:46] Rich Davis:
Rich summarizes the Western Conference race, stating, “The three seed through the eight seed are within two and a half games of each other. That’s insane.”

3. Playoff Prospects and Team Momentum

The conversation shifts to playoff implications, team momentum, and potential finalists.

[11:35] Steve Covino:
Steve emphasizes the importance of playoff momentum: “In every sport, it’s that team that enters the playoffs hot. The Golden State Warriors just look like they were in the zone, dominating the whole game until the very end.”

[12:00] Rich Davis:
Rich discusses LeBron James’ performance, “LeBron had a nice steal at the end of the game, and Golden State wasted that moment.”

[14:00] Rich Davis:
Rich draws parallels across sports, commenting, “In the NFL, if you’re 10 and 7, it doesn’t matter if you’re the wild card in baseball that has 88 wins.”

4. Hypothetical Scenarios: NBA Finals Predictions

The hosts present hypothetical scenarios to predict which teams might reach the NBA Finals.

[15:05] Colin Cowherd:
Colin poses three options:

1. OKC Thunder reaching the Finals with a young team.
2. Golden State Warriors, bolstered by Jimmy Butler’s addition.
3. The Lakers, with a healthy LeBron and Luka Doncic.

[16:10] Rich Davis:
Rich expresses skepticism about smaller market teams, stating, “I’m the type of guy that’s way more excited about Happy Gilmore 2 than some Academy award-winning film.”

[17:10] Rich Davis:
Rich explains the allure of marquee teams: “We just think that it’s going to be one of them [Warriors or Lakers]. But not only are the Thunder a good team, they’re historically great by almost every statistical measure.”

[20:17] Ryan Music:
Ryan opts for the OKC Thunder, balancing his loyalty as a lifelong LA supporter with the statistical prowess of the Thunder: “They’re the best team in the league all season.”

5. Coaching Decisions in Youth Sports

A segment on coaching ethics and decisions in youth sports, particularly focusing on lineup choices based on player attendance and performance.

[33:05] Steve Covino:
Steve shares his philosophy: “I wouldn’t take out the kid just because his parents suck. I never take him out.”

[34:09] Steve Covino:
Steve emphasizes teaching fundamentals: “Your goal isn't necessarily to win because there's a little. Do it while you can because next year I think you're playing to win.”

6. Tribute to Val Kilmer: Favorite Films

In honor of Val Kilmer’s passing, the hosts and guests discuss their favorite Kilmer movies.

[34:31] Rich Davis:
Rich lists “Tombstone” as his top pick, appreciating its classic status: “Tombstone will be my go-to this weekend.”

[35:12] Colin Cowherd:
Colin reminisces about Kilmer’s versatility, suggesting older films like “Willow” to showcase his range.

[37:09] Rich Davis:
Rich and Steve debate their preferences, with Steve expressing a strong preference for the original “Top Gun” despite not being a big fan initially.

7. Interactive Segment: "Quote Me" Game

Listeners participate in an interactive "Quote Me" game, identifying who made specific quotes related to sports commentary.

[42:04] Rich Davis:
Rich reads a listener’s submission: “Andy Reid should step down as head coach. This is not a one-game loss question.”

[45:05] Steve Covino:
Steve identifies Cole Covino’s quote about Nikola Jokic: “I’m going up against the best of the best of the best bigs.”

[46:50] Rich Davis:
Rich and Steve correctly attribute criticisms of Zion Williamson to Ben Maller, highlighting heated sports debates.

[48:34] Ryan Music:
Ryan participates by correctly identifying Dan Patrick’s quote about social media gestures.

8. Listener Engagement and Bets

The hosts engage with listeners through bets and interactive discussions.

[30:21] Rich Davis:
Rich and Steve discuss a personal bet: “Whoever has the best team record between the Yankees and Mets wins a thousand dollars, plus additional stakes based on game performance.”

[50:37] Colin Cowherd:
Colin facilitates the bet, adding stakes tied to future performances: “When the Dodgers repeat, you both give me a thousand.”

9. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content

The episode concludes with announcements about upcoming shows, new podcast seasons, and reminders for listeners to engage.

[38:53] Danny G:
Danny promotes “The Middle with Jeremy Hobson,” emphasizing balanced national conversations.

[40:53] Wendy:
Wendy shares a poignant reflection from the podcast “Bone Valley,” highlighting personal stories and tragedies.

[43:45] Ryan Music:
Ryan encourages listener participation, maintaining the interactive spirit of the show.

Notable Quotes

• Steve Covino [05:07]:
  “I won’t forgive him for chasing the bag and leaving the Yankees with unfinished business.”

• Rich Davis [11:35]:
  “The three seed through the eight seed are within two and a half games of each other. That’s insane.”

• Tom [45:30]:
  “The New Orleans Pelicans thought they were going to be making a bust of Zion Williamson for the pro bouncy ball hall of Fame. Instead, he's a different kind of bust, the kind you don't want to have.”

• Ryan Music [47:34]:
  “Listen to new episodes of bone Valley Season 2, starting April 9 on the iHeartRadio app.”

Conclusion

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis navigate through passionate sports debates, personal anecdotes, and interactive listener segments. From dissecting NBA playoff potentials to honoring cinematic legends like Val Kilmer, the show offers a blend of insightful analysis and engaging entertainment. The dynamic interplay between the hosts, coupled with listener participation, ensures a comprehensive and enjoyable listening experience for sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

Tune in to The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Fox Sports Radio every weekday, available on the iHeartRadio app and local stations.