Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of the Week on The Herd"

Release Date: May 17, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd navigates through the top sports stories of the day with insightful commentary and engaging discussions. In the "Best of the Week" episode, Colin recaps major events across the NBA and NFL, featuring an exclusive interview with basketball legend Mike Krzyzewski.

1. NBA Insights and Predictions

The episode opens with Colin and co-host J. Mac delving into the latest NBA developments, focusing on the ongoing playoffs and team performances.

Key Discussions:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo's Future: Colin references Shams Charania’s insights on Giannis exploring options outside Milwaukee, emphasizing the challenges due to team dynamics and draft control issues.

  Colin Cowherd [04:00]: "Giannis, according to Shams, is going to explore the best fits outside of Milwaukee."

• Knicks vs. Celtics Series: The conversation highlights the surprising performances of the New York Knicks against the Boston Celtics, with Colin expressing optimism about the Knicks' chances if they secure a win tonight.

  Colin Cowherd [04:02]: "If the Knicks win tonight, they're going to win the series."

• Warriors’ Aging Roster: Colin critiques the Golden State Warriors' aging core, suggesting that without Steph Curry’s prime performance, the team is unlikely to compete effectively.

  Colin Cowherd [52:09]: "With Steph Curry running 2 miles per game on that treadmill for that offense and he is so valuable without it they're not even the same looking watching team."

Notable Quote:

Colin Cowherd [07:31]: "I did not buy the odds makers who had OKC at minus 800 to bury the Nuggets. I said this is gonna be a six or seven game series."

2. Exclusive Interview: Coach Mike Krzyzewski

A significant portion of the episode features an in-depth interview with legendary basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), discussing his perspectives on modern basketball, coaching strategies, and the evolving landscape of college and professional sports.

Key Topics:

• Coaching in the Modern Era: Coach K reflects on the transition from college to the NBA, emphasizing the similarities in professionalism and the challenges posed by transparency in coaching methods.

  Mike Krzyzewski [17:03]: "Actually, I think the NBA is a better place to coach. I think college basketball now is pretty much like the NBA, except there's no transparency."

• Impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness): The discussion addresses the effects of NIL on college athletes, highlighting both the financial benefits and the responsibility it entails.

  Mike Krzyzewski [27:11]: "They're now making a lot of money now and then you're going to make a lot of money later... it's just changed, and it doesn't mean that it's bad. It just means that we have to get better control over it."

• Player Development and Team Dynamics: Coach K shares anecdotes about player growth and the importance of allowing athletes to express their talents without over-coaching.

  Mike Krzyzewski [23:46]: "Because there are players, there's certain players that you, you have to be careful not to over coach. You have to give them the room to become what their talent can show."

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd [19:20]: "Is. Is what do you make of those discussions about JJ that maybe he's wound a little tight?"
Mike Krzyzewski [19:29]: "No, you know, he... he has a veteran staff where those guys will take a look at what they did and how they were doing it and make adjustments going into next year."

3. NFL Schedule Release and Team Analyses

Colin shifts focus to the NFL, discussing the implications of the newly released schedule and analyzing team prospects for the upcoming season.

Key Discussions:

• Dallas Cowboys' Performance: Colin criticizes the Cowboys' recent form, especially their defensive struggles and historical performance against the Philadelphia Eagles.

  Colin Cowherd [40:00]: "The Cowboys are 1 and 45 in their last six against Philadelphia. And this is the best Eagles roster in a long time. And it's the worst Cowboys roster in a long time."

• Kansas City Chiefs Outlook: The episode scrutinizes the Chiefs' offensive line issues and the potential impact on their season, despite Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes being top-tier talents.

  Colin Cowherd [61:26]: "Kansas City does not have a great O line. And they're going to try to figure it out."

• Chicago Bears' Quarterback Situation: An interview with Bears’ GM Ben Johnson explores the challenges Ben faces with rookie Caleb Williams, emphasizing the balance between leveraging Williams' playmaking abilities and developing a cohesive offensive strategy.

  Colin Cowherd [64:14]: "Caleb doesn't [hold his passes long]. Sometimes you gotta just give him layups, just take what the defense gives you. How do you coach that?"

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd [58:00]: "The Cowboys to me have one of the weaker rosters overall in the league."
Ben Johnson [60:30]: "We're trying to support him, give him some clarity on what our expectations are on and off the field and help him grow and develop."

4. Team Strategies and Future Projections

The discussion extends to team strategies, with Colin and his guests analyzing how teams are adapting to the modern demands of sports, focusing on roster construction, coaching philosophies, and the impact of veteran players.

Key Topics:

• Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Colin compares the Warriors’ aging roster to the Thunder’s youthful energy, predicting continued challenges for Golden State unless significant roster changes occur.

  Colin Cowherd [66:21]: "The Warriors to some degree have become an antique store and OKC is the Apple store right next door."

• Impact of Injuries and Player Health: Emphasizing the role of player health in playoff success, Colin discusses how older teams are more susceptible to injuries, potentially hampering their championship runs.

  Mike Krzyzewski [51:35]: "Everything in the playoffs is about who stays healthy and who gets hot."

• Future of College Basketball Coaching: Coach K shares his vision for college basketball, advocating for a business-like approach to managing teams and acknowledging the increased professionalism within the sport.

  Mike Krzyzewski [17:03]: "People should put their arms around college sports, especially college basketball, and run it like a business."

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd [70:14]: "He's got such great God-given ability that we're looking to tap into. You see it every day right now."
Ben Johnson [63:24]: "We have a number of players offensively and defensively that have Pro Bowls under their belt, that have playoff game experience."

5. Emerging Stories and Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Towards the episode's conclusion, Colin touches on emerging stories and provides behind-the-scenes insights into the sports world, including anecdotes about player behaviors and management decisions.

Key Discussions:

• Caleb Williams’ Adaptation: Insights into how Caleb Williams is adjusting to his role with the Chicago Bears, showcasing his skills while navigating the pressures of being the number one pick.

  Ben Johnson [67:33]: "Caleb was taken as a high draft pick because of that playmaking ability that you're alluding to. And so we don't want to neuter that as well."

• Impact of NIL on Team Dynamics: Further exploration of how NIL deals are reshaping team dynamics and player motivations, with Coach K emphasizing the need for structured support systems.

  Mike Krzyzewski [27:44]: "Most of the kids... are going to be making more money in college than they will after college."

Notable Quotes:

Ben Johnson [69:26]: "We want to see growth from here to here over the course of the season. It's not going to be linear growth."
Mike Krzyzewski [25:28]: "And let's say, come on, man, you know, let it out. Like we were talking about JJ earlier."

Conclusion

In this "Best of the Week" episode, Colin Cowherd effectively captures the pulse of the sports world, providing in-depth analyses of both the NBA and NFL. The highlight interview with Mike Krzyzewski offers invaluable perspectives on coaching, player development, and the evolving landscape of college basketball. Additionally, the discussions surrounding key NFL teams and emerging stories like Caleb Williams' integration into the Chicago Bears add layers of insight for listeners seeking comprehensive sports commentary.

Notable Quotes Recap:

1. "If the Knicks win tonight, they're going to win the series." – Colin Cowherd [04:02]
2. "Giannis, according to Shams, is going to explore the best fits outside of Milwaukee." – Colin Cowherd [04:00]
3. "It's a CEO job now more than it is X's and O's." – GM Ben Johnson [61:26]
4. "Most of the kids... are going to be making more money in college than they will after college." – Mike Krzyzewski [27:44]

This episode serves as a must-listen for sports enthusiasts who want a blend of expert interviews, strategic analyses, and candid discussions about the current state and future of professional and collegiate sports.