Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of the Week
Episode Details
- Title: Best of the Week on The Herd
- Release Date: May 24, 2025
- Host: Colin Cowherd, alongside Jason McIntyre and guest Channing Fry
- Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
1. Weekly Predictions: Where Colin Was Right
Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre kick off the episode by reviewing Colin's accurate predictions from the past week across various sports domains.
a. Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears Colin revisits a story he broke a year prior about Caleb Williams' unease with playing for the Chicago Bears. He states, “[Colin was right] Caleb and his dad were a little uneasy… Caleb didn't want to start his NFL career in controversy. So he complied. He went to the Bears. But it should be duly noted that all of his concerns about the Bears and chaos did come true” ([03:15]).
b. WNBA and Caitlin Clark Highlighting the WNBA’s strategic move, Colin acknowledges the league’s decision to televise nearly all of Caitlin Clark’s games, comparing her impact to “Taylor Swift meets Tiger Woods.” He remarks, “She is a once in a generation not only talent but revenue stream. And the WNBA has finally figured it” ([05:10]).
c. New England Patriots' Prospects Looking ahead, Colin confidently predicts that the New England Patriots are poised to double their wins. He supports his forecast by mentioning, “I said back in March they are the number one bet on my board to double their wins,” noting the team’s upgrades and depth ([06:10]).
2. Weekly Predictions: Where Colin Was Wrong
No analysis is complete without acknowledging misses, and Colin candidly discusses his missteps.
a. Brock Purdy's Contract with the 49ers Colin admits, “I would not have paid Brock Purdy the 50 million, but the Niners did,” reflecting on his incorrect assessment of the quarterback’s value ([04:05]).
b. New York Knicks' Playoff Series Expectations Initially confident that the Knicks wouldn’t win another game in their playoff series, Colin concedes, “But I was wrong on that series,” after witnessing the Knicks’ unexpected resilience and competitive performance ([05:45]).
3. NFL Discussion: The Tush Push Controversy
The conversation shifts to a hot topic in the NFL: the Tush Push play.
a. Owner's Influence Over Rule Changes Colin expresses frustration over the NFL owners overriding committee recommendations, stating, “The NFL is an owner-run league,” highlighting the difficulty of implementing rule changes despite safety and entertainment concerns ([26:30]).
b. Impact of the Tush Push Discussing the Tush Push, Colin explains how player Jason Kelsey’s advocacy influenced the owners' decision to retain the play: “He spoke and I think it probably flipped one or two owners” ([27:00]). The hosts debate the play’s safety and aesthetics, with Colin noting, “It looks dangerous and it's ugly. Optics on TV aren't good” ([26:50]).
4. NBA Playoffs: Pacers vs. Knicks Game Analysis
A significant portion of the episode delves into the recent NBA playoff game between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks.
a. Tyrese Halliburton's Stellar Performance Channing Fry joins the discussion, praising Tyrese Halliburton’s clutch play: “He is a true past first point guard… he is never playing with his ego. He's playing with the fire to win games” ([47:30]).
b. Jalen Brunson’s Dual Impact Jalen Brunson’s impressive 43-point game is analyzed alongside his seven turnovers. Colin remarks, “It's almost like being a typist that types 50 words a minute,” emphasizing the challenges Brunson faced while attempting a higher tempo ([52:00]).
c. Team Strategies and Defensive Tactics The hosts dissect the Pacers’ defensive strategy, which heavily targeted Brunson and disrupted the Knicks’ offensive flow. Colin observes, “They found out Russet gets in foul trouble and turns the ball over when they aggressively double-team him” ([53:10]).
d. Guest Insights from Channing Fry Channing adds depth to the analysis, comparing Halliburton to Steve Nash and highlighting his ability to elevate the entire team's performance: “He reminds me of a guy you played with, Steve Nash… Halle's got a little Nash in him” ([49:50]).
5. Concluding Thoughts
As the episode wraps up, Colin and Jason reflect on the implications of the Pacers' playoff performance and the Knicks’ potential adjustments moving forward. They emphasize the importance of team depth, coaching strategies, and individual player performances in determining the outcomes of tightly contested series.
Notable Quotes:
- Colin Cowherd ([05:10]): “She is a once in a generation not only talent but revenue stream. And the WNBA has finally figured it.”
- Channing Fry ([47:30]): “He is a true past first point guard… he is never playing with his ego. He's playing with the fire to win games.”
- Colin Cowherd ([26:50]): “It looks dangerous and it's ugly. Optics on TV aren't good.”
This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a comprehensive analysis of recent sports events, blending predictive insights with candid reflections on unforeseen outcomes. From NFL rule debates to in-depth NBA playoff strategies, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the sports landscape as of May 2025.