The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Hoops Tonight – NBA Mailbag Special (March 28, 2026)

Episode Overview

This "Hoops Tonight" episode, hosted by Jason, is a wide-ranging NBA mailbag show. Jason tackles 15 audience questions, focusing on league-wide storylines and hot topics. Main discussion points include the legitimacy of Wemby's Spurs as title contenders, the future of the Warriors, the Jaylen Brown MVP debate, KD's limitations, and deeper insights into current player and team trends. Jason maintains his signature analytical, sometimes contrarian take, backing up points with sharp basketball analysis and direct responses to listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cade Cunningham & Jaylen Brown’s MVP Candidacy

[02:06–13:00]

• Jason breaks down why Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown are not truly among the top 3 MVP contenders despite team success.
• MVP Criteria According to Jason:
  • Best player in the league.
  • Best player on the best team.
  • Most valuable to team.
• On Cade:
  “No one even considers Cade close to that top tier of superstars…He’s firmly in the second tier, somewhere between like the 7th, 8th, 7th to 13th, 14th best player in the league…” (Jason, 05:40)
• On Jaylen:
  “The Celtics have actually been better when he’s off the floor this year than when he’s on…” (Jason, 10:40)
• Emphasizes that team defense (Pistons) and system/continuity (Celtics) are bigger success factors than their stars’ individual value.
• Concludes MVP should reward those who hit all three criteria strongly – namely Wemby, Luka, Jokic, and SGA.

2. Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry, Giannis Rumors, and Next Moves

[13:01–20:00]

• Should Warriors Sit Steph?
  “It’s 100% about what he feels like. If Steph’s 100%, yes, play him. If not, no, sit him down…” (Jason, 13:41)
• On Potential Giannis Trade:
  Argues Warriors are uniquely situated to offer Milwaukee appealing draft compensation. “Why not pair [Steph] with Giannis? There’s a really nice natural basketball fit there…It’s the one situation that makes a ton of sense to me for both sides.” (Jason, 16:34)
• If GS gets Giannis, outcome hinges on ability to fill out the roster, but "they would instantly become a favorable destination for veteran minimum contracts.”

3. Why are the Warriors So Inconsistent?

[20:06–22:34]

• Jason attributes inconsistency to variable ball-handler quality with Steph out and inconsistent secondary creators.
• “The difference between the guys that are making $40 million a year and the guys that aren’t is consistency.”
• With younger (Pajemski, Spencer) or role-player guards, nightly output fluctuates. “That’s just the reality of life without Steph Curry in the lineup.”

4. Jokic & Triple-Doubles: Still Impressive?

[22:35–24:45]

• Listeners and Jason agree: fans have become “numb” to Jokic’s consistency and statistical brilliance.
• “The best players in the world…even when they’re not on their best night, can really fill the box score…that’s just the issue with everybody.” (Jason, 23:16)

5. Houston Rockets' Problems: Coaching or Roster?

[24:46–27:07]

• Both, but mostly a roster issue—ball handling and shooting have dipped with losses (e.g., VanVleet, Brooks).
• Jason: “Udoka…I think there’s real value there [as a motivator]…but Houston in particular, their guys are already pretty tough, so it wasn’t really a toughness issue, it’s more of an organization issue.”
• Suggests Udoka needs an offensive-minded assistant.

6. Minnesota Offense or KD’s Turnover Issues: Which Is Worse?

[27:08–31:33]

• More disappointed in Minnesota’s coaching. With their talent, Finch isn’t getting enough.
• “I think Minnesota’s next step after this season is to move on at the head coach and get somebody…a better motivator or at least a different voice.”
• Houston’s issues more forgivable due to talent gap.

7. Spurs Focus: Fox’s Fit and Wemby’s Unique Skillset

De’Aaron Fox as Spurs’ #2

[31:34–35:25]

• Justifies Fox’s acquisition: affordable, fits with Wemby due to pick-and-roll and his cross-court passing.
• “The important detail is that you have to go with what was available…he fit the skillset really well.”
• Admits Fox isn’t on same tier as top ball-handlers, but is a good “stopgap” until Steph Castle develops.

Wemby: Physical Dominance vs. Real Skill

[35:26–38:07]

• Responds to a listener wary of praising Wemby for “just” being tall.
• “Victor Wembanyama works extremely hard on flexibility and pliability…having Victor Wembanyama be 7’4” is nothing unless he can be mobile.” (Jason, 35:55)
• Downplays concern over relatability: all NBA players are “freaks” by normal standards; Wemby’s skills and mobility are exceptional, not just about size.

8. Spurs’ Title Chances & All-Time Stakes

[40:30–41:55]

• Thinks talk of the Spurs winning it all is premature—playoffs are a different animal.
• If they win, focus will be on how far ahead of schedule Wemby is and how that affects the looming OKC-San Antonio rivalry:
  • “If the Spurs get this one, that’s what gets scary for a team like Oklahoma City…”

9. Why So Much NBA Coach Recycling?

[41:56–45:08]

• NBA teams are quick to change coaches because it’s easier/cheaper than changing major roster pieces and is seen as a quicker fix.
• Owners often prefer a “known commodity” to inspire player buy-in, but Jason argues for a more skills/fit-based approach (like Boston’s hire of Joe Mazzulla).

10. Quick-Hit Mailbag

[45:09–52:53]

• Thunder’s Biggest Weakness: Perimeter size, still susceptible to big/physical guards and wings.
• Jazz Offseason Approach: Focus on an “unscreenable” perimeter defender and perimeter shooting to balance big-heavy lineups.
• Nick Wright Crossover: Likely to happen soon—debate on Lakers and Wemby anticipated.
• Would Jason Ever Work in the NBA? Only if a real (not entry-level) opportunity arose.
• Why He Dislikes ‘Ad Astra’: Too many “weird detours” and filler scenes; prefers clearer, more organic plotting like in “Project Hail Mary.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Trying to tell a super competitive player to go sit down and not play basketball when he’s healthy and can play basketball is bullshit, frankly.” (Jason, on shutting down Steph Curry, 13:51)
• “Giannis and Steph are a natural basketball fit. Like, why the hell not, right?” (16:15)
• “Consistency is what separates the $40 million ball handlers from everyone else.” (20:45)
• “We become numb to [the greatness of superstars]…all of a sudden the stuff that sticks out isn’t your average performances, it’s your extraordinary performances.” (23:02)
• “Having Victor Wembanyama be 7’4” is not anything unless he can be mobile…He works extremely hard on flexibility and pliability.” (35:55)
• “If the Spurs get this one [a title], that’s what gets scary for a team like Oklahoma City.” (41:39)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 02:06 — MVP: Cade, Jaylen Brown, and why Jason dismisses their candidacies
• 13:01 — Warriors: Should Steph be shut down & the theory of a Giannis-Steph pairing
• 20:06 — Warriors inconsistency: Why the rollercoaster continues
• 22:35 — Jokic & triple-doubles: How greatness becomes routine
• 24:46 — Houston: More a roster or coaching issue?
• 27:08 — Timberwolves & Rockets: Which head coach has done worse?
• 31:34 — Spurs: Fox’s fit & value, long-term Spurs vision
• 35:26 — Wemby: The difference between physical tools and true skill
• 40:30 — Spurs title scenarios: What it would mean for TX & OKC rivalry
• 41:56 — NBA Coaching: Why the same faces get recycled
• 45:09 — Thunder, Jazz, show plans, Jason’s NBA ambitions
• 52:53 — Movie tangent: “Ad Astra” critique

Summary

This episode exemplifies Jason’s strength as both a basketball analyst and podcast host: going beyond box scores to deeper basketball philosophy while engaging directly with intelligent fan questions. The show spotlights emerging and ongoing NBA narratives—MVP debates, the evolving power struggle in the West, the shifting fortunes of legacy franchises, and individual player evolutions—delivered with clarity, frankness, and a conversational but informed tone. Great for anyone seeking a comprehensive, up-to-date sense of where the NBA stands, why certain narratives matter, and what to watch next.