Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hoops Tonight - NBA Player Rankings #23-21: Bam Adebayo, Evan Mobley, Jaylen Brown
Release Date: July 31, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Hoops Tonight hosted by Jason LT on The Volume, the discussion centers around the NBA player rankings, specifically focusing on rankings #23 to #21. Jason LT delves deep into the performances, strengths, and areas of improvement for Bam Adebayo, Evan Mobley, and Jaylen Brown. This comprehensive analysis offers listeners valuable insights into each player's impact on their respective teams and the league as a whole.

#23 Bam Adebayo

Season Performance Overview

• Games Played: 78
• Points Per Game: 18.1 (lowest since 2020)
• Rebounds Per Game: 9.6
• Assists Per Game: 4.3 (highest since 2021)
• Steals Per Game: 1.3 (second-highest total of his career)
• Field Goal Percentage: 49% (lowest of his career)

Key Insights:

• Shooting Efficiency: Bam experienced a notable decline in shooting efficiency, particularly from two-point range and jump shots inside the arc. He shot 52% on two-pointers, a drop from his previous seasons where he maintained around 57%. His performance on floaters and hooks plummeted to below 40%, significantly impacting his role as a finisher.

  “He shot poorly on twos. He shot 52% on twos, which is his lowest mark since his rookie season.” [08:45]

• Three-Point Development: Increasing his three-point attempts to nearly three per game resulted in a respectable 36% success rate. However, this shift contributed to the overall drop in his true shooting percentage to 56%, the lowest in his career.

• Defensive Prowess: Despite a dip in offensive efficiency, Bam remains a formidable defensive player. He's praised for his versatility and ability to switch seamlessly on defense, making him one of the top defensive centers in the league.

  “He's basically the best switching center in the league, only rivaled by Victor Wembanyama.” [15:30]

Conclusion: Bam Adebayo's regression on the offensive end has led to his drop in the rankings. However, his elite defensive capabilities and playmaking skills from the center position maintain his value. The lack of improvement in his shooting remains a concern for the Miami Heat's postseason aspirations.

#22 Evan Mobley

Season Performance Overview

• Games Played: 71
• Points Per Game: 19
• Rebounds Per Game: 9
• Assists Per Game: 3
• Steals Per Game: 2.5
• True Shooting Percentage: 56% from the field

Key Insights:

• Defensive Accolades: Evan Mobley had an "award-heavy" season, earning Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Defense, Second Team All-NBA, and a spot in the All-Star Game. He also ranked 10th in MVP voting.

• Offensive Development: Mobley showcased significant improvement in his three-point shooting, averaging 3.2 attempts per game at 37%. His postseason performance was particularly impressive, shooting 45% from beyond the arc.

  “Evan Mobley, in my opinion, has become flatly a better offensive player than Bam was or is the perimeter jump shot more reliable.” [33:15]

• Playmaking Growth: His role as an offensive initiator has grown, particularly in inverted ball screen situations, enhancing his team's spacing and scoring opportunities.

• Defensive Comparison with Bam: While Mobley's defensive skills are commendable, Jason LT argues that Bam Adebayo still holds a slight edge in defensive versatility and effectiveness, especially in switch-defending scenarios.

Conclusion: Evan Mobley's rise in both offensive and defensive aspects of his game has secured him the #22 spot. His ability to shoot from the perimeter and improve as a playmaker complements his defensive accolades, making him a pivotal player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

#21 Jaylen Brown

Season Performance Overview

• Games Played: 63 (lowest since 2021 due to knee issues)
• Points Per Game: 22 (lowest since 2026)
• Rebounds Per Game: 4.5
• Assists Per Game: 4.5 (career high)
• Field Goal Percentage: 46%
• Three-Point Percentage: 32% (lowest of his career)
• True Shooting Percentage: 56% (lowest since 2019)

Key Insights:

• Injury Impact: Jaylen Brown's performance was notably affected by knee issues, leading to reduced efficiency in shooting and overall athleticism.

  “His dip in athleticism and the associated struggles as well as the reality of his age and the amount of mileage on his body, that's a big part of how he slipped a little bit down the list for me this year.” [38:50]

• Playmaking Improvements: Brown achieved a career-high in assists, primarily by becoming a more willing passer in one-on-one situations and post-ups. This shift allowed him to create better scoring opportunities for his teammates, especially with improved kick-out threes.

• Shooting Efficiency: Despite improvements in playmaking, Brown struggled with shooting efficiency, particularly from contested jump shots and the rim, both in the regular season and playoffs.

• Defensive Excellence: Jaylen Brown remains one of the league's top perimeter defenders. His ability to switch defensively enhances the Boston Celtics' defensive schemes, although increased offensive responsibilities may impact his defensive performance.

  “When he really locks in there, certainly in the top tier, he's just such an amazing weapon to have on a roster.” [40:20]

Conclusion: Jaylen Brown's ranking at #21 reflects a season of both challenges and growth. While his offensive efficiency waned due to injuries and increased responsibility, his development as a playmaker and his elite defensive capabilities ensure his position among the top NBA players remains secure. Future seasons will be pivotal in determining whether he can fully recover and elevate his game further.

Closing Remarks

Jason LT emphasizes the subjectivity of player rankings and encourages listener engagement through mailbag questions and discussions. He acknowledges the competitive nature of the rankings, highlighting how slight variations in performance metrics can influence the placement of players within the top tiers.

“There's a lot of room for argument there. If you guys disagree with any of my placement, a guy too high, a guy too low, a guy who missed the list who should have made it, a guy who made the list who shouldn't have made it, anything that you disagree with, right? Mailbag with a colon drop your kind of like counterpoint.” [42:00]

Listeners are invited to participate in the ongoing debate, ensuring a dynamic and interactive experience as the rankings progress through the rest of the season.

Notable Quotes

1. On Bam Adebayo's Shooting Regression:

   “He shot poorly on twos. He shot 52% on twos, which is his lowest mark since his rookie season.” [08:45]

2. On Evan Mobley's Offensive Improvement:

   “Evan Mobley, in my opinion, has become flatly a better offensive player than Bam was or is the perimeter jump shot more reliable.” [33:15]

3. On Jaylen Brown's Defensive Prowess:

   “When he really locks in there, certainly in the top tier, he's just such an amazing weapon to have on a roster.” [40:20]

Conclusion

This episode of Hoops Tonight provides an in-depth analysis of three pivotal NBA players, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on their current standings and future potential. Jason LT's balanced evaluation of both statistical performance and qualitative aspects ensures a comprehensive understanding of each player's impact on the game.