The Herd with Colin Cowherd presents: Hoops Tonight – NBA Preseason Reaction

Date: October 12, 2025
Host: Jason Timpf (for The Volume)

Episode Overview

This energetic preseason edition of Hoops Tonight is the first of a two-part reaction series focused on NBA preseason impressions. Host Jason Timpf dives into first looks at eight high-interest teams: the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Orlando Magic. Jason stresses not to overreact to preseason performances, instead offering a “zoomed-in” perspective on player fit, development, and how new acquisitions are integrating.

Main Theme

Purpose:
Break down early preseason impressions, focusing on tactical details, player developments, and storylines worth tracking as preparation for the regular season ramps up.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. General Thoughts on Preseason Evaluation

• Tactical Caution:
  • Jason cautions listeners not to “dig into any sort of big picture stuff in terms of definitive impressions” (04:00), since teams are in vastly different places regarding intensity, fitness, and rotation experimentation.
• Intensity Gaps:
  • Teams “are at different stages in their preparation,” so some—like Minnesota or Phoenix—will look much further along (05:00).

2. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets

(06:00–20:50)

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Intensity & Athleticism:
  • Minnesota brought “an insane level of intensity that Denver seemed completely unwilling to match” (07:00).
• Attacking the Rim:
  • Rudy Gobert went straight at Jokic repeatedly, scoring layups and exposing Denver’s lackluster defense.
• Exciting Young Players:
  • Rob Dillingham: Started cold but found rhythm and “finished with nine assists” (09:00).
  • Terrence Shannon: Impressed as a drive-and-kick threat—“a really nice drive and kick player that’s going to fit this system” (10:00).
  • Jalen Clark: Provided stifling pressure on Jamal Murray. “Jamal wanted no part of him 1-on-1… just protecting the ball until they could get into a ball screen, which is smart” (11:00).
• Jaden McDaniels Development:
  • Showed “a buttery, smooth step-back three” and evolving offensive arsenal—“If Jaden McDaniels can continue to improve offensively, the Wolves are just going to be really good” (12:00).
• Continuity & Outlook:
  • Minnesota looks “huge, athletic, deep, super talented… sneaky have a lot of continuity now” (13:00).
  • Jason labels them “pretty clearly the best second tier team in the West” but questions whether they can get over the Oklahoma City hurdle (15:00):

    “The thing with Minnesota that keeps them as a second tier team: I just don’t think they can beat Oklahoma City… that’s been the Achilles heel for Ant at this point in his career.” (16:00)

Denver Nuggets

• Defensive Lethargy:
  • “Denver’s defense was just the furthest thing from locked in in this environment” (08:00).
• Offensive Bright Spots:
  • Cam Johnson: “Looked like a very natural fit… no problems at all with the basketball fit there” (18:00).
  • Aaron Gordon: “Jumper still looks fantastic… more midrange ISO stuff as well” (18:20).
  • Jamal Murray: “Looked like he was in better shape than usually at this point… good lift on his jumper, five assists and one turnover” (18:40).
  • Classic Jokic transition:

    “Just a big looping bounce pass that Christian just ran into like a wide receiver” (19:00).

• Bench & New Faces:
  • Jonas Valanciunas: Excellent fit—scored “three times in a row for like layups and easy hook shots. Set great screens…” (19:40).
  • Jalen Pickett, Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr.: Noted for “impressive shot making” and “fit.”
• Season Outlook:
  • Offense will be “incredible” and “they’re going to score a million points this year” (20:00).
  • Defensive sharpness is needed:

    “They need to be an incredibly sharp execution team on defense, and they didn’t look like it in their first preseason game.” (20:30)

3. Los Angeles Lakers – First Impressions

(24:12–44:14)

Positives

• Austin Reaves:

  • “Looked amazing… handled [Phoenix's] super intense ball pressure” (24:30).
  • “Strong with the ball… got into their bodies and drew fouls… hit Jackson Hayes for a nasty poster dunk on Devin Booker” (25:40).
  • Quote:

    “Austin’s just a really good player… If it’s not with the Lakers long term, it’ll be for someone else. I’m a big believer in his skill set.” (26:30)

• Jared Vanderbilt:

  • “Looked great… foot speed was like night and day different from last year coming back from foot injury” (27:00).
  • “This year having him be faster and more athletic on the perimeter is obviously huge for a team that desperately needs that” (28:00).
  • Offensive development:

    “If he can find a way to be a competent offensive player—not great, just competent—then the Lakers can make use of his defensive gifts, which they desperately need.” (29:00)

• Jake LaRavia:

  • “Looked solid… good at using his size to protect the ball… the jumper does look good” (30:00).
  • Notable moment:

    “Such a nasty spin move that LeBron… in the background… was like ‘oh shit, okay Jake, like I didn’t know you had that in your bag’” (30:40).

Mixed & Negatives

• DeAndre Ayton:
  • “Mixed bag… struggled vs. switches (offensively) but rebounded extremely well (15 rebounds in 39 mins)” (32:00).
  • Defensive lapses noted:

    “…His defensive positioning and instincts are still super sloppy. Not hard to figure out why he was playing losing basketball for years before this…” (33:10)

• Team Defense Concerns:
  • “VERY sloppy in their defensive details” (34:30).
  • Transition defense “was abysmal”, lacking “floor balance,” “urgency,” and “communication”—“brutally bad in all of those areas” (36:00).
  • Off-ball defense: Rui Hachimura disappointing:

    “Burned ball watching and getting out of his stance, like off the ball like a half dozen times” (37:30).

    • Noted overhelping: “32 catch and shoot looks per game over the weekend… not a good sign” (41:00).
    • Concerned about their ability to become “a top shelf execution and scheming team on defense” (41:30).
  • Offense expected to improve when the big three (Reaves, Doncic, LeBron) play significant minutes.

4. Golden State Warriors – Preseason Takeaways

(41:40–46:39)

• Moses Moody:
  • Shooting resurgence: “Looked amazing, coming out the gates guns blazing, five for seven from three… form looks great, footwork looks great” (42:30).
  • “If he goes up a level as a 3-and-D wing, that’s a huge boost for Golden State.”
• Al Horford Fit:
  • Maybe not a statistical standout, but +/– impact and “natural fit on offense… great at reading guards coming in and out of action… did hit one of his threes” (43:10).
• Steph Curry:
  • “Looked amazing… strong, in shape, shot looks as good as ever. No sign of the hamstring strain that ended his season last year” (43:40).
  • “Was really giving it to Bronny James on both ends… caught him sleeping for open threes and pressured him into turnovers.”
• Team Intensity:
  • “Led by Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, they’re just about guaranteed to compete as hard as any team in the NBA once they get rolling” (44:00).
• Pods (Brandin Podziemski):
  • Early shooting struggles, but found rhythm as game went on; hit a stepback 3 over DeAndre Ayton.

5. Phoenix Suns – Identity & Tactical Notes

(46:39–49:10)

• Defensive Grit:
  • “A royal pain in the ass” with “big, strong, athletic, physical guys” like Dylan Brooks and Ryan Dunn (46:45).
  • “They bring a level of physical intensity that is going to annoy some people on a night in, night out basis” (47:00).
• Switching Lineups:
  • Oso Ighodaro at center allows them to “switch that action… pressure the ball.”
  • “You put your two forwards and Dunn and Brooks on the opposing ball handlers—just going to be a really difficult look” (47:45).
• Ceiling & Style:
  • “Not going to win more than maybe 40 games… but they’re going to beat you if you don’t bring your best. They’re mean, they’re physical, they’re going to be a pain in the ass to play” (48:40).

6. New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

(49:10–54:30)

Knicks:

• Transition Emphasis:

  • “Crazy intentional effort… to get out and transition… not just leak outs, but hunting kick-aheads, early offense… torching Philly” (49:30).
  • OG Anunoby “was awesome” in semi-transition; Mitchell Robinson ran the floor “super well.”
  • Noted stat: “First half units were averaging 40 transition points per game through those first two games. Only two teams in NBA last year averaged over 30 for a game, let alone first half” (51:00).

• Half-Court Work & Role Usage:

  • “Still a long way to go in the half court… but the transition pushes naturally breed that sort of [ball movement] thing” (52:30).
  • Liked using Brunson as screener; OG/Brunson actions.

• Defensive Roles:

  • Lineup with him at the 5 “higher floor on defense… a direction I like.”

• Bench/New Guys:

  • Gershon Yabusele, “not worried about his offense, he’s a backup hybrid big” (53:15).
  • Jordan Clarkson, “not my favorite player… just coming in and gunning… don’t love his fit.”
  • Malcolm Brogdon expected to be the “higher floor” rotation guard if choice arises.

Sixers:

• VJ Edgecombe:
  • “Fun prospect… the big dunk was a classic example of just taking baked-in driving lanes” (54:00).
  • “Jumper is broke as hell… but the athleticism is undeniable, he’s getting to his spots at will” (54:40).
  • Potential “really high-level player” if skills develop.

7. Orlando Magic – Initial Take on Desmond Bane Fit

(54:30–59:00)

• Desmond Bane:
  • “Looks great… brings a dynamic the team hasn’t had in this era—a real shot-creating guard who can shoot off the catch, dribble, and slash and pass” (54:45).
• Concerns about Usage:
  • Disappointed with “your turn, my turn” dynamic with Paolo Banchero—little two-man action between them.
  • Example:

    “It was the middle of the second quarter before they actually ran two-man game. …I’m like, why isn’t he trying to run the action with Bane instead?” (55:30)

  • Jason argues their partnership should unlock defensive mismatches and maximize both talents:

    “No, dude—it’s not your turn, my turn, it’s both of your turns. This team is going to be at its best when the two of you force different defenders to make decisions in space.” (56:30)

• Coaching Doubt:
  • Worries Jamahl Mosley “may not be the right coach to help this team get to where they need to get to” due to lack of offensive sophistication (58:30).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Preseason Overreactions:

  “Trust me, I’ve seen the takes flying around. …Everybody relax. There’s a lot of different phases in development for these teams.”
  —Jason, (04:00)

• On the Wolves Upside:

  “I’m just a big believer in that team—and frankly, I’m sick and tired of underestimating them as I have over the last couple years.”
  —Jason, (13:40)

• On Lakers’ Defensive Needs:

  “This core of role-players has to be extremely sharp on defense and they just don’t look sharp yet.”
  —Jason, (41:20)

• On Phoenix’s Identity:

  “They’re gonna beat you if you don’t bring your best. They’re mean, they’re physical, they’re going to be a pain in the ass to play.”
  —Jason, (48:40)

• On Orlando’s Offensive Scheme:

  “It’s not your turn, my turn—it’s both of your turns. …I’m hoping that I’m wrong, but I’m worried that Jamahl [Mosley] may not be the right coach.”
  —Jason, (56:30, 58:30)

• On Moses Moody:

  “His form looks great. …Just rips the cord and I’m like, good God, Moses’s jump shot looks amazing.”
  —Jason, (42:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NBA Preseason Context / General Caution: 02:35–06:00
• Timberwolves vs Nuggets Analysis: 06:00–20:50
• Lakers First Impressions: 24:12–44:14
• Warriors Preseason Impressions: 41:40–46:39
• Phoenix Suns Deep Dive: 46:39–49:10
• Knicks/Sixers Breakdown: 49:10–54:30
• Orlando Magic/Desmond Bane: 54:30–59:00

Final Thoughts

Jason’s tone is measured, analytical, and peppered with excitement for subtle storylines—emphasizing preseason is about individual process, not sweeping judgments:

“Preseason is about the journey from where you are to what you’re going to be, and all these teams are at different spots in that process.” (24:00)

Listeners are left with both specific details to watch as rosters evolve and a reminder to avoid overreacting ahead of the regular season.