The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Hoops Tonight – Knicks’ Surge, Austin Reaves’ Leap, and NBA Power Rankings (December 2, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this jam-packed episode of Hoops Tonight on The Volume podcast network, Jason covers three core basketball topics:

• The New York Knicks’ recent four-game winning streak, the overhaul of their offensive scheme, and Jalen Brunson’s starring role.
• The staggering ascension of Austin Reaves for the Lakers, breaking down his stat lines and impact, and why he stands among the NBA’s elite early in the season.
• Updated NBA Power Rankings, delving into why teams like the Thunder, Rockets, Pistons, Knicks, and others are on the rise.

The episode is energetic, packed with advanced stats and sharp eye-test analysis, and features a natural conversational tone familiar to regular listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Knicks’ Fourth Straight Win & Offensive Transformation

[03:06 – 20:50]

• Dominant Win Over Raptors: Knicks controlled the game wire-to-wire against depleted Toronto, flashing offensive rebounding and long-range firepower.
  • Standout shooters: Deuce McBride (14/20 from three over three games), Josh Hart (20 pts, 4 threes, 12 rebounds).
  • Jason: “The first quarter was Knicks three-point shooting. The third quarter was Knicks offensive rebounding and getting out in transition. Those were the two stretches where they assumed control.” (05:10)
• Defensive Identity: Emphasis on perimeter pressure and rebounding—key to Knicks’ current winning streak.
• Three-Point Revolution:
  • Knicks have gone from 34 3PA per game (27th in NBA) last year to 41 (5th).
  • Efficiency up from ~36% to >37%.
  • Credit: “Mike Brown deserves a ton of credit for changing the team’s approach. There is a very intentional effort to use drives to get the defense in rotation early in possessions so that they can play drive and kick.”
• Stats Deep Dive:
  • Drives/spot-up threes up dramatically.
  • “The Knicks are shooting the ball as the primary ball handler out of ISO, pick and roll, or post up situations 3.6 fewer times per game than they did last year. Instead they are generating...nine more spot-ups.” (09:50)
  • Result: More unguarded threes, highly efficient.
• Brunson’s Leadership:
  • Not just adapting but driving the change, balancing his playmaking/scoring with an unselfish style.
  • “Brunson has been not just buying in, but a driving force behind the success of this new offensive approach.” (13:45)
• Big Picture:
  • Knicks now #2 in the East, one of the conference’s safest bets due to two-way identity and offensive leap.

Austin Reaves’ Leap for the Lakers

[20:53 – 36:24]

• Continuous Improvement: Each season Reaves adds another dimension—originally a spot shooter, then a scorer/creator, now an all-around star.
  • Memorable Moment: “Game one against Memphis three years ago...you guys remember, screaming ‘I’m him’ at the top of his lungs to the rafters as he literally won a playoff game for the Lakers.” (22:50)
• This Season’s Explosion:
  • Stat lines: 29 PPG, 63% FG, 42% from three, 92% FT (with LeBron and Luka alongside).
  • “This is too large a sample size for us to ignore anymore. And it’s all in a winning context.” (24:46)
  • Only once in 16 games has he not scored at least 20 points.
  • Shotmaking: “75% at the rim, which is just stupid for a guard of his build. Four makes per game...14 for 18 on floaters. One of those was a game winner.” (25:33)
• Elite Company:
  • 7 players averaging 28+ points and 6.5+ assists: Luka, Shai, Giannis, Jokic, Cade, Tyrese Maxey, and Austin Reaves.
  • Second in NBA in pick-and-roll efficiency among those with 200+ attempts.
• Comparison to Jimmy Butler:
  • “Austin isn’t like some of these other high scoring players...he can guard, he always knows where to be in the scheme, he rebounds well for his size.” (27:55)
  • Cited Laker Film Room Podcast’s points about stars who developed from role player roots.
• Where Reaves Ranks Right Now:
  • Jason’s belief that only about 9 players in the league are actually playing better than Reaves to start the season: “Austin has been the 10th best player in the entire NBA this season through 16 games.” (29:45)
  • “That is the burden of the expectation that comes with being viewed as a guy who is a potential All-NBA level player.” (31:35)
  • Reaves provides Lakers with two high-level stars for now and the future.

NBA Power Rankings Rundown

[29:35 & 44:55 – 56:40]

#10 – Orlando Magic

[29:35]

• 11-4 since a slow start—now moving the ball and finally shooting league-average from three.
• Key Players: Tristan Da Silva, Wendell Carter Jr., Anthony Black (defensive emergence).
• Identity: “Physical dominance...top five in defense, top five in defensive rebounding, eighth in offensive rebounding.”

#9 – Atlanta Hawks

[33:10]

• 41/14/7 for Jalen Johnson in 2OT win. Evolving late-game offense; excellent clutch numbers.
• Johnson stats: 23/10/7 for the season, shooting 54%/40%/63% (FG/3P/TS%).

#8 – Boston Celtics

[35:55]

• 7-3 in last 10, offense clicking (122 rating).
• Jalen Brown: At the top of the scouting report—28+ PPG on 58% TS%.
• Role players (Pritchard, Derek White) stepping up, offense starting to win clutch games.

#7 – Denver Nuggets

[39:38]

• Just 4-3 in last seven, defense slipping with injuries.
• Jokic and Murray still in peak form, Cam Johnson heating up.
• “Figure out a way to get some more stops and they’ll be in much better shape.” (41:30)

#6 – San Antonio Spurs

[44:55]

• 5-2 without Wemby and Steph Castle.
• De’Aaron Fox: 26/7 (49% FG, 39% 3P) in this span, huge in pick and roll.
• Depth stepping up: Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Luke Kornet.
• Jason: “I will freely admit I was wrong about this Spurs team before the season. I really underestimated the talent on this roster.” (46:07)

#5 – New York Knicks

[48:41]

• Recapped earlier—see above Knicks section.
• “If you want to hear more Knicks, go earlier in the episode.”

#4 – Detroit Pistons

[49:35]

• Tough losses to top teams, but “I’ve landed on them being completely legit as one of the top tier teams in the East.”
• Cade Cunningham: 33/7/9 in last 11 games; expected to improve as a finisher and decision-maker.

#3 – Los Angeles Lakers

[51:00]

• Covered earlier—see Austin Reaves section.
• Notable trend: Luka’s aggressive first quarters set up four-on-three situations later, where Lakers are getting better at exploiting defensive blitzes.

#2 – Houston Rockets

[53:25]

• Didn’t miss a beat without KD, defense stifled Phoenix & Golden State.
• Role players Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard shining; Sengun making star moves.
• Jason: “Nice little three game win streak in response to the disappointing loss to Denver.”

#1 – Oklahoma City Thunder

[54:51]

• Impressive wins over Phoenix and Minnesota.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch step-backs; Chet Holmgren aggressively attacking the rim since returning.
• “They just look unbeatable right now...much tougher schedule in December, excited to see if they can run that gauntlet.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Knicks’ culture: “More often than not, these are becoming examples and demonstrations of your team’s culture from the top down so that you can maintain some semblance of success with guys in and out of the lineup.” (04:28)
• Stat-nerd gold: “There isn’t a one-on-one play in the league that is going to be nearly as efficient as an unguarded catch and shoot three. The Knicks as a team are getting 1.25 points per unguarded catch and shoot attempt this season.” (11:40)
• On Reaves’ relentless rise: “He just keeps getting better and there isn’t any sign of him slowing down.” (31:52)
• On Spurs surprise: “A couple of key leaps from a couple of key younger guys...if they’re going to go 5-2 with Wemby and Steph Castle down, we would all be foolish to think that they’re just going to suddenly dip.” (47:20)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro & Knicks Deep Dive: 03:06 – 20:50
• Austin Reaves' Leap: 20:53 – 36:24
• NBA Power Rankings: 29:35 & 44:55 – 56:40
  • Orlando Magic: 29:35
  • Hawks: 33:10
  • Celtics: 35:55
  • Nuggets: 39:38
  • Spurs: 44:55
  • Knicks: 48:41
  • Pistons: 49:35
  • Lakers: 51:00
  • Rockets: 53:25
  • Thunder: 54:51

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for NBA fans interested in deep statistical digs, developmental player arcs, and how culture and scheme tweaks underpin surges across the NBA. From dissecting the Knicks’ offensive overhaul to making the case for Austin Reaves as top-10 in the league, Jason delivers sharp, analytical, and engaging basketball talk—highlighting rising teams, shifting hierarchies, and why the NBA’s “middle class” is deeper and fiercer than it has been in years.