Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hoops Tonight

Episode: Reaction to EPIC Suns win vs. Thunder, Jaylen Brown leading red hot Celtics + NEW NBA Power Rankings
Date: January 6, 2026
Host: The Volume / iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of "Hoops Tonight" dives deep into the Phoenix Suns’ dramatic 108-105 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, fueled by a clutch Devin Booker three-pointer. The show also explores Jaylen Brown’s dominant performance spearheading the Celtics, and wraps up with the analyst's weekly NBA power rankings. Major themes include late-game shotmaking, evolving team identities, and the connection between tactical rigor and player empowerment.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Suns vs. Thunder: Breaking Down an Epic Finish

[02:15–15:41]

• Devin Booker’s Game Winner:

  • Booker hit a step-back three from 30 feet over Alex Caruso to seal a Suns victory.
  • The analyst praises Booker’s decision to take a longer shot earlier in the possession, sensing the risk of a double team if he moved further in, and notes that maintaining rhythm and clean separation trumped the need for a shorter shot.
    • Notable Quote:

    “It’s better to get a little bit longer of a shot with cleaner rhythm...than a shorter shot that is more congested or that has disrupted rhythm.” (04:12)

• Dylan Brooks’ Emergence as a Shotmaker:

  • Brooks was key in the Suns' fourth-quarter push, making difficult pull-up and step-back jumpers, notably over defenders like Kaysen Wallace and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
  • The host reflects on Brooks watching Kobe Bryant tapes, manifesting improvements, and taking a methodical approach to building new skills into his game.
    • Notable Quote:

    “It was a textbook example of manifesting your preferred reality...there’s an order of operations to make that happen.” (07:09)

  • Brooks’ stats: 49% on pull-up twos, 35% on pull-up threes, 18th in the NBA in total pull-up jumpers made—more than DeMar DeRozan or Steph Curry.

• Tactical Themes: Help, Recover, and Spacing:

  • Both teams excelled at closing passing lanes and generating offense from aggressive, opportunistic defense.
  • Phoenix generated 19 unguarded catch-and-shoot jumpers (well above their average), indicating high-level passing and off-ball execution against OKC’s fast but risk-taking defense.
    • Notable Quote:

    “The key to scoring on the Thunder is to be super diligent with your spacing...and lightning fast dribble-shoot-pass decisions.” (15:55)

  • Suns’ effective transition offense, ball movement, and offensive rebounding were pivotal, capitalizing on the very brief gaps OKC’s defense allowed.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ups and Downs

[18:00–28:34]

• Thunder’s Strengths & Weaknesses:

  • Outstanding defensive rotations and perimeter defense, but vulnerability on the defensive glass (12-2 offensive rebounding deficit).
  • Struggled with mid-range shot selection; took 19 mid-range shots (vs. 8 for Phoenix), many forced by defensive pressure.
  • Thunder’s contested three-point shooting and off-the-dribble shots have lagged in losses; unguarded catch-and-shoot jumpers remain decent.

• Player Recaps:

  • Chet Holmgren: Excellent two-way impact, efficient scoring, timely shots.
  • Jalen Williams (J Dub): Effective at creating space and using crafty dribble counter-moves.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “Rough night”—settled for tough mid-rangers, some missed calls, but generally not sharp.
    • Notable Quote:

      “He was kind of the primary culprit for a lot of the bad settling for mid-range shots.” (25:32)

    • The analyst cautions against overreacting to a poor night due to Shai’s strong season overall.

• Matchup Watch:

  • The analyst suggests OKC’s more formidable opponents may actually be those with comparable athleticism at the perimeter and interior rim protection (San Antonio, Phoenix, Minnesota), not just big frontcourts.

3. Celtics’ Hot Run and Jaylen Brown’s Ascendancy

[32:38–37:41]

• Boston Celtics Dominate the Clippers:

  • The Celtics have won seven of their last eight games, including routing a surging Clippers team.
  • Jaylen Brown poured in a career-high 50 points, with 29 out of pick-and-roll and iso situations, particularly scorching LA’s bigs in drop coverage.
    • Notable Quote:

    “A remarkable shot making display…There just isn’t a player that’s clearly playing better than Jaylen Brown right now.” (35:12)

  • Brown’s recent 16-game averages: 33 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, excellent efficiency (61% true shooting), and tough defensive assignments.

• The Missoula System and Celtics’ Offensive Mastery:

  • The show credits Joe Missoula’s continuity-driven system as the backbone of Boston’s improvement, noting the same core group executing offensive principles with greater maturity than in prior seasons.
    • Notable Quote:

    “There’s this incredibly foolish idea...that you win championships on the greatness of individual superstar talent...Every single champion in the history of the NBA has been won because of a combination of superstar talent with supporting star talent, with a level of buy in to the system from quality coaching that works.” (36:30)

  • The Celtics are generating the same 15 unguarded catch-and-shoot threes per game now as in their best stretch in 2024, despite missing Jayson Tatum.
  • Team improvements attributed to internal growth (Hauser, Pritchard, White) and deep collective comfort in the system.

4. Weekly NBA Power Rankings Rundown

[37:41–46:30]

• 10. Denver Nuggets: Surviving without Jokic via clutch defense and offense; need a few more wins to stay above the play-in.
• 9. Los Angeles Lakers: Surging after a mid-season collapse; LeBron trending up (25/6/6, 64% TS, last 11 games); need signature wins to move higher.
• 8. Phoenix Suns: Hot streak continues, statement win over OKC, outperforming preseason expectations due to elite shooting and Brooks’ leap as a scorer.
• 7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Bounced back after a bad loss, Anthony Edwards explosive.
• 6. New York Knicks: Minor slump, but main worry is Cat’s late-game lapses and execution, not overall defense.
• 5. Houston Rockets: Solid shooting overall; Kevin Durant on a tear; four-game win streak snapped.
• 4. Boston Celtics: Mastery of system elevating them despite missing Tatum; should get better once fully healthy.
• 3. San Antonio Spurs: Offense slumping, injuries mounting; need to adjust guard usage.
• 2. Detroit Pistons: Best record in the league vs. teams .500 or better (9-4); injury concerns mounting.
• 1. Oklahoma City Thunder: Despite flaws, still the best team in the league—elite athleticism, defense, but matchup troubles emerging.

Memorable Quotes

• On Booker’s Decision-Making:
  “It’s better to get a little bit longer of a shot with cleaner rhythm...than a shorter shot that is more congested or that has disrupted rhythm.”
  — Analyst, (04:12)

• On Dylan Brooks’ Growth:
  "It was a textbook example of manifesting your preferred reality...there’s an order of operations to make that happen.”
  — Analyst, (07:09)

• On the Key to Scoring Against OKC:
  “The key to scoring on the Thunder is to be super diligent with your spacing...and lightning fast dribble-shoot-pass decisions.”
  — Analyst, (15:55)

• On Jaylen Brown’s All-Around Impact:
  “There just isn’t a player that’s clearly playing better than Jaylen Brown right now.”
  — Analyst, (35:12)

• On the Myth of Solo Superstars:
  “Every single champion in the history of the NBA has been won because of a combination of superstar talent with supporting star talent, with a level of buy in to the system from quality coaching that works.”
  — Analyst, (36:30)

Important Timestamps

• [02:15] Suns-Thunder recap and Booker’s game-winner breakdown
• [05:45] Dylan Brooks’ clutch fourth quarter and manifestation routine
• [15:41] Suns’ offensive strategy vs. OKC’s defense—perimeter spacing and quick decisions
• [18:00] OKC’s defensive pressure, rebounding issues, and overall matchup analysis
• [25:32] Shay Gilgeous-Alexander’s struggles and the officiating discussion
• [32:38] Celtics’ recent dominance and Jaylen Brown’s 50-point game
• [36:30] System over stars: Celtics’ continuity and Missoula’s offensive vision
• [37:41–46:30] Top-10 NBA power rankings breakdown

Tone & Style

The analyst delivers breakdowns with a mix of statistical insight, tactical analysis, and relatable commentary. Player development, team culture, and the hidden mechanics of elite basketball are explored with a fan’s passion and a coach’s eye.

Summary Takeaway

This episode illustrates that signature wins require both individual brilliance and system-level excellence. The Suns’ clutch victory and the Celtics’ sustained hot streak are interpreted as products of years-long processes—examples of how tactical nuance and empowered players drive teams beyond initial expectations. The analyst’s rankings put a premium on teams with cohesion, adaptability, and stars willing to grow within the system.

Those who missed the episode will get a vivid sense of the Suns’ and Celtics’ surges, can track key tactical lessons from the week’s biggest games, and catch up on where each contender stands as the season heats up.