The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hoops Tonight
Episode: Reaction to STATEMENT Thunder win vs. Nuggets, LeBron an All-Star but Kawhi not + POWER RANKINGS
Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of Hoops Tonight, the host delivers a deep-dive analysis into the Oklahoma City Thunder’s statement road win over the Denver Nuggets, explores the controversy around Kawhi Leonard's All-Star Game snub (and LeBron James's continued inclusion), and unveils the latest NBA power rankings. The tone is sharp, detail-rich, and conversational, catering to die-hard NBA fans and those interested in the season's biggest narratives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Thunder’s Statement Win in Denver

(01:31 – 17:53)

• Thunder’s Offense, Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA):

  • Thunder led wire-to-wire, hit 19 threes, and never trailed.
  • SGA’s Advantage Creation: “14 of the 19 threes that Oklahoma City made in that game were either made by Shai … or came off of an advantage created by Shai.” (03:11)
  • SGA’s game management—“He was dribbling wherever he wanted … made Denver defenders look like they were stuck in the mud.” (04:28)
  • Compared SGA’s efficiency to historic runs: “Shea's at 68% true shooting while also having just over two turnovers per game... This is like 2016 Steph Curry type of numbers from a two guard.” (06:04)

• Supporting Cast and Tactics:

  • Kayson Wallace hit 7 threes (“caught a crazy heater in the second half”).
  • Team generated 41 catch-and-shoot shots—“a total they’ve only hit four other times this season.” (07:38)

• Why the Thunder are so tough to beat:

  • “When they get into that territory of just quality catch and shoot looks, they’re going to make enough of them and they're going to be borderline impossible to beat.” (08:20)
  • Even though Denver shot 46% from three, OKC won with more attempts.

• Playoff Implications and Defensive Schemes:

  • Both rosters were incomplete (mentioning Caruso, Jalen Williams missing for OKC; Denver missing starting wings like Aaron Gordon).
  • Detailed look at OKC’s defensive strategies for Jokic:
    • Primary: Hartenstein fronting Jokic, Chet providing help.
    • Secondary: Using Caruso and J Dub to front Jokic in the high post and make entry passes more difficult.
  • Denver lacked defenders like Christian Braun who give SGA more trouble.

• Postseason Matchup Factors:

  • Cited teams that give OKC trouble: those with waves of athletic perimeter defenders and elite rim protection (Minnesota, San Antonio, Phoenix, Miami).
    • “Those are the types of teams that have consistently given the Thunder issues this season.” (13:48)
  • Importance of disrupting OKC’s rhythm, making their shooters uncomfortable, and flattening drivers.
  • “If Denver can’t figure out how to do that, they’re dead on arrival in this matchup, regardless of how good their offense is.” (15:46)

• Thunder’s Lull and “Malaise” Explained:

  • Noted OKC’s less dominant 15-10 stretch is normal for defending champs.
  • Attributed to: injuries (esp. lack of ball-handling with AJ Mitchell/J Dub out), inconsistent defense, not being a perfect team (pointed to shooting under duress).

• Memorable Moment:

  • “But what usually happens for a defending champ that’s in this position— they tend to have nights where they go out and they send a clear message… I thought last night was an example of that type of win from Oklahoma City.” (16:34)

2. Kawhi Leonard’s All-Star Snub & LeBron’s Inclusion

(19:28 – 24:50)

• Kawhi’s Snub:

  • “The outcry was completely justified. Kawhi absolutely should have been an All-Star.” (19:30)
  • Cited career-high stats, elite efficiency (63% true shooting), and that Clippers’ record should not be held against him.
  • “I’d argue there’s only five or six players in the entire NBA who have been better than Kawhi this season.” (19:52)
  • Questions the reasoning for the snub—injuries, team record, “aspiration stuff,” all dismissed as bad logic.

• On LeBron as All-Star:

  • Observes confusion about LeBron’s selection and contrasts with historical precedent.
  • “As long as LeBron is in the NBA and as long as he’s actually able to play in All-Star Games, he’s going to be an All-Star. Michael Jordan wasn’t nearly as good as this version of LeBron when he was on the Wizards, and he made the All-Star Game both years.” (20:34)
  • Lists multiple NBA legends who made all-star teams as legacy picks in their twilight.
  • “If you can’t figure out why LeBron James is in the All Star Game, you may be beyond help ... then you just have a hate problem that you’ve got to deal with.” (22:54)

• Who Maybe Shouldn't Have Made It:

  • “He’s (LeBron) clearly been better than Jaylen Johnson, he’s been better than Norman Powell, he’s been better than Karl-Anthony Towns… Most importantly, Kawhi himself has clearly been better than every other Western Conference reserve other than maybe Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant…”

3. NBA Power Rankings (Top 10)

(24:51 – End)

Quick Recap of Each Team’s Recent Form and Playoff Prospects:

1. Phoenix Suns (#10):

   • +15,000 title odds on Hard Rock Bet.
   • Beaten by Clippers, but had strong wins vs. Cavs and Pistons.
   • Dylan Brooks shined with 67 points over two wins; Jalen Green’s return monitored.

2. Los Angeles Clippers (#9):

   • First appearance in Power Rankings all season.
   • 17-4 since December 20th (“best record in the entire NBA at 17 and 4”). (26:38)
   • Cautions against overreacting to midseason streaks, but “now we've reached a stretch of sustained success … that is undeniable.”
   • Notes sustainability issues: heavy minutes for Kawhi/urgency required to climb standings.
   • “It's basically going to take a miracle for them to accomplish their goal of hoisting the trophy this year.” (30:45)

3. Boston Celtics (#8):

   • +1200 odds; third-best title shot.
   • Lost to Atlanta (assist percentage issues in losses), rebounded with quality wins.
   • “They don’t move the ball very well when they’re playing at their worst.” (32:19)

4. Minnesota Timberwolves (#7):

   • Flashes high ceiling with switch-flipping second half runs; “plus 7 net rating in second halves.” (34:00)
   • Ant Edwards and Jaden McDaniels bring effort, but team oscillates wildly.
   • Recommends no “big swing” deadline moves—“Keep it simple at this deadline.” (35:00)

5. Houston Rockets (#6):

   • +2000 odds, 7 of last 9 wins.
   • Noted a concerning late-game offense in loss to Spurs (WNBA defensive impact, struggles with half-court shot creation).
   • “I do think that particular flaw is at least reached a point now where we can be relatively certain every team is going to look to try to exploit it… in the postseason.” (37:07)

6. New York Knicks (#5):

   • +1400 odds; impressive with six straight wins, best defense in NBA over that span.
   • Win over Lakers highlighted shooting disparity: “Knicks are the third best three point shooting team… The Lakers are basically made up of guys that you’re okay with shooting even when they are kind of open.” (38:37)

7. San Antonio Spurs (#4):

   • +1500 odds. Alternating wins/losses; offense hinges on Fox/Wemby 3pt shooting.
   • “In many ways, those two guys and their ability to hit threes will determine their success in this year’s playoff run.” (40:16)

8. Denver Nuggets (#3):

   • +450 odds; still strong despite Jokic’s recent absence.
   • “Really impressive stretch from them over the last month without Jokic.” (41:04)

9. Detroit Pistons (#2):

   • +1750 odds. Loss to Phoenix, responded with huge offensive output vs. GSW and Brooklyn.
   • “I'll be really curious to see how aggressive they are at this upcoming deadline.” (41:41)

10. Oklahoma City Thunder (#1):

    • +125 odds; latest win over Denver reaffirms them as favorites.
    • “A good reminder last night as to why they are the championship favorite with a wire to wire dominant win.” (42:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On SGA’s Superstar Turn:

  “Shea’s at 68% true shooting... This is like 2016 Steph Curry type of numbers from a two guard.” (06:04)

• On Legacy All-Star Selections:

  “Michael Jordan wasn’t nearly as good as this version of LeBron... Kobe Bryant made three All Star Games after his Achilles tear ... Kareem Abdul Jabbar made the All Star Game in his last two seasons despite averaging less than 15 points per game...” (20:34)

• On Denver’s Playoff Hopes vs OKC:

  “If Denver can’t figure out how to do that, they’re dead on arrival in this matchup, regardless of how good their offense is.” (15:46)

• On the Clippers' uphill battle:

  “It’s basically going to take a miracle for them to accomplish their goal of hoisting the trophy this year.” (30:45)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Thunder vs. Nuggets Analysis: 01:31 – 17:53
• Kawhi and All-Star Debate: 19:28 – 24:50
• Power Rankings Overview: 24:51 – End

Episode Takeaways

• The Thunder’s win in Denver was more than just a W; it was a “statement” that reaffirmed their status as favorites and showcased SGA’s superstar leap.
• The furor over Kawhi’s All-Star snub is justified, but LeBron’s continued selection fits historic precedent—fans looking for someone to “blame” should look elsewhere.
• Power rankings highlight surges (Clippers, Knicks), flaws (Rockets' late-game offense), and team identities, with detailed rationale for the latest placements.
• The episode deftly blends in-the-weeds strategic insight with big-picture narratives, making it an essential listen (or read) for any NBA obsessive.