The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hoops Tonight: Why Warriors' Steph Curry & Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton are BETTER than Jalen Brunson | NBA Mailbag

Date: September 1, 2025
Host: Jason Timpf (for Hoops Tonight on The Volume)
Format: NBA mailbag, player rankings, and in-depth listener Q&A

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jason addresses a range of mailbag questions—primarily centered on player rankings and comparisons, especially the debate around Steph Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jalen Brunson. Jason also explores broader questions about evaluating NBA talent, the complexity of basketball analysis (both as a player and an outsider), the development of his own media career, and a few fun rapid-fire topics late in the episode. The tone is direct, analytical, and passionate about the nuances of basketball excellence and how it is represented beyond just box score stats.

Main Discussion Themes & Insights

1. Steph Curry vs. Jalen Brunson: Who's Better and Why?

(Key segment: 02:07 – 17:00)

• Primary Argument: Despite Brunson’s gaudy box score stats and two strong years, Steph Curry remains a superior offensive "engine" and overall player.
• Supporting Points:
  • Usage & Stats Disparity: Brunson’s high usage on the ball inflates his box score numbers versus Curry, whose impact is more system-wide and less box score dependent.
    • “Jalen Brunson dribbles the basketball and has the ball in his hands a lot more than Steph Curry does...which allows Jalen Brunson to put up preposterous statistical performances over and over.” (07:00)
  • Team Context: Brunson benefits from a more talented supporting cast (Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns) compared to Steph's less offensively gifted Warriors.
    • “There is a substantially better set of offensive talent that he’s playing with [in New York], which is making life easier for Jalen Brunson.” (08:45)
  • Steph’s Transformative Effect: Curry elevates mediocre rosters—when even “limited” additions are made (like Jimmy Butler), the Warriors’ offense vaults into top 10 territory simply because of Curry’s gravity and playmaking.
  • Hypothetical Swap: If Steph was put on the Knicks with Brunson’s supporting cast, the Knicks would get even better.
    • “If you just plucked Steph and dropped him on the Knicks… I believe the Knicks become a better basketball team.” (10:35)
  • Defense: Curry rated as “a better defensive player as well,” citing overall impact.

Key Quote:

“Steph’s ability to consistently draw two to the ball, both in pick and roll and just running off of off-ball action, unlocks so much easy stuff for that team.” (09:30)

2. Brunson vs. Haliburton – Offensive Engine vs. Box Score Scorer

(Key segment: 17:00 – 27:00)

• Tiny Gap, Big Difference: Jason sees the gap between Brunson and Haliburton as extremely small, with Haliburton ranking just one spot above Brunson in his top 10 (if healthy).
• Playoff Head-to-Head: Despite Brunson’s massive box score runs, Haliburton’s Pacers posted a more potent, free-flowing offense and outperformed the Knicks in their direct playoff matchup.
• Offensive Ecosystem:
  • Haliburton’s approach is less ball-dominant and more about maintaining team rhythm and creating easy shots.
  • The Pacers’ offense cratered when Haliburton left the floor (“almost 14 points worse per 100 possessions”), proving his centrality.
  • With Brunson, the offense is more static and dependent on his isolation scoring.
• Clutch Play: Despite Brunson’s clutch scoring reputation, Haliburton outperformed him in the playoffs (“Halliburton was 4 for 7 in the clutch and hit a shot that literally stole a game at Madison Square Garden, and Brunson was 3 for 9.” (22:20))
• How Can Brunson Jump Up? He must unlock playmaking that raises the performance of teammates, not just accumulate scoring.

Key Quote:

“If Jalen Brunson can figure out to get to that next level as a playmaker...he can not only leap Halliburton, but yes absolutely get up into the conversation for that fifth spot. But I think he’s a while away.” (24:00)

3. Evaluating Players: Box Score vs. Team Impact

(Key segment woven throughout)

• Box Score Fallacy: High-volume scorers get disproportionate attention, but “offensive engines” drive sustainable, high-quality team offense.
• Evidence: Both Haliburton and Curry create higher team offensive ratings than Brunson, whose teams have underachieved in big spots.
• Brunson’s Usage: Puts up “insane box score stats because he is an elite scorer that dribbles the air out of the basketball most games.”

4. The Debate over Basketball Media, Criticism & Integrity

(27:00 – 36:00)

• Gatekeeping: Reaction to Denzel Washington’s comments about non-athletes criticizing athletes.
• Jason’s Stance:
  • Both former players and outsiders can offer insightful criticism/analysis, as long as it’s rooted in genuine love and research—not just for entertainment or “takes.”
  • Credibility requires both praise and criticism:

    “Praise without criticism is just propaganda. Criticism without praise is just shit talk.” (32:00)

  • Many ex-players show clear biases or don’t do the homework, while outsider media may work harder to earn legitimacy.
  • The modern basketball media landscape is richer precisely because of this mix; the best coverage comes from people who love and study the game, not merely from career athletes.

5. Rapid Fire: Other Basketball Topics

(Varied Q&A from 27:00 and beyond)

• WNBA: Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark
  • Paige thriving as a “surgical” scorer, especially inside 17 feet (shooting 50% on high volume).
  • Clark is a true offensive “engine” akin to “Steph Curry meets Steve Nash,” transforming team offense and already ranking as one of the game's best offensive creators.
  • If choosing for a team, Jason favors the “engine” who elevates everyone.
• Offensive Archetypes:
  • Greatest all-time players are never just “scorers;” even MJ was an elite passer.
  • “I’m going to gravitate towards players who can both score and generate tons of high quality offense for their entire team.” (35:30)
• LeBron vs. Steph (Recency):
  • LeBron had a higher peak stretch than Steph last year, but Steph's sustained offensive gravity (even with a worse roster) keeps him “just a hair” above LeBron overall.
  • Both made All-NBA Second Team; the narrative that they’re “washed” is a minority opinion.
• East vs. West Conference Strength: Injuries crippled the East's top teams last season; no easy fix.
• Miami Heat/LeBron-Wade Dynamic: They were statistically better with just LeBron on the floor, but chemistry, offense-defense blend, and star power make “best lineup” decisions more nuanced than just net rating.

6. Listener Questions: Career, Media, and Miscellany

(55:00 – End)

• Jason’s Path to Sports Media:
  • Background in pre-engineering, but passion was always basketball and writing/presenting arguments.
  • College basketball drove his academic motivation; later worked in real estate, where public speaking and building rapport helped develop on-air skills.
  • Advice: “Just start making content—put your heart and soul into it and let the algorithm do its work. Be yourself.” (59:00)
• Personal Takes:
  • Doesn’t plan to become a Nuggets fan despite moving to Denver, but expects to cover them more due to their title potential this year.
  • Quick takes on LeBron vs. MJ as shooters, Austin Reaves vs. Tyler Herro, favorite ski mountains in Colorado (Breck, with scout reports on others pending).

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On box score vs. impact:

  “We can’t grade a player simply on box score performance.” (12:45)

• On Steph’s unique power:

  “That supreme gift Steph has to just run in circles and fuck things up for a defense by getting two to the ball… keeps him just that hair’s breadth ahead of LeBron in the meantime.” (46:05)

• On the difference in media analysis:

  “The credibility to both sides, to the praise and to the criticism, is that the other exists.” (32:00)

• On offensive archetype:

  “The best chance you have to be the best version of yourself is to be yourself and channel whatever it is that you love through your own personality.” (61:45)

Useful Timestamps

• Intro and show framework: 02:07–03:00
• Curry vs. Brunson Deep-Dive: 03:00–17:00
• Brunson vs. Haliburton: 17:00–27:00
• Media Criticism and Integrity: 27:00–36:00
• WNBA and Offensive Archetype: 36:00–41:00
• LeBron vs. Steph and Misc NBA Qs: 45:00–54:30
• Jason’s Career Path/Media Advice: 55:00–61:45
• Fun wrap-up (Nuggets fandom, ski mountains, quick takes): 61:45–67:45

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Jason is passionate but reasoned, often friendly and playful (e.g., about “running in circles and fucking things up for a defense”).
• He’s self-aware: openly explains his own amateur background and the importance of critical honesty.
• The show’s pace is lively, keeping even big philosophical points rooted in specifics.

Summary Takeaways

• Steph Curry and Tyrese Haliburton’s value outstrips Jalen Brunson’s because of their role as offensive engines—a distinction that transcends box score numbers.
• Team context and playing style are crucial to player value, not just individual stats.
• The media ecosystem is at its best when both player and non-player voices contribute with integrity and passion.
• Jason’s own journey mirrors his advice: find your passion, do the work, and keep the analysis honest and evidence-based.

Highly recommended episode for NBA fans interested in deeper debates about player value, offensive philosophy, and what makes basketball analysis truly insightful.