Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1: Death, Taxes, Haliburton

Release Date: June 6, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd is a thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day. In this episode titled "Death, Taxes, Haliburton," hosts delve into the NBA Finals, NFL developments, and insightful interviews with sports analysts.

1. NBA Finals: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

a. Game 1 Recap and Key Highlights

The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic recap of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Host Colin Cowherd expresses his excitement over the Pacers' victory, highlighting the team's resilience and strategic plays.

Colin Cowherd [04:40]: "Tyrese Halliburton is the man. The pull-up jumper with 3/10 of a second left gives the Pacers the win."

b. Tyrese Halliburton's Stellar Performance

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Tyrese Halliburton's exceptional postseason performance. His clutch plays against top teams, including memorable moments against the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers, have positioned him as a rising star in the league.

Colin Cowherd [07:10]: "If you start a team, Halliburton makes everyone better. Tyrese Halliburton, there's something about this guy."

c. Critique of Oklahoma City Thunder's Strategy and Coaching Decisions

The hosts critically analyze the Thunder's strategy, particularly the coaching decisions that may have led to their downfall in Game 1. The decision to bench key players like Chet Holmgren in crucial moments is scrutinized, raising questions about the Thunder's game management.

Colin Cowherd [20:52]: "They lead about 15 in the fourth and then, for reasons I haven't seen a logical explanation, they pulled Chet Holmgren."

2. Aaron Rodgers Signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers

a. Analysis and Implications

Transitioning to NFL news, Colin Cowherd discusses the monumental signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He examines the potential impacts on both Rodgers' career and the Steelers' dynamics, expressing skepticism about the long-term success of this move.

Colin Cowherd [10:06]: "Aaron Rodgers is letting you know right out of the gate, I'm calling the shots."

b. Comparison with Previous Quarterback Transitions

Colin draws parallels between Rodgers' move and Brett Favre's past transitions, questioning whether Rodgers will find his groove in Pittsburgh as Favre did in Minnesota after his stint with the Jets.

Colin Cowherd [10:42]: "I don't see that happening. The Steelers are probably going to be a 7 and 10 team and Rodgers feels like it's over."

3. Other NFL Developments

a. Minnesota Vikings' Quarterback JJ McCarthy

The discussion shifts to the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback situation. Analysts Jason McIntyre and Alex Curry highlight JJ McCarthy's impressive offseason performance and the unwavering support from team owner Kevin O'Connell despite persistent rumors linking the team to other high-profile quarterbacks.

Jason McIntyre [28:17]: "He's having a great spring. He's healthy, strong throwing the ball, great fundamentals."

b. Potential Coaching Changes: Jason Kidd and the New York Knicks

Alex Curry brings attention to the New York Knicks’ search for a new head coach, citing Jason Kidd as a potential candidate. The conversation explores Kidd's successful stint with the Dallas Mavericks and his rapport with NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Alex Curry [30:38]: "Mark Stein is reporting that New York will formally request permission to speak to Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd."

c. Pete Carroll's Tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders

Further NFL insights include discussions about Pete Carroll taking the helm as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders at the age of 74. The hosts debate the implications of Carroll's hiring, considering his experience and the future direction of the franchise.

Alex Curry [33:30]: "Pete Carroll brings a culture. This is not like a long-term situation, but he's a good person to create a foundation."

4. In-Depth Analysis with John Hollinger

a. Post-Game Breakdown

The episode features an insightful interview with John Hollinger of The Athletic, an analytics expert with deep NBA knowledge. Hollinger provides a detailed breakdown of Game 1, emphasizing the Pacers' strategic efficiency versus Thunder's defensive lapses.

John Hollinger [39:20]: "It was the most shocking game, one finals game since Nick Anderson 30 years ago."

b. Defensive Strategies and Player Performance

Hollinger highlights the effectiveness of the Pacers' defense, particularly Miles Turner's impact on disrupting the Thunder's offensive plays. He also critiques the Thunder's poor shot selection and high turnover rate, attributing their loss to inefficiencies rather than a lack of effort.

John Hollinger [40:51]: "Oklahoma City shot really poorly at the rim. Miles Turner was a big factor."

c. Tyrese Halliburton vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA)

A significant point of analysis is the contrast between Halliburton and SGA. While Halliburton's clutch performances are lauded, SGA's efficiency and leadership are questioned, particularly his performance under pressure in Game 1.

John Hollinger [48:43]: "Tyrese Halliburton is such a killer. He's smart about playing to the score."

5. Player Spotlights and Future Projections

a. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA)

The hosts debate SGA's role and efficiency, noting his high scoring but questioning his overall impact on the game. They discuss whether SGA can maintain his performance throughout the series or if Halliburton will overshadow him.

Colin Cowherd [42:53]: "What's the takeaways watching the game a second time on SGA."

b. Tyrese Halliburton's Rising Stardom

Halliburton's growing reputation and consistent performance are highlighted as key factors for the Pacers' success. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations is contrasted with SGA's occasional lapses.

Colin Cowherd [47:12]: "He's a top 10 player in the league. I don't, I don't know what's going."

6. Closing Remarks and Teasers

As the episode wraps up, Colin Cowherd teases upcoming discussions on potential series outcomes and the Thunder's strategies for Game 2. The hosts also hint at future interviews and deeper dives into ongoing sports narratives.

Colin Cowherd [51:10]: "And that's just where we are. We have four more games to get."

Notable Quotes:

• "Tyrese Halliburton is the man."
  — Colin Cowherd [04:40]

• "Aaron Rodgers is letting you know right out of the gate, I'm calling the shots."
  — Colin Cowherd [10:06]

• "It was the most shocking game, one finals game since Nick Anderson 30 years ago."
  — John Hollinger [39:20]

• "He tries to do it. They were down two. He went for the three to get the win."
  — John Hollinger [47:12]

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a comprehensive analysis of pivotal moments in the NBA Finals, the strategic maneuvers within the NFL, and an expert interview that sheds light on the intricate dynamics of professional sports. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual listener, the discussions provide valuable insights into the current state and future trajectories of your favorite teams and players.