Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1: "Tatum Isn't The One"

Release Date: May 12, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Matt Hasselbeck, J. Mac, Rich Davis, Steve Covino

1. Introduction

In this episode titled "Tatum Isn't The One," host Colin Cowherd delves deep into the ongoing debates surrounding NBA star Jason Tatum and his role within the Boston Celtics. Joined by guests Matt Hasselbeck, J. Mac, Rich Davis, and Steve Covino, the discussion navigates through team dynamics, player performances, and potential future moves within the league.

2. Jason Tatum's Role and Performance

Matt Hasselbeck initiates the conversation by challenging the widely held belief that Jason Tatum is the face of the NBA. He underscores Tatum's role as part of a larger, well-rounded Celtics team rather than a standalone superstar.

“We always say, stop telling me Jason Tatum is the face of the league. This team is great without him, but the advantage is he doesn't have to be great and they win.”
[06:42] – Matt Hasselbeck

Hasselbeck points out that the Celtics thrive due to their collective strength, highlighting that when Tatum underperforms or is absent, the team's net rating often improves. This contrasts sharply with teams like the Warriors without Steph Curry, who become significantly less competitive.

Matt further elaborates on the Celtics' depth:

“The advantage is he doesn't have to be great and they win. And that's a great feeling.”
[06:42] – Matt Hasselbeck

He emphasizes that the Celtics’ robust roster allows them to perform consistently without relying solely on Tatum, portraying him as a key contributor rather than the central pillar of the team.

3. Comparative Analysis with Other Teams

The discussion shifts to comparing the Celtics with other NBA powerhouses:

• Milwaukee Bucks:
  Matt draws parallels between the Celtics and the Bucks, particularly focusing on Giannis Antetokounmpo's influence. He notes that while Giannis is indispensable for the Bucks, the Celtics maintain their success without relying solely on Tatum.

  “The Bucks are like Giannis. In pro sports you can take all the money you want. Losing stinks and Boston just doesn't lose much.”
  [06:42] – Matt Hasselbeck

• Denver Nuggets:
  Matt highlights the Nuggets' reliance on Nikola Jokic, stating that without Jokic, the team struggles to score and maintain a competitive edge.

  “When Jokic sits or doesn't play, the net rating plummets.”
  [06:42] – Matt Hasselbeck

4. Celtics’ Depth and Future Prospects

The conversation touches upon the Celtics' strategic advantages:

• Front Office Excellence:
  Matt praises the Celtics' management, attributing much of the team's success to their front office's decisions and roster-building strategies.

• Player Contributions:
  He mentions players like Peyton Pritchard, who have stepped up during critical moments, reinforcing the idea that the Celtics' strength lies in their collective talent rather than a single superstar.

  “Peyton Pritchard in game three was the dog. He was the guy.”
  [06:42] – Matt Hasselbeck

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo's Potential Trade

A significant portion of the episode revolves around Giannis Antetokounmpo's potential desire to leave the Milwaukee Bucks and explore opportunities with other franchises. Matt Hasselbeck speculates on the implications of such a move:

• Trade Scenarios:
  Matt discusses the feasibility of trading Giannis to teams like Houston, Oklahoma City, or San Antonio, emphasizing that these teams have the necessary assets—such as first-round picks and flexible rosters—to make a competitive package.

  “The three teams that will create the best packages are all west. You’ve east, OKC, San Antonio, Houston—send him west.”
  [12:00] – Matt Hasselbeck

• Impact on the League:
  He reflects on how Giannis moving could reshape the competitive landscape of the NBA, potentially elevating teams that acquire him while diminishing others reliant on aging superstars.

6. Draft Lottery and Team Strategies

The hosts analyze the NBA draft lottery's potential outcomes and how it might influence team strategies, particularly concerning Giannis's future. They discuss:

• Odds and Possibilities:
  Highlighting the unpredictability of the lottery, Matt references past instances where teams with low odds secured top picks, emphasizing the strategic importance for teams eyeing Giannis.

  “The Atlanta Hawks won the lottery last year with only a 3% chance. The Cavs with only a 1.5% chance won in 2014.”
  [15:07] – Matt Hasselbeck

• San Antonio Spurs' Role:
  Special attention is given to the Spurs, suggesting that a successful draft could position them as prime candidates to engage in major trades, including pursuing Giannis.

7. Final Thoughts and Conclusions

As the episode wraps up, Colin Cowherd and Matt Hasselbeck reflect on the broader implications of team management, player dependencies, and future prospects within the NBA. They underscore the importance of strategic depth over single-star reliance, using the Celtics as a prime example of sustained success through collective excellence.

Colin Cowherd concludes:

“Tatum is just another really good player, the most talented player on that team.”
[06:42] – Colin Cowherd

He reiterates the episode's central theme that while Tatum is a valuable asset, the Celtics' success is rooted in their comprehensive team dynamics rather than dependence on any single superstar.

Notable Quotes

• “The advantage is he doesn't have to be great and they win.”
  — Matt Hasselbeck [06:42]

• “When Jokic stops, Denver can't score.”
  — Matt Hasselbeck [06:42]

• “If you're looking for a nickname for Tatum, it's the beneficiary.”
  — Matt Hasselbeck [06:42]

• “Giannis is going to explore the best fit outside of Milwaukee.”
  — Matt Hasselbeck [06:42]

Conclusion

This episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" provides an in-depth analysis of Jason Tatum's role within the Boston Celtics, juxtaposing it with the dependencies seen in other NBA teams. Through insightful discussions and expert opinions, the hosts emphasize the value of team depth and strategic management over relying solely on superstar talents. The potential trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo emerges as a pivotal topic, highlighting its potential to reshape the NBA landscape.

Note: All timestamps and quotes are based on the provided transcript and are indicative of the discussions within the episode.