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Hour 1 - The Pacers refuse to go away quietly - The Herd with Colin Cowherd | Wave AI Podcast Notes

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Hour 1 - The Pacers refuse to go away quietly

The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Fri Jun 20 2025

Summary

Podcast Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode: Hour 1 - The Pacers Refuse to Go Away Quietly

Release Date: June 20, 2025

The Herd with Colin Cowherd delves deep into the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) and the Indiana Pacers, while also touching upon significant moments in MLB, WNBA, soccer, and NFL. Co-host Joy Taylor joins Colin to provide insightful commentary and analysis throughout the episode.

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

Overview of the Series:

Colin Cowherd opens the discussion by analyzing OKC's performance throughout the NBA Finals. He emphasizes that while OKC is a very good team, they fall short of being great due to inconsistencies, especially in high-pressure moments.

Performance Metrics:
- Regular Season Dominance: OKC boasted a phenomenal 29-1 record against Eastern teams, averaging a 12.9-point differential per game, setting an NBA record.
- Defense: Their suffocating defense ranks them fourth in regular-season wins.

Key Insights:

Home vs. Road Discrepancy: OKC excels at home ([03:27] Colin Cowherd) with a 10-2 home record but struggles on the road with a 5-0 record.
Player Variance: The youth of OKC introduces significant variance in player performances. For instance, Jalen Williams scored 40 points in Game 5 but plummeted to -40 in Game 6 ([03:27] Colin Cowherd).
Chet Holmgren’s Role: Despite being a pivotal defensive player, Holmgren has underperformed offensively in the finals, scoring fewer than 10 points in three games ([03:27] Colin Cowherd).

Joy Taylor’s Perspective:

Highlighted the lack of fire and energy from OKC players like SGA and Alex Caruso ([11:07] Joy Taylor).
Emphasized that Jalen Williams and pascal Siakam have more experience, providing Indiana with an advantage.

Indiana Pacers' Strengths:

Coaching Excellence: Rick Carlisle's experience and strategic acumen have been instrumental in guiding the Pacers to the finals.
Team Composition: Despite being 21st in cap spending, the Pacers boast eight players averaging double figures in scoring, with Obi Toppin emerging as a key scorer despite limited starts ([19:00] Colin Cowherd).
T.J. McConnell’s Importance: As a crucial ball-handler, McConnell's ability to create space is vital against OKC's relentless perimeter defense ([23:00] Colin Cowherd).

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([03:27]): "OKC is very good. They've got those young legs and young energy... But age, youth gives you a huge variance."
Joy Taylor ([14:25]): "If you're not going to put forth the effort, why am I watching?"

Predictions and Conclusions:

Colin expresses surprise at OKC's blowout loss in Game 6 but maintains optimism for a Game 7 showdown. He praises Tyrese Halliburton for playing despite injuries, considering him a standout and a crucial part of the Pacers' success ([20:13] Colin Cowherd).

Joy concurs, noting the Pacers' resilience and the importance of players like T.J. McConnell in maintaining their championship aspirations ([24:43] Joy Taylor).

2. MLB Rivalries: Yankees vs. Red Sox & Padres vs. Dodgers

Yankees vs. Red Sox:

Colin briefly touches upon the historic rivalry, underscoring its intensity and the high stakes involved in their matchups.

Padres vs. Dodgers Highlights:

Recent Game Drama: The ninth inning of the Padres vs. Dodgers game was particularly fiery. A rookie Dodgers pitcher was accused of throwing at Tatis, leading to manager confrontations on the field ([06:47] Colin Cowherd).
Player Conduct: Shohei Ohtani exemplified sportsmanship despite getting hit by a pitch, shaking hands with the first baseman ([09:51] Joy Taylor).

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([06:39]): "I don't think he threw at him. And the managers come out. Dave Roberts... they're dog cussing each other. So I'll be honest, it's baseball at its best."

3. WNBA Spotlight: Indiana Fever vs. Golden State Valkyrie

Game Analysis:

Indiana Fever’s Struggles: Led by Caitlin Clark, the Fever faced an uncharacteristic performance, scoring only 11 points in a pivotal loss ([27:05] Joy Taylor).
Caitlin Clark’s Performance: Clark shot 3 of 14 from the field and over 7 from three-point range, a significant downturn from her usual performance.

Colin’s Take:

He attributes Clark’s performance to the physical and aggressive defense employed by the Valkyries, reminding listeners that even top players like Larry Bird have off nights, emphasizing that consistency is key ([27:53] Colin Cowherd).

Notable Quotes:

Joy Taylor ([28:40]): "She’s probably starting next year, for the next seven years, will be in her athletic prime."

4. Soccer Segment: US Men’s National Team vs. Saudi Arabia

Match Overview:

Final Score: USA beats Saudi Arabia 1-0 with a notable goal from Chris Richards off a set piece ([29:15] Colin Cowherd).
Team Performance: While the USA secured the win, the team's overall play was deemed lackluster with minimal creativity and depth compared to top international teams.

Analysis:

Colin points out that the current squad lacks the creativity and depth necessary to compete against powerhouse nations like Brazil, Argentina, and England. The absence of key players like Christian Pulisic hampers the team's overall effectiveness ([30:58] Colin Cowherd).

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([31:24]): "We do not have the talent pool that other countries have. So if we don't have our... we've talked about this before."

5. NFL Focus: Minnesota Vikings and JJ McCarthy

Vikings’ Quarterback Woes:

JJ McCarthy’s Performance: Despite high expectations, McCarthy has not thrown a pass since being drafted 15 months ago, raising concerns about his readiness for the NFL.

Colin’s Critique:

He cautions against the hype surrounding McCarthy, emphasizing that in the NFL, a quarterback needs to make multiple throws per game to showcase their capabilities ([26:05] Colin Cowherd).

Joy’s Input:

She remains optimistic about McCarthy but acknowledges the skepticism due to his limited experience ([26:05] Joy Taylor).

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([26:05]): "They asked him to make maybe one to two throws a game. That's not the NFL. That's nothing."

6. NBA Front Office News: Lakers’ Acquisition by Mark Walter

Lakers’ Ownership Change:

Mark Walter’s Acquisition: The Dodgers' Mark Walter has purchased the remaining stake in the Lakers, transitioning the team from a "mom and pop" operation to a more business-oriented franchise ([42:12] Colin Cowherd).

Implications:

Colin discusses the positive impact of this move, highlighting that the Lakers will benefit from a expanded scouting department and a more modernized approach to team management.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([40:09]): "It's a good move. The Lakers can now finally be run like a real business."

7. Controversy: Shadower Sanders’ Speeding Violations

Incident Overview:

Speeding Violations: Shadower Sanders, an NFL player, was caught driving over 100 miles an hour, raising concerns about his maturity and responsibility ([41:10] Colin Cowherd).

Colin’s Stance:

He vehemently criticizes Sanders' actions, asserting that such behavior is inauspicious for a quarterback role in the NFL, where maturity is paramount.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([42:12]): "Don't tell me it's not the end of the world... There are jobs where we need you to be a grownup."
Joy Taylor ([49:49]): "So does this mean I have to stop calling you Coastal Elite Cowherd?"

8. Additional Sports and Personalities

Upcoming Segments:

Kenny Pickett Segment: Colin hints at introducing a new segment focusing on NFL player Kenny Pickett starting the following Tuesday ([50:00] Colin Cowherd).

Personal Anecdotes:

Joy and Colin share light-hearted moments, teasing each other and discussing personal preferences, adding a relatable touch to the intense sports analysis.

Conclusion

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, listeners are treated to a comprehensive analysis of the NBA Finals, enriched with insights on other major sports events. Colin and Joy balance critical evaluation with personal opinions, providing a well-rounded perspective on the current sports landscape. Their candid discussions, punctuated with memorable quotes and real-time reactions, make this episode a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking in-depth commentary.

Notable Quotes Recap:

Colin Cowherd ([03:27]): "OKC is very good. They've got those young legs and young energy... But age, youth gives you a huge variance."
Joy Taylor ([14:25]): "If you're not going to put forth the effort, why am I watching?"
Colin Cowherd ([42:12]): "Don't tell me it's not the end of the world... There are jobs where we need you to be a grownup."

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing an informative overview for those who haven’t listened to the podcast.

Loading summary...

Transcript

Colin Cowherd (0:00)

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Colin Cowherd (3:27)

All right. The question, the debate on OKC has been this year, are they. Are they a great team? I mean, they were 29 and 1 against the east in the regular season. 29 and 1. They won on average by 12.9 points a game, NBA record point differential, suffocating defense. Unbelievable at home, fourth most regular season wins ever. Well, it's been confirmed they're not a great team. They're a very good team. In a finals clinching game, they had their lowest output of the season offensively and the most turnovers. And again, a 36, 9 run by Indy. The hell. OKC is very good. They've got those young legs and young energy and sometimes, you know, man, they. They got a number one score, they got size and they got depth. But age, youth gives you a huge variance. Jalen Williams, 40 points in Game 5, minus 40 in Game 6. That's the variance you get not only as a team collectively, but individual players. So, like Chet Holmgren, three times in the finals alone, he's had fewer than 10 points. Like, where. Where's his offense? Well, he probably should have stayed in college a year more. He's. He's a young player, still good defensively. But this is what you get at home. OKC will get these leads and they. And they play more aggressively with a lead. They're a little like the Baltimore Ravens, right? Baltimore's got Lamar. They got SGA at home. Does anybody get more blowout wins last couple of years than Baltimore and okc? No. But if they're playing from behind the Ravens and the Thunder, sometimes that offense dries up, and it did last night. So it's not an excuse. I'm not making excuses for Oklahoma City. I was shocked at the blowout loss, but it is a reason. They're the youngest finals team in 48 years. And I said, I'll take him in game seven. But just like having young kids, you put them in the car for a roadie, things get squirrely. Are we there yet? No, it's game six. Be patient. And it wasn't good. If you look at the home splits, OKC not only is 10 at 2 at home and 500 on the road, they're plus 247 at home and minus 67 on the road. So we've been talking about this. Oklahoma City's bench, great at home, rotational players, great at home. Indiana, they've had these, you know, the T.J. mcConnell's. Those kind of players are unbelievable at home. But history of the NBA is young teams can struggle in the postseason when they get uncomfortable. So again I'm going to take. I thought they'd win last night. The fact that Halliburton played and played well is shocking. I'm going to get to that after the break. That's and they deserve a ton of credit. I will get more to that. But all the pressure, even though it's at home, all the pressure is going to be on okc. And young players with pressure can shrink. Here's SGA after the humbling loss in game six.

Colin Cowherd (6:47)

Everything we've worked for and so do they. And the better team Sunday will win. All right, so I will get to the Pacers, give them their flowers after the break. But I got to talk about once again last night. I don't want to hear Yankees and Red Sox the best, easily the best baseball rivalry, Padres, Dodgers. And it got feisty again last night in the ninth inning. Now a lot of the crowd had filed out, but in the ninth inning the Dodgers had a rookie pitcher clearly didn't throw at Tatis who dramatically crumples to the ground when he got hit on the wrist. I get that it hurts, but it's a rookie pitcher making his debut at home. I don't think he threw at him. And the managers come out. Dave Roberts, actually I think at one point bumped Mike Shield. They're dog cussing each other. So I'll be honest, it's baseball at its best. I feel like you saw a lot more of this in the 80s sometimes in a tedious long regular season. Intensity and heat equal interest. And we saw the two biggest stories this week have been Caitlin Clark in the scrum and this why sports fans want you to care as much as they do. And the Padres and the Dodgers. This is real. So then in the bottom of that inning, the ninth, the Padres clearly throw in retaliation after this. Tatis getting hit. That's top of the 9th. Then they go to the bottom of the 9th and Shohei Ohtani gets plunked on a 3, 0 pitch. 100 miles an hour in the back. Yeah, it hurts. Ohtani. Nothing new. He's the best at this, too. Acted with class, went down and shakes the first baseman's hand. Classy organization. He acts with class. Voice of reason. But here's the thing. When I was a kid, baseball had a ton of personality. Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, Mickey Rivers, Mark Fidrich, Al Raboski. And the players leaned into it. They leaned into it. Everybody had big personalities. And then something weird happened. The sport got very pious and very precious. There's a way to play the game and the unwritten rules. Get out of here. Give me a break. At sports. And all of a sudden, for about a 20 year period, it felt like there were locker room governors and locker room statesmen. They're attacking their own Bryce Harper. And it did not help the sport. Finally, Rob Manfred and the sport started saying, guys, lean into this stuff. It's sports, it's not Congress. There isn't a way to play the game, play it with intensity. Sometimes intensity boils over into throwing it, guys, but this is good for sports. I know, I know you don't want to hear it, but the Dodgers, Padres, it's authentic, it's intense, it's old school, it's feisty, it's a little petty. I'm here for it. And here's Dave Roberts after, as he.

Colin Cowherd (15:52)

Listen, we don't get many game sevens. You can say what you want about ratings in the series. It's going to be an all timer. We don't get a lot of game sevens. Can't wait. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. FS1 and the iHeartRadio app Summer is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. A nice tan. Sorry. A box fan? Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some French fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered. Don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. At the end of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the title. The ultimate. The all electric BMW ix. What I love about the IX is that it delivers legendary BMW performance. While its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out. Not to mention how much space and utility it provides. Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space, the IX is completely changing the game with an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game. So why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving.

Colin Cowherd (20:15)

And resort in Kansas. 21 plus. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bet must win to receive reward. Minimum minus 500 odds. Required bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG co audio. All right, welcome back. Now let's give the Indiana Pacers their flowers. First of all, the fact that Tyrese Halliburton played. He was a game time decision and played pretty well. He found his 3 second and assists. He had the highest plus minus. I thought he played pretty well. He's clearly not at 100%, but man, that's, that's, that takes some courage, man. You can get, you can really injure yourself. So the fact that he played, and I thought he played pretty well is one thing. The other thing is if the Pacers win on, on Sunday, it's going to be the most unique champion ever. Think about this. They're 21st in cap spending. They have eight guys averaging double figures, none average 20. Obi Toppin started four games all season, all season. And I like Obie Toppin. He's hit some big threes. He started four games all season. He's our third leading scorer in the finals. What this team is, is brilliantly coached. They've got, as I said earlier in the week, they've got a variety of shapes and sizes and different style players. And Rick Carlisle is one of the really bright guys in this league. He knows the levers to pull. I think this idea. OKC is young. There are really good young players on Indiana, but Miles Turner and Pascal Siakam, they're not kids. So I don't want to hear anybody outside of the state of Indiana saying, I saw this one coming. It's, you know, Bob Dylan's not from Indiana, but this, this team does feel a little bit like a complete unknown. Let's be totally honest here. You didn't, you didn't have Indiana clobbering Cleveland and Milwaukee. Nobody in New York thought they'd beat the Knicks. Did we really think this thing would go seven, especially after Halliburton got hurt. So the other thing that's really crucial, T.J. mcConnell, the, the, this, the little guy, he's very important. Especially if Halliburton's not at 100% because of the way OKC defends. They're relentless on the perimeter. You got to have ball handlers. You have got to have ball handlers. So if Halliburton plays and McConnell, you got a shot because he creates space. He beats people off the dribble, he's hard to trap. So the little guy becomes really, really important for them. You got to have at least two high end ball handlers that can create space to just keep OKC off your back, because they can get especially OKC at home. Man, you got to create some space. You got to be able to break down that defense. So last night, the Pacers had them both tip of the cap to Halliburton, who's becoming my favorite player in the league. And we got a game seven. Here's Hallie after. I just look at it as, you know, I want to be out there to compete with my brothers. You know, these are guys that I'm willing to go to war with, and we've had such a special year and we have a special bond as a group. And, you know, I think I'd beat myself up if I didn't give it a chance, you know, and, you know, I just wanted to be out there and fight, you know, I know that athletes are all millionaires, and sometimes they're not relatable or likable. I find the Pacers as likable as any NBA team. I mean, think about this. They're in game seven of the Finals. Their point guard was voted on by players as the most overrated player in the league. Obi Toppins now their number three scorer. He didn't start this year four times. 21st in cap spending. Miles Turner sometimes has been a complete offensive no show. Little TJ McConnell's become crucial, and it's a. It's a weird mix of long guys, young guys, older guys. At the top of next hour, I'll give you the five things that I feel I can bank on in order for game seven. There's some things I have no idea. I did not predict a 36 to 9 indie run last night, but there are five things that I believe. I'll give you my one through five that I think one I know will. One or two I know I'll get after that. Here's. By the way, here's T.J. mcConnell's dad after. I'm tell you right now, he's a warrior.

Colin Cowherd (31:45)

So in Mauricio Pochettino, his history with Tottenham Hotspur, his history is he likes youth, he's aggressive and he likes young guys. And he just got the job. So whether or not he lasts, you know, because it's always the coach's fault, it's always the manager's fault with the United States men's national team, but he's looking at it as I'm going to be here for four or five years. So I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to develop these young guys and that's what America needs. We have done a really good job as a country over the last 10 years to develop five or six really good players good enough to go to Europe and flourish. America and the people of USA Soccer deserve credit for that. This is the best group of talent we have had ever. But now the next stage for us as a country is get our seventh through 14th player to be at least not a dramatic drop off from one through seven. That's what Netherlands has or Germany or England. We got a drop off. And by the way, it's all steps, it's all stages. Last night you can just see the lack of creativity and it's just they're just not as talented players. So I think we USA Soccer deserves a ton of credit. Again, we held England scoreless in the last World Cup. We get out of the group stage, we deserve credit. But you can see the stage that we're going to need all hands on deck to be a viable top 8, 1012 team in the World Cup. The world's getting better at this stuff, not just us. J Mac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd lie news. Oh, our staff does such good work here. Larry Bird scored eight points in back to back finals games in 1981. I knew I was right. That was the year I was a junior in high school. Larry Bird scored eight points in back to back finals. In 81 they still won the title. But you know, great players have bad games. So. So this week, pretty big story. The Lakers sold the bus family which had this had been talked about for years. The Dodger group, the Mark Walter group bought you know like 25% of the Lakers years ago. And he was probably waiting. Mark Walters, very sharp guy. He was probably waiting to see what the new NBA contract was going to be. And when it came out to be 76 billion over 11 years, Mark Walter, seize the moment. It's not a shock. That's when they went, okay, we'll buy the whole team, right? Because now we got the Garrett now. Yeah, pay a little bit more for it when that contract comes out. But there are much greater benefits revenue wise with a new TV contract, a lot of money. So I've been saying this for years. The Lakers are two mom and pop. It's very interesting. A story today came out. Is this Ramona Shelburne, who. I'm not sure who gave you this, this story. It's very good story, said one source inside the league. It's a good move. The Lakers can now finally be run like a real business. Said another exec. It makes sense the way the league is going. I don't think they could afford to be in this business. It just costs too much day to day. Another front office type said, listen, for years it was Mitch Kupchak, good guy, and that was it. A league's horse said, and now it's Rob Pelinka and that's it. No disrespect at all, but there is a sense they will expand R and D and expand the scouting department. And to give you an example, the Lakers or mom and Pop, they literally applied for federal relief, small business relief during COVID I mean that. And they got like 5 million bucks. Also, they were the only NBA team that didn't go to the Sloan analytics conference in 2013. So they've just. The league's getting smarter, they're getting smaller. And so this is going to be really, really good. Here's the other thing. I know there's a lot of LeBron haters out there. LeBron kind of saved the brand. I got to be honest with you. There was a point. 2013 to 2017. Do you remember this? Did the worst record in the league. The worst at the end of Kobe's run. They're bad. So six years, no playoffs. So LeBron came in and had a little Apple feel. Remember when Apple was irrelevant, Steve Jobs came back, the iPhone, it was like, okay, big brand now relevant again. LeBron has made them relevant. They, they were the last couple of years of Kobe. It was like you were just looking for nice Kobe nights, like winning wasn't a thing. So I think LeBron did a solid for the organization and I think this happens all the time. I think I've seen This in the NFL happen. The NFL has gotten smarter. There's so many good young offensive coaches that these old school defensive coaches, they're just sometimes they're not quick enough. So many bad offensive lines in the NFL. A lot of them are tied to defensive coaches. And I feel like NBA front offices now. Sam Presti and Brad Stevens. There are so many smart young executives in the NBA. Mom and pop will not do. Steve Ballmer. You, you, you don't. I don't have to love every move the Clippers make. They have a massive scouting department. Lakers don't. Philadelphia Eagles, massive scouting department. Cincinnati Bengals run like a mom and pop. They don't. So I think this is a huge win for the Lakers. You know, I. Yeah, I always hear this. Oh, they're another billionaire. The oligarchs. You know, I don't love Elon Musk all the time. Creates a lot of jobs. So does Jeff Bezos. Okay? And money's real. They're not going anywhere. So Premier League teams are owned by billionaires, too. And the worst owners in my lifetime, overwhelmingly, you know, Ted Steppe and Marge Schott have not been venture capitalists. What you need an influx of money. And the Dodgers have a massive scouting department. And this is what I've been saying about the Cowboys, the Bengals, the Lakers. They feel outdated. They feel small leagues are getting smarter. You don't want to get smaller. Trustandwill.com makes it easy. The leaders in creating personalized trust and wills to protect your assets, legacy and loved ones. Do the right thing. Protect your fam. Visit Trust and will.com today. Check it out for total peace of mind. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. Summer is here, and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake, that's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. A nice tan. Sorry. A box fan. Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay. How about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some French fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered. Don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. At the end of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the title. The ultimate the all electric BMW ix. What I love about the IX is that it delivers legendary BMW performance while its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out, not to mention how much space and utility it provides. Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space, the IX is completely changing the game with an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game, so why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW ix. Everything you love about the ultimate driving.

Colin Cowherd (42:12)

I know I said I didn't want to talk about Shadour Sanders anymore. I have sold myself stock. But now we have a reaction to the multiple speeding violations. He went over 100 miles an hour and got busted. We found out either before or after that he also got busted for going 91. It's just dangerous. It's just dumb to drive that fast. And no, I've never driven 100 miles an hour. I don't think it's that hard because I, I, I don't want to end up, you know, blowing up somebody's car. You know, bad things happen when you drive that fast. So the stories came out yesterday. Shador Sanders had, you know, I made some bad choices. There's body cam footage. There's a column today the Browns could cut him for less than speeding tickets. So I have no doubt in my mind that Andrew Barry and Kevin Stefanski would strongly consider cutting him if he was not a quarterback and if not, the owner wanted him drafted. So Jimmy Haslam's a bad owner. 13 years, last place eight times that. That's hard to do in this league. It is hard to do in that league. He did I ever, did you ever hear that story? I got to read this story to you. This is a true story. Cleveland spent many hours and resources scouting Teddy Bridgewater. In one particular case, an analytical study of quarterbacks cost a team 100 grand. Told them draft Bridgewater. Jimmy Haslam became convinced that fans in Cleveland wanted Manziel. After I'm reading this, a homeless man said to the owner, draft Manzel. That's, that's why you have eight last place finishes. He's impulsive. He's, he's arguably the worst owner. Now that Dan Snyder's out, he's the worst owner and he wanted this draft pick. We all saw the reaction of Andrew Barry and Kevin Stefanski when the draft pick was made. They, they couldn't hide their lack of enthusiasm. So I'm kind of fascinated. How's he dealing with this? Because he whiffed on Manziel, DeSean Watson, he acknowledged it's a league embarrassment. Baker Mayfield was the best of those picks by far, but he wasn't quite mature enough. So once again, the impulsive owner and the bad owner gets in the way of success. So, and I, and I said this yesterday. He's not mature enough to be a star franchise quarterback. We had questions whether Shador Sanders was good enough. Now, I know he's not mature enough, but can we stop with the pandering and the strawman arguments? Here's one of the straw man arguments. Not the worst thing in the world. Who said it is? We're not asking him to be thrown in jail. No, nobody's saying it's the worst thing in the world. But there are jobs, and this may be unfair, where you need to be really mature at 23 years old. Man or woman. Doctor. Sorry, can't come in with a hangover before four big surgeries. Right? There are just jobs where we need you to be a grownup. So don't. Don't tell me it's not the end of the world. We. Nobody's saying it's the end of the world. Here's the other thing, bro. I've driven 100 miles an hour many times. Yeah, dude, you work at Chipotle. You are not a potential quarterback for a $6 billion franchise, okay? Jaden Daniels is the starting quarterback. Jobs are on the line with Jaden Daniels and Caleb Williams. They're on the line. So I don't care that you drove 100 miles an hour, which I would never recommend and I never have. I've gotten a speeding ticket 30 years ago. But, you know, part of being a quarterback is kind of this unfair reality that you got to be more mature sooner than your buddies. So I don't want to hear about you driving 100 miles an hour. Even if you have a good job, you're not a quarterback of a $6 billion franchise. Even if you got a job as an attorney, you're not a partner at 23 years old. Even if you get a job, you're an intern to be a doctor. You're not the chief of staff man, your chief of staff, your quarterback in the NFL, that is a big boy job. So, guys, saying it's not the worst thing in the world, we do not see what it is. And I've done it a hundred times. You're not vying to be a quarterback in the NFL. And so I've Said this for years. I don't love the Wonderlic test and all that stuff, but there's a reason you do these interviews. Will Levis turn some people off during interviews? Shadour Sanders reportedly turned some people off during interviews. That's why they do them. They've seen your tape, they've seen you move, they've seen your arm, they've seen your touchdowns. Can you be a franchise quarterback again? If he's driving 100 miles an hour and he's a cornerback or a mike linebacker, I don't love it. But I, I, and I wrote about this in my first book. It's different. Certain jobs get the corner office. You know, it's like when you, There's a difference. I, I hear this argument all the time from people at the other network especially. It's, it's, it's, hey, coaches leave. Why can't players leave transfer portal? First of all, coaches in power 5 conferences, football coaches don't leave that much. They're often fired. They don't leave very much. Secondly, a coach is different than a player. A player is 19 years old, a coach is 50. A coach is responsible at the college level for everybody in the program. Himself, his staff, the kids. A player is responsible for himself. They're not equals. The bosses at Fox get pension plans. I don't. Nor should I. My boss, Eric Shanks is responsible for everybody in the sports department. I'm responsible for this microphone. Right. I shouldn't get what they get. Okay, like, so that's the way I look at quarterback. Of all the players on a football team, it's just way more important. It's just, you know, you're a gunner on special teams. We're not building around you. Even a great running back. They, I mean, Derek Henry, Titans love them. They're like, yeah, we're going to move off him. You don't move off elite quarterbacks very often. Derrick Henry, they're like, we don't want to pay him. Giants, Saquon Barkley. And we're not sure we're going to let him go to arrival. You're not doing that. You're not letting Jalen hurts next year go to the Giants. Right? Like quarterbacks different. So before you rush to say it's not the end of the world. Nobody's saying that. Nobody's saying that. Secondly, dude, me and my buddies do it all the time for any infraction, doesn't matter. That's not relative to what quarterback. And it's unfair. I've said before, it's unfair how mature you have to be at 23. I wasn't mature enough to be an NFL quarterback at 21. 22 years old. I got there about 54 years old. Okay? So I. I know it's hard, and I know it's unfair, but those two arguments are silly. And I don't care what random dude does. I mean, I don't think anybody should drive 100 miles an hour. Or 90, for that matter. Okay, I'm all worked up. I'm all worked up. Yeah, my. My bosses get things I don't get. I don't. I don't get a fly on the big bird flying commercial. The bosses, they're going to that different airport where they have, like, shrimp. Okay? I'm at the airport like everybody else getting a sub. They're at the airport where it's got, like, a private driveway and a gate. You go in and, you know, people are bringing you, like, tartar sauce and, you know, the best fish in the house. I don't go to that airport.

Colin Cowherd (50:18)

Okay, sure. You go ahead and do that. You go ahead and call him that. The. Oh, I. Hey, Coming up next hour, I don't know if you guys heard about this. I always love stories like this. You know the Ledge? I remember when Penny Hardaway broke into the NBA and he had a workout with the Orlando Magic, and people were just like, is the greatest workout in the history of workouts. I'm fascinated by that stuff. They do documentaries on stuff like that. You know, like when the. The dream team lost to the college kids. I love docum that. So apparently Cooper flag Mavericks workout is something. It was something. And I'm gonna plant my flag. Oh, I didn't even mean to do that. Cooper flag. I'm planting my Cooper flag. Next summer is here. And you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber eats. Now, what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A nice tan. Sorry, A box fan. Happily, yes. A day of sunshine? No A box of fine wines? Yes, Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. BMW didn't just design an electric suv. Every detail of the BMW IX was crafted with passion and precision. With a BMW IX, you'll experience unmatched power, utility, spaciousness, versatility. My favorite feature Cloud based navigation, monitors charge levels, locates nearby charging stations so I can drive electric with the ultimate ease. BMW lets performance do the talking and the Scouting report is in. Experience the all electric BMW IX and witness dedication in every detail. American Public University is the number one provider of education to our military and veterans in this country. They offer something truly unique special rates and grants for the entire family, making education affordable not just for those who serve, but also for their loved ones. If you have a military or veteran family member and are looking for affordable, high quality education, APU is the place for you. Visit Apu Apus Edu Military to learn more. That's APU APUS Edumilitary. Looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet Paycor, a Paychex company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results. From recruiting and development to payroll and analytics, paycor connects you with the people, data and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset your people. Are you ready to become a Better Leader? Visit paycor.comleadership to learn more. That's paycor.comleaders this is an iHeart podcast.

Summary

Podcast Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode: Hour 1 - The Pacers Refuse to Go Away Quietly

Release Date: June 20, 2025

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

Overview of the Series:

Performance Metrics:
- Regular Season Dominance: OKC boasted a phenomenal 29-1 record against Eastern teams, averaging a 12.9-point differential per game, setting an NBA record.
- Defense: Their suffocating defense ranks them fourth in regular-season wins.

Key Insights:

Home vs. Road Discrepancy: OKC excels at home ([03:27] Colin Cowherd) with a 10-2 home record but struggles on the road with a 5-0 record.
Player Variance: The youth of OKC introduces significant variance in player performances. For instance, Jalen Williams scored 40 points in Game 5 but plummeted to -40 in Game 6 ([03:27] Colin Cowherd).
Chet Holmgren’s Role: Despite being a pivotal defensive player, Holmgren has underperformed offensively in the finals, scoring fewer than 10 points in three games ([03:27] Colin Cowherd).

Joy Taylor’s Perspective:

Highlighted the lack of fire and energy from OKC players like SGA and Alex Caruso ([11:07] Joy Taylor).
Emphasized that Jalen Williams and pascal Siakam have more experience, providing Indiana with an advantage.

Indiana Pacers' Strengths:

Coaching Excellence: Rick Carlisle's experience and strategic acumen have been instrumental in guiding the Pacers to the finals.
Team Composition: Despite being 21st in cap spending, the Pacers boast eight players averaging double figures in scoring, with Obi Toppin emerging as a key scorer despite limited starts ([19:00] Colin Cowherd).
T.J. McConnell’s Importance: As a crucial ball-handler, McConnell's ability to create space is vital against OKC's relentless perimeter defense ([23:00] Colin Cowherd).

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([03:27]): "OKC is very good. They've got those young legs and young energy... But age, youth gives you a huge variance."
Joy Taylor ([14:25]): "If you're not going to put forth the effort, why am I watching?"

Predictions and Conclusions:

Joy concurs, noting the Pacers' resilience and the importance of players like T.J. McConnell in maintaining their championship aspirations ([24:43] Joy Taylor).

2. MLB Rivalries: Yankees vs. Red Sox & Padres vs. Dodgers

Yankees vs. Red Sox:

Colin briefly touches upon the historic rivalry, underscoring its intensity and the high stakes involved in their matchups.

Padres vs. Dodgers Highlights:

Recent Game Drama: The ninth inning of the Padres vs. Dodgers game was particularly fiery. A rookie Dodgers pitcher was accused of throwing at Tatis, leading to manager confrontations on the field ([06:47] Colin Cowherd).
Player Conduct: Shohei Ohtani exemplified sportsmanship despite getting hit by a pitch, shaking hands with the first baseman ([09:51] Joy Taylor).

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([06:39]): "I don't think he threw at him. And the managers come out. Dave Roberts... they're dog cussing each other. So I'll be honest, it's baseball at its best."

3. WNBA Spotlight: Indiana Fever vs. Golden State Valkyrie

Game Analysis:

Indiana Fever’s Struggles: Led by Caitlin Clark, the Fever faced an uncharacteristic performance, scoring only 11 points in a pivotal loss ([27:05] Joy Taylor).
Caitlin Clark’s Performance: Clark shot 3 of 14 from the field and over 7 from three-point range, a significant downturn from her usual performance.

Colin’s Take:

Notable Quotes:

Joy Taylor ([28:40]): "She’s probably starting next year, for the next seven years, will be in her athletic prime."

4. Soccer Segment: US Men’s National Team vs. Saudi Arabia

Match Overview:

Final Score: USA beats Saudi Arabia 1-0 with a notable goal from Chris Richards off a set piece ([29:15] Colin Cowherd).
Team Performance: While the USA secured the win, the team's overall play was deemed lackluster with minimal creativity and depth compared to top international teams.

Analysis:

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([31:24]): "We do not have the talent pool that other countries have. So if we don't have our... we've talked about this before."

5. NFL Focus: Minnesota Vikings and JJ McCarthy

Vikings’ Quarterback Woes:

JJ McCarthy’s Performance: Despite high expectations, McCarthy has not thrown a pass since being drafted 15 months ago, raising concerns about his readiness for the NFL.

Colin’s Critique:

He cautions against the hype surrounding McCarthy, emphasizing that in the NFL, a quarterback needs to make multiple throws per game to showcase their capabilities ([26:05] Colin Cowherd).

Joy’s Input:

She remains optimistic about McCarthy but acknowledges the skepticism due to his limited experience ([26:05] Joy Taylor).

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([26:05]): "They asked him to make maybe one to two throws a game. That's not the NFL. That's nothing."

6. NBA Front Office News: Lakers’ Acquisition by Mark Walter

Lakers’ Ownership Change:

Mark Walter’s Acquisition: The Dodgers' Mark Walter has purchased the remaining stake in the Lakers, transitioning the team from a "mom and pop" operation to a more business-oriented franchise ([42:12] Colin Cowherd).

Implications:

Colin discusses the positive impact of this move, highlighting that the Lakers will benefit from a expanded scouting department and a more modernized approach to team management.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([40:09]): "It's a good move. The Lakers can now finally be run like a real business."

7. Controversy: Shadower Sanders’ Speeding Violations

Incident Overview:

Speeding Violations: Shadower Sanders, an NFL player, was caught driving over 100 miles an hour, raising concerns about his maturity and responsibility ([41:10] Colin Cowherd).

Colin’s Stance:

He vehemently criticizes Sanders' actions, asserting that such behavior is inauspicious for a quarterback role in the NFL, where maturity is paramount.

Notable Quotes:

Colin Cowherd ([42:12]): "Don't tell me it's not the end of the world... There are jobs where we need you to be a grownup."
Joy Taylor ([49:49]): "So does this mean I have to stop calling you Coastal Elite Cowherd?"

8. Additional Sports and Personalities

Upcoming Segments:

Kenny Pickett Segment: Colin hints at introducing a new segment focusing on NFL player Kenny Pickett starting the following Tuesday ([50:00] Colin Cowherd).

Personal Anecdotes:

Joy and Colin share light-hearted moments, teasing each other and discussing personal preferences, adding a relatable touch to the intense sports analysis.

Conclusion

Notable Quotes Recap:

Colin Cowherd ([03:27]): "OKC is very good. They've got those young legs and young energy... But age, youth gives you a huge variance."
Joy Taylor ([14:25]): "If you're not going to put forth the effort, why am I watching?"
Colin Cowherd ([42:12]): "Don't tell me it's not the end of the world... There are jobs where we need you to be a grownup."

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing an informative overview for those who haven’t listened to the podcast.