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.