Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 1 - The Pacers Shock the Knicks
Release Date: May 22, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosts Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre delve into the latest sports upheavals, focusing primarily on the NBA playoffs and significant NFL developments. The discussion is enriched with in-depth analyses, expert opinions, and notable quotes from both hosts, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current sports landscape.

2. NBA Playoffs: The Pacers Upset the Knicks

a. Game Breakdown and Key Moments

Colin Cowherd opens the discussion by reflecting on the thrilling encounter between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks:

"It's one of the craziest things I've ever seen."
— Colin Cowherd [00:05:30]

The game, which extended into overtime, saw the Knicks relinquish a 14-point lead. Despite their three baskets and two free throws in the final three minutes, turnovers haunted their efforts. Conversely, the Pacers demonstrated remarkable efficiency:

• Shooting Performance: In the last six minutes, the Pacers shot over 70%, including six consecutive three-pointers by Aaron Neesmith, with three falling in the final minute.

• Tyrese Halliburton's Influence: Halliburton’s exceptional performance was pivotal. Colin remarks:

  "Halliburton is amazing because he reminds me of Steve Nash. He has unbelievable self-awareness."
  — Colin Cowherd [00:07:45]

Jason McIntyre concurs, highlighting Halliburton's clutch capabilities:

"Tyrese Halliburton, Colin, I mean is he a top 10 player at this point where this guy just doesn't miss in the clutch? He's unbelievable."
— Jason McIntyre [00:04:20]

b. Player Highlights

• Tyrese Halliburton: Averaging 9.5 assists per game in the postseason, Halliburton leads the NBA in assists, showcasing his dual-threat as both a scorer and playmaker. Colin draws parallels to Steve Nash, emphasizing Halliburton's intelligence and self-awareness on the court.

• Jalen Brunson: Despite scoring 43 points, Brunson’s seven turnovers raised concerns about his adaptability to the Pacers' fast-paced game:

  "Jaylen had 43 points and you say to yourself that's a great night. But he had seven turnovers. Why?"
  — Colin Cowherd [00:13:15]

Jason adds:

"Brunson is a score and a finisher. But he sometimes wants to work his shoulders, his hips... He's the pace car.”
— Jason McIntyre [00:22:22]

c. Series Outlook

The hosts predict a competitive series, with the Pacers' aggressive tempo likely to dominate:

"Whoever wins the pace will win the series. And the Knicks almost pulled it off. But Indy's got more bodies. They're built for this."
— Colin Cowherd [00:10:15]

Jason echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the Pacers' resilience:

"Indiana is really, really. And we said this J. Mac, you called it. You picked them over Cleveland."
— Jason McIntyre [00:15:29]

3. NFL Updates

a. Brock Purdy's Contract Situation

Brock Purdy's recent contract has become a topic of discussion, with Jason McIntyre presenting the details:

"Brock Purdy's new deal, he accounts for just under 19% of the Niners salary cap."
— Jason McIntyre [00:24:06]

Colin responds with skepticism about the sustainability of such a contract, especially considering the Niners' drafting challenges:

"They have missed on too many draft picks. If he was making 19% of the roster... it's not just you say it's 19%."
— Colin Cowherd [00:26:27]

b. Chicago Bears' Quarterback Dilemma

The Bears are navigating a quarterback conundrum, with Ben Johnson stepping into the spotlight. Colin expresses optimism:

"I love the opportunity to come on in and change that narrative. That's where great stories are written."
— Colin Cowherd [00:28:48]

Jason counters by managing expectations, suggesting that while progress is expected, the schedule presents significant challenges:

"What's a reasonable expectation for Ben Johnson in a first year? 9, 10 games."
— Jason McIntyre [00:30:53]

c. The 'Tush Push' Controversy

A heated debate surrounds the NFL’s controversial 'tush push' play, predominantly utilized by the Philadelphia Eagles. Colin provides an in-depth analysis:

"Philadelphia is one of those four foundational teams... This works because it's not duplicable across the league."
— Colin Cowherd [00:40:11]

He argues that the uniqueness of Philadelphia's execution allows them to exploit the play without it becoming a league-wide issue. The failure to ban it was a narrow decision based on team influence:

"The vote was 22 to 10 against the tush push. If it was 24 to 8, it's banned."
— Colin Cowherd [00:49:22]

Jason adds context regarding NFL power dynamics, highlighting influential owners who sway league decisions.

d. Passing of Colts Owner Jim Irsay

The episode takes a somber turn with the announcement of the passing of Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts. Colin pays tribute:

"The Colts always felt like a family... The NFL lost an absolute, charitable, genuine, completely authentic rock star last night in Jim Irsay."
— Colin Cowherd [00:33:41]

Jason echoes the sentiment, acknowledging Irsay's impact on the organization and the league.

4. NBA MVP Discussion

The conversation shifts to the NBA MVP race, with a focus on 'SGA' (likely referencing a standout player, possibly Steph Curry or another prominent figure):

"SGA won MVP this week. I would have voted him MVP."
— Colin Cowherd [00:40:43]

Colin contrasts SGA's team performance with other top players, emphasizing team success as a critical factor in MVP considerations.

5. Notable Quotes

• "If you own a home, here's an interesting fact for you..."
  — Advertisement Break [00:02:00] (Skipped as per instructions)

• "Brock Purdy's new deal, he accounts for just under 19% of the Niners salary cap."
  — Jason McIntyre [00:24:06]

• "Halliburton is amazing because he reminds me of Steve Nash."
  — Colin Cowherd [00:07:45]

• "The Knicks should have won. They shot 51%. They got a bad bounce."
  — Colin Cowherd [00:13:30]

6. Conclusion

The hosts conclude the episode with forward-looking statements, anticipating the continuation of the Pacers-Knicks series and ongoing developments in the NFL. They also touch upon upcoming segments and promotions, ensuring listeners stay engaged with future content.

Note: This summary excludes all advertisement, introductory, and outro segments, focusing solely on the main content discussions to provide clear and concise insights into the episode's key points.