Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Hour 1 - The Warriors Season Comes to an End
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Co-host: Joy Taylor
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction

In the first hour of this episode, Colin Cowherd and co-host Joy Taylor delve into the conclusion of the Golden State Warriors' season, analyze the implications of the recent NFL schedule release, and discuss the potential outcomes for various NBA and NFL teams heading into the playoffs. The conversation is rich with insights, critical analyses, and forward-looking predictions, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current sports landscape.

1. The End of the Warriors' Season

Summary:
The discussion begins with the end of the Warriors' season, highlighting the team's struggles and the impact of aging key players. Colin emphasizes how the Warrior's core—Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green—are out of their prime, which has significantly affected their performance.

Key Points:

• Aging Roster: The Warriors are grappling with the declining performances of their key players, all of whom are in their mid to late 30s.
• Injuries: A hamstring injury to a pivotal player led to the team's collapse, underscoring their vulnerability without their star players.
• Team Depth: While Jonathan Kuminga showed promise, his synergy with Butler and Curry remains limited, indicating the need for strategic roster adjustments.
• Future Outlook: Without significant trades or acquisitions, the Warriors may continue to decline as key players age and injuries mount.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd (03:25): "The Warriors to some degree have become an antique store and OKC is the Apple store right next door."
• Colin Cowherd (13:45): "Older teams get hurt more often and older teams recover more slowly, and the Warriors are just getting older."

2. NFL Schedule Analysis

Summary:
Colin shifts focus to the NFL, analyzing the recently released schedule and its potential impact on team performances. He particularly scrutinizes the Kansas City Chiefs' challenging schedule and the strategic scheduling by the NFL to boost viewership.

Key Points:

• Kansas City Chiefs' Struggles: The Chiefs face a tough schedule with a weak offensive line and significant matchups against teams like the Giants and Chargers, which could hinder their performance.
• NFL Scheduling Tactics: The league strategically schedules marquee games, such as the Chiefs opening in Brazil and the Bears facing high-profile opponents late in the season to maximize viewership.
• Rams' Schedule: Joy and Colin discuss the Rams' challenging end-of-season schedule, including critical matchups against the Lions and potential impacts on their division standings.
• Washington Commanders: The revamped schedule for Washington highlights their rise as a formidable team, with quarterback Jaden Daniels gaining prominence.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd (05:10): "Kansas City does not have a great O line and they're going to try to figure it out."
• Colin Cowherd (16:00): "The NFL is very intentional with its schedule. It's making bets on things."

3. NBA Playoffs and Team Performances

Summary:
The conversation transitions to the NBA playoffs, where Colin and Joy assess the strengths and weaknesses of various teams. They discuss the potential fatigue of older teams like the Denver Nuggets and the resilience of younger squads like Oklahoma City.

Key Points:

• Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Nuggets appear fatigued, with declining three-point accuracy in the fourth quarters, while the Thunder, led by Jokic and Murray, maintain composure and strategic play.
• Warriors’ Decline: Without Steph Curry, the Warriors are deemed a difficult watch, lacking the dynamic scoring and energy that once defined them.
• Impact of Aging Players: Older teams are more susceptible to injuries and slower recovery, which could tilt the balance in favor of younger, more agile teams during the playoffs.
• Celtics Without Jayson Tatum: The Celtics demonstrate remarkable performance without their star player, suggesting strong team depth and effective roster construction.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd (14:28): "Older teams get hurt more often and older teams recover more slowly, and the Warriors are just getting older."
• Joy Taylor (14:56): "If Curry's playing, I'm glued to the TV. LeBron, I'm glued, but SG, I'm just not there yet."

4. Specific Team Analyses

a. Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders (NFL)

Summary:
Colin provides an in-depth look at the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders, highlighting their schedules and strategic advantages.

Key Points:

• Chicago Bears: With a soft mid-season schedule, including marquee matchups against Philadelphia and San Francisco, the Bears have opportunities to secure crucial wins. However, their offensive line cohesion remains a concern.
• Washington Commanders: Washington's revamped schedule and strong quarterback performance position them as a rising force in the NFL, with strategic matchups that could propel them into playoff contention.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd (27:46): "Washington has eight straight games with no one o' clock window. That's where they were buried for years."
• Joy Taylor (28:49): "Phoenix is going to be a very frisky team this year. They have them twice in the final six games."

b. San Francisco 49ers (NFL)

Summary:
The 49ers receive particular attention for having the easiest schedule in the NFL, based on last year's performance and projected team strengths.

Key Points:

• Easiest Schedule: The 49ers benefit from facing teams that were poor performers last season and are projected to struggle in the upcoming year.
• Team Strategy: Despite previous skepticism about their draft picks and offensive line, the 49ers are positioned for potential success due to their favorable matchups.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd (33:21): "They have the easiest schedule. Since the 2015 Atlanta Falcons, and it's based on two metrics."
• Joy Taylor (33:29): "The Niners, I think they're, they might be going back to the Super Bowl."

c. New England Patriots (NFL)

Summary:
The Patriots are highlighted as a team poised to double their win total, thanks to strategic coaching changes and robust roster improvements.

Key Points:

• Coaching and Roster Enhancements: With new coaching staff and significant free agency spending, the Patriots are expected to see substantial improvement in their performance.
• Win Predictions: Colin predicts the Patriots will increase their win total from four to potentially nine or ten, making them a strong playoff contender despite previous struggles.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd (46:48): "If Drake May is as good as he showed last year with a second-level staff... they will potentially be the best quarterback in eight of the first nine weeks."

5. Advertisements and Sponsorships

Throughout the episode, advertisements for various brands such as T-Mobile, Capital One, BMW, Degree Cool Rush deodorant, Uber Eats, and the Gemini Credit Card are interspersed. These segments are skipped in this summary as per the guidelines.

Conclusion

In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," listeners receive a thorough analysis of the end of the Warriors' season, the strategic intricacies of the NFL schedule, and the dynamics of upcoming NBA playoffs. Colin Cowherd and Joy Taylor provide insightful commentary on team performances, player conditions, and the potential trajectories of both NFL and NBA teams. The discussion emphasizes the importance of team depth, strategic scheduling, and the impact of aging players on team success. As the sports seasons progress, their analyses offer valuable perspectives for fans looking to understand the complexities of their favorite leagues.

Notable Quotes Compilation:

• Colin Cowherd (03:25): "The Warriors to some degree have become an antique store and OKC is the Apple store right next door."
• Colin Cowherd (05:10): "Kansas City does not have a great O line and they're going to try to figure it out."
• Colin Cowherd (14:28): "Older teams get hurt more often and older teams recover more slowly, and the Warriors are just getting older."
• Joy Taylor (14:56): "If Curry's playing, I'm glued to the TV. LeBron, I'm glued, but SG, I'm just not there yet."
• Colin Cowherd (27:46): "Washington has eight straight games with no one o' clock window. That's where they were buried for years."
• Colin Cowherd (33:21): "They have the easiest schedule. Since the 2015 Atlanta Falcons, and it's based on two metrics."
• Colin Cowherd (46:48): "If Drake May is as good as he showed last year with a second-level staff... they will potentially be the best quarterback in eight of the first nine weeks."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the core discussions and insights shared by Colin Cowherd and Joy Taylor, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the episode's key themes and analyses.