Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1: Thoughts on the NBA Draft
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Co-Host: JMac
1. Introduction
In the premiere episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," host Colin Cowherd, along with co-host JMac, delves into an in-depth analysis of the recent NBA Draft. The discussion spans player evaluations, team strategies, historical comparisons, and insights into future trends within the league.
2. NBA Draft Analysis
a. Overview of the Draft
Colin opens the discussion by highlighting the unpredictable nature of the NBA Draft compared to the NFL, emphasizing it as “just all projection” due to the young age of most draftees. He notes the difficulty in having strong takes, stating, “The NBA draft is one of the things that everybody has strong takes on. And my take is who can tell, right?” (02:30).
b. Key Picks and Predictions
Colin identifies two standout players he believes will make an immediate impact:
- Cooper Flag (Dallas Mavericks): Anticipated to score 18-20 points per game rapidly on a strong team. Colin asserts, “Cooper will make it in Dallas... he’s going to be a real scorer right away” (04:10).
- V.J. Edgecomb (Philadelphia 76ers): Poised to excel due to his athleticism and fit within a well-structured team. Colin mentions, “V.J. will jump off the television” (04:15).
c. Specific Player Analysis
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Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs): Ranked as the second overall pick, Colin believes Harper has a promising future but will need time to adjust and find his fit within the Spurs. He states, “Dylan Harper goes number two... it’s going to take him a while to figure out” (05:00).
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Carter Bryant: Highlighted as an underrated pick, Colin praises his defensive prowess and potential offensive contributions. He remarks, “Carter Bryant is underrated... he’s going to defend day one” (06:20).
d. Historical Context
Colin reflects on historical NBA Drafts, comparing recent picks to legends like LeBron James and Derrick Rose. He emphasizes that while there have been notable misses (e.g., Anthony Bennett), the majority of high picks have become successful, citing, “By and large, considering how little you’ve seen the guys play before draft night, a lot of these guys come out at 18. NBA does a pretty good job of identifying” (10:00).
e. Domestic vs. International Players
The conversation shifts to the trend of drafting more domestic players due to factors like NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals and improved college basketball exposure. Colin observes, “Even if it’s an international player, he’ll have played at Oklahoma or Illinois or Michigan” (11:00), suggesting a shift back towards American talent in the draft.
3. NFL Quarterback Situations
a. Cleveland Browns' QB Conundrum
Transitioning to NFL news, Colin and JMac discuss the Cleveland Browns' quarterback dilemma. JMac notes, “All signs currently point to Kenny Pickett getting the week one nod” (23:53), while Colin speculates on the implications of starting either Pickett or Dylan Gabriel.
b. Player Comparisons and Team Strategies
Colin compares Dylan Gabriel to Tua Tagovailoa, questioning his suitability for a cold-weather team like Cleveland. He states, “I'm not going to take an undersized guy with an average arm” (27:00), highlighting concerns over Gabriel's physical traits in northern climates.
4. NBA Team Moves
a. Boston Celtics' Roster Changes
The hosts analyze the Boston Celtics' recent trades, focusing on their efforts to shed high-salary players like Porzingis and Holiday to escape the repeater tax. JMac provides hard numbers, “With those two moves, got out of the repeater tax and essentially saved the franchise around $200 million” (29:07).
b. Impact on Team Performance and Future Prospects
Colin discusses the Celtics' ability to remain competitive despite roster overhauls, stating, “Boston Reboots and is still conference champion viable” (29:25). He predicts a shift in the NBA landscape towards more parity, likening potential future competition to the NFL’s balance.
5. Untradable Athletes in American Sports
Colin presents a list of seven athletes deemed "completely untradable" due to their marketability, performance, and franchise value:
- Caitlin Clark (WNBA, Indiana): “She is not only the face of the WNBA, she’s the greatest face, the most popular face ever” (38:00).
- Patrick Mahomes (NFL, Kansas City Chiefs): Described as “unbelievably marketable” and “the most talented quarterback” (39:10).
- Shohei Ohtani (MLB, Los Angeles Angels): Praised for his dual-threat capabilities and market influence in the Pacific Rim (39:32).
- Nikola Jokić (NBA, Denver Nuggets): Referred to as “the world’s best basketball player” and a cornerstone of the Nuggets’ success (40:00).
- Josh Allen (NFL, Buffalo Bills): Highlighted for his physical prowess and leadership, making him indispensable (40:25).
- Aaron Judge (MLB, New York Yankees): Celebrated for his home run records and fan appeal (40:50).
- Jaden Daniels (NFL,) Emerging as the next superstar, noted for his exceptional rookie performance and franchise potential (41:10).
JMac adds to the discussion by questioning the inclusion of certain players, leading to a deeper analysis of their trade-value impossibility.
6. Miscellaneous Discussions
a. Player Performance and Public Perception
Colin and JMac explore how legendary athletes' later career struggles are often overshadowed by their prime performances. Examples include Dan Marino and Joe Montana, where failures in later years are minimized due to their earlier successes.
b. League Comparisons and Future Trends
Colin speculates on the NBA adopting more NFL-like parity, making championships more competitive and harder to repeat. He envisions the NBA moving towards a system where “Anybody can win every year” (32:28).
Notable Quotes:
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Colin Cowherd on NBA Draft Predictions:
“Cooper will make it in Dallas, V.J. will make it in Philadelphia... next year you'll see them on tv, they're on playoff teams and they'll score.” (04:10) -
Discussion on Untradable Athletes:
“Caitlin Clark is not only the face of the WNBA, she’s the greatest face, the most popular face ever.” (38:00) -
On Historical NBA Draft Success:
“Most of these guys come out at 18. NBA does a pretty good job of identifying... they've nailing their number one picks.” (10:00)
Conclusion
In this inaugural episode, "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers incisive commentary on the NBA Draft, comparing it to historical trends and projecting future league dynamics. Colin and JMac provide valuable insights into player potential, team strategy, and the evolving landscape of professional sports, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of current events.
Timestamp References:
- 02:30 – Introduction to NBA Draft unpredictability
- 04:10 – Predictions on Cooper Flag and V.J. Edgecomb
- 05:00 – Analysis of Dylan Harper
- 06:20 – Discussion on Carter Bryant
- 10:00 – Historical context on NBA Draft picks
- 11:00 – Shift towards domestic players in the draft
- 23:53 – Cleveland Browns' QB situation
- 27:00 – Concerns over Dylan Gabriel's suitability
- 29:07 – Celtics' financial moves and cap implications
- 29:25 – Celtics' competitiveness post-roster changes
- 38:00 – Caitlin Clark's untradable status
- 39:10 – Patrick Mahomes' marketability and talent
- 39:32 – Shohei Ohtani's influence in MLB
- 40:00 – Nikola Jokić as an untradable NBA player
- 40:25 – Josh Allen's indispensability
- 40:50 – Aaron Judge's fan appeal
- 41:10 – Jaden Daniels' rising star