Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 1 - What are Knicks thinking?
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Host/Authors: Jason McIntyre and Alex Curry
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd is a thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day. In this episode, Jason McIntyre and Alex Curry delve deep into several high-profile sports topics, offering insights, analysis, and engaging discussions.

1. New York Knicks’ Sudden Coaching Change

[03:13 - 07:23]

The episode kicks off with a shocking development in the NBA: the New York Knicks have fired their head coach, Tom Thibodeau, despite leading the team to its best season in over two decades.

• Jason McIntyre expresses surprise:

  "The Knicks, who finally seem to get their act together... fire their coach, Tom Thibodeau. He gets fired yesterday in what, like, the middle of the show." [05:00]

• Discussion Points:

  • Outstanding Performance: Under Thibodeau, the Knicks achieved a winning record with four playoff appearances in five seasons, surpassing the team's historical performance.
  • Possible Reasons for Firing: Speculation arises that Knicks’ owner, James Dolan, may have overheard unfavorable comments during exit interviews with players Josh Hart, Mikhail Bridges, and Jalen Brunson, leading to Thibodeau's abrupt dismissal.
  • Player Dynamics: Josh Hart had previously voiced concerns about the coach’s reliance on starters, questioning minutes distribution and bench usage, which may have contributed to internal conflicts.

• Notable Quote:

  "Josh Hart had beef... 'Why aren't we playing our bench?'" [06:30]

2. Implications for Key Players and Future Trajectory

[07:24 - 15:11]

Jason delves into the potential impacts of Thibodeau’s departure on the Knicks’ star players and future prospects.

• Carl Anthony Towns and Mikhail Bridges: Concerns arise about Towns' potential trade and Bridges’ contract negotiations, given the team's uncertain direction.

• Thibodeau’s Legacy: Despite criticisms, Thibodeau is defended for revitalizing the Knicks after 18 seasons with 12 different head coaches.

• Notable Quote:

  "Tom Thibodeau has been great. He has more wins with the Knicks than Pat Riley. It's just a mind-blowing stat." [09:00]

3. The Kevin Durant Dilemma

[15:11 - 35:03]

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Kevin Durant’s current standing in the NBA and his potential future moves.

• Jason McIntyre argues that Durant, despite his illustrious career, is facing diminishing interest from teams due to his age and recent playoff performances.

  "Kevin Durant is turning 37 in September. Here's Rick Bucher earlier this week talking about the trickiness of how to move Kevin Durant." [10:30]

• Key Points:

  • Career Achievements: Durant is acknowledged as one of the greatest players in basketball history with numerous accolades.
  • Market Challenges: Teams are hesitant to commit to his high salary and uncertain leadership qualities, especially as younger talents like Mo Wagner and Jalen Green emerge.
  • Potential Destinations: Speculation includes the San Antonio Spurs and the Washington Wizards, though concerns about team competitiveness linger.
  • Future Prospects: Durant might face the end of his career without securing a favorable team, prompting either a reality check or a shift in his role.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Kevin Durant is turning 37 in September. Here's Rick Bucher earlier this week talking about the trickiness of how to move Kevin Durant." [11:23]
  "Is there a world where nobody wants Kevin Durant? As shocking as that sounds, I think we're getting close to Kevin Durant." [14:50]

4. Saquon Barkley’s Retirement Speculations

[18:50 - 35:38]

The hosts discuss NFL star Saquon Barkley’s unexpected comments on retirement during a podcast appearance.

• Jason McIntyre highlights Barkley’s remarks about potentially retiring unexpectedly, comparing his sentiment to legendary players like Barry Sanders.

  "I'll probably just wake up one day... and it'd be like, yes, it's over." [20:00]

• Implications for the Philadelphia Eagles:

  • Team Performance: Despite Barkley’s outstanding performance, his potential departure raises concerns about the Eagles' future.
  • Team Resilience: The Eagles’ strong roster, led by Howie Roseman’s strategic management, may withstand Barkley’s exit, drawing parallels to past team dynamics when losing key players.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Saquon will be a huge loss to the Eagles and obviously the NFL." [22:45]
  "The Eagles are going to be just fine because they're built for the long haul." [24:00]

5. US Men’s Soccer and Christian Pulisic

[35:38 - 44:23]

The conversation shifts to soccer, focusing on Mauricio Pochettino’s comparison of Christian Pulisic to global soccer legends, emphasizing the need for a superstar to elevate the US Men’s National Team.

• Alex Curry highlights Pochettino’s ambition:

  "Christian should be our Messi, because it's an iconic player and the kid on the street." [25:14]

• Key Points:

  • Talent and Leadership: Pulisic’s role is pivotal in bringing international success and a recognizable star to boost the team’s popularity.
  • Challenges: The lack of consistent superstar performances has hindered the US Men's team's global competitiveness and fan engagement.
  • Future Expectations: The team needs tangible results in international tournaments to build a robust fan base and inspire the next generation.

• Notable Quotes:

  "We need to see results at the international level at these big tournaments." [27:10]

6. NBA Finals Structure and Adam Silver’s Vision

[44:23 - 55:14]

A substantial discussion revolves around NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s remarks on maintaining competitive balance and fostering smaller market teams in the NBA Finals.

• Jason McIntyre critiques the push against super teams, advocating for stacked rosters to enhance entertainment and viewership.

  "Give me super teams or give me death." [30:29]

• Key Points:

  • Competitive Balance: Silver aims to create a system where more teams have a chance to compete, similar to the Super Bowl’s universal appeal.
  • Fan Engagement: The hosts argue that superstar-laden teams drive ratings, merchandise sales, and overall spectator excitement.
  • Current NBA Landscape: Examples include small market teams like the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder struggling without marquee players.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Sports are entertainment. People want to be entertained... big names and superstars." [30:53]

7. Hiring of Utah Jazz’s New President of Basketball Operations

[55:14 - 35:38]

The episode covers the appointment of Austin Angie as the new president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz, discussing the implications of nepotism and his potential impact on the team.

• Jason McIntyre questions the meritocracy behind Angie’s hiring, noting his father's influential role in previous appointments.

  "This is a Nepo baby situation." [32:08]

• Key Points:

  • Background: Austin Angie’s career is closely tied to his father, Danny Ainge, a renowned NBA executive.
  • Potential Impact: While concerns about favoritism are raised, the hosts acknowledge that Angie’s upbringing in the basketball environment could provide him with unique insights and preparedness.
  • League Perspective: The discussion touches on broader industry trends regarding "nepo babies" and their roles within professional sports organizations.

• Notable Quotes:

  "It's just a Pave in the door, and then you have to do the work." [34:00]

8. Interview with Mitch Lawrence on the Knicks’ Internal Dynamics

[40:29 - 51:18]

The podcast features NBA writer Mitch Lawrence, who provides an insider’s perspective on the intricate and often tumultuous environment within the New York Knicks’ front office.

• Mitch Lawrence describes the Knicks’ front office as a “pit full of vipers,” highlighting internal politics and lack of accountability.

  "The Garden front office is full of vipers... they have their own agendas." [41:00]

• Key Points:

  • Ownership Influence: Jim Dolan’s secluded management style and lack of public communication contribute to the organization’s instability.
  • Future Coaching Prospects: Potential candidates like Mike Malone and Jason Kidd are discussed, though uncertainties remain regarding their fit and the organization’s willingness to invest.
  • Historical Context: The Knicks' long history of dysfunction is cited as a potential warning sign for future performance and management practices.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Tom Thibodeau was the scapegoat... it's run differently than any other organization." [43:05]
  "The Knicks don’t do things like Pat Riley; they don’t make people, you know..." [44:09]

• Conclusion from Mitch Lawrence:

  "The Knicks are probably gonna take a step back with a new coach... They got to do some work." [50:03]

9. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Topics

[51:17 - 54:18]

The hosts wrap up the episode by teasing upcoming discussions, including a top-five list for potential Knicks coaches and a special bonus segment for next year.

• Jason McIntyre hints at revealing his top coaching choices:

  "Coming up next, I will give you my top five Knicks coaches wish list and a special bonus that's next year on the herd." [51:47]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Tom Thibodeau has been great. He has more wins with the Knicks than Pat Riley. It's just a mind-blowing stat." [09:00]

• "Kevin Durant is turning 37 in September. Here's Rick Bucher earlier this week talking about the trickiness of how to move Kevin Durant." [11:23]

• "Saquon will be a huge loss to the Eagles and obviously the NFL." [22:45]

• "Christian should be our Messi, because it's an iconic player and the kid on the street." [25:14]

• "Give me super teams or give me death." [30:29]

• "The Garden front office is full of vipers... they have their own agendas." [41:00]

Insights and Conclusions

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Jason McIntyre and Alex Curry navigate through a series of high-stakes sports narratives, from the abrupt coaching change in New York's Knicks to the precarious position of Kevin Durant in the NBA. The hosts critically examine organizational dynamics, player futures, and broader league strategies, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the current sports landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Organizational Instability: The Knicks’ decision to fire a successful coach underlines the volatility within sports management and the heavy influence of ownership on team dynamics.

• Player Valuation: Kevin Durant’s situation exemplifies the challenges veteran players face in maintaining their market value amid emerging young talents and shifting team strategies.

• Sporting Leadership: Saquon Barkley’s contemplation of retirement and the discussion on US soccer highlight the importance of star players in driving team and sport popularity.

• League Policies vs. Entertainment: The debate over NBA’s Finals structure versus the creation of super teams raises questions about balancing competitive fairness with entertainment value for broader fan engagement.

Listeners gain a nuanced perspective on these issues, enriched by expert opinions and insider insights, making the episode a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking depth and clarity on pressing topics.