Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: Bad News for Boston

Release Date: May 14, 2025

Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Michael Hawley, Host of NBC Sports Boston

1. Introduction and Show Kickoff

[02:32] Colin Cowherd:
Colin kicks off the second hour of the podcast by highlighting the significance of the NFL schedule release night. He introduces Michael Hawley from NBC Sports Boston, known for his insightful coverage and authorship of a Bill Belichick book.

2. NFL Schedule Release and International Expansion

[02:32] Colin Cowherd:
Colin discusses the NFL's plans to expand international games, initially aiming for 16 but scaling back to seven for the current year. He compares the NFL's strategic global expansion to Netflix's business model, emphasizing the organization's focus on dominating both domestic and international markets.

Key Points:

• Reduction of international games from 16 to seven.
• Importance of scheduling tough games early to manage team momentum.
• Comparison of NFL’s expansion strategy to disruptive models like Uber.

Notable Quote:
"It's like Netflix. All right, we're going to go global. We own the domestic market."
— Colin Cowherd [02:50]

3. NBA Playoffs: Celtics vs. Knicks

[07:29] Michael Hawley:
Michael provides an update on the NBA playoffs, particularly focusing on the Celtics' game at Boston Garden. He notes the shifting fan demographics, with an increasing presence of Knicks fans in what is traditionally a Celtics stronghold.

[08:03] Colin Cowherd:
Colin analyzes the impact of Jayson Tatum's injury on the Celtics, discussing the team's hefty $500 million payroll and the aging roster of key players like Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis. He suggests that even without the injury, the Celtics were likely to lose the series, indicating deeper structural issues within the team.

[09:03] Michael Hawley:
Michael concurs, expressing concern over the Celtics' organizational philosophy and the potential inability to retain talent due to payroll constraints. He emphasizes the need for strategic tweaks to avoid future shortcomings.

Notable Quote:
"What you don't want to become is Milwaukee holding on to something after a title or Denver."
— Colin Cowherd [09:00]

4. Patriots and Bill Belichick’s Future

[12:00] Colin Cowherd:
Colin shifts focus to the New England Patriots, defending Bill Belichick's legacy amidst rumors of organizational changes. He draws parallels between successful disruptive strategies in business and sports, advocating for innovation to maintain competitiveness.

[13:24] Michael Hawley:
Michael expresses concern over Belichick's recent behavioral changes, noting that maintaining control is quintessential to his character. He speculates that Belichick's alliance with Jordan Hudson might indicate a strategic shift within the organization.

[15:36] Michael Hawley:
Michael tempers Colin's optimism about the Patriots' resurgence, citing skepticism about their immediate prospects and highlighting the need for credible leadership beyond Belichick.

Notable Quote:
"This is organizational. They love three over two, and we like the pressure it puts on defenses."
— Michael Hawley [11:30]

5. Knicks and Pacers Discussion

[19:09] Michael Hawley:
Michael surprises listeners by selecting the Indiana Pacers as his pick to win the NBA championship, highlighting their physical play and team dynamics over traditional powerhouses like the Celtics and Knicks.

[21:48] Jason McIntyre:
Jason McIntyre adds depth to the discussion, analyzing the Knicks-Pacers series. He praises the Knicks' improved roster, especially with the addition of players like Mikhail Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, and forecasts a tightly contested series.

Notable Quote:
"The Knicks today are better built than the Celtics going forward."
— Colin Cowherd [17:40]

6. NBA Rules and Play Styles

[29:34] Colin Cowherd:
Colin delves into the evolving nature of NBA playstyles, critiquing the over-reliance on three-point shooting and advocating for a return to more physical, stop-and-bucket basketball. He references Adam Silver's rule adjustments that favor physical play, impacting teams that prioritize finesse.

[32:29] Jason McIntyre:
Jason agrees, suggesting that these rule changes could benefit teams like the Indiana Pacers who embody a more physical style, contrasting them with finesse-oriented teams like the Celtics and Knicks.

Notable Quote:
"If you really watch what is happening, the league tweaks their rules. We're going to allow the most physical basketball we've ever had and it’s hurting finesse three-point-driven teams."
— Colin Cowherd [31:00]

7. Player Dynamics: Russell Westbrook and Julius Randle

[33:27] Colin Cowherd:
Colin addresses recent tensions between Russell Westbrook and Aaron Gordon of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He comments on Westbrook's intense personality, acknowledging his contributions while noting the friction it causes within the team.

[37:11] Colin Cowherd:
Shifting to Julius Randle of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Colin lauds Randle's transformation into a reliable second option, crediting both the player and the coaching staff for his development. He draws parallels to Kobe Bryant's mentorship, highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability.

Notable Quotes:
"Russell is a one gear, a hundred mile an hour, one hundred mile an hour personality. He can't downshift as a guy or as a player."
— Colin Cowherd [34:50]

"This is a combination of Julius Randle working his butt off and not letting a new culture and analytics define him."
— Colin Cowherd [37:19]

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

[40:48] Colin Cowherd:
As the discussion wraps up, Colin reiterates his support for teams like the Patriots, despite recent struggles, emphasizing the importance of coaching and player development over mere roster strength. He maintains optimism about the future prospects of various teams, underscoring the potential for significant improvement through strategic management.

[45:09] Jason McIntyre:
Jason briefly mentions the upcoming Indianapolis 500, highlighting Fox's coverage of the event.

[45:23] Colin Cowherd:
Colin concludes with a broader commentary on media trust and the adaptability of industries like AI and sports, reflecting on how changes, though challenging, can lead to growth and new opportunities.

Notable Quote:
"It's going to be okay... Learn how to use AI and you'll keep yours and retain it and grow."
— Colin Cowherd [44:00]

Key Takeaways

• NFL International Expansion: The NFL is strategically reducing international games while focusing on maintaining dominance domestically, akin to Netflix's global strategy.

• Celtics' Challenges: The Celtics face significant hurdles with key player injuries and an aging roster, raising concerns about their competitiveness in the playoffs.

• Patriots' Future: Despite rumors, Colin defends Bill Belichick and expresses confidence in the Patriots' ability to regain their former glory through effective leadership and strategy.

• NBA Playoffs Dynamics: Changes in NBA rules favoring physical play could disrupt traditionally three-point-centric teams, potentially benefiting physically robust teams like the Indiana Pacers.

• Player Development: Julius Randle's evolution in the Timberwolves exemplifies the impact of dedicated coaching and personal resilience in transforming a player's role and effectiveness.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "It's like Netflix. All right, we're going to go global. We own the domestic market."
  — Colin Cowherd [02:50]

• "What you don't want to become is Milwaukee holding on to something after a title or Denver."
  — Colin Cowherd [09:00]

• "This is organizational. They love three over two, and we like the pressure it puts on defenses."
  — Michael Hawley [11:30]

• "If you really watch what is happening, the league tweaks their rules. We're going to allow the most physical basketball we've ever had and it’s hurting finesse three-point-driven teams."
  — Colin Cowherd [31:00]

• "Russell is a one gear, a hundred mile an hour, one hundred mile an hour personality. He can't downshift as a guy or as a player."
  — Colin Cowherd [34:50]

• "This is a combination of Julius Randle working his butt off and not letting a new culture and analytics define him."
  — Colin Cowherd [37:19]

• "It's going to be okay... Learn how to use AI and you'll keep yours and retain it and grow."
  — Colin Cowherd [44:00]

Conclusion:
In this episode, Colin Cowherd and Michael Hawley delve deep into the intricacies of both the NFL and NBA, analyzing team strategies, player dynamics, and the impact of organizational decisions. From the NFL's international ambitions to the Celtics' playoff woes and the evolving nature of NBA playstyles, the discussion offers a comprehensive look at the current sports landscape. Notable emphasis is placed on strategic scheduling, player development, and the delicate balance organizations must maintain to stay competitive in an ever-evolving market.