Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: Last Man Standing

Release Date: February 4, 2025

Introduction

In the second hour of "Last Man Standing" on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosts Covino and Rich delve deep into the tumultuous world of sports trades, focusing primarily on high-profile moves in the NBA and NFL. The discussion navigates through player trade requests, team dynamics, and the broader implications of athletes taking control of their careers.

1. Myles Garrett Requests Trade from the Cleveland Browns

Timestamp: [07:00]

The episode kicks off with a major headline: Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has requested a trade away from the Cleveland Browns. Covino remarks, “Now, this is a question. Clearly, you know, he was expecting Watson to ball out way more than we ever got to see” ([16:04]). Rich adds, “I think this is a great move, and I'll tell you why. There comes a point in every star's career where if you put enough time in...” ([17:16]). The hosts dissect Garrett's motives, emphasizing his desire to win a Super Bowl and questioning whether the Browns are positioned to meet his aspirations.

2. Analyzing the Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic Trade

Timestamp: [08:19]

Covino shifts the conversation to the NBA, dissecting the Lakers' strategic move of trading Anthony Davis to acquire Luka Doncic. “When you originally look at what the Lakers gave up to get AD you could say that that's the progression of what led them to now,” Covino explains ([08:45]). Rich concurs, highlighting the Lakers' forward-thinking front office decisions: “The Mavericks approached them with this offer. When someone approaches you with a generational superstar like Luka at the age of 25, the Lakers had no choice but to make that move” ([09:35]).

3. Players Taking Control: Mike Trout vs. Shohei Ohtani

Timestamp: [18:00]

The hosts draw parallels between Myles Garrett's trade request and MLB stars Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani's career decisions. Covino states, “It's like you see how owners are still able and capable of treating their players. You see, they were on the same team, and you see the paths they took. I think you got to take a little piece out of these playbooks and use them in your own life” ([18:38]). Rich elaborates, “Mike Trout will forever have the reputation of, what a great player... Shohei Ohtani, when the time was right,... He went from... face of the league” ([17:16]).

4. Team Dynamics and Player Reactions

Timestamp: [12:08]

The conversation shifts to how players like Anthony Davis might respond to being traded to new teams. Covino muses, “There's gonna be that moment of, well, we gotta build this chemistry. We gotta feel it out and can it work?” ([12:08]). Rich speculates on AD’s potential attitude, asking, “Can he go into Dallas, bro hug Mark Cuban and be like, I'm really happy to be part of this organization?” ([12:08]).

5. Broader Implications of Athlete Trade Requests

Timestamp: [19:50]

Covino and Rich explore the societal and professional impacts when athletes request trades. Covino reflects on loyalty in professional relationships, “These pros ain't loyal. And that's part of the game” ([18:38]). Rich compares Garrett's decision to legendary athletes who chose personal and professional growth over long-term loyalty: “So if he's saying to myself, like, look, you know, I play for me...” ([19:51]).

6. Audience Interaction and Call-ins

Timestamp: [10:13]

The hosts engage with listeners through live calls, discussing additional trade scenarios like the DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard trade. Covino emphasizes, “We have this belief that these athletes are not like real people. Like, they're robot people that we watch playing sports” ([11:00]). Callers provide their insights, enriching the discussion with varied perspectives.

7. Trivia Segment: Last One Standing

Timestamp: [26:11]

To inject some fun, Covino and Rich host a trivia game titled "Last One Standing." Contestants battle through sports-related questions, testing their knowledge on NFL teams, Super Bowl quarterbacks, and NBA player career statistics. Notable moments include Covino securing multiple wins and engaging banter among the hosts, highlighting the competitive yet entertaining nature of the show.

8. Conclusion and Future Discussions

Timestamp: [43:44]

As the episode wraps up, Covino and Rich tease future topics, including debates on the motivation behind Super Bowl contenders and more live interactions from Media Row. They reflect on the day's discussions, reinforcing the themes of athlete agency and the evolving landscape of professional sports.

Notable Quotes:

• “When someone approaches you with a generational superstar like Luka at the age of 25, the Lakers had no choice but to make that move.” – Covino ([09:35])

• “I think this is a great move, and I'll tell you why. There comes a point in every star's career where if you put enough time in...” – Rich ([17:16])

• “It's like you see how owners are still able and capable of treating their players. You see, they were on the same team, and you see the paths they took.” – Covino ([18:38])

Conclusion

"Last Man Standing" offers a comprehensive analysis of significant sports trades, emphasizing player empowerment and the strategic decisions behind team management. Covino and Rich provide insightful commentary, enriched by audience participation and interactive segments, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking depth and engagement.