Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: Number 1 Guys Release Date: May 9, 2025

Introduction In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," the hosts delve deep into the dynamics of top NBA players, their impact on their teams, and the broader implications for their franchises. The discussion primarily centers around the significance of star players, team chemistry, and the evolving landscape of the NBA playoffs.

Steph Curry's Indispensable Role in the Warriors The conversation kicks off with a critical analysis of the Golden State Warriors' performance without their superstar, Steph Curry.

• Ryan Rosillo emphasizes Curry's irreplaceable role: “The Warriors without Steph are a firework show that only has sparklers. There's no big burst at the end.” (04:10) He compares the team’s synergy to a symphony, highlighting the lack of cohesion when Curry is absent.

• Colin Cowherd adds humor by likening the Warriors without Curry to an open mic night: “Without Steph Curry, it's open mic night. Anybody got a funny joke?” (04:20) This underscores the diminished quality of play without their star.

• Steve Kerr, quoted in the episode, acknowledges the challenge: “It's not as simple as, you know, Steph's out, so we just replace him with one person.” (04:45) He discusses the domino effect of Curry's absence on the team's strategy and performance.

Draymond Green's Controversial Conduct The discussion shifts to Draymond Green, focusing on his behavior and its impact on the team.

• Ryan Rosillo critiques Green’s tendency towards the "victim mentality": “He does not work. So, I mean, it's just. I think we all love Steph Curry, but last night, they are just not visually fun to watch at all.” (06:56)

• Paul Pierce provides a balanced perspective: “I think he's super important because over the years I think they've been passive personalities and you always need one wild card and somebody willing to mix it up.” (07:28) However, he also points out Green's intentional fouls and the leniency shown by officials, which he believes benefits Green personally.

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics' Struggles A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to evaluating Jayson Tatum's performance and the Celtics' prospects.

• Ryan Rosillo expresses skepticism over Tatum’s role: “He is so collaborative that if Kobe or MJ were on this team, they'd be like, yeah, I get the three-point thing.” (10:03) He criticizes Tatum for his reliance on three-point shooting and lack of clutch performance in critical moments.

• Paul Pierce counters by recognizing Tatum's growth: “That’s the greatest growth. That's the part of his game that I've appreciated the most this year.” (12:20) Despite acknowledging his contributions, Pierce notes the criticism Tatum faces for not being among the top-tier players globally.

• The hosts debate whether Tatum fits the "face of the league" mold, with Ryan Rosillo arguing that Tatum lacks a distinctive brand or defining moves that resonate with fans, unlike legends such as Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.

Playoff Predictions and Team Evaluations The hosts offer their insights and predictions for the upcoming playoff series.

• Colin Cowherd predicts a 3-1 lead for the Pacers over the Cavaliers: “I think we're going back to Cleveland and it's going to be 3:1 Pacers.” (31:55) He cites Indiana’s confidence and Cleveland’s injuries as key factors.

• Paul Pierce discusses the importance of officiating and player behavior in playoff outcomes, asserting that referees are not biased but affected by the flow of the game: “I don't think this is a ref thing.” (15:44)

• The discussion also touches on team strategies, defensive setups, and the evolving nature of playoff basketball compared to the regular season.

Top NFL Quarterbacks and Comparisons Shifting gears to the NFL, the hosts discuss a Bleacher Report list of the most clutch quarterbacks since 2020.

• Colin Cowherd expresses surprise and skepticism at certain names on the list, questioning the criteria used: “Drew Locke is 13. Now here's the thing...” (32:44)

• Ryan Rosillo defends his preferences, advocating for a mix of statistical performance and on-field reliability: “Dak Prescott's if I said to you right now, give me the three quarterbacks...” (34:16)

• The debate highlights differences in evaluating players based on statistics versus intangible qualities like leadership and clutch performance.

Miscellaneous Discussions and Personal Anecdotes Towards the end of the episode, the hosts engage in lighter banter and personal stories.

• Ryan Rosillo shares his new hobby in ceramics, inspired by his son's class, leading to a humorous exchange about pottery and creative pursuits.

• Colin Cowherd teases Rosillo about his suitability for ceramics, suggesting alternative activities better aligned with his personality.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ryan Rosillo (04:10): “The Warriors without Steph are a firework show that only has sparklers. There's no big burst at the end.”

• Steve Kerr (04:45): “It's not as simple as, you know, Steph's out, so we just replace him with one person.”

• Paul Pierce (07:28): “I think he's super important because over the years I think they've been passive personalities and you always need one wild card and somebody willing to mix it up.”

• Ryan Rosillo (10:03): “He is so collaborative that if Kobe or MJ were on this team, they'd be like, yeah, I get the three-point thing.”

• Paul Pierce (12:20): “That’s the greatest growth. That's the part of his game that I've appreciated the most this year.”

• Colin Cowherd (31:55): “I think we're going back to Cleveland and it's going to be 3:1 Pacers.”

• Ryan Rosillo (34:16): “Dak Prescott's if I said to you right now, give me the three quarterbacks...”

Conclusion This episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers an in-depth exploration of key NBA players and teams, providing listeners with nuanced perspectives on player performance, team dynamics, and playoff strategies. The hosts balance statistical analysis with personal opinions, fostering an engaging and thought-provoking discussion for sports enthusiasts.

Note: Advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections have been omitted to maintain focus on the core discussions.