Summary of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" – Hour 2: Ranking the Last 7

Release Date: June 24, 2025

In the second hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," host Colin Cowherd engages in a robust conversation with guest Nick Wright, dissecting the current state of major sports leagues, evaluating recent team performances, and forecasting upcoming drafts. The discussion navigates through the nuances of the NBA and NFL, challenges prevailing narratives about media consumption, and scrutinizes strategic moves by key teams and players.

Television's Resilience in the Digital Age

Colin challenges the notion that television is waning in popularity, asserting that sports viewership across various leagues is thriving. He cites the heightened interest in events like the NBA Finals and the sustained popularity of the NFL and WNBA.

Colin Cowherd [02:23]: “The game seven on ABC delivered the most-watched NBA finals game in six years... I watch a lot of it. The NFL's up. The WNBA is up. IndyCar racing is up.”

Nick Wright concurs, emphasizing that live sports continue to draw significant audiences despite the rise of digital streaming platforms.

NBA: Ranking the Last Seven Champions

A pivotal segment involves Colin presenting his rankings of the last seven NBA champions, placing the Los Angeles Lakers at the top. He defends their 2020 championship run, highlighting LeBron James and Anthony Davis as pivotal factors.

Colin Cowherd [06:29]: “Yesterday, I ranked the last seven champions... The Lakers just sold for $10 billion and their number one sponsor is YouTube. The NBA is just fine.”

Nick Wright offers a counter-perspective, particularly scrutinizing Colin’s placement of the 2020 Lakers. He argues that attributing their success solely to the "bubble" undermines their genuine dominance before and after the pandemic-induced hiatus.

Nick Wright [09:43]: “The idea that the 2020 Lakers got lucky by the bubble... is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.”

Colin acknowledges the Lakers' robust performance, especially their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and maintains his ranking based on the overall strength and composition of the team.

Kevin Durant's Strategic Move to Houston Rockets

The discussion shifts to Kevin Durant's recent trade to the Houston Rockets. Colin lauds the move, emphasizing Durant's shooting expertise and how his addition complements the Rockets' existing roster.

Colin Cowherd [11:11]: “Kevin Durant is arguably the best jump shooter in the league. He's not a great defender, but Houston has so much damn length. This is the perfect trade for Houston.”

Nick supports Colin’s view, elaborating on how Durant's versatility and scoring ability bolster the Rockets' lineup without overly compromising their bench strength.

Nick Wright [13:58]: “The Rockets have a real path to being the Western Conference champion.”

They discuss the potential impact Durant will have on the Rockets' performance in the upcoming seasons, projecting a strong contender in the Western Conference.

NFL Market Dynamics: Chiefs vs. Chargers

Colin defends the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance in the NFL, attributing their success to Patrick Mahomes' exceptional performance and leadership.

Colin Cowherd [17:36]: “Patrick Mahomes in his career has started seven years. They have won the division seven times. They have played in the AFC championship seven times. They have won the conference five times.”

Nick criticizes Colin's occasional skepticism towards the Chiefs, labeling it as "lunacy" given Mahomes' proven track record.

Nick Wright [17:36]: “To pick against Reed and Mahomes is just lunacy.”

The conversation underscores the Chiefs' sustained excellence and questions the rationale behind undermining their formidable position in the league.

NBA Draft Insights: Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey

With the NBA Draft imminent, Colin and Nick delve into potential top picks, focusing on prospects like Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey. Colin critiques Bailey for lacking playmaking abilities, suggesting it could be a strategic misstep.

Colin Cowherd [45:23]: “Ace Bailey was not the best player... he's not a playmaker. I think this is a big mistake.”

Nick counters by highlighting Bailey's strengths and his fit within potential team dynamics, advocating for a more nuanced evaluation of his capabilities.

Nick Wright [45:04]: “The league is not about your bag. The league is Halliburton. The league is SGA. The league is Tatum.”

They explore how each prospect's skill set aligns with team needs and the broader implications for draft strategies.

San Francisco 49ers' Offseason Moves and Ricky Pearsall

The segment covers the San Francisco 49ers' recent roster changes, particularly the acquisition of Ricky Pearsall. Colin assesses Pearsall's expected role in enhancing the team's offensive dynamics following key player departures.

Colin Cowherd [30:25]: “The Shanahan offense seems to benefit now that Debo's gone.”

Nick discusses the challenges the 49ers face with injuries and the pressure on Pearsall to step up, analyzing the team's prospects for the upcoming season.

Cooper Flagg’s Versatile NBA Entry

Cooper Flagg's entrance into the NBA is another hot topic. Colin praises Flagg's all-around game, while Nick discusses the potential for Flagg to develop a signature style as he matures in the league.

Colin Cowherd [20:52]: “It's been the most overrated thing of my life. Cooper Flag doesn't have a bag.”

Nick emphasizes Flagg's adaptability and predicts his evolution into a key player, debunking the necessity of a single signature move.

Nick Wright [22:14]: “He'll figure out where his ultimate strength is. I think he's a future league MVP.”

Ownership Changes: Dodgers and Lakers

The conversation shifts to recent ownership changes, with Mark Walter purchasing a majority share of the Los Angeles Lakers. Colin analyzes how this influx of capital could transform the team's future strategies and acquisitions.

Colin Cowherd [34:43]: “With the change in ownership, LA is now positioned to make significant moves moving forward.”

Nick explores the implications of the new ownership, discussing the potential for leveraging financial resources under the new NBA collective bargaining agreement to enhance team performance.

COVID-19’s Impact on the 2020 NBA Season

Colin reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the 2020 NBA season, defending the Lakers' championship as a testament to their resilience and pre-pandemic dominance.

Colin Cowherd [49:32]: “Anybody in any industry who succeeded deserves credit... the Lakers were dominant through 27, 30 games.”

Nick reinforces Colin's stance by highlighting the Lakers' consistent performance and the challenges other teams faced during the pandemic-induced hiatus.

Final Thoughts and Upcoming Segments

The episode wraps up with Colin teasing upcoming guests, including Rick Pitino, and hinting at detailed analyses of draft predictions and player performances in future segments.

Colin Cowherd [38:42]: “Rick Pitino is going to come on our show tomorrow... we'll talk about that coming up next.”

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd [02:23]: “The game seven on ABC delivered the most-watched NBA finals game in six years... I watch a lot of it.”

• Nick Wright [09:43]: “The idea that the 2020 Lakers got lucky by the bubble... is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.”

• Colin Cowherd [11:11]: “Kevin Durant is arguably the best jump shooter in the league. He's not a great defender, but Houston has so much damn length. This is the perfect trade for Houston.”

• Nick Wright [13:58]: “The Rockets have a real path to being the Western Conference champion.”

• Colin Cowherd [17:36]: “Patrick Mahomes in his career has started seven years. They have won the division seven times. They have played in the AFC championship seven times. They have won the conference five times.”

Conclusion

Hour 2 of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers an insightful exploration into the current dynamics of major sports leagues, balancing Colin's seasoned perspectives with Nick Wright's critical analyses. From defending the enduring relevance of television in sports viewership to dissecting strategic trades and draft predictions, the episode provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving sports landscape.