Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 2 - The Best Thunder Ever
Release Date: June 3, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin Cowherd delves deep into the Oklahoma City Thunder's recent performance, sparking a lively discussion about the team's potential legacy and standout players. Joining him are senior NBA reporter Yovon Buha and co-host Alex Curry, who provide insightful analysis and spirited debates throughout the hour.

Dissecting the Thunder's Legacy

Colin Cowherd's Rant on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) Colin kicks off the discussion by addressing the rampant online debate surrounding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and his status as the best player in Thunder history. He expresses frustration with fans prematurely crowning SGA as the franchise's greatest, highlighting Kevin Durant’s undeniable impact.

Colin Cowherd (05:30): "Just because he won the MVP in a championship, even if he wins finals MVP, I don't care. You think that automatically makes him the greatest player in franchise history?"

Yovon Buha's Defense of SGA and the Thunder Yovon counters Colin's skepticism by emphasizing the Thunder's impressive playoff run and SGA's contributions. He acknowledges the statistics but urges for a balanced perspective, recognizing Durant's legacy while still appreciating SGA's current prowess.

Yovon Buha (07:47): "OKC has been great. They've won, I believe, 80, 82 games. A lot of basketball games this season. But can we just slow down crowning SGA as the greatest player in franchise history? That's false."

Comparisons to Historical Teams The conversation shifts to comparing the current Thunder to past NBA teams like the 2020 Lakers and the 2024 Celtics. Colin points out that while the Thunder are exceptional, they may not yet rival these historically dominant squads.

Colin Cowherd (08:11): "That team had KCP, Kuzma… They were number one seed. They were on a 61 pace. We forgot about the bubble Lakers."

Analyzing Player Performances and Potential

LeBron James and Luka Doncic's Podcast Insights Yovon shares insights from LeBron James and Luka Doncic's recent podcast, discussing their interactions and mutual respect. They touch upon Luka's development and LeBron's mentorship, highlighting potential growth areas for Luka.

Yovon Buha (09:18): "LeBron really respects Luka. He said multiple times that he's his favorite player in the league because really, Luka is LeBron minus the athleticism."

Bronny James’s NFL Prospects The discussion briefly veers into the NFL draft prospects, specifically focusing on Bronny James. Yovon remains cautiously optimistic about Bronny’s ability to make the Cleveland Browns' roster, emphasizing areas for improvement.

Yovon Buha (14:28): "I think he can crack maybe like the fringes of the rotation. He showed a lot of growth."

Austin Reaves’s Defensive Contributions Alex Curry brings up Austin Reaves, debating his defensive performance against Anthony Edwards. Yovon defends Reaves, stating his solid defensive ratings and consistency, countering the negative perceptions surrounding him.

Yovon Buha (16:24): "His isolation defense against Ant, the numbers were actually good… he wasn't, it wasn't D' Angelo Russell from the Denver series."

Thunder's Future and Team Construction

Offseason Moves and Draft Picks Colin and Yovon discuss the Thunder's strategic positioning for the future, highlighting their abundance of draft picks and young talent. Yovon emphasizes that the Thunder are exceptionally well-prepared for sustained success, unlike other teams that have squandered their draft assets.

Yovon Buha (19:03): "They have something like 20-something first-round picks over the next six, seven years. They could go get Giannis, bring KD back, and add to his resume as a Thunder."

Potential Trades and Salary Cap Considerations The conversation moves to the complexities of trading and salary cap management, particularly focusing on the Lakers' limited resources. Yovon explains the challenges the Lakers face in making significant trades without sacrificing key assets.

Yovon Buha (14:30): "They are limited with their resources both in free agency. They probably will only have the 5.7 million taxpayer exception unless LeBron takes a 15 to 20 million dollars breakout which isn't happening."

Comparative Analysis with Other Teams

OKC Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Colin draws parallels between the Thunder and the Nuggets, questioning the notion of perpetual dominance by super teams. Yovon counters by highlighting the Thunder’s youth and draft capital, suggesting they have a more sustainable model for success.

Yovon Buha (19:53): "They're the second youngest team to make the finals in NBA history by average age. They have a wide open league… they're really set up."

Implications for the NBA Landscape The duo explores how the Thunder’s approach differs from other teams, advocating for a more balanced team-building strategy that leverages youth and draft assets over short-term superteam constructions.

Yovon Buha (20:27): "This is good for the league and showing you can build in different ways… these are two rabid fan bases… one of these two teams is going to have their first title."

Hot Takes and Final Thoughts

SGA as James Harden 2.0 In a bold comparison, Colin posits that SGA embodies James Harden's playing style but questions his playoff performance, drawing from Harden's similar career trajectory.

Colin Cowherd (26:15): "I think SGA is basically James Harden 2.0… some of the stats about him in the half-court, drives to the basket dribbles, whatever they are, they're similar to what Harden was doing. Is that a ding on SGA?"

Future Outlook for Thunder and NBA Super Teams Yovon counters by emphasizing SGA’s current excellence while acknowledging areas for growth. He reinforces the Thunder's strategic advantages, suggesting that their model could set a new standard in the NBA.

Yovon Buha (28:35): "He is who he is. So I think SH, I think Shai has a way to go to catch him as a regular season player like that."

Fan Engagement and Perception The hosts reflect on fan attitudes towards the Thunder, noting a lack of widespread excitement outside of hardcore NBA fans. This highlights a potential challenge for the Thunder in building a broader fan base.

Colin Cowherd (21:44): "That's the problem. Nobody's fired up about this."

Conclusion

The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a comprehensive and spirited examination of the Oklahoma City Thunder's rise and the debates surrounding their star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Through dynamic interactions between Colin, Yovon, and Alex, the episode provides nuanced perspectives on player performance, team strategy, and the broader NBA landscape. Whether you're a Thunder fan or a casual observer, this episode delivers a thought-provoking analysis of what could be the most memorable chapter in the franchise's history.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd (05:30): "Just because he won the MVP in a championship, even if he wins finals MVP, I don't care. You think that automatically makes him the greatest player in franchise history?"

• Yovon Buha (07:47): "OKC has been great. They've won, I believe, 80, 82 games. A lot of basketball games this season."

• Yovon Buha (19:03): "They have something like 20-something first-round picks over the next six, seven years."

• Colin Cowherd (26:15): "I think SGA is basically James Harden 2.0…"

• Yovon Buha (28:35): "He is who he is. So I think SH, I think Shai has a way to go to catch him as a regular season player like that."

This summary encapsulates the dynamic and in-depth conversation from The Herd with Colin Cowherd episode "Hour 2 - The Best Thunder Ever," providing listeners with a clear understanding of the key discussions and viewpoints presented during the show.