Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: "The NBA Has a Problem"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
- Host: Colin Cowherd
- Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
- Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
- Episode: Hour 2 - The NBA has a problem
- Release Date: June 26, 2025
1. NBA Draft and the College Basketball Renaissance
[02:36 – 07:57]
Key Discussion Points:
- Top NBA Draft Picks: All top 11 picks in the recent NBA draft hailed from college basketball, underscoring a resurgence in the college game, partly attributed to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations.
- Colin Cowherd's Stance on the G League: Colin expresses skepticism about the G League's effectiveness, arguing that it has become a cash grab rather than a development platform. He cites the lack of standout performances from G League players during crucial playoff stages, mentioning players like Scoot Henderson and Jalen Green as unpolished despite their potential.
- Comparison Between G League and College Basketball: Colin posits that college programs (e.g., Kansas, Syracuse, UConn, Arizona) offer better environments for player development, including advanced coaching and significant exposure on national TV.
Notable Quote:
“I never liked the G League. It was more about compensation. The NBA became paralyzed with compensation and college football guys aren't getting compensated.” – Colin Cowherd [04:30]
2. G League's Relevance and San Antonio's Draft Strategy
[07:57 – 11:22]
Key Discussion Points:
- Interview with Unnamed Analyst: Focuses on the San Antonio Spurs' draft choices, emphasizing their intent to build a defensively strong and versatile team. The analyst highlights the selection of defensive-minded players to complement star Victor Wembanyama, aiming to create a competitive and balanced roster.
- Positionless Basketball and Defensive Mindset: The Spurs are moving towards a positionless style, valuing versatility and defensive prowess. This strategy is seen as essential for contending in a competitive Western Conference.
Notable Quotes:
“We are trying to play positionless basketball. They are really going in that direction and they are also embracing defense.” – Unnamed Analyst [08:03]
“If you have guys who want to play hard in defense around him, even if you're not quite there yet offensively, to compete with the top of the west defense wins championships.” – Unnamed Analyst [09:22]
3. NBA Injuries and Potential Rule Changes
[11:22 – 18:23]
Key Discussion Points:
- Current Injury Concerns: The NBA is facing a surge in significant injuries, such as ACL tears and Achilles issues, which are impacting team dynamics and playoff outcomes. Players like Halliburton and Tatum are sidelined, raising concerns about the league's physical demands.
- Comparison to NFL's Adaptive Rules: Rachel Nichols suggests that the NBA could take a page from the NFL by implementing mid-season rule changes to address growing injury concerns. She advocates for shorter playoff series to reduce player fatigue and injury risks.
- Adam Silver's Stance: Despite the rising injuries, Adam Silver remains firm against shortening the regular season, citing financial implications. However, there is pressure to balance player health with league profitability.
Notable Quotes:
“The NBA became paralyzed by compensation. You've got to pay them. How about develop them?” – Colin Cowherd [05:00]
“If you keep the dates of the NBA season the same, but you play fewer games, you give guys more of a chance to rest between games.” – Unnamed Analyst [11:22]
“These Achilles injuries... they end teams' plans.” – Unnamed Analyst [10:19]
4. Hypothetical Trades: LeBron James and Star Players
[18:23 – 40:58]
Key Discussion Points:
- Trade Scenarios Involving LeBron James: The conversation delves into the implausibility of trading iconic players like LeBron James, drawing parallels to how teams might handle other superstar athletes. Rachel Nichols and Colin Cowherd debate whether such trades could ever materialize, ultimately agreeing they are highly unlikely.
- Assessment of Player Untradability: Rachel lists top untradable athletes across sports, including Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Nikola Jokic, emphasizing their indispensable value to their respective teams.
- Impact on Team Dynamics: The potential trading of superstars would have profound effects on team performance and fan engagement. Colin highlights the financial aspects, questioning the practicality of trading star players despite their marketability.
Notable Quotes:
“You think it's always anti Lakers, but Nick, Nick came on Tuesday and I said sometimes you'll do a rant or a list or something and people just are adamant...” – Rachel Nichols [25:04]
“They are not moving off Curry... They are not doing, they're not moving off him.” – Colin Cowherd [26:08]
“The Lakers sell out. During Kobe's awful last four years, you couldn't get a ticket.” – Rachel Nichols [27:23]
5. Comparisons to Other Sports and Player Analogies
[40:58 – 52:17]
Key Discussion Points:
- Caitlin Clark and Michael Jordan Comparison: Rachel Nichols draws parallels between WNBA star Caitlin Clark and NBA legend Michael Jordan, focusing on Clark's offensive prowess and the physical challenges she faces in the league. She suggests that similar to how Jordan adapted by increasing his physicality, Clark may need to enhance her strength to counter defensive strategies against her.
- NBA's Physicality vs. Skill: The discussion highlights the evolving nature of basketball, where the league prioritizes skill over physicality. Rachel advocates for protective measures akin to the NFL's quarterback protections to safeguard star players like Clark.
Notable Quotes:
“She reminds me of the female version of Steph Curry. Incredible range.” – Rachel Nichols [47:01]
“We need to protect our stars the way the NFL protects quarterbacks.” – Rachel Nichols [50:54]
“Caitlin Clark is averaging 12 a game and shooting 27%. She is not healthy. So this is where she's a lot like Michael Jordan is.” – Rachel Nichols [47:26]
6. Potential Modifications in League Rules
[51:16 – 52:17]
Key Discussion Points:
- Officiating and Player Protection: Rachel Nichols suggests that the NBA might need to implement specific officiating changes to protect star players like Caitlin Clark, similar to how the NFL protects quarterbacks. This could involve stricter penalties for physical plays targeting key athletes.
- Historical Context and Comparisons: The conversation references how other sports, such as hockey and baseball, have successfully implemented rule changes to maintain game integrity and player safety. The NBA is encouraged to follow suit to preserve the quality of play and extend player careers.
Notable Quotes:
“The knock on the WNBA is you weren't prepared for her. And Christine Brennan has a book out.” – Rachel Nichols [52:17]
“Protect the money maker, baby.” – Colin Cowherd [52:55]
Conclusion
In this episode, Colin Cowherd and Rachel Nichols delve into several pressing issues facing the NBA, from the effectiveness of the G League versus college basketball in player development to the escalating injury rates among players and the potential need for systemic changes to protect them. They also engage in speculative discussions about the unlikelihood of trading superstar players like LeBron James and draw intriguing comparisons between current athletes and legendary figures like Michael Jordan. The conversation underscores the balancing act the NBA must perform between maintaining competitive integrity, ensuring player health, and sustaining financial viability.
Listeners Gain Insights On:
- The evolving landscape of player development in the NBA.
- The impact of increased physicality on player health and game outcomes.
- Strategic considerations for team building through the draft.
- The cultural and financial importance of superstar athletes in modern sports.
Key Takeaway: The NBA faces significant challenges in balancing player development, health, and competitive integrity, necessitating thoughtful adjustments to league structures and rules to ensure the long-term sustainability and appeal of the sport.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content-related discussions to focus solely on the main topics and insights shared by the hosts and guests.