Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 2 - Where Colin Was Right and Wrong
Release Date: June 23, 2025

Introduction

The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by Rick Bucher and featuring guest John Middlekauff, delves into the intricacies of recent sports events, analyzing where Colin Cowherd's predictions and opinions hit the mark or missed the mark. This episode focuses primarily on the Oklahoma City Thunder's championship run, key player trades, and broader NFL and college football dynamics.

Oklahoma City Thunder's Championship Run

Where Colin Was Right

Timestamp: [03:15] – [04:27]

John Middlekauff acknowledges Colin's accurate predictions regarding the Thunder's performance attributes:

• Defense: "Oklahoma City's defense was great." ([03:15])
• Rick Carlisle's Coaching: "[Rick Carlisle] let it half SGA, got to the free throw line." ([03:15])
• Bench Strength: "OKC's bench was very good. Young benches usually are at home." ([03:15])

Middlekauff highlights that despite Tyrese Halliburton's injury, the Thunder's structure and depth allowed them to navigate tough matchups, maintaining consistency irrespective of individual setbacks.

Where Colin Was Wrong

Timestamp: [05:43] – [10:09]

Rick Bucher critiques Colin's earlier trust in young playoff teams, particularly Oklahoma City, arguing that the Thunder's playoff success was more due to strategic roster construction rather than inherent team strength:

• Roster Depth and Youth: "I don't trust young playoff teams... they remained healthy." ([05:43])
• Halliburton's Injury Impact: "I didn't know if this team was going to win... they didn't mow through Indiana and they didn't mow through Denver." ([05:43])

Bucher contends that Colin underestimated the unpredictability and inconsiderate elements affecting young teams, such as Halliburton's injury, which altered the expected dynamics of the championship series.

Kevin Durant's Trade to Houston Rockets

Timestamp: [05:41] – [13:55]

John praises Colin's endorsement of Kevin Durant's move to the Rockets, describing it as an "obvious fit" due to the Rockets' roster needs:

• Team Fit: "Houston didn't have to give up a second first-round pick." ([05:41])
• Durant's Role: "He's a get a bucket guy... He's agreeable, he can catch and shoot it." ([05:41])

However, there is some debate over the long-term fit and whether Phoenix Suns will retain key players like Jalen Green and Dylan Brooks, emphasizing the strategic depth and future prospects of the Rockets post-trade.

Team USA's Gold Cup Performance

Timestamp: [04:29] – [06:57]

The discussion shifts to the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team's surprising performance in the Gold Cup:

• Scoring Prowess: "They're the highest scoring team right now in the Gold Cup." ([04:29])
• Offensive Creativity: Despite missing key players like Pulisic and McKinney, the team showed competence and adaptability.

John expresses surprise at the team's offensive efficiency despite internal distractions and questions regarding their goalkeeping reliability.

Lakers’ Potential Sale to Mark Walter

Timestamp: [06:57] – [09:43]

John discusses Colin's insights into the potential sale of the Lakers to Mark Walter:

• Brand Enhancement: "They've needed to graduate to the next level... the billionaire club for several years." ([06:57])
• Market Comparison: Comparing the Lakers' brand to the Cincinnati Bengals, highlighting the need for fresh perspectives in maintaining competitiveness.

John concurs that the acquisition would propel the Lakers into becoming a more formidable sports brand, aligning with Colin's five-year advocacy.

Shedeur Sanders' Maturity and Potential

Timestamp: [06:59] – [15:20]

Rick Bucher critiques Colin's evaluation of Shedeur Sanders, suggesting he overvalued Sanders' potential without adequately considering his maturity issues:

• Immaturity Concerns: "He lacks the judgment and self-awareness for a position that demands an adult and great decision-making." ([06:59])
• Skill Assessment: "At 24 years old, he's a good quarterback prospect. He's not special." ([06:59])

John acknowledges Sanders as a promising yet unproven talent, emphasizing the need for evaluating personal growth alongside athletic prowess.

Dodgers vs. Padres Rivalry

Timestamp: [10:09] – [16:41]

John highlights the intense rivalry between the Dodgers and Padres, validating Colin's prediction:

• Competitive Dynamics: "This is everything a rivalry should be... it's a must-watch television." ([10:09])
• Player Movements: The switch of Machado from Dodgers to Padres adds to the rivalry's depth.
• Game Intensity: Recent series featured ejections, drama, and high-stakes competition, mirroring playoff intensity.

Caitlin Clark's Impact on Women's Basketball

Timestamp: [16:41] – [21:23]

John emphasizes Caitlin Clark's transformative influence, aligning with Colin's assertions:

• Popularity Surge: "Sophia Cunningham... sold her jerseys out in a day." ([16:41])
• Caitlin as a Central Figure: "Caitlin Clark isn't part of the moment. She is the moment." ([20:58])

Clark's performance and influence have elevated the visibility and commercial success of women's basketball, marking her as a pivotal figure in the sport.

Roster Construction and Playoff Strategies

Timestamp: [21:23] – [26:59]

Rick and John dive into the complexities of modern basketball roster construction, debating strategies for enduring long seasons and playoffs:

• Depth and Versatility: Emphasizing the need for nine to ten-man rotations to withstand the physical demands ([24:05]).
• Shortened Seasons Debate: Colin opposes shortening seasons, advocating for the grind as a championship metric ([26:06]).
• LeBron’s Influence: Discussion on how star players like LeBron influence team strategies and durability ([26:10]).

John and Rick debate the balance between maintaining player health and preserving the traditional rigors that define championship-worthy teams.

NBA Draft Analysis and Player Prospects

Timestamp: [19:56] – [24:05]

The conversation shifts to the upcoming NBA Draft, assessing the strength of the draft class and potential franchise changers:

• Strong Domestic Draft: "This appears to be one of the stronger drafts in the last five years." ([21:59])
• Prospective Stars: Highlighting promising players like a standout guard from Rutgers and their potential impact ([22:38]).

John and Rick analyze the likelihood of top picks becoming core team members, weighing their current skills against future potential.

College Football and NFL Dynamics

Timestamp: [33:09] – [40:25]

The panel expands their analysis to college football and the NFL, covering:

• Transfer Portal Impact: Discussing how heavy reliance on the transfer portal by coaches like Lincoln Riley affects team chemistry and performance ([36:47]).
• NFL Playoff Seeding Rules: Debating the effectiveness of current playoff seating structures and potential changes ([31:49]).
• New York Giants' Quarterback Room: Evaluating the Giants' revamped quarterback lineup, featuring Russell Wilson and Jackson Dart, and predicting future performance ([38:40]).

This segment highlights the challenges teams face in maintaining consistency and adapting to evolving league rules and player dynamics.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Timestamp: [40:29] – [46:07]

Rick Bucher wraps up the discussion by reflecting on the Thunder's championship and broader sports narratives:

• Youth vs. Experience: Emphasizing the Thunder's youthful roster as both a strength and a limitation due to experience gaps ([46:07]).
• Future Projections: Predicting how current trades and roster changes will influence team performances in upcoming seasons ([51:00]).

John and Rick conclude with optimistic yet realistic assessments of team potentials, underscoring the unpredictable nature of sports.

Notable Quotes

1. John Middlekauff on Durability:
   "Oklahoma City's defense was great." ([03:15])

2. Rick Bucher on Young Teams:
   "I don't trust young playoff teams... they remained healthy." ([05:43])

3. John Middlekauff on Caitlin Clark:
   "Caitlin Clark isn't part of the moment. She is the moment." ([20:58])

4. Colin Cowherd on Championship Metrics:
   "We have to do what OKC in Indiana did, which is we have to get into the idea that we're going to play nine and 10 man rotations in the playoffs." ([26:29])

5. Rick Bucher on Kevin Durant's Trade:
   "Wherever the best player goes, Houston, they win the trade." ([51:00])

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd provides a comprehensive analysis of recent sports events, highlighting the interplay between youth and experience, strategic trades, and the evolving dynamics of team construction. Through insightful discussions and expert critiques, Rick Bucher and John Middlekauff offer listeners a nuanced understanding of where Colin Cowherd's perspectives align or diverge from broader sports realities.