Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 3: Chris Finch
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Chris Finch, NBA Coach
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
1. Historic NBA Regular Season Road Win
Timestamp: [02:33]
The episode kicks off with Colin Cowherd celebrating a monumental regular-season road victory in the NBA, praising Chris Finch and the T Wolves for orchestrating what he describes as "the greatest road win in the history of regular season NBA." The team overcame a daunting 20-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, ultimately scoring 41 points against the league's top-rated defense.
Colin Cowherd:
"It is the greatest road win in the history of regular season NBA. Last night, Chris Finch and the T Wolves. First time ever a team is trailed by over 20 entering the fourth and one. And you scored 41 points in the fourth against the number one rated defense." [02:33]
2. Defensive Strategies and Coaching Decisions
Timestamp: [03:13 - 06:24]
Chris Finch delves into the team's competitive spirit and defensive strategies that fueled their comeback. He emphasizes the importance of competitiveness and the contributions of young players and rookies who injected energy into the game.
Chris Finch:
"We have a lot of competitors and our team's fighting... it was really the young guys, the rookies who brought us back into that game." [03:36]
Finch discusses employing a physical defense to disrupt the opponent's rhythm, referencing legendary coaches like Jerry Sloan to illustrate the philosophy behind their defensive approach.
Colin Cowherd:
"When you go into the fourth quarter, you... Belichick meets Andy Reid meets Red Auerbach." [03:13]
Chris Finch:
"We've decided to allow more physicality into the game... they're very physical defense, which... they've done a great job building their defense there. They swarm you." [05:36]
This segment highlights the tactical adjustments and mental fortitude required to overcome challenging game situations.
3. NBA CBA Changes and Player Contracts
Timestamp: [08:10 - 10:37]
The conversation shifts to the implications of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on team building and player contracts. Finch and Cowherd discuss the financial constraints teams face when signing star players like Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns (Ant).
Colin Cowherd:
"But the new CBA, I mean here's my theory on the Luca trade..." [08:10]
Cowherd theorizes that the new CBA imposes significant financial penalties on teams towering star contracts, comparing player salaries to those of high-earning NFL quarterbacks to underscore the fiscal pressures teams endure.
Chris Finch:
"Now in the new CBA landscape, you really have to decide, like, you know, obviously who you're going to marry going forward. There's amazing talent." [09:33]
They touch upon the necessity for teams to pivot their strategies to accommodate substantial salaries while maintaining competitive rosters, leading to tough decisions like trading key players.
4. Team Building and Player Relationships
Timestamp: [14:36 - 25:29]
Focusing on team dynamics, Finch discusses the integration of high-profile players like Jimmy Butler into existing team structures such as the Golden State Warriors. He underscores Butler's compatibility with the team's culture, his defensive prowess, and his ability to enhance team performance without disrupting the existing harmony.
Chris Finch:
"Jimmy has a high basketball IQ, he fits their basketball culture. He doesn't need the ball and when he has the ball, he's looking to make his teammates better." [14:36]
The dialogue extends to the challenges of balancing star players' egos and the importance of fostering an environment where all team members can thrive. Finch praises Butler's impact on the Warriors, highlighting his ability to elevate the team's competitiveness.
5. All-Star Game Competitiveness and NBA Scheduling
Timestamp: [19:06 - 23:20]
The discussion transitions to the NBA All-Star Game, critiquing its current lack of competitiveness due to varying player motivations. Finch and Cowherd debate the efficacy of the All-Star format, suggesting that it fails to produce truly competitive matches when half the players are disinterested in competing seriously.
Colin Cowherd:
"Stars don't want to play it. There's nothing you can do." [19:06]
Finch proposes reimagining the All-Star Weekend to focus more on fan engagement and player interactions outside of the traditional game format, arguing that this could enhance the overall experience for fans.
Chris Finch:
"If you have half the players who don't want to compete and half that do, you know, you don't have a chance to have a competitive game." [19:06]
Additionally, they explore the idea of adjusting the NBA schedule to reduce the number of games, allowing for more spotlight moments on marquee matchups and reducing viewer fatigue from an overload of games.
6. NFL Trade Requests and Combine Highlights
Timestamp: [35:05 - 37:05]
Shifting focus to the NFL, Cowherd and Finch discuss Miles Garrett's trade request from the Browns. Finch supports Garrett's value, suggesting that teams with late first-round picks, like the Buffalo Bills or Green Bay Packers, should consider trading substantial draft capital for Garrett due to his dominant performance and impact on the field.
Colin Cowherd:
"I would give up two firsts if I was the Buffalo Bills or Green Bay Packers because I'm drafting in no man's land anyway." [34:11]
They also touch upon the NFL's proposal to ban the "Tush Push" play, debating its feasibility and impact on the game. Finch expresses skepticism about the proposal's success, given the play's entrenched use by dominant teams.
Colin Cowherd:
"I think it's going to be a voting war, but I believe teams will ultimately decide to ban it." [35:32]
The conversation highlights the ongoing strategic evolutions within the NFL and the challenges of implementing rule changes in a league dominated by player trends and team preferences.
7. Player Positions and Future Prospects
Timestamp: [38:07 - 43:13]
The episode concludes with a discussion on rising NFL talents, specifically Travis Hunter. Finch analyzes Hunter's potential, debating his optimal position and long-term viability in the league. While some advocate for Hunter as a cornerback, Finch leans towards utilizing him as a wide receiver to capitalize on his athleticism and market demand.
Chris Finch:
"I think he'll be a successful player and I think he's going to be a great highlight player. Like, he's just built for highlights." [39:06]
However, Finch cautions about the physical demands placed on dual-position players, emphasizing the importance of specialization for longevity and sustained performance in the league.
8. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
Timestamp: [43:13 - End]
The final segment features a brief exchange between Colin and Finch, touching upon various lighter topics such as podcast promotions and personal anecdotes. This portion serves as a transition back to promotional content, ensuring that the focus remains on the core discussions highlighted above.
Notable Quotes
-
Colin Cowherd:
"It's the greatest road win in the history of regular season NBA." [02:33]
"But the new CBA, I mean here's my theory on the Luca trade..." [08:10]
"Stars don't want to play it. There's nothing you can do." [19:06] -
Chris Finch:
"We have a lot of competitors and our team's fighting... it was really the young guys, the rookies who brought us back into that game." [03:36]
"Jimmy has a high basketball IQ, he fits their basketball culture. He doesn't need the ball and when he has the ball, he's looking to make his teammates better." [14:36]
"If you have half the players who don't want to compete and half that do, you know, you don't have a chance to have a competitive game." [19:06]
Conclusion
In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," the focus predominantly lies on in-depth discussions about recent NBA developments, strategic coaching decisions, and the impact of the new CBA on team dynamics and player contracts. Additionally, insightful conversations about NFL trade requests and player positions provide a comprehensive overview of key sports narratives as of February 2025. Chris Finch's expertise as an NBA coach offers listeners a nuanced perspective on both basketball tactics and the broader implications of league-wide changes.