Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 3 - Cooper Flagg vs Bronny James
Release Date: July 9, 2025

Introduction and Current Sports Landscape
Timestamp: 02:29 - 12:00

In this episode, the discussion kicks off with Doug Gottlieb stepping in for Colin Cowherd, delving into the evolving landscape of sports. Gottlieb highlights the shifting dynamics in college sports, particularly the recent changes allowing players to be paid. He remarks, “College sports, massive change now that you're paying players” (04:20), emphasizing how this transformation is attracting more attention and curiosity towards sports media and broadcasts.

The conversation then transitions to the saturation of sports on television. Gottlieb notes, “Not all of it's positive. … a lot of young fans are not fans of teams anymore. They’re fans of players” (05:45), pointing out the trend where fans follow individual athletes rather than entire teams, leading to increased player mobility and changing team loyalties.

WNBA Spotlight: Angel Reese vs Caitlin Clark
Timestamp: 12:00 - 30:00

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), specifically spotlighting players Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Gottlieb criticizes the media’s focus on Reese over Clark, stating, “The WNBA wants to like, push her away and say, like, yes, she’s fine, but everybody else is awesome” (19:50). He argues that this dynamic stems from jealousy and an inability to embrace increasing attention towards female athletes.

Gottlieb draws parallels between the current situation in the WNBA and historical instances in the NBA, such as the steroid controversies surrounding Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. He asserts, “It's like my old college coach Eddie said… bad financial decisions” (17:00), suggesting that favoritism and selective attention can skew perceptions of athletes’ contributions and popularity.

Discussing the commercial aspect, Gottlieb highlights the marketing strategies of the WNBA, questioning the rationale behind featuring Angel Reese over Caitlin Clark on prominent platforms like video game covers. He states, “But I’ve been doing this job for 23 years … it’s just always been about some underdog story” (22:30), criticizing the narrative choices that overshadow actual performance metrics and fanbase preferences.

Celtics Offseason Moves and Team Dynamics
Timestamp: 30:00 - 40:00

The conversation shifts to the Boston Celtics' aggressive offseason moves, with TJ Hushmanzada providing insights into the team's strategy. Hushmanzada explains, “Brad Stevens … he wants them to, quote, compete like hell to win the next game” (31:20), indicating a shift from the term "rebuild" to a more competitive mindset.

Gottlieb analyzes the Celtics' decisions to part ways with key players like Porzingis and Horford, emphasizing that these moves were premeditated and part of a larger strategy to optimize the team's future performance. He concludes, “I think the plan is still in place … regardless of win or loss” (34:10), reinforcing the notion that the Celtics are positioning themselves for long-term success despite current challenges.

NFL Updates: Travis Kelce and T.J. Watt
Timestamp: 40:00 - 50:00

Turning to the NFL, the hosts discuss Travis Kelce’s upcoming season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Hushmanzada mentions, “Travis Kelce … his production has dropped off in the last two seasons” (36:00), while Gottlieb remains optimistic about Kelce’s ability to perform in critical moments: “When the games are most important and the lights are the brightest, he finds it somewhere” (36:23).

The discussion also covers T.J. Watt’s contract negotiations with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hushmanzada notes, “Watt has been withholding from team activities … to get that new deal” (38:00), highlighting the ongoing tensions between player demands and team management’s willingness to meet those expectations.

Main Topic: Cooper Flagg vs Bronny James in NBA Summer League
Timestamp: 40:00 - 55:00

The centerpiece of this episode is the upcoming NBA Summer League showdown between Cooper Flagg and Bronny James, two highly anticipated young talents. Gottlieb sets the stage by detailing their performances and public expectations: “Proper expectations for Cooper Flag are … Bronny James are, hey, dude, at some point, you gotta be best player on the floor” (44:28).

Expectations and Performance Analysis Gottlieb emphasizes that Cooper Flagg has demonstrated consistent dominance at every level, from high school to Duke University: “a kid who was the best player when he played 16s … was the best player at Duke” (45:00). In contrast, he expresses skepticism about Bronny James’ ability to meet the high expectations set for him, noting, “there was never a time which he was absolutely the best player on a high school floor nor on a college floor” (47:15).

Market and Audience Reception The discussion also touches on the commercialization and fan interest surrounding the match-up. Hushmanzada points out, “the average ticket price for a summer league game … is going for about $223” (50:02), questioning the value proposition for fans. Gottlieb counters this by suggesting that the event doubles as a networking opportunity for agents and scouts: “you're buying a ticket to like … going to a club before everybody goes out to a club” (51:00).

Comparative Analysis Gottlieb contrasts Flagg’s and James’ expectations by referring to other NBA players who have shined in Summer League, such as LeBron James: “He's slightly … you're not supposed to, but … because that's never been him” (49:30). He underscores the importance of demonstrating leadership and dominance in Summer League as a measure of future potential, which he believes Flagg is more likely to achieve given his track record.

Audience Engagement and Final Thoughts The hosts wrap up their analysis by debating the financial and developmental aspects of the Summer League, debating whether it’s worth the high ticket prices and how it fits into the broader NBA ecosystem. Gottlieb concludes, “if you have $2,500 in Vegas, is that the best way to allocate your resources?” (52:11), urging listeners to weigh the benefits against the costs.

Conclusion
Timestamp: 55:00 - End

The episode concludes with a recap of the discussions, emphasizing the importance of realistic expectations for young athletes and the evolving nature of sports marketing and fan engagement. The hosts encourage listeners to tune into the upcoming Summer League game between Cooper Flagg and Bronny James, positioning it as a significant event in the basketball calendar.

Notable Quotes:

• "College sports, massive change now that you're paying players." – Doug Gottlieb (04:20)
• "The WNBA wants to like, push her away and say, like, yes, she’s fine, but everybody else is awesome." – Doug Gottlieb (19:50)
• "Proper expectations for Cooper Flagg are … Bronny James are, hey, dude, at some point, you gotta be best player on the floor." – Doug Gottlieb (44:28)
• "He's buying a ticket to like … going to a club before everybody goes out to a club." – Doug Gottlieb (51:00)
• "If you have $2,500 in Vegas, is that the best way to allocate your resources?" – Doug Gottlieb (52:11)

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd provides an in-depth analysis of current sports trends, spotlighting the WNBA, team strategies in the NBA, and previewing the highly anticipated Summer League matchup between Cooper Flagg and Bronny James. The hosts offer critical perspectives on media narratives, player performance expectations, and the commercialization of sports events, making it an engaging listen for sports enthusiasts seeking comprehensive coverage of the latest developments.