Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 featuring Dan Woike
Episode Details:
- Title: Hour 3 - Dan Woike
- Release Date: June 24, 2025
- Host: Colin Cowherd
- Guests: Dan Woike, Jason McIntyre
- Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
1. Ownership Dynamics and Team Valuations
Discussion on Dan Woike's Move to The Athletic
- Timestamp [02:23]: Jason McIntyre announces, “Dan Woike… has moved to The Athletic and he will cover the Lakers. Athletic does great work. Been a subscriber for a long time like many of you and congratulations on that.”
- Dan Woike responds: “Thank you.”
Celtics' Record Sale
- Timestamp [02:42]: Jason McIntyre highlights, “Celtics sold for 6 billion. All these things are worth way more than you think now that like Saudi Arabia money's involved.”
- Dan Woike adds: “It's a great big world, Colin.”
Lakers' Ownership Transition and Strategic Decisions
- Timestamp [03:04] - [04:23]:
- Jason McIntyre: Discusses the implications of ownership money on team infrastructure, suggesting that the Lakers should focus on investments like advanced scouting and pro personnel rather than just player services.
- Dan Woike: Compares team investments to home renovations, emphasizing the importance of “advanced scouting or pro personnel” to ensure long-term success. Highlights that the Lakers have modernized but still face strategic liquidity issues.
Jeanie Buss and Mark Walter's Roles
- Timestamp [05:46] - [07:40]:
- Jason McIntyre: Expresses skepticism over Jeanie Buss’s influence, stating, “they traded Luka without Mark Cuban knowing.”
- Dan Woike: Suggests that while Buss may have influenced the trade, the decision was likely made with organizational protection in mind. Highlights their close relationship and Buss’s efforts to maintain active roles beyond ceremonial duties.
2. Team Building and Roster Moves
Lakers and Draft Strategies
- Timestamp [07:24] - [08:23]:
- Dan Woike: Emphasizes the need for the Lakers to invest in infrastructure over immediate player acquisitions. Discusses the importance of long-term decisions centered around Luka Doncic and the organization’s future.
- Jason McIntyre: Discusses potential trade strategies, suggesting the Lakers might target teams like the Dallas Mavericks for surplus bigs to address their roster needs without overextending financially.
Western Conference Competitiveness
- Timestamp [08:23] - [10:20]:
- Dan Woike and Jason McIntyre: Debate the depth of the Western Conference, noting the rise of skilled bigs and the transition towards a guard-centric league. They discuss the strategic placement of players and how teams like the Warriors might feel the impact of needing more robust centers.
Trade Speculations and Future Prospects
- Timestamp [10:20] - [12:42]:
- Jason McIntyre: Suggests a potential trade scenario between the Lakers and Mavericks, focusing on acquiring bigs to bolster the Lakers’ roster.
- Dan Woike: Expresses skepticism about such trades happening, citing fan expectations and past unsatisfactory dealings. Highlights the complexity of balancing immediate needs with long-term team building around stars like Luka and LeBron.
3. Reflections on Recent Champions and Team Performances
Rankings of Recent NBA Champions
- Timestamp [13:03] - [15:00]:
- Jason McIntyre: Shares his rankings of the last seven NBA champions, praising LeBron and Anthony Davis, while critiquing other teams based on their performance during the COVID era.
- Dan Woike: Agrees but suggests moving teams like the Thunder higher due to their defensive prowess and overall team balance.
Impact of COVID-19 on Team Success
- Timestamp [14:31] - [16:08]:
- Dan Woike: Discusses the unique challenges teams faced during the COVID playoffs, noting that factors like playing in limited arenas affected team performances.
- Jason McIntyre: Reflects on his experiences covering playoffs during the pandemic, emphasizing the unpredictability and unique circumstances that shaped team successes.
4. NFL Insights: Aaron Rodgers and Quarterback Evaluations
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ Future
- Timestamp [23:00] - [24:49]:
- John Middlekauff: Mentions Aaron Rodgers' one-year deal with the Steelers and his contemplation of retirement.
- Jason McIntyre: Expresses doubt about the success of Rodgers’ stint with the Steelers, comparing it to Brett Favre’s varied career outcomes.
- John Middlekauff: Highlights Rodgers’ potential legacy and the Steelers' hopes for a playoff run, should he perform well.
Cam Ward and Quarterback Comparisons
- Timestamp [24:54] - [27:35]:
- Jason McIntyre and John Middlekauff: Debate Cam Ward’s potential and comparisons to elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes. They discuss the rarity of top quarterbacks who were overlooked initially but achieved greatness.
- John Middlekauff: Points out that while some quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield were underappreciated early on, others like Cam Ward can follow a similar trajectory towards success.
5. College Football and the NBA Draft
Arch Manning’s Prospects at Texas
- Timestamp [27:35] - [31:50]:
- John Middlekauff: Discusses Arch Manning’s journey as a starting quarterback at the University of Texas, comparing his potential impact to legendary figures like Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning.
- Jason McIntyre: Highlights the marketing and brand potential of Arch Manning, suggesting he could revolutionize how Texas markets its football program.
- Dan Woike: Reflects on the legacy of Duke players and how current stars like Cooper Flag are shaping the future of college basketball, emphasizing the blend of talent and brand influence.
NBA Draft Predictions and Player Evaluations
- Timestamp [32:19] - [38:33]:
- Jason McIntyre: Excited about the upcoming NBA draft, focusing on rising stars from Duke University like Cooper Flag. He compares Flag to LeBron in terms of versatility and potential.
- Dan Woike and John Middlekauff: Share anecdotes about past Duke players and their impact on the NBA, highlighting the importance of both talent and personal resilience.
6. Concluding Remarks and Final Thoughts
Final Analysis and Upcoming Events
- Timestamp [38:33] - [41:49]:
- Jason McIntyre: Provides personal insights from his sports casting experiences, reminiscing about past college games and player potentials. He emphasizes the excitement surrounding the new draft and the potential for emerging stars to influence the league.
- Dan Woike: Adds perspective on team dynamics and player development, tying back to the importance of strategic investments in team infrastructure.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason McIntyre [02:23]: “Dan Woike… has moved to The Athletic and he will cover the Lakers. Athletic does great work.”
- Dan Woike [04:23]: “But like when you've got great plumbing, like and you never have to deal with it, it makes life a lot easier.”
- Jason McIntyre [05:46]: “Mark Cuban said he would do day to day when he sold it. And when people pay 10 billion, they have a tendency to do what they want to do.”
- Dan Woike [07:24]: “They're making decisions not just for one year, you know, or two years that you have with LeBron James. You're trying to make decisions for the rest of Luka Doncic's career.”
- Jason McIntyre [13:25]: “Because of COVID people dismissed the Lakers champion.”
- John Middlekauff [23:37]: “He'll be a first ballot hall of famer. Can he add anything?”
- Jason McIntyre [27:09]: “He’s very basketballish, if he lives up.”
- Dan Woike [40:34]: “There is an intensity to that family. You know, just at any moment, you got to just be ready.”
Conclusion
In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the hosts delve deep into the intricacies of sports team ownership, strategic team building, and the dynamics of recent and upcoming drafts. With insightful discussions featuring Dan Woike and Jason McIntyre, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the behind-the-scenes decisions shaping the future of major sports franchises. From the Lakers' ownership transitions to the potential impact of rising stars in both the NBA and NFL, the episode offers a rich exploration of sports management and player development strategies.
Note: This summary excludes all advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions within the podcast episode.