Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 Featuring Paul Pierce

Release Date: April 21, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode Title: Hour 3 - Paul Pierce

Introduction

In the third hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," renowned NBA veteran Paul Pierce joins host Colin Cowherd to delve deep into current sports narratives, offering his expert insights on NBA playoffs, team dynamics, and the impending NFL draft. The episode is rich with analysis, personal anecdotes, and strategic evaluations, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive understanding of today's top sports stories.

Celtics' Culture and Coach Joe Mazzulla

Paul Pierce initiates the conversation by praising the Boston Celtics' cultural toughness, attributing much of it to Coach Joe Mazzulla's leadership.

• Paul Pierce [01:13]: "What I love about my BMW IX is that it redefines the electric vehicle experience seamlessly integrates powerful performance..."

  (Note: This quote appears to be part of an advertisement segment. The actual discussion on Celtics starts later.)

Delving into the Celtics' recent performances, Pierce highlights the team's resilience, especially under playoff pressures.

• Paul Pierce [02:57]: "So I'm like, man, you don't need to run over there for all of that."

Rich Davis echoes Pierce's sentiments, emphasizing Mazzulla's no-nonsense approach and motivational strategies.

• Rich Davis [03:12]: "He likes to do MMA training, he's a fighter. That's who Joe is. That's the mentality he's installed in this team."

The duo discusses how Mazzulla's disciplined training regimen fosters a culture of toughness and accountability within the team.

• Paul Pierce [03:56]: "That's how his culture is toughness. Toughness because they got enough guys that can shoot threes. He wants to create toughness."

Russell Westbrook and Denver Nuggets' Leadership

The discussion shifts to Russell Westbrook's role in the Denver Nuggets, assessing his impact and leadership qualities.

• Paul Pierce [04:07]: "I sometimes wish Westbrook could play, could shift down something into a second or a third gear, but that's not how Russell Westbrook plays."

Rich Davis draws parallels between Westbrook and former NBA star Kevin Garnett, highlighting their relentless playoff intensity.

• Rich Davis [04:29]: "Kevin Garnett Yeah, one gear. I mean, he plays at the playoff intensity during the 82 game regular season."

They critique the Nuggets' current roster, noting a lack of veteran leadership and cohesion since the departure of key players like KCP and Jeff Green.

• Rich Davis [05:22]: "Russ said something in that locker room and it shows on the court, his leadership."

Pierce concurs, emphasizing the importance of depth and athleticism in the Nuggets' gameplay.

• Paul Pierce [07:20]: "When youth wins a lot of games in the regular season, a lot. You play hard, you win."

Houston Rockets' Playoff Performance and Future Prospects

Pierce and Davis analyze the Houston Rockets' strategies and their effectiveness in the playoffs.

• Paul Pierce [05:36]: "But Jalen's kind of one of those guys. It's like, well, he's not a point guard. He's not a great jump shooter. He's a great athlete."

They discuss the Rockets' defensive strengths and offensive shortcomings, particularly their reliance on a few key players and inability to consistently score in the half-court offense.

• Rich Davis [05:36]: "That's their Achilles heel right there. They can't really score. They're built on defense."

Pierce expresses skepticism about the Rockets' ability to sustain their playoff momentum, citing their dependency on star performances.

• Paul Pierce [05:57]: "Yeah."

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The conversation transitions to a comparison between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers, evaluating their current standings and potential.

• Paul Pierce [07:22]: "I think I'm more impressed with Minnesota and I'll tell you why. Colin. Ant Man. Ant Man's game has matured so much."

Rich Davis commends Minnesota's Ant-Man (likely referring to a nickname for a player) for his evolved gameplay and strategic playmaking.

• Rich Davis [07:36]: "He's knocking them down at a high rate now. He's making his teammates better."

They contrast this with the Lakers, suggesting that while the Lakers have undeniable talent, Minnesota's teamwork and matured strategies give them an edge.

• Paul Pierce [08:07]: "I think Jackson Dart went to, you know, McVeigh."

Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons Playoff Showdown

Pierce and Davis review the intense playoff game between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons, focusing on standout performances and pivotal moments.

• Paul Pierce [09:43]: "They may have to move off him. How do players view Carl Anthony Towns?"

Davis analyzes Carl Anthony Towns' evolving role, noting his increased defensive efforts and playmaking abilities.

• Rich Davis [09:49]: "He looks like he's learning a little bit more. He's making extra plays, these extra passes that I saw that I didn't see him make over the years."

The discussion highlights Jalen Brunson's remarkable turnaround in the second half, leading the Knicks to a crucial victory.

• Paul Pierce [20:13]: "I just think Indiana's absolutely. With or without Dame, Indiana's the better team."

NFL Draft Insights and Jaden Daniels' Stellar Rookie Season

Shifting gears, Pierce and Davis offer their perspectives on the NFL Draft, particularly focusing on quarterback prospects and standout rookies like Jaden Daniels.

• Paul Pierce [33:13]: "I think Cam Ward and Shador Sanders feel like first round quarterbacks to me."

They debate the viability of various quarterback candidates, evaluating their athleticism, mechanics, and readiness for the league.

• Rich Davis [35:18]: "He's one of the best athletes to come in at quarterback that we've ever seen though."

Pierce critiques Greg Cosell's quarterback rankings, defending Cam Ward's potential despite skepticism from some analysts.

• Paul Pierce [35:17]: "That's my Greg Cosell like him. I trust Greg. Greg liked him, you know..."

The duo underscores the importance of drafting versatile and coachable quarterbacks who can adapt to the league's demands.

Formulating a Winning Team Strategy

The latter part of the episode delves into strategic team-building, emphasizing the necessity of balanced rosters with strong offensive lines and defensive depth.

• Paul Pierce [38:25]: "They don't have a lot. They need a position. They need to upgrade almost every position."

Davis and Pierce discuss the strategic decisions teams must make during the draft to address their most pressing needs, such as offensive tackles, tight ends, and defensive linemen.

• Rich Davis [28:10]: "They have a ton of picks, I think second most."

Additionally, they touch upon the importance of making calculated moves during the draft to maximize team potential and long-term success.

• Paul Pierce [39:02]: "Yeah, maybe a different outcome. That's a blank canvas Jackson Dart to me."

Closing Remarks

As the episode nears its conclusion, Pierce shares personal anecdotes about balancing professional and personal life amidst the busy sports calendar, including NBA playoffs and the NFL draft.

• Paul Pierce [24:01]: "So what makes the draft so much fun is, you know, it's the trade component."

He also reflects on the unpredictability of the draft, likening it to buying a Powerball ticket due to its inherent uncertainties.

• Paul Pierce [27:24]: "It's like buying a Powerball ticket. You're absolutely sure you're going to win every time."

Notable Quotes

• Paul Pierce [03:56]: "That's how his culture is toughness. Toughness because they got enough guys that can shoot threes. He wants to create toughness."

• Rich Davis [05:22]: "Russ said something in that locker room and it shows on the court, his leadership."

• Paul Pierce [07:20]: "When youth wins a lot of games in the regular season, a lot. You play hard, you win."

• Rich Davis [07:36]: "He's knocking them down at a high rate now. He's making his teammates better."

• Paul Pierce [27:24]: "It's like buying a Powerball ticket. You're absolutely sure you're going to win every time."

Conclusion

Hour 3 of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" featuring Paul Pierce offers an in-depth exploration of current sports dynamics, blending NBA expertise with NFL draft strategies. Pierce and Davis provide nuanced analyses of team performances, player developments, and strategic decisions, all enriched with personal insights and expert opinions. This episode stands out as a comprehensive guide for listeners eager to stay informed and engaged with the ever-evolving sports landscape.