The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Joe and Jada – Joakim Noah Talks Bulls, Derrick Rose MVP Prime, Knicks & LeBron’s Future

Date: November 27, 2025
Hosts: Fat Joe & Jadakiss
Guest: Joakim Noah
Podcast Feed: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)

Episode Overview

This electric, exuberant episode dives deep into basketball culture, New York legends, NBA what-ifs, and personal reflections with former NBA All-Star and Chicago Bulls icon Joakim Noah. Hosted by hip-hop legends Fat Joe and Jadakiss (on the Joe & Jada Show segment), the conversation is vibrant and honest—spanning locker room stories, streetball tournaments, memories from the Knicks, the "what could have been" with Derrick Rose, and passionate debates about today’s NBA, LeBron James' future, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New York Hip-Hop & Hoops: How NYC Shaped Joakim Noah

• Joakim shares how arriving in New York City in 1998 from France was transformative, especially the influence of hip-hop and streetball on his identity.
  • "To me, New York City hip hop around that time, this shaped my life… Basketball and hip hop were so connected. You don’t see that anywhere else." (Joakim Noah, 06:31)
• Remembers early Rucker Park experiences, Fat Joe’s legendary tournament appearances, and how streetball offered a different kind of basketball education.

2. Florida Gators Dynasty & The Power of Chemistry

• Noah details the joy and camaraderie of winning back-to-back NCAA championships with Florida, crediting coach Billy Donovan and team chemistry over individual stats.
  • "When you have good chemistry on that court, you can't take that shit for granted. You might never have that shit again." (Joakim Noah, 16:35)
• Discusses the rare choice the team made to stay in college despite NBA opportunities, describing those years as the best of his life (“no social media, we was up, man”).

3. Wild College Days: Sharing Campus with Aaron Hernandez

• Fat Joe and Jada press Noah for stories about sharing dorms with Aaron Hernandez, reflecting on the wild personalities at Florida at the time.
• Joakim reflects on the tragic arc of Hernandez, emphasizing the larger community of "good brothers" who also achieved championships (“the school was on fire”). (19:07-20:25)

4. Streetball Legends, Rucker Park, and the NBA-Streetball Divide

• Vivid stories of NBA stars (Ron Artest, Stephon Marbury, Baron Davis, etc.) playing in NYC street tournaments, and how some struggled with the unique intensity and crowd vibe.
  • “The entertainment is addiction... this shit changed my life. I’m from France.” (Joakim Noah, 27:27)
• Fat Joe contrasts NBA dominance with streetball challenges: “Some All-Stars... were shook... they might have scored two points.” (29:15)

5. Evolving NBA Big Men & The Phenomenon of Wembanyama

• Debate about the modern game's evolution—7-footers like Victor Wembanyama displaying guard skills.
  • “I never seen no shit like this.” (Joakim Noah on Wembanyama, 23:02)
• Fat Joe laments loss of traditional big man play, sharing his “Bobby Knight” approach to coaching bigs.

6. Role of Mentorship, Family, and Early Discipline

• Joakim credits his athletic lineage (pro tennis star father Yannick Noah, soccer-playing grandfather) for instilling him with discipline and work ethic.
  • “I wasn’t more talented than half the guys out there, but I had that education... the discipline of what it takes.” (Joakim Noah, 42:14)
• Compares the hunger and discipline needed to make it in pro sports and music; Fat Joe gives examples from his own grind in the hip-hop industry.

7. Inside the Bulls’ Rise & Derrick Rose’s Prime

• Joakim describes the Bulls’ roster in their prime—young Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Carlos Boozer, coached by Tom Thibodeau.
• On Derrick Rose: “When Derrick Rose in his prime... every time he was on the court, you felt like you had a chance you could win... When the injury happened, it was like somebody died, bro.” (Joakim Noah, 74:09)
• The hosts recognize Rose as one of the biggest "What Ifs" in NBA history.

8. Knicks Frustrations and the Challenge of Returning Home

• Noah’s rough tenure with the Knicks—injuries, a soured relationship with coach Jeff Hornacek, getting “kicked off” the roster.
  • “When I was on the Knicks, I wasn’t right... I got a coach who don't fuck with me.” (Joakim Noah, 59:01-59:18)
• On NYC’s pressure: the difficulty of playing for your hometown team, the temptations, the feeling of the city “being too close to home” for some athletes.

9. NBA Changes: From Street Legends to Modern Superstars

• The crew discusses why so many New York legends didn’t succeed in the NBA—accountability, discipline, not just skills.
• Joakim, Fat Joe, and Hey Butter all share life lessons (116:40–117:16), warning the next generation to be listeners, stay accountable, and avoid focusing on outside opinions.

10. Modern NBA Debates: MVPs, “White Boys” Discourse, LeBron’s Future

• Spirited debate on the MVP race: Fat Joe predicts Wembanyama dominates for years, Noah shouts out Luka Doncic, and they all marvel at the rise of international (esp. European) stars.
• Address youth claims about Jordan “playing against white boys,” with everyone fiercely challenging the narrative and appreciating European talent as “a different kind of white.” (97:26–97:46)
• LeBron Debate: Fat Joe provocatively claims LeBron could be traded as a new crop of Lakers scorers emerges, sparking pushback from Jada and Noah.
  • “The NBA has taught you there is zero to no loyalty... I’m telling you right now, they put the young boys on the floor.” (Fat Joe, 108:21)

11. Life After Basketball & New Ventures

• Noah opens up about adjusting to life post-NBA—no more crowds, the “gladiator” energy, shifting to building community, mentoring.
  • “You’re playing in front of 20,000 people... then when it’s done, your frequency as a competitor, you gotta change.” (Joakim Noah, 80:27)
• Announces his travel show, Nomad, produced by NBA Take Two Media, with episodes filmed in Chicago, Morocco, and Jamaica—exploring basketball culture across the globe. (83:40–84:31)
• He reflects on the privilege of being able to say no to gigs he’s not passionate about, thanks in part to the career and money he made.

12. Shout-outs and Tributes

• Multiple shout-outs to NYC streetball legends, late friends (Greg Marius, Ali Mo, etc.), and coaches (Tom Thibodeau, Tony Rosa).
• Guests Hey Butter and others talk about financial literacy for the next generation, advising youth to avoid mistakes (116:40–117:16).
• Emotional moments, including congratulating Omar Cook on becoming an NBA assistant coach, and reflecting on the journeys of players like “Skip to My Lou.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Team Chemistry:

  "When you have good chemistry on that court, you can't take that shit for granted. You might never have that shit again."
  – Joakim Noah (16:35)

• On Derrick Rose’s Prime:

  "When Derrick Rose in his prime... every time he was on the court, you felt like you had a chance you could win... when the injury happened, it was like somebody died, bro."
  – Joakim Noah (74:09)

• On Streetball vs. NBA:

  "I brought NBA players... All Stars... they might have scored two points and they was shook…that was Harlem."
  – Fat Joe (29:15)

• On NYC Hip-Hop’s Influence:

  “If I didn’t have New York City, didn’t have hip-hop… the street ball and the hip hop was so connected. You don’t see that anywhere else.”
  – Joakim Noah (06:31)

• On Accountability for Next-Gen Athletes:

  “What they shouldn’t do is focus on what others are saying. Stay true to yourself... be more a listener... accountability… that’s really a main thing for me to help the next generation.”
  – Hey Butter (116:40)

• On LeBron’s Future:

  "The NBA has taught you there is zero to no loyalty... I'm telling you right now, they put the young boys on to get on the floor."
  – Fat Joe (108:21)

• On Life After the NBA:

  “You’re playing in front of 20,000 people… then when it’s done, your frequency as a competitor... you gotta change. I can’t be like, ‘yo, fuck that’—it’s about bringing people together now.”
  – Joakim Noah (80:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 06:31 | Noah on how NYC & hip-hop shaped his identity | | 15:35 | Florida Gators championships, team chemistry | | 19:07 | Shared dorms with Aaron Hernandez; campus culture | | 22:25 | Streetball stories from Rucker Park | | 23:02 | Wembanyama & evolution of the big man | | 29:15 | NBA All–Stars vs. streetball; unique NYC intensity | | 42:14 | Athletic family roots and discipline | | 47:47 | Bulls roster breakdown: Butler, Rose, Deng, Boozer | | 74:09 | Derrick Rose MVP prime and the heartbreak of injury | | 83:40 | Joakim’s travel show 'Nomad’ announced | | 97:26 | “White boy” NBA MVP debate/Luka–Joker–Wembanyama | |104:48 | Hot take: LeBron trade rumors—heated Lakers debate | |116:40 | Hey Butter’s advice on accountability for youth | |119:08 | Emotional congrats to Omar Cook (Rucker to NBA coach) |

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is fast, frenetic, raw, and playful—reflective of a shared history in both NYC basketball and hip-hop. Fat Joe and Jadakiss set a lively, barbershop-like energy, but are unafraid to probe tough realities, express nostalgia, and push their guest—and each other—on sports debates. Joakim Noah is open, humble, self-aware, and generous with personal lessons. The banter is thick with slang, jokes, and authentic storytelling.

Recap & Takeaways

• Legacy & Brotherhood: Real greatness is as much about off-court relationships, chemistry, and humility as it is about stat lines or highlights.
• Street to League: Few can bridge the gap—NYC streetball is an unforgettable proving ground, but making the NBA requires accountability, discipline, and adaptability.
• Changing of the Guard: Embrace the new NBA—international talent, “positionless” 7-footers, social media pressures, and shifting team loyalties.
• Giving Back: Noah’s focus on mentoring, community, and telling global basketball stories (via Nomad) is a reminder of the game’s broader impact.
• The Stakes of Hype: The show is a tribute to the highs and heartbreaks that define careers in sports and music, and the importance of remaining grounded as the game—and life—moves on.

Listen to this episode for an insider’s blend of sports, culture, and real-life wisdom—plus, the interviews and streetball tales you won’t get from ESPN.