Podcast Summary: The Best Of Covino & Rich on The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Release Date: December 21, 2024
Podcast Title: The Best Of Covino & Rich
Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: This episode delves deep into the current landscape of the NBA’s LA Clippers, NFL playoff dynamics, unique holiday gift-giving traditions among quarterbacks, and previews an upcoming heavyweight fight. Covino, Rich, and their co-host Monsieur engage in lively discussions peppered with humor, insightful analysis, and engaging interactions.

1. LA Clippers: Struggling for Identity and Rebranding Efforts

The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of the LA Clippers' ongoing efforts to establish a distinct identity amidst the overshadowing presence of the Lakers.

• Rebranding Challenges:
  Covino ([04:48]) highlights the Clippers' attempts to find a unique brand identity:

  “How do you make the Clippers cool?... They have boats and boos, new colors, and a new arena.”

• Comparison to Golden State Warriors:
  The hosts draw parallels between the Clippers' situation and the Warriors' successful rebranding, emphasizing the importance of consistent winning:

  Covino ([07:00]): “The Golden State Warriors took that franchise and made it the most popular... Every kid's got a number 30 Steph Curry jersey.”

• Ownership and Investment:
  Iowa Sam ([05:06]) discusses the role of ownership in team success:

  “The only way you become cool is if you get to an NBA championship. Winning cures all.”

• Fan Loyalty and Perception:
  The conversation touches on the difficulty of attracting new fans without consistent success:

  Monsieur ([06:47]): “You just gotta build that dynasty.”

2. NFL Playoffs: Quarterback Gifts and Team Dynamics

Shifting to the NFL, Covino and Rich explore the unique tradition of quarterbacks gifting their offensive lines during the holiday season.

• Brock Purdy’s Extravagant Gifts:
  Covino ([20:18]) expresses mixed feelings about Brock Purdy's generous gift-giving:

  “He looks like a guy that's about to make a lot of money... I think he's a 45 to $50 million quarterback.”

• Comparisons to Other Quarterbacks:
  They compare Purdy’s gifts to those of other NFL quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Daniel Jones, highlighting varying styles and generosity:

  Covino ([24:32]): “Joe Burrow gave his offensive line authentic Japanese katana swords... Brock Purdy’s new trucks are pretty hard to beat.”

• Generosity and Team Morale:
  The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing and appreciating the efforts of team members:

  Monsieur ([26:52]): “Remember to take care of those who make your life easier.”

3. Upcoming Heavyweight Fight: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk 2

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the anticipated rematch between heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

• Fight Overview and Significance:
  Covino ([46:37]) provides background on Tyson Fury’s journey and his previous fights:

  “Tyson Fury had an amazing trilogy with Deontay Wilder... Now he fights Usyk, who is undefeated.”

• Weight and Strategy Analysis:
  The hosts analyze Fury's increased weight and how it might impact his strategy:

  Monsieur ([48:06]): “He's a skillful boxer. I think he uses this weight... to tire out his opponent.”

• Predictions and Insights:
  They debate whether Fury's additional weight will be advantageous, concluding with a prediction favoring Fury:

  Monsieur ([53:10]): “Fury win, wins this rematch and gets the belts back. That's my prediction.”

4. Holiday Gift Giving: Traditions and Best Practices

Covino and Rich share personal anecdotes and advice on holiday generosity, focusing on meaningful gifts and the spirit of the season.

• Giving to Service Workers:
  Emphasis is placed on acknowledging the efforts of everyday service workers:

  Covino ([27:18]): “People you work with... throw a little extra cash to your gardener, mailperson, barber, hairstylist.”

• Thoughtful vs. Extravagant Gifts:
  The discussion contrasts practical gifts with more symbolic gestures, advocating for appreciation without overstepping:

  Covino ([26:23]): “It's their way of saying, like, yo, you take care of me, I'm going to take care of you.”

• Economic Considerations:
  They highlight the importance of balancing generosity with financial awareness:

  Monsieur ([28:12]): “Think of your snot-nosed kids... get something your teachers don't want, like home-baked goods are weak sauce.”

5. Entertainment Recommendations: Holiday Movies and Shows

The hosts offer suggestions for holiday viewing, blending classic films with new releases.

• Classic and Contemporary Films:
  They discuss beloved movies and new additions to holiday line-ups:

  Covino ([33:34]): “It's a Christmas comedy... a little bit though.”

• Streaming and Series Picks:
  Recommendations include prequels and thrillers, catering to diverse tastes:

  Monsieur ([64:13]): “Original Sins on Showtime is a great thinking type of show.”

6. Listener Engagement: Games and Contests

Interactive segments involve listeners participating in games such as "Chipotle Worker or NFL Player," fostering a sense of community.

• Chipotle Worker vs. NFL Player Game:
  The hosts quiz each other and participants on distinguishing between NFL players and Chipotle employees based on names:

  Rich ([55:33]): “Jackson Mullen, defensive back, Tennessee Titans... I'm going Chipotle on this one.”

• Contest Outcomes and Awards:
  Friendly competition leads to playful banter and holiday wishes for participants:

  Rich ([61:18]): “Iowa Sam edged you out by one out of eight.”

7. College Football Playoffs Preview

A segment dedicated to upcoming college football playoff games, offering predictions and key matchups.

• Key Matchups and Predictions:
  Analysis of significant games with suggestions on which to prioritize viewing:

  Covino ([67:15]): “Notre Dame is your pick... Clemson at Texas, Tennessee at Ohio State.”

8. Advertisements and Sponsorships (Skipped)

Consistent with the episode's flow, advertisements for State Farm, DSW, Tire Rack, Prime Video, and other sponsors are present but not covered in this summary to maintain focus on content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Covino on Celebrating Small Wins:
  Covino ([00:02]): “Sometimes life can seem hard and tough to navigate, but what may seem like the smallest tasks... should be celebrated as a win.”

• Rich on State Farm Personal Price Plan:
  Rich ([00:20]): “The State Farm Personal Price Plan helps you create an affordable price just for you.”

• Covino on Clippers' New Identity:
  Covino ([05:04]): “They have boats and they have new colors... The owner is really enthusiastic.”

• Rich on Importance of Winning:
  Rich ([05:25]): “Winning cures all.”

• Monsieur on Golden State Warriors' Success:
  Monsieur ([07:00]): “It's a rebranding of sorts... made it the most popular.”

• Covino on Brock Purdy’s Gift-Giving:
  Covino ([20:25]): “Brock Purdy deserves 50 million... making it sound like I'm putting them in the poverty line.”

• Rich on Fury vs. Usyk Fight Prediction:
  Rich ([53:38]): “I think Fury's gonna win this fight.”

Conclusion

In "The Best Of Covino & Rich," listeners are treated to a blend of sports analysis, humorous interactions, and heartfelt discussions about holiday traditions. Covino and Rich navigate through the complexities of rebranding sports teams, the generosity within the NFL, and the anticipation surrounding major sporting events, all while maintaining an engaging and relatable dialogue. This episode serves as both an informative and entertaining conduit for sports enthusiasts looking to stay informed and entertained during the holiday season.