Podcast Summary: The Best Of Covino & Rich – May 14, 2025
The Herd with Colin Cowherd, produced by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, offers a vibrant and opinionated exploration of the day's top sports stories. In the episode titled "The Best Of Covino & Rich," released on May 14, 2025, hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis delve into several hot topics, blending serious analysis with playful banter, and engaging listeners through interactive segments. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the key discussions, notable quotes, insights, and conclusions from the episode.
1. NBA Draft Lottery and Conspiracy Theories
The episode opens with a deep dive into the surprising outcome of the NBA Draft Lottery, where the Dallas Mavericks secured the number one pick, followed by the San Antonio Spurs obtaining the second pick. The hosts discuss the improbability of this result, emphasizing its rarity and sparking discussions about potential rigging.
- Covino highlights the unexpected nature of the outcome, stating, “The odds were way against this happening. It makes you scratch your head and say what? Well, how is this possible?” (03:04).
- Danny G introduces skepticism, questioning, “Was it that important for the dude to extend themselves on a sacrifice fly when they were up 105 in the 9th?” (02:13) and later probes, “Do you think it was rigged? Anything's possible, right?” (09:50).
The conversation evolves into examining conspiracy theories surrounding the draft, with Covino and Rich Davis exploring the possibility of manipulated outcomes:
- Covino posits, “I choose to believe that the Mavericks just got really lucky, man. You know, it's improbable, not impossible” (09:22).
- Rich Davis adds, “You always point out about judges, ex judges and lawyers and people involved” (06:40), questioning the integrity of the process.
The hosts entertain various theories, including the "sticky balls" scandal, comparing it to past conspiracy theories like the 1985 Knicks Patrick Ewing draft:
- Covino remarks, “The hot balls scandal with the Mavericks... It’s a stretch, though” (07:36).
- Sam offers a counterpoint, suggesting, “I do feel that there is an undercurrent of possible tomfoolery, or rigging, if you will” (12:48).
Despite entertaining these theories, Covino ultimately leans towards attributing the outcome to sheer luck, emphasizing the low probability nature of the event.
2. Jason Tatum's Injury and Boston Celtics
A significant portion of the episode addresses Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum's injury during a critical game, sparking concern among fans and hosts alike.
- Covino expresses empathy, “I feel bad for any fan who watches their superstar go down an injury like that” (01:28).
- Danny G and Rich Davis discuss the implications of the injury on both Tatum's future and the Celtics' performance, contemplating the severity and impact on the team's dynamics.
The hosts question the decisions made during the game, such as extending for an 11th run in the 9th inning, and reflect on the aftermath of the injury, including roster changes and the psychological effect on the team and fans.
3. MLB Reinstatement of Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson
A pivotal segment of the podcast revolves around Major League Baseball's (MLB) decision to remove Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson from the permanently ineligible list, making them eligible for the Hall of Fame.
- Rich Davis informs listeners, “Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred... permanently ineligible ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual” (28:01).
- Covino critiques the announcement’s timing and sincerity, stating, “It’s like you never saw real evidence, and people just want the evidence” (20:53).
Listeners express mixed reactions through phone calls, debating the ethics and implications of reinstating these controversial figures:
- Caller from Florida argues, “I'd rather see him be left out... It just is window dressing” (26:03-26:46).
- Another Caller supports the move, saying, “I like Pete Rose. I think he should be in” (52:08).
The discussion touches on the historical context of the Black Sox scandal, the procedural aspects of the Hall of Fame eligibility, and the broader impact on baseball's integrity.
- Sam elaborates, “If Pete Rose is put on this ballot... they would need 12 out of 16 votes from that Classic Baseball Era committee” (53:02).
- Covino questions the authenticity, “Why now? And then... Manfred's figured out a way to craft this” (35:05).
4. Listener Calls and Sports Conspiracies
The hosts engage with listeners who voice their skepticism about the integrity of various sports leagues. These interactions further the theme of questioning official narratives and exploring alternative explanations for unexpected outcomes.
- Covino emphasizes, “We were talking about guys in a secret room being like... it's so much fun to talk about” (31:22).
- Danny G reflects, “I like to think that... I don't really believe all of it, but damn, it's fun” (31:22).
The segment showcases a mix of humor and serious contemplation as listeners share their beliefs about rigged sports events, often drawing parallels to historical conspiracies.
5. Shaq Diesel Trivia and Light-hearted Banter
Injecting humor and entertainment, the hosts introduce an interactive trivia segment featuring Shaquille O'Neal, affectionately dubbed "Shaq Diesel." This segment serves as a levity break amidst the intense discussions on conspiracies and scandals.
- Shaq engages with contestants, posing basketball-related questions and adding his signature humor: “What Was I once quoted saying about leadership? ... C, flopping is for suckers who should be flipping flapjacks” (58:46).
- Covino and Danny G participate in playful banter, celebrating correct answers and teasing incorrect ones, enhancing the show's dynamic and engaging atmosphere.
This segment not only entertains but also reinforces the hosts' camaraderie and the show's personable nature.
6. Conclusion and Upcoming Events
As the episode draws to a close, Covino and Rich Davis discuss upcoming sports events, including NBA games and a celebratory party in Las Vegas.
- Danny G announces, “We're going to be filling in for Dan Patrick on Friday morning... and bring you ready for the weekend” (61:05).
- The hosts promote a June 20th to 22nd party in Las Vegas, inviting listeners to join in the festivities, thereby fostering a sense of community and anticipation for future engagements.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Covino: “Don't miss the biggest Maytag sale of the year at Lowe's...” (00:06) — Advertisement Skipped
- Danny G: “I feel bad for Tatum. As a human...” (01:21)
- Covino: “He tries to avoid the catcher... a really well liked and fun guy...” (03:04)
- Sam: “I do feel that there is an undercurrent of possible tomfoolery...” (12:48)
- Rich Davis: “The NBA was behind this. This was part of the deal.” (05:55)
- Shaq: “I've been ready, but you had me sitting around waiting...” (56:02)
- Covino: “Many people don't want to see the stars go down...” (01:28)
Insights and Conclusions
Throughout the episode, Covino and Rich Davis navigate complex and controversial topics with a blend of skepticism, humor, and analytical thinking. The primary takeaway centers around the delicate balance between entertainment and authenticity in sports, questioning the integrity of processes like the NBA Draft Lottery and MLB’s eligibility decisions.
- Integrity in Sports: The hosts express concern over perceived manipulations in sports events, advocating for transparency while acknowledging the high-stakes business environment of major leagues.
- Impact of Conspiracies: While entertaining conspiracy theories, Covino and Rich Davis underscore the importance of evidence and critical thinking, despite the allure of alternative explanations.
- Community Engagement: Interactive segments and listener calls highlight the show’s commitment to engaging its audience, fostering a space for diverse opinions and lively discussions.
- Balancing Seriousness with Levity: The trivia segment with Shaq Diesel exemplifies the show's ability to maintain an engaging and entertaining atmosphere, ensuring that the content remains accessible and enjoyable for a broad audience.
Overall, "The Best Of Covino & Rich" masterfully combines in-depth sports analysis with dynamic interactions, providing listeners with a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of current sports narratives.