Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: The Draymond Green Show w/Baron Davis - Reaction to Pacers-Knicks, Wolves-Thunder, Kerr on Kuminga's Warriors Future
Release Date: May 24, 2025
Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.

1. Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Draymond Green and Baron Davis delve into the recent developments in the NBA playoffs, focusing on the Pacers-Knicks and Wolves-Thunder series. They also discuss Coach Steve Kerr's comments regarding Jonathan Kuminga's future with the Golden State Warriors.

2. Reaction to the Pacers-Knicks Playoff Game

Timestamp: [02:30]

Baron Davis initiates the discussion by addressing the intense emotions surrounding the Knicks' recent loss to the Pacers. He expresses his disappointment and analyzes the team's performance.

Draymond Green:
"I think the turnovers, I think the ability not to handle Indiana's pressure down the stretch, you know, we didn't show a lot of poise. That was my takeaway. It was a gut punch, right? It was like we got the wind knocked out of us big time."
[04:10]

Baron Davis emphasizes the difficulty of recovering from a playoff series loss, especially when it stems from a single bad game.

Baron Davis:
"When you win a game in the playoff series, like, you literally win the game and you look up and your record has one more loss... it's hard to come back from that."
[04:15]

They share a personal anecdote about attending the game, highlighting the palpable tension among Knicks fans as the game progressed.

3. Strategies and Adjustments for the Knicks

Timestamp: [22:47]

Draymond Green and Baron Davis analyze the Knicks' strategic approach against Indiana, particularly focusing on Jalen Brunson's role and the defensive tactics employed by Coach Rick Carlisle.

Draymond Green:
"If Jalen Brunson is your primary ball handler, your primary scorer, and Carlisle starts to trap him, you got to figure out who else can bring the ball up and settle us down."
[22:47]

Baron Davis concurs, stressing the importance of developing a robust press break to counteract Indiana's aggressive defense.

Baron Davis:
"Shot, get him out the front of the defense."
[24:11]

Despite their optimism about the Knicks' abilities, both express skepticism about the team's chances of overcoming the current series deficit.

Baron Davis:
"I want to believe the Knicks gonna win this series, but I just don't see it happening, BD."
[24:14]

4. Discussion on Wolves-Thunder Series

Timestamp: [43:14]

The conversation shifts to the Wolves-Thunder playoff series, where Baron Davis analyzes Minnesota's performance and Oklahoma City's potential to advance.

Baron Davis:
"They gotta get some home cooking. They gotta get some home cooking. You need Dante to play better. You're going to need Nas Reed to be better."
[43:14]

Draymond Green reflects on the importance of role players stepping up and maintaining performance under pressure.

Draymond Green:
"Role players do what they play better at home."
[42:37]

They highlight the necessity for Minnesota to recalibrate and improve individual performances to withstand Oklahoma City's offense.

5. Steve Kerr's Comments on Jonathan Kuminga's Future

Timestamp: [35:17]

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Coach Steve Kerr's recent remarks about Jonathan Kuminga's role in the Warriors' future.

Baron Davis:
"Jonathan is gifted and wants to play a bigger role and wants to play more. And for me, I've been asked to win. And right now he's not a guy who I can say, I'm going to play 38 minutes with the roster that we have."
[35:17]

Draymond Green offers his perspective on the situation, suggesting that while he may not fully agree with Kerr, he respects the coach's decision-making process.

Draymond Green:
"You have to figure out what's going to work for you and that's going to happen anyway."
[36:19]

Baron Davis advises Kuminga to focus on his career and not get bogged down by internal team dynamics, emphasizing the importance of personal performance and adaptability.

Baron Davis:
"Just put it in words. So, moving on. I don't think it's that big of a deal. Free agency is happening. You gotta figure that out."
[36:00]

6. Draymond Green's All-Defensive Team Honors

Timestamp: [24:49]

The discussion shifts to Draymond Green's personal achievement of being named to the First Team All-Defensive for the fifth time in his career.

Draymond Green:
"It makes the engine turn. Right?"
[25:27]

Baron Davis praises Green's consistency and dedication, noting the honor of being recognized alongside younger players who are also making significant impacts defensively.

Baron Davis:
"It's such an honor to be up there with those guys because I remember being that young guy in the league and like, still seeing Tim Duncan making all defensive teams."
[26:00]

Green reflects on the physical toll that anchoring the defense takes, underscoring the importance of teamwork and strategic roles within the team structure.

Draymond Green:
"It's hard battling every night guys who outweigh me by 60 to 80 pounds..."
[27:15]

7. Player Performances and Clutch Moments

Timestamp: [18:00]

The hosts highlight standout performances from players like Tyrese Halliburton, drawing parallels to legendary moments in NBA history.

Baron Davis:
"Tyrese Halliburton made four game-time or go-ahead field goals in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter. That's third behind Reggie Miller with five and LeBron James with eight."
[18:36]

They discuss the potential future impact of such performances and the importance of maintaining composure during high-pressure situations.

Draymond Green:
"Every possession, I have to put myself in a position to stop a fire."
[19:21]

Baron Davis shares a personal memory from his choir days, illustrating the depth of his relationship with Draymond and providing a glimpse into his early life.

8. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Draymond Green and Baron Davis provide their final thoughts on the ongoing playoff series, emphasizing the unpredictability of basketball and the importance of resilience.

Baron Davis:
"We'll be back. We'll talk more about these conference finals as they go. We'll see if Minnesota is able to make it a series and if your Knicks tape can bounce back. Till next time. That's a wrap from the Draymond Green show with my brother, Baron Davis."
[43:50]

Key Takeaways:

• The Knicks faced a significant setback against the Pacers, leading to questions about their ability to rebound in the series.
• Strategies such as improving the press break and diversifying offensive plays are crucial for the Knicks moving forward.
• Steve Kerr's comments on Jonathan Kuminga have stirred discussions about team dynamics and player roles within the Warriors.
• Draymond Green's consistent defensive prowess continues to earn him accolades, highlighting his importance to the team's success.
• Player performances in clutch moments can significantly influence the outcome of playoff series, underscoring the need for mental toughness and strategic execution.

Notable Quotes:

• Baron Davis on Playoff Loss:
  "When you win a game in the playoff series, like, you literally win the game and you look up and your record has one more loss. It's hard to come back from that."
  [04:15]

• Draymond Green on Defensive Responsibilities:
  "If Jalen Brunson is your primary ball handler, your primary scorer, and Carlisle starts to trap him, you got to figure out who else can bring the ball up and settle us down."
  [22:47]

• Baron Davis on All-Defensive Honors:
  "It's such an honor to be up there with those guys because I remember being that young guy in the league and like, still seeing Tim Duncan making all defensive teams."
  [26:00]

• Draymond Green on Team Strategy:
  "Role players do what they play better at home."
  [42:37]

This episode offers deep insights into the challenges and strategies of NBA playoff basketball, providing listeners with expert analysis from seasoned athletes. Whether you're a Knicks supporter or following the broader playoff narratives, Draymond Green and Baron Davis deliver a comprehensive and engaging discussion.