The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1 (Nov 19, 2025)
Main Theme: A First for LeBron, The 6 NBA Truths
Overview
In this episode, Colin Cowherd dives into significant shifts in the NBA—most notably, LeBron James embracing a secondary role for the first time in his career. Cowherd reflects on LeBron’s adaptability, analyzes the Lakers’ “new look” offense under JJ Redick, and breaks down what he calls the “six NBA truths.” The episode also explores NFL dynasties, the realities of college football rankings, and quarterback controversies in the league. Cowherd is joined by Jay Mariotti for insights and banter throughout.
LeBron’s New Role: The First True Robin Moment
Segment Start: 03:31
- Main Point: For the first time in his storied career, LeBron James is not the undisputed Batman—he’s now clearly the second-best player on his team, with Luka (repeated several times, but in context this likely refers to Anthony Davis or possibly a “skinny Luka” archetype on the Lakers; context confusion, but Cowherd refers to Luka throughout as the best offensive player in the world).
- Game Context: Lakers routed Utah, the NBA’s worst defensive team, in a feel-good home win. Healthy roster, upbeat atmosphere.
- LeBron’s Stat Line: 7 shots, 13% usage rate—unprecedentedly low for him.
- “LeBron’s always been Batman. He’s never been a true Robin. He not settling for seven shots... for 13% ball usage, but that’s kind of where I’d like him at—maybe 18, 20, 21%.” (06:10)
- Luka’s Performance: 37 effortless points; “could have scored more. Felt like something you’d see at the Y. He scored whenever he felt like it.” (06:48)
- Coaching Praise: JJ Redick’s offense lauded: “spacing’s fantastic... very giving offense... pass well.”
- Adaptability: “LeBron’s always been an incredibly adaptable player. Michael Jordan was not. The late Kobe was not. Carmelo was not. LeBron’s always been adaptable.” (05:30)
- Calculated Return: LeBron picked this soft Utah stretch, with extra rest days, to ease back in: “He picked Utah twice... no physicality and a bunch of days off.” (07:22)
- JJ Redick, Postgame:
- “He played with the right spirit. Very unselfish all night, you know, was a willing passer, didn’t force it... just thought he made a lot of great decisions tonight.” (07:32)
Notable Quote
“LeBron now, for the first time in his career, is absolutely the second best player on the team. He was better than D. Wade, better than Bosh, better than Kevin Love... This is the first time, in his 40s, he’s Robin—at least for now.” (05:50)
College Football Playoff Debate & Head-to-Head Arguments
Segment Start: 08:42
- CFB Playoff Committee Reactions: Miami fans furious about being ranked behind Notre Dame despite head-to-head win.
- “Head to head matters. It’s a thing. But timing matters more.” (08:55)
- Explanation: Miami has two recent ugly losses to unranked teams; Notre Dame has only lost to top teams, and not since September.
- Analogy: “College football is a little like college classes. It’s about midterms, but mostly about the final. Not your first test.” (09:50)
- Exaggeration for Effect: “If Miami beats ND and loses five straight, ND wins the next five, obviously Notre Dame should be ranked higher.” (11:10)
- Big Picture: College football is now more like the NFL—transfer portal equals free agency, NIL dollars, playoff can let you lose late and still have a shot.
- Current Take: “This morning, Notre Dame is slightly better.” (12:00)
Notable Quote
“If anybody has an IQ above motor oil, head to head is something, but it’s not everything” (11:25)
Back to LeBron: Facilitator & Team Fit
Segment Start: 13:00
- Intelligence & Intent: LeBron chose to facilitate, focusing on passing and integrating with the offense.
- “He looked like Magic in the mid-80s... He was a real facilitator. He did not do ball usage. That was intentional.” (13:42)
- Austin Reeves: Lakers offense now also flows through Reeves when he’s hot.
- Team Chemistry: “LeBron was smart enough to realize I’m going to be the facilitator tonight.” (13:55)
- Jay Mariotti’s Take: “He would just give it to Luka and get out of the way... their offense was unreal... passing, cutting, off-ball movement.” (14:02)
- Schedule Lookahead: Extra rest, another soft Utah game, Lakers projected to surge in standings.
Notable Quote
“Did you notice last night what LeBron really concentrated on? His passing was unbelievable. He looked like Magic in the mid-80s.” (13:39)
The Death of NFL Dynasties: Chiefs, Patriots, and Roster Aging
Segment Start: 20:44
- Cowherd’s Take: “The dynasty is over for Kansas City. They’ll still win Super Bowls, but the dynasty part’s over.”
- Contrast with Patriots: Pats ended due to Belichick overreaching on personnel; KC’s problem is aging/roster prime, not coaching dynamic.
- Team Build: Dynasties die when “don’t have enough elite players in their prime.” KC now has “one and a half.” (Mahomes and McDuffie)
- Supporting Examples: Rams, Eagles, and upstart Lions still have young stars in their prime.
Notable Quote
“It’s got a little Joe Montana, Edelman, Gronk getting old feel to it… It’s not ego, it’s not resentment, it’s not lousy drafts—it’s they’re getting old.” (24:01)
Herdline News: QB Rushing Records, Eagles’ QB Questions, Vikings’ Struggles
Segment Start: 25:38
Josh Allen Sets Rushing Mark
- Jay Mariotti: Allen is set to pass Cam Newton for most rushing TDs by a QB.
- Jalen Hurts is already third! (27:00)
- QB Styles Matter: “It’s a running quarterback era. You need your quarterback to have wheels.” (27:07)
- Best rushing QB?
- For one play: “Lamar Jackson’s first three years, there was nothing like it.” (28:02)
- For 1 yard: “Jalen Hurts or Tom Brady.” (28:14)
Eagles/Jalen Hurts Trade Speculation
- Nick Sirianni refutes rumors about moving off Hurts: “He does a great job of leading this football team.” (28:59)
- Cowherd’s Money Talk: “There’s about five guys I don’t care what they make, whatever it takes to get them in the locker room…I’m for that number.” (30:54)
- Hypotheticals: If a star WR demands a trade over Hurts: “Trade the receiver, not the quarterback.” (31:10)
- Bottom Line: “Hertz is not a great pocket passer, but he’s everything I like—tough, strong, available, durable, smart, good with a microphone, team guy.” (31:41)
Vikings’ QB dilemma
- Kevin O’Connell expresses concern with JJ McCarthy’s development: “We gotta start seeing this cement dry on some of the things we’ve really worked hard on.” (32:35)
- Cowherd’s Advice: Let him play next seven games. “It just points to how difficult finding a franchise quarterback is.” (33:02)
- Organization Parallels: “The difference is Mahomes.” (33:55)
The Six NBA Truths (Cowherd’s Undebatables of 2025)
Segment Start: 43:15
- Best Player: Nikola Jokic. “Scoring, passing, rebounding machine… Only guy averaging 29, 13 and 11.”
- Best Pure Scorer: Skinny Luka. “You just can’t stop him… like Dirk Nowitzki but stronger and quicker”—“Larry Bird, but quicker.” (44:24)
- Best Team: OKC Thunder. “They’re 82-15 since last season… Deep, big, physical, elite scorer, great GM.” (45:08)
- Best Building Block: Victor Wembanyama (“Wemby”). “Already the best shot blocker ever… If you asked every GM, he’s the guy you build around.” (45:45)
- West Still Dominates: “The west is so much better than the east. Top three MVP favorites and seven of top ten—West.”
- Best Shooter Ever: Steph Curry. “There’s never been a shooter this good from this distance.” (47:16)
Notable Quote
“Everything else in the NBA is debatable right now, except these six things.” (43:18)
College Football’s Growing National Appeal & New Era
Segment Start: 49:36
- Expanded Playoff Praise: More big games, ratings up, broader interest.
- “There was this fear that the little guy was just going to get suffocated by all the money… It just so happens Ole Miss has a lot of money and Lane Kiffin is going to make the playoff.” (51:45)
- West Coast Influence: Big Ten expansion has made both leagues better—recruiting, QB play, line play.
- Cowherd’s Big Picture: “I find myself watching and enjoying more big games than my entire life. It’s good football.” (53:47)
Notable Quotes (with timestamps)
- “LeBron now, for the first time in his career, is absolutely the second best player on the team.” – Colin Cowherd (05:50)
- “He played with the right spirit. Very unselfish all night.” – JJ Redick (07:32)
- “If anybody has an IQ above motor oil, head to head is something, but it’s not everything.” – Colin Cowherd (11:25)
- “The dynasty is over for Kansas City. They’ll still win Super Bowls, but the dynasty part’s over.” – Colin Cowherd (20:44)
- “It’s a running quarterback era. You need your quarterback to have wheels.” – Jay Mariotti (27:07)
- “Everything else in the NBA is debatable right now, except these six things.” – Colin Cowherd (43:18)
- “I find myself watching and enjoying more big games than my entire life. It’s good football.” – Colin Cowherd (53:47)
Segment Timestamps for Key Topics
| Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-------------:| | LeBron accepts secondary role | 03:31–08:00 | | CFB Playoff, Notre Dame vs. Miami debate | 08:42–12:30 | | LeBron’s facilitation & Lakers’ offense | 13:00–14:40 | | NFL dynasty (Chiefs, Patriots) discussion | 20:44–25:38 | | News: QB rushing, Eagles, Vikings, etc. | 25:38–35:45 | | Six NBA Truths | 43:15–49:00 | | College football's new bounty of big games | 49:36–53:59 |
Tone & Style
Cowherd’s tone is lively, opinionated, and thoughtful, inviting both statistical argument and old-school eye-test judgment. The banter with Jay Mariotti is playful but informative, providing stats and context for hot takes and predictions.