THE HERD - Hour 1 - Giving Sam Darnold the proper credit, defending Drake Maye

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 1 – Giving Sam Darnold the Proper Credit, Defending Drake Maye
Date: February 10, 2026

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Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd provides strong opinions and analysis on recent Super Bowl performances—specifically defending Sam Darnold's understated, efficient play and contextualizing Drake Maye’s difficulties. The show also touches on the ongoing debate around analytics versus traditional football decision-making, the value of defense in football and basketball, and NBA and NFL roster-building strategies. Cowherd and co-host Jason McIntyre pepper their conversation with insights, stats, and broad sports culture commentary, reinforcing their belief in nuanced evaluation over “Internet arguments.”

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl Performance: The Value of Not Making Mistakes

• Colin opens the show challenging criticism of Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl effort:

  • Many online voices claim Darnold “didn’t do anything,” but Cowherd asserts that mistake-free, steady quarterbacking is exactly what wins championships when coupled with a great roster.
  • Statistics: In the playoffs, Darnold had 700 yards, 5 TDs, no interceptions, and avoided sacks—“exceptional quarterback play” ([03:39]).
  • Comparison with Tom Brady: "Do you know the two Super Bowls where Brady threw for the most yards? He lost one and fell behind 28-3 in the other..." ([04:32])

• Quote:

  "You're right. He didn’t do anything. No fumbles, not multiple sacks, never rattled, no interceptions. Drake Maye did all of them."
  — Colin Cowherd ([05:05])

• Cowherd points out:

  • Men are proud and don’t like admitting they were wrong about Darnold being a “bust.”
  • Efficient game management can be more vital than flashy stats, especially with an elite team and defense.

2. Football Is Closer to UFC Than Math Class: Questioning Analytics

• Cowherd critiques blind devotion to analytics:

  • Football involves momentum, intimidation, and psychological factors not captured in data.
  • Great teams (Seattle, Denver, Houston) were conservative on fourth downs—contrary to analytics, but correct by context.
  • Memorable moment:

    "Football is much closer to UFC than it is a math class. It has a regulated level of violence and sometimes tough wins, tougher wins, intimidation wins. Analytics don’t prove any of it."
    — Colin Cowherd ([06:40])

• Example from the Super Bowl:

  • Seattle’s decision to punt on 4th-and-5 in the second quarter was the right call, despite analytics saying it was a “go either way” situation.
  • Cowherd notes: “That’s 100% punt because New England couldn’t move the ball. Why would you give them a field position break?” ([07:35])

3. Defending Drake Maye After Super Bowl Loss

• Cowherd and McIntyre defend Maye:

  • Seattle and Houston’s defenses are the two best in the NFL—rookie struggles against them are expected.

  • Cites Sam Darnold’s own past playoff failures before his growth.

  • Personnel upgrades, especially on the offensive line (e.g., moving Will Campbell), will help Maye in the future.

  • Quote:

    "So just defending Drake Maye... One year ago Sam Darnold faced the Rams in the playoffs. Horrible protection. Darnold was sacked 9 times, two turnovers, and a passer rating in the 70s. A year later Sam Darnold is great."
    — Colin Cowherd ([33:41])

  • Support for Maye returning to the Super Bowl:

    “If I gave over-under half another Super Bowl appearance, will Drake Maye get back? I think he'll get back… the AFC was weird. Kansas City had a rare down year…”
    — Jason McIntyre ([25:25])

4. Defense Wins in Football and Basketball

• Cowherd breaks down both Seahawks (NFL) and Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA):
  • Great defense leads to winning; analytics or focus on offense can camouflage deficiencies.
  • Lakers and Mavericks are criticized for their lack of defense and athleticism—contrast with OKC, San Antonio, and Detroit.
  • Lakers’ regular season “success” is fool's gold due to the league’s general lack of regular season defensive effort.
  • Quote:

    "So the three best teams in this league are the three best defensive teams in this league. Okc, San Antonio and Detroit. So defense matters."
    — Colin Cowherd ([21:51])

5. Seattle’s Defensive Superiority: Exploiting “Tells”

• Jason McIntyre:
  • Seahawks DB Devin Witherspoon described exploiting an offensive “tell” in the Super Bowl ([23:33]).
  • The Seahawks anticipated New England’s plays due to predictable protection schemes, which led to six sacks and three turnovers.
  • Patriots’ left tackle Will Campbell drew harsh criticism online—questions about his ability and future position.

6. NBA Front-Office Moves & Young Talent

• Discussion of Mavericks ownership instability and Cooper Flagg’s potential:

  • Dismay over Dallas struggles since Mark Cuban’s sale, with calls for his return to give top prospect Flagg the developmental environment he needs.
  • Quote:

    “He is the future of this league. He needs good ownership… I have never seen a 19 year old as complete as Cooper Flagg.”
    — Jason McIntyre ([29:31])

• Trading in NBA vs. NFL:

  • NBA’s rigid trading rules hinder fast reversals in team fortunes; in the NFL, you can rebuild overnight.

7. NBA Draft Philosophy: Take The Talent, Even If There’s Drama

• On BYU, Duke, and Kansas prospects (esp. Darren Peterson):

  • Cowherd advocates drafting the most talented player (Peterson), despite injury concerns or missed games.
  • Quote:

    “If you can get a Kobe Bryant level athlete, you draft him… If you live in Arizona, you have to have a pool. And if you're in the NBA, you gotta have this kid…”
    — Colin Cowherd ([38:55])

• Player Attitude/Love for Basketball Debate:

  • Anthony Edwards and Trevor Lawrence cited as examples of players dinged for supposed lack of “passion,” but whose talent prevailed.

• Quote on the risk of passing on a generational prospect:

  “Trading Luka to the Lakers ruined Nico Harrison’s career. This kid, his highlight package... You have to draft him. Either one or two. I would take him one.”
  — Colin Cowherd ([47:32])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• On Darnold’s Super Bowl play:

  "You're right, I'm wrong. He didn't do anything. For the record, the last eight Super Bowl winning quarterbacks, only one threw for over 300 yards."
  — Colin Cowherd ([03:08])

• On analytics vs. football instincts:

  “Football's much closer to UFC than it is a math class. Sometimes intimidation, tough, getting into the psyche or the head of your opponents… that doesn't show up in analytics.”
  — Colin Cowherd ([10:47])

• On defending rookie QBs facing elite defenses:

  "Outside of Matt Stafford, the Seahawks defense made a lot of good quarterbacks look totally inept."
  — Colin Cowherd ([34:28])

• On NBA defense and regular-season illusions:

  "So the Lakers are fool's gold in the regular season. Nobody plays defense. They're terrible at it, but you don't really notice because nobody ratchets it up."
  — Colin Cowherd ([18:00])

• On the urgency in NBA drafting:

  "You have to draft him. Either one or two. I would take him one… Sometimes you do things to save your own bacon. You pass on this kid and he goes to a really good roster and is doing 24 and 6 and playoff basketball. You're losing your job as a GM."
  — Colin Cowherd ([47:32])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:08] – Defending Sam Darnold’s “didn’t do anything” criticism
• [06:40] – Football instincts vs. analytics; why conservative calls work
• [23:33] – Seahawks' Devin Witherspoon on defensive “tell” in Super Bowl
• [25:25] – Will Drake Maye get back to another Super Bowl?
• [29:31] – Analysis of Cooper Flagg and NBA ownership’s impact on prospects
• [33:41] – Defending Drake Maye, QB improvement from year-to-year
• [38:55] – NBA draft philosophy: take the talent, even with red flags
• [47:32] – The career consequence of passing on a blue-chip NBA prospect

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Conclusion

Colin Cowherd’s hour is a primer in valuing context, leadership, and defense over surface-level stat hunting or social media hot takes. He reminds listeners that mistake-free football, psychological advantage, and team construction—whether in the NFL or NBA—win over analytics alone, and that raw talent (and the courage to take it) is always riper for reward than risk-averse conventionalism.

This episode will resonate with fans who value depth over debate and are curious about the nuances behind high-stakes coaching, drafting, and roster building in America’s two most popular sports.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Jason McIntyre]

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[Colin Cowherd]

I'm Bowen Yang. And I'm Matt Rogers.

[Jason McIntyre]

During this season of the Two Guys.

[Colin Cowherd]

Five Rings podcast in the lead up to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, we've been joined by some of our friends.

[Jason McIntyre]

Hi Vaughn. Hi Matt. Hey Elmo. Hey Matt. Hey Bowen.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hi Cookie.

[Jason McIntyre]

Hi. Now the Winter Olympic Games are underway and we are in Italy to give you experiences from our hearts to your ears. Listen to Two Guys Five Rings on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin Cowherd]

Over the last couple years, didn't we learn that the folding chair was invented by black people because of what happened in Alabama?

[Jason McIntyre]

This Black History Month, the podcast Selective.

[Colin Cowherd]

Ignorance with Mandy B. Unpack black history.

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And culture with comedy, clarity and conversations.

[Colin Cowherd]

That shake the status quo. The Crown act in New York was.

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Signed in July of 2019 and that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Is a bill that was passed to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles associated with race. To hear this and more, listen to Selective Ignorance with Mandy B. From the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jason McIntyre]

Thanks for listening to the Heard Podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio at noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now, let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we go. It is a Tuesday. I'm still floating. Feet barely touching the ground. Look at Sam Darnold, Kenneth Walker in Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, the happiest people on earth. It is great to have you in. You know, a lot of people think, oh, there's football season in America then waiting for football season. I don't buy it. Fascinating story happening in the NBA and college basketball. But I want to, I want to start about something because yesterday I'm kind of, you know, perusing the Internet all day. I took a chill day. It's a big weekend and I'm seeing a lot of this. Sam Darnold didn't do anything in that Super Bowl. And you are right, he did not throw a pick. He did not look nervous, he did not get rattled, he did not have a fumble and he did not take multiple sacks. You're right, I'm wrong. He didn't do anything. For the record, the last eight Super bowl winning quarterbacks, only one through for over 300 yards. Mahomes. I thought Kyle Shanahan nailed it on the pregame show. When you're as good as Seattle is, you play by different rules. Yeah, Sam's a stud and you know, us having him for a year, I think we get a little too much credit for what we did. We didn't do anything for him. We just gave him a platform to where we could take the pressure off him for a year. And I think him watching that. Sam's always let it rip. But when you let it rip all the time and you're always trying to win the game, a lot of times you keep both teams in the game. And I think that's where what's changed with him, he picks and chooses better. He's got a really good team. And when you have a really good team, you don't always have to try to win it. That's right. Sam Darnold in the playoffs did not have a turnover for a month. 700 yards, five TDs, no picks and scrambled. That is exceptional quarterback play. Do you know the two Super Bowls where Brady threw for the most yards? He lost one and fell behind 28 to three in the other and needed the greatest, most miraculous catch of his career, Julian Edelman in Atlanta, to win that one. Oh, let me remind you that Drake May set an NFL super bowl quarterback record this this past Sunday. Drake May threw for more yards than any quarterback in a single quarter in NFL history. Did you know that? 235 in the fourth. Do you think he played well? Sam Darnold didn't get in the way. And let's, let's be totally honest why you have this opinion? Men are very proud animals. We are very proud. You thought Sam Darnold was a bust. You were proved wrong and you don't want to admit it publicly. That's why everybody always talks about you. Ever gone to the Internet? Rigged. Rigged. Now you lost a bet. Your team lost. If the NFL is rigged, they're doing a terrible job. Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Matt Stafford were not in the Super Bowl. Sam Darnold and Drake Mayworth. The NFL is doing a horrible job of of rigging it. So football is the ultimate complementary sport. And when you have a stacked roster, not having a turnover for a month is exceptional quarterback play. Audibleing into stuff that works and out of trouble. So you can tell me Darnold didn't do anything and I will push back by. You're right. No fumbles, not multiple sacks, never rattled, no interceptions, didn't do any of those things. Drake made it all of them. So you know I like Darnold and you also know I like analytics. But I. But I think this is something that I'm not sure people realize this for. For years on this show I've talked about analytics, not analytics. Football is much closer to UFC than it is a math class. It has a regulated level of violence and sometimes tough wins, tougher wins, intimidation wins. Analytics don't prove any of it. So Seattle does not go for it on fourth downs. In fact, the three teams that went forward in the NFL the fewest times on fourth down, the Seahawks won the Super Bowl. If Bonix doesn't get hurt, Denver's probably in the super bowl and the Texans. And there was a moment in this game late second quarter, fourth and five for Seattle and they chose to punt. And analytics said it's a go either way decision. Seahawks led six nothing. They brought on the league's most highly paid punter and he pinned New England. Deep analytics said it's a go either way. And as I watched it, my takeaway is. No, it's not. It's 100% punt because new England couldn't move the ball. Why would you give them a field position break? Their longest drive was 28 yards. You don't give struggling offenses the break and the life preserver they need. That's 100% punt. Secondly, it's not like the Seahawks were dominating on big offensive downs. The Patriots defense got tired. But for the first quarter and a half, they were excellent. I mean, JSN was invisible. Nobody could stop him. All year. Patriots did. And the third thing, Seattle went a month with no turnovers and a defense creating points. You punt the ball. Winning the game, not winning arguments on the Internet is the key to football. Too many people want to go on the Internet and sound smart. Do you realize the last three super bowl champions each kicked four field goals in their respective Super Bowls? Take the points if you are exceptional anywhere. If you have a significantly better defense. The Chiefs from 2022 to 2024 had an exceptional defense. Steve Spagnola, exceptional defense. They won two Super Bowls. They appeared in three Super Bowls. Do you know where they were on going forward? On fourth down, second fewest in the league. You know who went for it a lot? The jets and the Titans. The Dodgers aren't winning the World Series because of analytics. They've got more money and a smarter GM and they buy better players. Everybody talks about analytics in the NBA. Oklahoma City is the dominant team in the sport. They're middle of the pack. Oklahoma City is built on defense and one exceptional score and a great GM and coach. They're not winning with three pointers. Seattle is so extraordinarily uniquely coached. And deep special teams defense. They don't play by the same rules everybody does. You don't go for it on 4th and 5. That's not a go either way call. That's a pin Drake made deep. They can't put first downs together. Pin him deep. Take the points. 9. Nothing felt like 24. Nothing. 6. Nothing felt like 14. Nothing. Like football is much closer to UFC than math class. Sometimes. Intimidation. Tough getting into the psyche or the head of your opponents. Drake May is an accurate thrower. You watched him in that game. He was intimidated. He didn't want to get hit. Drake May was rattled. He was nervous. He was intimidated. That doesn't show up in analytics. Pin him deep. Here's Sam Darnold on not carrying the load and field goals in the Super Bowl. Because of the guys in the locker room. Because of our coaching staff working their butts off every single day like, you know, that's why we're all here, you know, offense again. Didn't I feel like we didn't play as good as we could have? I certainly didn't play as good as I could have. But our defense had our back, our special teams had our back and we got the win. So I'm not anti analytics and not everybody can play by Seattle or Denver's rules. But all year long Denver was a remarkable fourth quarter team and I think Sean Payton's feeling was our defense is so exceptional we're going to take the points, we're going to end drives, we're going to punt. We're not going to take big risks. I will open up the playbook in the fourth quarter, I will take more risks, some to our demise in the fourth quarter. But there are teams in this league this year like Denver and Houston and Seattle going for it makes no sense. Kansas City for a three year period with spags defense, they never went. Oh, Andy Reid, Mahomes, they rarely went for it. Go for it. Why? I know everybody loves math. Okay. A lot of times in this sport momentum is huge and Seattle's defense was in Drake May and Josh McDaniel's head. Don't let him off the hook. J. Mac last night, a refreshing LeBron James coming out and admitting we're not very good. Did you hear that?

[Colin Cowherd]

I did hear that. Yeah. They played great against okc.

[Jason McIntyre]

Fell down the stretch, struggled sga, didn't.

[Colin Cowherd]

Neither did Luca.

[Jason McIntyre]

I know.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, Austin Reeves coming off the bench, still on a minute.

[Jason McIntyre]

Wouldn't it be nice to watch an NBA game and the stars play?

[Colin Cowherd]

I mean, listen, man, it's a long season, 82 games. What do you want?

[Jason McIntyre]

Funny, because I watched the super bowl and all the starters were playing and they tackle each other.

[Colin Cowherd]

I mean it's a four month season. You play 17 games versus 82.

[Jason McIntyre]

Come on, I'd love to see.

[Colin Cowherd]

What are you bagging on the NBA for? Come on.

[Jason McIntyre]

Love to see the stars occasionally show up.

[Colin Cowherd]

Who are you? Charles Barkley here.

[Jason McIntyre]

What's going on? Come on.

[Colin Cowherd]

It was a great game last night. All right.

[Jason McIntyre]

Be sure to catch live editions of.

[Colin Cowherd]

The Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am.

[Jason McIntyre]

Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and.

[Colin Cowherd]

The iHeartRadio app.

[Jason McIntyre]

Stigots Here. I have a podcast empire. It continues to grow and I have brought it here to iHeartrading. I'm also doing a live radio show from 3 to 5pm Eastern because my wife wanted to kick me out of the house. It's called Stigots and company Live, which is available in podcast form right when the show finishes every single day. Some of the biggest names in sports, a lot of phone calls.

[Colin Cowherd]

I love you guys show. It's one of my favorites.

[Jason McIntyre]

A lot of interaction. Guys not taking themselves too seriously. Those are just some of the things that you can expect from Stugouts Co. And Stugouts Co. Live. So listen to Stugouts Co. Live and our original podcast. Please subscribe, rate and review Stugots Co. And God bless football. Taylor's livelihood depends on it. Do it today and you can check all of those out on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This month, iHeartRadio is celebrating the stars of the 2026 Winter Games. Fairfield, Connecticut's Kristen Santos Griswold is the fearless leader of the US short track team. After a heartbreak in Beijing, she stormed back to become the number one ranked skater in the world, collecting World cup medals with aggressive passing and smart strategy. In a sport where chaos is guaranteed, Santos Griswold brings consistency and elite speed. She arrives in Italy seeking redemption and the Olympic hardware she's worked a lifetime kill for more Winter Games gold Search olympics on the iHeartRadio app. All right, two truths and a lie. Here we go. I went to college with college football coach Jim McElwaine. I began my broadcasting career doing play by play for the Las Vegas Stars, and I've been a Verizon customer for 15 years. Okay, I lied. All three are true. Verizon isn't as expensive as you think. In fact, if you bring in your AT&T or T Mobile bill to a Verizon store, they'll give you a better deal. That's right, a better deal on the best network with the most ways to save on plans, streaming and phone deals. So take that AT and T or T Mobile build to your local Verizon store today, get a better deal and start saving. Based on route metrics Best overall Mobile Network Performance U.S. 2nd Half 2025 All Rights Reserve must provide recent consumer mobile bill in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm Bowen Yang.

[Jason McIntyre]

And I'm Matt Rogers.

[Colin Cowherd]

During this season of the Two Five Rings podcast, in the lead up to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, we've been joined by some of our friends.

[Jason McIntyre]

Hi Bowen. Hi, Matt. Hey, Elmo. Hey, Matt. Hey, Bowen.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hi, Cookie.

[Jason McIntyre]

Hi. Now the Winter Olympic Games are underway and we are in Italy to give you experiences from our hearts to your ears. Listen to Two Guys Five Rings on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Segregation in the day Integration at night.

[Colin Cowherd]

When segregation was the law, one mysterious.

[Jason McIntyre]

Black club owner had his own rules.

[Colin Cowherd]

We didn't worry about what went on outside.

[Jason McIntyre]

It was like stepping in another world. Inside Charlie's Place, black and white people danced together. But not everyone was happy about it.

[Colin Cowherd]

You saw the kkk.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah. They was dressed up in their uniform. The KKK set out to raid Charlie.

[Colin Cowherd]

Take him away from here.

[Jason McIntyre]

Charlie was an example of power. They had to crush him. From Atlas Obscura, Rococo Punch and visit Myrtle beach comes Charlie's Place, a story.

[Colin Cowherd]

That was nearly lost to time.

[Jason McIntyre]

Until now.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen to Charlie's place on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Volkswagen Beetle started out as Hitler's dream car.

[Jason McIntyre]

It wound up as a beloved hippie.

[Colin Cowherd]

Icon and the best selling car of all time. How did that happen? I'm Jacob Goldstein.

[Jason McIntyre]

And I'm Robert Smith. On business history, we tell the surprising stories behind the inventions and and entrepreneurs.

[Colin Cowherd]

That shaped our economy. And the story of the Beatle is truly surprising. It has so much in it. It has Nazis, it has the German economic miracle.

[Jason McIntyre]

And it features one of the most famous ads of all time, an ad that really redefined what advertising was in the United States.

[Colin Cowherd]

The calculation was that there was some number of Americans who were ready for.

[Jason McIntyre]

Something different, who were ready for something that was counter to the culture, if you will.

[Colin Cowherd]

Perfect timing. In the decade of the 1960s, listen.

[Jason McIntyre]

To Business History on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and watch episodes on YouTube. So I've said this about Rob Pelinka, the GM of the Lakers who lost last night to OKC. Didn't have Luka, but they didn't have SGA. He's built a regular season team in the regular season. Nobody really plays defense in the NBA, right? So, like, everybody's kind of average defensively except the really great teams like, you know, like San Antonio, Detroit, okc. They're great defensive teams, but they even turn it up a notch in the postseason. And the NBA officials swallow their whistles in the postseason. So defense matters a lot in the NBA. Not now. So the Lakers are fool's gold in the regular season. Nobody plays defense. They're terrible at it, but you don't really notice because nobody ratchets it up. So I'm reading the LA Times two days ago here in LA and watching the Lakers last night and a couple days ago, the LA Times readers, they're smart. They know what the problem is. Every single letter to the editor about the Lakers was, we're not very good defensively. In fact, we're atrocious The Laker fans know the problem. They've watched a lot of great basketball. When they had Magic as their star, they had Kareem and Michael Cooper. When the warriors had Steph as their star, they have Andre Iguodala, they have Draymond Green. If your best player, Luca is a great offensive player, but but tremendously limited, often hunted on defense, you got to surround him with help. Rob Pelinka has the opposite issue. He has built an offensive roster where all the best players are below average defensively. LeBron used to be great, but now he's old. So I think Laker fans know the issue. They don't know the size of the wrecking ball needed. You keep Luka and J.J. redick everything else. The bench is atrocious. Athletically, they are the slowest team in the league. The slow, you can measure that now. So they're slow, they're poor defensively, they're not athletic, they don't have enough three point shooters. They have arguably the worst bench in the league. But again, you have a great young offensive coach and a superstar. You got to build this team differently and you got to get off this. Austin Reaves. Everything is on the table. After Luka and J.J. redick, everything Austin Reaves last night. Do you see what OKC did? They hunted him and players shot 50% when Austin Reaves guarded them. There'll be some dopey GM in the league that thinks this guy is going to be a first ballot hall of Famer. Get picks, move people. He's a nice player. But when Luke is your star, if you have Austin Reaves next to him now you got two suboptimal defenders. So the three best teams in this league are the three best defensive teams in this league. Okc, San Antonio and Detroit. So defense matters. And Laker fans are smart. They really are. And so is LeBron. They just don't have enough athletes, they don't have enough shooters, they don't have enough rim protection. So. But in the regular season where nobody's playing elite defense consistently, you can fool people as, oh man, they're really in the playoffs. In fact, I would say once the trade deadline's done in about a month, you'll start watching the defense as people worry about seating. It's like, oh, the league changes. Then you can see a clear gap between the Lakers and OKC last night. OKC on the road, they got a flu on the team. SGA is not playing. They still shot almost 49% from the field. But LeBron, after brutally honest. And he knows basketball and has been in this league for 20 plus years. You want me to compare us to them? No, I want to know where you think though, that like sort of as this team is on, it's like that's a championship team right there. We're not. So what are the biggest things you think that are keeping this team as this right now? You can't sustain energy and effort. 48 minutes and they can. That's why I won a championship. OKC is the Seahawks. They've drafted better, they're better upstairs. They've got waves of players. I mean, New England's defense is good, but you saw him at the end of the second quarter. The Patriots look tired, and Seattle never did because Seattle has waves of depth that New England is still a draft away from developing. And so Seahawks and OKC are very similar. People may not always love their star quarterback, their star player who's seeking the whistle, but in the end, just layers and layers. That's why playing Oklahoma City, especially late in the season, is so valuable, a measuring stick. Because I'm telling you, we're about a month to six weeks away from NBA teams caring about defense, like even in the first quarter. And that's when you can really see the holes in this roster. And Rob Pelinka has created a fun team, a good offensive team. I like watching the Lakers play, but I don't think anybody understands the wrecking ball this thing needs. J. Mac with the news.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, no, no, turn on the news. This is the Herd line news. All right, we'll be to the NBA shortly, but let's start with this Super Bowl. Colin, interesting nugget here from Devin Witherspoon, the great defensive back from the Seahawks. Obviously, Seattle's defense dominated the super bowl force three turnovers, sacked Drake Mays six times. But they saw a tell defensively and pounced on it. Here's Witherspoon.

[Jason McIntyre]

Ooh. We kind of knew what they was gonna do, how they was gonna attack us and how they was gonna get feature who and certain people the ball. So we had a great game plan like that. We kind of knew how they tackles.

[Colin Cowherd]

And guards was gonna set in certain pass protections.

[Jason McIntyre]

And we went out there and attacked it. You know, they was kind of struggling.

[Colin Cowherd]

In this playoffs a couple of times.

[Jason McIntyre]

You know, a couple people got after them. We knew what we was going to do and how we were going to attack them. A tell. Like in poker, there's a tell something they do. Yeah. That nobody in in New England's aware of. They have to scout themselves. But Seattle could call their own defensive plays in the last second. There was a tell. Well, I'll tell you, this left tackle needs to be upgraded. Oh, boy.

[Colin Cowherd]

Will Campbell getting roasted on the Internet. Forget it. Just an embarrassing performance. I know that they're saying maybe he was injured. He had some knee thing. Yeah. Interesting. How convenient.

[Jason McIntyre]

Remember, he was.

[Colin Cowherd]

Drake may got a shot after the game. We heard nothing about it in the days.

[Jason McIntyre]

Well, and remember, fairness to Will Campbell, he was. Came in with arm length issues. It was one of the weaker drafts in the last decade.

[Colin Cowherd]

He was serviceable.

[Jason McIntyre]

He was a serviceable left tackle. It's very possible that you move him inside or to right tackle and he could have. He could flourish. In all fairness, he also faced the Texans, Khalil Mack. I mean, if you start looking. I mean, the Broncos, not Khalil Mack. I think he's on the other side. Not sure right now.

[Colin Cowherd]

Chargers.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, Chargers. But I mean, he faced four or five of the best pass rushers in the sport and got gobbled up.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Just got obliterated. They need to fix that short up in the off season, but they got money. They're going to be fine. I don't think they're going back to the Super Bowl. Would you agree?

[Jason McIntyre]

I agree with you. Yeah. I think they're going to be really good.

[Colin Cowherd]

I don't think, because there's like a Dan Marino thing. Remember, Dan Marino goes to the super bowl year two. Everybody's like, oh, Marino's good. Never got back.

[Jason McIntyre]

And with Don Shula the winningest coach.

[Colin Cowherd]

In league history, if I gave over under half, another super bowl appeared, will Drake may get back.

[Jason McIntyre]

I think he'll get back to a Super Bowl. Absolutely. But I think the AFC was weird. Kansas City had a rare down year. Baltimore had a rare down year. I mean, it burrow all of us, you know, And I think you and I both believe that Denver and the Chargers are both better next year. I mean, I think the Chargers are going to look.

[Colin Cowherd]

If Bo Nix isn't missing that game, they probably beat the Patriots, a very fair asset. So, like, I'm not. I know. Patriots fans. You're a hater. No, I'm being a realist. Your schedule was a joke.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

And you looked awful in the postseason. All right, let's go to the NBA. Colin, listen, this was kind of ugly last night. Pistons, Hornets, Hornets are hot. They had won nine straight. And then this happened. Jalen Duran backing down the moose. They go face to face. Duran mushes him. And it Was on and popping. Oh, my goodness. Swings. I mean, this got ugly. And then Miles Bridges jumps in, as you'll see here. And then after he does that, you know, Isaiah Stewart, AKA Beef Stew, gets involved. This was hearkening back to the days of the Detroit Bad Boy Pistons. That's what this feels like.

[Jason McIntyre]

Hey, Detroit is a good watch, and they are a good team.

[Colin Cowherd]

They're pretty good. Number one, see, in the east right.

[Jason McIntyre]

Now, okay, Drafted and developed. They've done it the OKC way. Not flashy. Good GM draft and develop. You know, we watched them last year and what did we say last year? They're a year away. They don't know how to win yet. Well, they do now. I kind of like the attitude.

[Colin Cowherd]

Interesting. Look at that. Miles Bridges saying, oh, you step into my guy. Miles Bridges, of course I want you like this.

[Jason McIntyre]

I want my NBA teams to care.

[Colin Cowherd]

How about you could care, but not throw punches. Duncan Robinson's like, come on, what are we doing?

[Jason McIntyre]

I don't love. I mean, most of these NBA guys, I mean, they talk a big game, but they, you know.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, yeah. I don't. You don't want this, man.

[Jason McIntyre]

I don't want it, but it's not the end of the world. I like my teammate defending my guys. I don't know. I'm just saying I don't think it's the end of the world. I think it is. The NBA, because of the malice in the palace, is terrified of this stuff.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, this doesn't look good, man.

[Jason McIntyre]

Well, guess what?

[Colin Cowherd]

There was great NBA games last night.

[Jason McIntyre]

Baseball teams fight. NFL teams fight.

[Colin Cowherd]

We make fun of that stuff. No, we don't. Morons charging the mound. Idiot Hockey.

[Jason McIntyre]

Why can't guys a couple times a year fight? Okay, now the fans are closed, men.

[Colin Cowherd]

Dude, what are we doing?

[Jason McIntyre]

Throwing punches. What do you think there in the NFL, children?

[Colin Cowherd]

Morons throwing punches on guys with helmets in the NFL, that's even dumber.

[Jason McIntyre]

Listen, I know. There you go. Go watch an NFL training camp when you have two days of Ravens playing commanders. Multiple. Multiple. Yeah. I mean, this is pro sports. Detroit is trying to set an agenda. You're not going to play around with us, okay?

[Colin Cowherd]

Hey, just Detroit, be ready. Somebody roughs up Cade Cunningham in the postseason because you guys are acting like this. Be ready for it because I'm telling you, they're going to come headhunting for Kate Cunningham. He's like the only guy Detroit has. Offensively, I'm. I like the Pistons as a regular season team. Oh, okay. Knicks are better. Knicks are Coming out of the East. You want to put some cheddar on that? We can. It ain't going to be the Pistons. Sorry, guys, final story. We're sticking in the NBA. Juicy scoopier, Colin. So the Dallas Mavericks, obviously Mark Cuban had sold the T his portion of the team back then to Patrick Dumont in 2023. Well, reports are indicating that a Dallas investment group wants to pair with Cuban and buy back the team. Largely because Patrick Dumont is such a disaster as owner of the Mavericks.

[Jason McIntyre]

Well, that was a weird. I mean, listen, Cuban was brilliant to sell it, okay? But this happens a lot. You sell a company and then you leave the company and the company's a wreck because you are a huge component to the success.

[Colin Cowherd]

You guys just don't care as much.

[Jason McIntyre]

They don't. I would love to see Mark buy it back.

[Colin Cowherd]

Can you imagine letting Luka Doncic go? That tells you it showed. The guy doesn't care. He trusted the dude. Nico Harrison, who's been fired. I think he's working at Outback Steakhouse right now in Dallas.

[Jason McIntyre]

Do we have to take shots?

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm sorry. I mean, bottom line is he ruined everything. And I'll say this Cooper Flag is amazing. And you know that. He is the future of this league. He needs good ownership.

[Jason McIntyre]

I have never seen a 19 year old as complete as Cooper Flag. He has literally no elite defender. Great size, aggressive catch and shoot, handle the ball, play points, slash floaters. He's got like a 28 year old's game.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, I mean he's amazing.

[Jason McIntyre]

He is amazing. He is an amazing player.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know Adam Silver? I haven't spoken to Adam Silver. He'll be out here obviously for all star festivities. I. I'm guessing he would like Mark Cuban back in the league because Mark Cuban is an aggressive owner. He's passionate. He's sit front row at every game, cares deeply and I think he would be a good steward for Cooper Flag.

[Jason McIntyre]

I just want to see Cooper Flag get good teammates. Yeah, I just want to see him get his guy that roster right now. I think, well, the NBA makes trading difficult.

[Colin Cowherd]

I don't like that they did that.

[Jason McIntyre]

That's. Listen, we both like Adam Silver. First of all, stop being paralyzed with tanking. It's happening now. A third of the league's tanking. If you want to tank, you can get over it. I mean, it's just like you can't. There's certain things you can't stop speeding in America. Right. So raise the speed limit. People are going to go 65 driving home in the 405, they're not going to go 55. They want to get home and see their kids. Stop it. Don't be paralyzed by it. Faster doesn't mean more accidents, strangely, because cars are built better now than they were in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s. The second thing is stop worrying about tanking. The bottom line is you want bad teams to get good? Let them get last year's draft, this year's draft. I want. I want Utah because Utah looks like they're not interested in winning a title. I want to see them get the kid from Kansas. That's a great basketball community. And so that's the number one thing. The second thing is they make trading very difficult. In the NBA, the reason you can go from 4 and 13 to 14 and 3. In the NFL, you can go buy and trade players all the time. And so, like, I like, I like the NBA, but it's so hard to go from bad to good. NFL, you can do it in six months.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, you could say OKC had Durant and Westbrook and Harden, then went to the bottom, drafted Chet Homegrid.

[Jason McIntyre]

Trade it first. The Celtics and the OKC Thunder didn't really bottom out. Why? Because they have brilliant GMs.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, okay, so they sank. They didn't bottom out. Detroit bottomed out. Detroit was horrible for 15 years. Got Cade Cunningham, and now they're the number one. But, like, you do need that superstar. And that's the problem with the Lakers. You know, we can get to them later. But like Lakers, they just won a title five years ago. It's tough to stay on top when you're not drafting at the top. They got no good young players.

[Jason McIntyre]

They don't have a single elite defensive player. OKC's got eight.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's an issue.

[Jason McIntyre]

J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news.

[Colin Cowherd]

And thanks for stopping by the herd lie.

[Jason McIntyre]

Oh. Top of next hour. Five up, five down. Five teams that will absolutely, inarguably better be better next year. And it's not all just wins and record. They'll look better, they'll feel better, they'll be in the right direction. Five up and five down. And some of the five downs are good teams now, but they've caught breaks. Their division's getting tougher. They're pulling back. You know, listen, yesterday and Sunday, everybody is beating up on Drake May. And I wanted to add perspective here because he seems like a nice kid. So Drake may face Seattle and Houston's defenses, the two best defenses in the NFL. They look different. And between the two, he got sacked 11 times and had six turnovers and a passer rating of 87. It was bad. But I want to remind everybody that one year ago Sam Darnold faced the Rams in the playoffs. Horrible protection. And Darnold was sacked nine times, two turnovers and a passer rating in the 70s. A year later, Sam Darnold is great. A year later, Sam Darnold a month ago faced the Rams. Three touchdowns, no picks. 346 yards, 128 passer rating. So for the record, New England plays the Seahawks next year regular season. Don't be shocked if Drake May. They upgrade him by a left tackle. They move Will Campbell inside. And that's one of the great things about the NFL. Every six months, I mean you see massive changes. Go look at the Chicago Bears operation three weeks after Ben Johnson took over. It was like the language changed, the attitude changed. I mean I could make an argument the best team in the NFL was Seattle. The second best team was the Rams. The third best team at the end of the year. Am I wrong? It was either Denver or the Bears. The Rams had to play a perfect game offensively in Chicago to beat the Bears in overtime. The Bears were a circus a year ago. The Patriots 4 and 13 to 14 and 3. So Drake may faces the Seahawks probably early. They'll probably that could be your first Thursday game. And don't be surprised if they upgrade the offensive line. He's 100% healthy. So outside of Matt Stafford, the Seahawks defense made a lot of good quarterbacks look totally inept. Here's how good Seattle's defense was. Twice in a three week period they made Christian McCaffrey invisible. Invisible. Four times in seven, eight years has Kyle Shanahan been totally stymied. Two of the four times were against Seattle this year. They made a lot of people not named Matt Stafford look inept. So starting quarterbacks against the Seahawks this season, including the playoffs, if you take stafford out, had 17 touchdowns, 21 picks and a passer rating at 74. If you just take out staff. Well, Drake May is not at Stafford's level right now, especially with their leaking left tackle, left o line space. So it just, just, just defending Drake May. What makes this league great. Sam Darnold 1 year ago was atrocious against the Rams because he got sacked nine times and Seattle upgrades. You know that minute I was Minnesota, then he goes to Seattle. He's got a better defense, he's got a better defensive coach, he's got jsn. I mean the left Side of the offensive line, Gray Zable, Charles Cross. He's got Walker the running back. And all of a sudden Sam is like, oh, facing the Rams. Played his best game as a pro, I think against the Rams. Last time he faced him.

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh.

[Jason McIntyre]

Coming up next, people are freaking out because the best college basketball player arguably is never available. He's missed 11 of 24 games for Kansas. They won despite his absence last night over a really good Arizona team I'd probably pick today to win it all. But should you draft him? What do you do with him? He's never available. Does he love basketball? That's next. Be sure to catch live editions of.

[Colin Cowherd]

The Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. Tonight on FS1, it's a huge college basketball triple header. First, 13th ranked Purdue takes on seventh ranked Nebraska at seven Eastern. Then fifth ranked Iowa faces TCU at nine. And in the Mountain West, San Jose State battles UNLV at 11. It all tips off tonight on FS1.

[Jason McIntyre]

So the upcoming NBA draft will be pretty special. It's got three or four great players, one at byu, one at Duke and. And Darren Peterson plays for Kansas. He looked, he's the closest looking player I've seen to Kobe Bryant. He's a jump off the television player. They played Arizona last night, it was in Lawrence, Kansas, and Kansas won, but Peterson didn't play. It's a huge win for Kansas. Arizona is outstanding. Peterson didn't play. In fact, he's missed 11 of their 24 starts cramping. Last night he had flu and there's a lot of concern. Whoa, I'm, I'm hearing this. Whoa. You can't draft this guy. The NBA makes trading difficult. The NFL does not. If you can get a Kobe Bryant level athlete, you draft him. Okay? It is a three and D league. He is a long wing who can shoot threes. He's basically what everybody in the league needs more of, except maybe okc. Lakers need four of him. Okay, you draft him. I remember Years ago, Christian McCaffrey skipped the sun bowl and people are like, whoa, hey, you got to show up for your team. It was the sun bowl and he was a transformational running back talent. You draft Christian McCaffrey if he's available, one of the most talented guys that's ever played position, you draft him. When it comes to sports and music and entertainment, these are not like punch the clock working class jobs. You got some drama, you got some high maintenance, you've got a lot of different things that aren't involved in most of our jobs. A dentist and an accountant do not have the personality of Bruno Mars. Okay? To be that creative and that. That unique, it can be a different cat. Athletes are the same. They can be sometimes kind of lopsided, a little overly dramatic, whatevs. The kid's special. You draft him. Like, there's just some things that you have to deal with. Like, if you live in Arizona, you need a pool. It's not going to elevate. It's going to be expensive. You'll have to resurface it. It may leak. The maintenance is a pain in the butt, Buck. And you'll never, ever. Pain in the butt. You'll never get your money back on a pool. You'll get it back on a kitchen. You'll get it back on bathrooms. You'll never get the money back on a pool. But if you live in Arizona, you gotta have one. And if you're in the NBA, you gotta have this kid can shoot, threes can handle the ball. Insanely athletic. Probably gets better defense defensively. Not everybody's Cooper Flag. In fact, not anybody else is Cooper flag, where you're 19 years old and you don't even have a flaw. Like, you're completely fully formed. So. Well, he's not always available. He's had cramping and guys skipped bowl games. Doesn't make it right. It's not a make it right decision. It's a. That is exactly what we need. And there's nobody like him in the sport. I would make him the number one pick. I just. I don't. He. It's funny, I was told before the season, you gotta. You gotta see this kid for Kansas. In fact, I forget who told me. And I said, okay. I watched 4 possessions and I was like, oh, my God, it's like Kobe Bryant. And then I went online and I'm like, okay. It's an obvious one. You draft him, you build a pool in Arizona. It doesn't matter what it costs. It's 120 in the summer. Get a pool. Draft that guy. Here's Bill Self on the kid not playing last night and still winning. Well, we don't know if it's the flu. It's flu like symptoms. At least that's what I've been told. So he didn't practice yesterday, but we were hoping he could play today. And, you know, he came out for shoot around and wasn't able to go. I thought adrenaline would kick in and he would go, so. And. And, you know, he was at shoot around today. I mean, he was out there you know, but just. What you could just tell he didn't feel great. But I was. We were all hopeful that he'd kick in and be ready to go. So you sound like you bet on the game. So, so, but, but, but no, there was no ploy with that at all. Yeah, he's J. Mack. Who is betting Duquesne basketball games and unders on a regular basis. The kid at byu, hyper athletic. This kid feels more refined. Boozer at Duke feels ready to play immediately. But I don't know how you could talk yourself. He is what the league is looking for. Athletic wings who can shoot threes. That's exactly.

[Colin Cowherd]

And defend. And defend.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah. I mean, I don't know how great of a defender is. It's hard as hell.

[Colin Cowherd]

He ate up debance from BYU a couple weeks ago in a head to head batch.

[Jason McIntyre]

Okay.

[Colin Cowherd]

He was great in the first half. I'm with you. I think you got to take Peterson. I remember I had a guy on my podcast, these draft analysts ahead of Anthony Edwards lamelo ball draft. And this guy was saying, listen, Anthony Edwards, there's a lot of teams saying he doesn't love basketball.

[Jason McIntyre]

He said that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Is he devouring tape? And Anthony Edwards is publicly like, I don't watch tape. I like football. Like I like a lot of. I have activities. Sounds a lot like Trevor Lawrence. Remember the knocks against him.

[Jason McIntyre]

But you still. Trevor Lawrence is so skilled. It's Jacksonville. You get him Lee income and you're like a playoff team. So like you can't. I couldn't do that at my job. You don't have a 47 inch vertical. Totally different. It's just. And the other thing is he's at a position that's very necessary. Like Ben Simmons when he came out and it didn't work out. But Ben Simmons was a six, nine and a half point guard who defended, scored at the rim. Now he couldn't shoot and he had an attitude. But I, I talked to two executives in the league, two scouts and they're like, that's as good a prospect.

[Colin Cowherd]

I love Ben Simmons.

[Jason McIntyre]

He, for the record, didn't he make an all star game the first year?

[Colin Cowherd]

He made all NBA. Like he was a really talented.

[Jason McIntyre]

He made all NBA and then he didn't. And then he went sideways. You still draft somebody because the NFL allows you. You can trade anybody any time. You could have traded Tom Brady in your prime. You could trade Joe Burrow tomorrow. That's not the NBA. So it's very, I mean, how long is it going to be? Until the Washington Wizards are good. It's been, it feels like 30 years and they had John Wall and they've had good players. Never good in the NFL. The minute the Bears get the right coach, they keep the same owners, the same president, the same gm, they have the same quarterback. They just bring in a head coach. You're like, are they the, are they the fourth or fifth best team in the league?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre]

So it's, that's not the NBA. You just. In the NFL you can be pickier. I mean, in the NFL, Brock Purdy is the last player taken in the NBA. This is a very good draft. You get to about the 14th pick and it's a prospect. You're kind of projecting on what? That it's probably a rotational player. This is a really good draft. The last draft was good, but after Ace Bailey in this last draft and there'll be some guys that pop, but there were about five guys. You're like, yeah, those guys are going to be great players. And then like 6 through 12, you're like, those should be very good players. And then you're projecting.

[Colin Cowherd]

But again, like Jokic and SGA are two of the best guys in the league. They were not upper cross draft picks. They were not like top five guys.

[Jason McIntyre]

That's right.

[Colin Cowherd]

Second round. So it can happen, but it's, it's, it's more rare. And look at Tom Brady. Six round pick.

[Jason McIntyre]

That happens a lot in football. Okay. Jeff Goodman covers college basketball. There was an NBA GM that talked about this. He said people are overreacting. It's not that big of a deal. We got guys in the NBA who missed two months with a strained hammy. A lot of guys would have shut him down for the rest of the season. Pump the brakes. People get the flu. People also have to remember it's a small snapshot of his entire career. He's probably the number one pick. We'll see when you watch him play if you don't have to like college basketball. Watch a half. Give it, give it 35 minutes. You'll be like, whoa, he's not Cooper flag.

[Colin Cowherd]

But he is like a big time blue chip prospect. There's like four of them. Boozer, by the way, I know you mentioned him. He's really good against UNC though. Their length gave him problems. The big guys, you don't take earlier than the wings because the wing is the most coveted position in basketball.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah. Right now it is like when I grew up as a, when I was younger was bigs. Yeah, you had. There were so Few bigs on the planet. You got a big. And that led. For the record. That led to a ton of busts. I can find you 12 great centers all time. I can find you 40 first round center buffs.

[Colin Cowherd]

Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan. Remember in the draft, that was like one of the biggest whiffs of all time. I mean, Greg Odin going 1. A lot of bigs end up getting.

[Jason McIntyre]

Sam Bui was remarkable. Sam Bui was remarkable. Go YouTube. Sam Bowie pulling up on the left wing, shooting 18 footers. Yeah, he was ahead of his time. He fell apart. Yeah. So it's. I don't know. It's. It's. All I know is this is not you. You have to think about a lot of different things. Like the movie Moneyball when Brad Pitt's playing Billy Bean and he's like, you know, there's the Yankees, there's this, and then we're a mile below that. You have to know what you can possibly do and in the NBA, what you're trying to find. Let's say this kid ends up being 75 to 80% of what he could be. So instead of averaging 29, he averages 23. You get about 68 games a year. He's pretty good defensively. He's fun to watch, he's dynamic, but he doesn't quite. He gets. But he doesn't quite love it. Like, you wish he'd love it. You'd still take him. Yeah, the. The other thing is, when somebody is this gifted, like LeBron was so good. You draft LeBron over Carmelo, and Carmelo was a great college player for a year at surf. You draft LeBron because if you don't, it will ruin your career. Trading Luca to the Lakers ruined Nico Harrison's career. This kid, his highlight package. You have to draft him. Either one or two. I would take him one, but you have to. I mean, he's just. Sometimes you do things to save your own bacon. You pass on this kid and he goes to a really good roster and is doing 24 and 6 and playoff basketball. You're losing your job as a GM.

[Colin Cowherd]

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