The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1 (February 25, 2026)

Main Theme:
This episode focuses primarily on the Los Angeles Lakers' loss to the Orlando Magic, the problematic on-court fit between stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and broader lessons about NBA roster construction, coaching in both the NBA and NFL, and football team management. The episode mixes detailed basketball analysis with NFL news and Colin’s signature takes on sports culture, team-building, and leadership.

Lakers Lose to Magic: Luka and LeBron's Fit Under Fire

[00:45 – 10:28]

Key Discussion Points:

• Lakers Lose to Orlando Magic:
  The Lakers lost a close, entertaining game to an average Magic team. Paolo Banchero had his second-best game of the year, racking up 36 points—especially effective when Luka was defending him.
  • “Paolo Banchero’s kind of had an off year. Had his second-best game of the season, shocker, against the Lakers.” – Colin [01:30]
• Luka and LeBron: A Clunky Pairing:
  The chemistry issues are apparent. Both Luka and LeBron need the ball to be effective, and neither is a strong defender at this stage. Adding Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who also need the ball, makes the roster excessively repetitive.
  • “LeBron and Luka don’t play that well together. They both need the ball. Neither is great off-ball. They’re both exceptional passers – but you have to have the ball to do that.” – Colin [02:40]
  • The Lakers’ star tandem has the worst plus-minus pairing on the team, at –8.
• Roster Construction Flaws:
  The Lakers’ current build lacks defensive versatility and features too many players with overlapping skill sets.
  • “The Lakers need to diversify their portfolio. How about some bonds, buy some land. Little heavy in tech stocks, right? Like, everybody does the same thing.” – Colin [03:20]
• Postseason Outlook:
  In the playoffs, teams target Luka and Reaves defensively, creating “huntable” matchups that get repeatedly exploited.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “If you want to remain in the Luka business—and the Lakers do and should—you have to shield him. You have to build a roster to assist in hiding his clear deficiency [defense]. The entire league knows it.” – Colin [05:25]
• Luka addresses the final play himself:
  • “I just saw [LeBron] open. I didn’t want to lose the ball and we didn’t have timeouts… I shouldn’t have picked up the ball, should attack. That’s on me.” – Luka [09:18]
• Colin compares this “fit” flop to historic superteam successes:
  • “Randy Moss and Tom Brady: seven touchdowns the first four games. KD to the Warriors: 16 and 2. Messi to Miami. MLS: immediate impact. We’re a year into this… still not working.” – Colin [10:02]

NBA Roster Fit: Why LeBron + Luka Doesn’t Work

[10:30 – 18:00]

Key Discussion Points:

• LeBron and Previous Partnerships:
  • LeBron’s success with AD, Kyrie, and Dwyane Wade was due to complementary skills (prime athleticism, defense, rim protection, willing to play off-ball).
• Current LeBron Can’t Cover Luka’s Weaknesses:
  • LeBron is no longer able to cover for a teammate who is “an atrocious defender and not in great shape.”
  • “What LeBron can’t do that he could do with Kyrie—can’t overcome a teammate’s atrocious defense… he can’t do that anymore.” – Colin [14:35]
• LeBron Needs the Ball:
  • Unlike Curry or KD, LeBron isn’t great off-ball; the offense must run through him, compounding the overlap with Luka, the league’s usage leader.
• Future Perspective:
  Colin argues if you commit to Luka, it might be time to move on from LeBron—or at least rethink building the roster around both.

Player Mindset: Sam Darnold’s Accountability

[18:10 – 21:15]

Colin praises NFL QB Sam Darnold for his humility and accountability, contrasting it with Baker Mayfield’s early-career cockiness:

• “You can tell, in my opinion, when somebody has good parents as a kid because they become an accountable adult. Not dumping on people, not holding grudges, not being petty, not being vindictive…” – Colin [20:12]
• Darnold on being released by Minnesota:
  • “When I really stood back and looked at it from afar, I really understood the decision and I’m thankful I landed in Seattle.” – Sam Darnold [20:45]

Is the Lakers' Season Hopeless?

[21:30 – 25:00]

• Despite the loss, Colin reminds listeners the Lakers have been the best clutch team this season. It was one bad night.
• Praise for JJ Redick’s late-game play design, acknowledging Luka had chances but passed up on the shot.
• Criticism of Deandre Ayton failing to finish a pick-and-roll on the final play:
  • “Ayton sets the first screen and just stands there. I mean, dude, pick and roll! Roll to the basket, you get a 12-foot little runner… that’s wide open.” – Colin [24:00]
• Colin maintains belief the Lakers could still contend in the West with luck and improvement.

NFL News: Kyle Shanahan’s QB Magic & Backup Market

[27:30 – 32:30]

• Shanahan’s System is Key:
  • QBs like Matt Ryan and Jimmy Garoppolo looked better with Shanahan; to trade for Mac Jones, teams should beware performance drop once he leaves Kyle’s system.
  • Mac Jones’ 97 passer rating with the 49ers last year—Tom Brady’s career average—compared to his career average of 85.

NFL Front Office & Coaching Carousel

[32:30 – 37:45]

Key Discussion Points:

• Niners’ Trent Williams Contract:
  • Williams is 38; Niners don’t want to give long-term money despite his value.
  • “There’s some unique circumstances… We all know what Trent is as a player, how great he’s been… but that’s old for a left tackle.” – Colin [33:10]
• Philadelphia Eagles Coaching Situation:
  • Nick Sirianni prefers not to call plays, giving that duty to Sean Manion—questionable whether that’ll last if the offense struggles.
• Giants’ Front Office Dynamics:
  • John Harbaugh's arrival and the embattled GM Joe Shane.
  • The influence of reality TV (“Hard Knocks” effect) on public perception of a front office.

NBA Coaching Impact: Are Coaches Overrated?

[38:00 – 41:45]

• Colin argues NBA coaches have limited influence; rosters and star players determine results.
• Comparison between prior (Thibodeau) and current (Mike Brown) Knicks teams: data shows almost identical results, despite coaching change.
  • “Coaching has real limitations in the NBA… as good as a chef is, he can only do so much with second-tier ingredients.” – Colin [40:00]
• Calls for the Knicks to seek a star like Giannis while Jalen Brunson is still in his prime.

The Odds of Finding a Great NFL Coach

[44:00 – 47:50]

• Cites a study of 160 head coaching hires (since 2000) – only 10 were “gold star” or “silver star,” a 6% hit rate.
  • Andy Reid, Belichick, Coughlin, McVay (gold); Pete Carroll, Dungy, John Harbaugh, McCarthy, Payton, Tomlin (silver).
  • “Statistically, at most one will end up being classified as a great hire—with the odds actually slightly leaning toward none.” – Colin [45:30]

College Football Money: "If You Love It, It's Sustainable"

[48:00 – 51:00]

• Colin’s riff on “not sustainable” arguments, using LSU as an example:
  Despite being from a non-wealthy state, LSU is spending extravagantly on football and basketball facilities, coach buyouts, and salaries.
  • “If the blank is college football in the South... you’re going to find a way to do it.” – Colin [50:02]

Timestamps Summary

| Segment | Topic | |-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:45 – 10:28 | Lakers’ loss, Luka-LeBron fit, Magic game breakdown | | 10:30 – 18:00 | NBA roster fit, LeBron’s partnerships, criticism | | 18:10 – 21:15 | NFL segment, Sam Darnold’s mindset and character | | 21:30 – 25:00 | Lakers’ season outlook, late-game decisions, contention hope | | 27:30 – 32:30 | Shanahan’s QB effect, Mac Jones trade market | | 32:30 – 37:45 | NFL coaching news: Niners, Eagles, Giants front office | | 38:00 – 41:45 | NBA coaching impact, Knicks coaching change | | 44:00 – 47:50 | NFL coach hiring study, long-term successes | | 48:00 – 51:00 | College football spending, LSU, “not sustainable” myth |

Memorable Quotes

• “What if I told you the red carpet the Lakers rolled out for Luka was made of red flags?” – Colin [00:52]
• “You have to shield [Luka]... the entire league knows it. When you get into a postseason matchup, teams will hunt Luka.” – Colin [05:30]
• “Some things sound like they should work, and they just don’t.” – Colin [08:30]
• “If you want to be in the Luka business, you’ve got to get out of the LeBron business.” – Colin [12:30]
• “You can tell when somebody has good parents – they become an accountable adult.” – Colin [20:12]
• “NBA coaches are like a chef. As good as a chef is, he can only do so much with second-tier ingredients.” – Colin [40:00]
• “If the blank is something we love, it is sustainable.” – Colin [50:00]

Tone and Style

Colin’s delivery is direct, clever, and crisp, blending humor, data, and opinion. He draws on historical context to frame modern sports issues, connects big-picture trends to nightly events, and is never shy with bold takes or analogies. The episode moves briskly, using rich metaphor and contrasts between NBA and NFL culture to illustrate broader team-building lessons.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is essential for Laker fans, NBA watchers interested in player fit and roster balance, and any sports fan who enjoys smart connections between different leagues and leadership philosophies. If you want big-picture sports commentary with punchy metaphors and strong positions, this is classic Cowherd.