The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: Chris Broussard Stops By

Date: February 23, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Guests: Chris Broussard (co-host of First Things First), J. Mac

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd is joined by NBA insider Chris Broussard for a sweeping conversation on the state of the NBA, challenges around building team cultures, and shifting trends in American and international basketball development. The discussion extends to NFL (Cowboys, Giants, Colts), but the heart of the hour is a textured examination of what makes a “winning player,” the evolving profile of American basketball talent, and which rising stars could become the next face of the league.

Tone: Opinionated, conversational, insightful, punctuated with sports nostalgia and sharp critiques.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Building Around Superstars: The Luka Doncic Dilemma

[02:04 – 06:20]

• Colin raises concerns about Luka Doncic: Not just about acquiring talent, but the right star to form a winning culture. He cites the importance of superstars who are coachable, in shape, and committed to defense.

• Cowherd’s skepticism: Luka “never looks to be in great shape,” racks up technical fouls, and can be hard to build a culture around—comparing him to Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony.

• Broussard’s take:

  • Early nicknamed Luka "Luka Legend" (after Larry Bird), admires his individual greatness but now questions if he can lead a team to a championship.
  • Says Luka’s hyper-ball-dominant style makes him uniquely hard to build around—“tough to win with a guy who not just dominates the ball, but shoots and scores a lot.”
  • Quote:

    "I am really beginning to question... if he's ever going to win a championship. Not because he's not individually good enough. It's because of the way he plays. He is so hard to build around because he's so ball dominant.” – Chris Broussard [03:49]

• Broussard prefers Cooper Flagg (young Duke phenom) as a foundational piece because he defends, plays within a system, and doesn’t monopolize the ball—allowing others to shine.

  • Quote:

    “I would rather have Cooper Flagg on my team as my young building block than Luka because Cooper plays defense... allows other guys to be the best version of themselves.” – Chris Broussard [05:28]

2. The Celtics’ Culture and Jaylen Brown’s Rise

[06:20 – 08:45]

• Colin on Jayson Tatum: Calls him a great player but not a true “face of the league” in the charismatic sense of Jordan, Steph, or Shaq.
• Surprise at Celtics’ success: Even without Tatum, team is elite defensively; credit to coach Joe Mazzulla.
• Broussard:
  • Did not expect this level of success for Boston without Tatum—now #2 in the East.
  • Praises Joe Mazzulla’s clear identity: “We shoot threes, and if you want to be on the court, you better defend your butt off.”
  • Lauds the roster’s character and buy-in on defense and three-ball strategy.
  • Jaylen Brown: Should be near the top of the MVP race, says LeBron is right—he’s an elite two-way player who’s consistently undervalued.

3. Talent vs. Winning: The American Basketball Development Problem

[08:45 – 14:06]

• Colin’s critique:
  • Points to young American stars (Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero) as not “winning players.” International talent (Jokic, Wemby, SGA) bring more team success and intangibles.
  • Wonders if there’s a developmental “problem” with AAU/G League/US basketball culture.
• Broussard’s diagnosis (long, passionate answer):
  • Cultural Issue: U.S. prodigies at 15 are treated as “celebrities,” hard to coach, not pressed on fundamentals or team play.
  • International System: Young stars in Europe are humbled: play with pros, get limited game time but intense instruction, no stardom until later.
  • Coaching divergence: US coaching quality lags; America over-shifts style to threes/spacing, neglects inside play and rebounding.
  • Quote:

    “In America, if you're 15 years old, you think you're all that. ... If you don't pass, if you don't defend, if you take bad shots, they're not able to yell at you and coach you hard because... you're their meal ticket.” – Chris Broussard [11:05]

  • Olympics warning: Predicts the US might lose at the ‘28 Olympics with new generation if culture isn’t fixed.

4. Playoff Contenders: Knicks, Pistons, and the Eastern Conference

[14:06 – 16:51]

• Pistons vs. Knicks:
  • Pistons present a “bad matchup” for the finesse Knicks, who struggle to defend the paint and lack toughness.
  • Broussard’s East favorite is Detroit—calls them a throwback to “Bad Boys” and ‘04 title teams.
• Karl-Anthony Towns’ issue: Knicks’ hopes hinge on him playing tougher; otherwise, Detroit’s superior muscle prevails.
  • Quote:

    "They’re just too darn tough for the New York Knicks. So the Knicks have a couple of months to really get tougher if they can. But that's their problem now." – Chris Broussard [15:00]

• Knicks’ playoff ceiling: May beat finesse teams like Boston or Cleveland, but lack interior presence and bench scoring.

5. Domestic Talent Watch: Cooper Flagg’s Meteoric Rise

[16:53 – 20:58]

• Colin & J. Mac: Debate if Cooper Flagg could soon become the best American player—maybe even better than Tatum or Anthony Edwards as early as next season.
  • Colin’s comparison: Flagg is a “rocket ship,” likened to Tiger Woods, Bryce Harper, Victor Wembanyama—rising at an historic pace.
  • Quote:

    “Cooper Flagg is like, it’s a rocket ship. ... LeBron came into the league, he didn’t really have a perimeter game ... Cooper Flagg—the bag, as they call it—he can do everything. There’s nothing he can’t do.” – Colin Cowherd [20:44]

6. The ABA’s Forgotten Legacy & Dr. J Nostalgia

[21:00 – 22:27]

• Colin reminisces about Dr. J’s best years in the ABA, underappreciated due to lack of TV coverage.
• Draws parallel to Arvydas Sabonis—greatest years overseas, not fully appreciated in America.
• Highlights the “international infusion” of toughness and skill in modern NBA.

7. Team USA Hockey and American Sports Passion

[24:03 – 26:48]

• Colin interviews Tony Granato (not in basketball segment):
  • Analyzes US win over Canada in Olympic hockey, notes American grit and growing parity with Canada.
  • Hockey’s unique power to “galvanize” US sports fans:

    “Super Bowls don't galvanize people, I feel like, sometimes the way US playing Canada... does.”

8. NFL Round-Up: Cowboys, Colts, Giants, Falcons

[28:03 – 36:26]

• Cowboys’ Roster/Financial Mess:
  • Concern over lack of elite strengths—other teams like Seattle and OKC (NBA comp) are better structured for the future.
• Colts’ Playoff Hopes:
  • Daniel Jones’ potential, youth movement, betting on coaching and continuity.
• Kyle Pitts Debate:
  • Labeled as “Wiggins-like”—super talented, but disappears for stretches, lacks toughness and blocking; "finesse" tight end.
  • Quote:

    “After about three years in the league, he kind of feels like a finesse guy. Blocking is optional. He’s a splash player… but he just disappears in games.” – Colin Cowherd [33:22]

  • Compares to the likes of Jimmy Graham and Mike Gesicki—tight ends who don’t want to block, struggle to stay on the field.

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "I am really beginning to question... if he's ever going to win a championship... It's because of the way he plays. He is so hard to build around because he's so ball dominant."
  – Chris Broussard on Luka Doncic [03:49]

• "I would rather have Cooper Flagg on my team as my young building block than Luka because Cooper plays defense... allows other guys to be the best version of themselves."
  – Chris Broussard [05:28]

• "In America, if you're 15 years old, you think you're all that... If you don't pass, if you don't defend, if you take bad shots, they're not able to yell at you and coach you hard..."
  – Chris Broussard [11:05]

• "Cooper Flagg is like, it's a rocket ship... There's nothing he can't do."
  – Colin Cowherd [20:44]

• "After about three years in the league, he kind of feels like a finesse guy. Blocking is optional. He’s a splash player... but he just disappears in games."
  – Colin Cowherd on Kyle Pitts [33:22]

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Luka Doncic, Lakers, and Culture | 02:04 – 06:20 | | Celtics, Jaylen Brown, Team Success | 06:20 – 08:45 | | American Talent vs. International Development | 08:45 – 14:06 | | Knicks, Pistons, and East Playoff Race | 14:06 – 16:51 | | Cooper Flagg as Domestic Hope | 16:53 – 20:58 | | ABA/Dr. J Discussion | 21:00 – 22:27 | | Team USA Hockey, US vs. Canada | 24:03 – 26:48 | | NFL: Cowboys, Colts, Giants, Falcons | 28:03 – 36:26 | | Kyle Pitts: The Andrew Wiggins of the NFL? | 33:22 – 36:18 |

Episode Summary

This electric hour captures Colin and Chris Broussard candidly dissecting the complexities of stardom in the NBA—why not all superstars are winning “culture creators,” and how US basketball development is breeding more “talent” than “winners.” They raise alarms about how American youth basketball’s celebrity culture hinders growth and compare that to the humility instilled internationally. The duo also debates whether new US phenom Cooper Flagg could soon lead the charge for the next generation of winners—while dissecting the fine lines between talent, toughness, and team play across the NBA and NFL.

Listeners will walk away with a rich, provocative sweep of the key personalities, problems, and what to watch for on the shifting landscape of American sports.