The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3

March 11, 2026 | Special Guest: Robert Horry
(Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd welcomes NBA legend and seven-time champion Robert Horry, now a Lakers analyst, for an insightful discussion on NBA culture, player legacies, team dynamics, and current events, including Bam Adebayo’s remarkable 83-point game. The episode is packed with thoughtful analysis, personal anecdotes, and candid takes on the modern NBA landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Robert Horry on Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Game

[04:00]

• Robert Horry publicly apologizes to Bam Adebayo for initially questioning the legitimacy of his historic game:

  “I want to apologize for Bam saying that she'll be an Astro. Bam, you deserve what you got… It should be no asterisks by your game because… you can do it on both ends of the court.” – Robert Horry ([04:00])

• Horry emphasizes the importance of team play in enabling individual achievements, praising both Adebayo and the Miami Heat organization.

Why Some NBA Superstars Don’t “Fit” Together

[04:42]

• Colin notes LeBron James’ historic adaptability with different stars, but questions why the current Lakers core (LeBron, Luka, Austin Reeves) lacks cohesion.
• Horry attributes the lack of defensive specialists and overlapping skillsets as a key issue:

  “Luka and AR are kind of the same. And then you throw LeBron and he's similar…when you have those three in the game, they're not great defensive players…you have to be able to stop someone.” – Robert Horry ([05:28])

The Overlooked Importance of Defense

[06:19]

• Colin probes Horry about the underrated focus on defense under Phil Jackson.
• Horry highlights defensive rankings during his championship years and the advantage of anchor bigs:

  “Every championship I won, we were probably top five defensively every year…when you have that guy in the middle…like Shaq, like a Dream [Olajuwon], like Tim Duncan…it's easy.” – Robert Horry ([06:27])

LeBron’s Legacy and Identity as a Laker

[06:59]

• Colin discusses LeBron as a mobile superstar versus the traditional “franchise forever” icons like Magic or Kobe.

  “I defended LeBron for being mobile and bouncing around the league on his terms… He empowered players… but he doesn’t feel like Magic to me as a Laker.” – Colin Cowherd ([06:59])

• Horry pushes back, advocating for LeBron statues in all cities he's contributed to, and highlighting athlete mobility as a modern career reality:

  “He should get a statue in Cleveland, he should get a statue in LA. He should get a statue in Miami, because…wherever he goes, he puts butts in the seats. He’s iconic in that situation.” – Robert Horry ([07:56])

Can Austin Reeves Be a Second Star?

[09:15]

• Colin asks if Austin Reeves is championship-team second-banana material.
• Horry sees potential, but stresses it hinges on defense and smart team construction:

  “When you have Austin on the floor…if that other number one out there can play defense, it's very important.” – Robert Horry ([09:27])

• He explains how teams target offensive players on defense to wear them out.

The Impact of LeBron’s Star Power on Teammates

[10:27]

• Colin compares LeBron’s presence to Denzel Washington’s dominance in a room, arguing that younger players defer to him even when it might hurt their games:

  “LeBron kind of takes the oxygen out of the room sometimes because he's so big. Is that fair?” – Colin Cowherd ([10:27])

• Horry responds by highlighting the “hierarchy” of NBA teams—players need to assert themselves and communicate shifts in advantage.

International Players’ Rise in the NBA

[17:21]

• Colin muses on Wembanyama and the rise of international MVPs. Horry isn’t surprised, criticizing the flaws in the American AAU system:

  “Our AAU system and our coaching system on a high school level is flawed…coaches are so afraid to coach now because the parents are in the ear…” – Robert Horry ([18:34])

Victor Wembanyama: The New Big Man Prototype

[19:55]

• Horry praises Wembanyama’s ability to “do everything” at his size, comparing him to Dirk Nowitzki but with elite defense:

  “When I look at Wimby, I see Dirk Nowitzki at 7'6". He’s able to handle the rock … Dirk didn’t play no defense but Wemby does… He’s a game changer.” – Robert Horry ([20:07])

Playoff Heartbreak: Horry’s Lingering Regret

[21:46]

• Colin asks which playoff loss still haunts Horry. He recalls a missed clutch three as a Laker vs. San Antonio costing not just a series but his roster spot:

  “Kobe kicks it to me in San Antonio in my favorite spot. I missed a shot at the buzz. We lose that game… The Lakers don’t pick up my option, and I lose a lot of money.” – Robert Horry ([21:46])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• LeBron deserves statues in multiple cities:

  “Sometimes it’s not about the wins. It’s about the butts you put in the seat… Wherever he goes, he puts butts in the seats.” – Robert Horry ([07:56])

• Bam Adebayo’s 83 is legitimate:

  “There should be no asterisk by your game… What he did was a great accomplishment.” – Robert Horry ([04:00])

• On international player success:

  “Our AAU system and our coaching system on a high school level is flawed… Nobody is learning the game, they going for their money.” – Robert Horry ([18:34])

• On Wembanyama:

  “Wemby is extraordinary…he’s getting better and better…he’s able to block shots. He’s a game changer.” – Robert Horry ([20:07])

Additional NBA News and Bam Adebayo Coverage (The Herd News)

[23:22]

• Bam Adebayo’s historic night is dissected, with hosts defending the performance against critics:

  “If John Morant dropped 83 last night, everybody’d be like, wow, he was cooking… Bam’s not a guy… we just don’t like that it’s Bam.” – Colin Cowherd ([35:33], [39:26])

• Giannis Antetokounmpo weighs in:

  “It doesn’t matter how you get all the numbers that you… you got it… All you remember is 81 [Kobe], all you remember is 100 [Wilt].” ([35:16])

• Discussion on the culture of dismissing lesser-known stars’ achievements, the impact of tanking, and how "who" scores impacts narrative around historic games.

Timeline of Major Segments

• [03:00] – Robert Horry joins; Bam Adebayo’s 83 points discussed
• [04:42] – LeBron’s team fit/defensive issues / NBA superstar chemistry
• [06:19] – Defensive identity under Phil Jackson, lack of bigs in today’s Lakers
• [09:15] – Austin Reeves’ ceiling as a star
• [10:27] – The challenge of playing off LeBron’s overwhelming presence
• [17:21] – Wemby & the rise of international NBA players
• [19:55] – Horry on Wemby’s unique skillset
• [21:46] – Horry’s most painful playoff moment and its career implications
• [23:22] – Herd News segment: reactions and ongoing analysis of Bam’s 83-point game

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is lively, frank, and insightful, balancing respect for NBA history with an honest critique of modern dynamics—player empowerment, international development, and the state of defense. Robert Horry’s anecdotes provide context and weight, while Colin’s analogies (Denzel in the actors’ room; the impact of star charisma) keep the analysis relatable and fresh.

Summary for New Listeners:
This episode offers a rare double: unique behind-the-scenes wisdom from a championship-winning player, and sharp, opinionated commentary on the latest NBA drama. Whether you want to understand the real reason certain superstar partnerships struggle, why the AAU system is falling behind, or how narratives form around legendary performances, this episode delivers.

For the Full Horry Interview, Start at: [03:00]

For Deep Dive on Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Night, Jump to: [33:39]

Episode Recap by [Podcast Summarizer]
(For feedback or more summaries, let us know!)