Podcast Summary: "What's Wright - Best Of - LeBron James IS BACK, reaction to Shedeur Sanders first game, NFL Week 12 picks"

The Herd with Colin Cowherd | Nick Wright
Date: November 22, 2025

Overview

This "Best Of" episode features Nick Wright delivering his sharp, often contrarian takes on LeBron James' return, the swirling discourse around Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL game, and his picks for NFL Week 12. Emphasizing how social media and sports media narratives mislead the public, Wright brings nuance, data, and his signature bravado to some of the week's biggest sports stories.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Shedeur Sanders' Difficult Debut and The Media Circus

[03:21 – 13:41]

• Awful Debut for Shedeur Sanders:
  Wright begins by highlighting Shedeur Sanders’ dismal first outing in the NFL ("terrible... 4 of 16. It's the worst completion percentage by a guy who threw at least 10 passes in four years in the NFL." [03:38]).
• How Social Media Skews Narratives:
  He laments how Twitter (now "warped") amplifies the worst, least thoughtful takes, both negative and conspiratorial ("Twitter has... warped people's brains and ability to discuss Shedeur Sanders in a way... the most idiotic Shador Sanders takes being so amplified" [04:23]).
• Both Sides Problem:
  There are critics looking for anything to attack Sanders with ("anything imaginable to criticize Shedeur for up to and including where he's sitting on the bench..." [05:36]), and truthers insisting on outlandish conspiracies about NFL gatekeeping.
• Life of a 5th-round Pick:
  Wright contextualizes: Sanders not getting reps with the first team is standard for a 5th-rounder, not a front to his career ("life as a 5th round pick in this league is hard. It is supposed to be hard..." [07:32]).
• The Opportunity for Redemption:
  Shedeur will get a real chance, a week of first-team reps, and a start versus the Raiders, to claim the Browns QB job ("this week Shedeur is going to get a real look. He will be the starter against the Raiders." [08:42]).
• Critique on Media Colleagues:
  Wright condemns fellow media members for knowingly peddling misleading narratives to curry favor or chase engagement ("my colleagues in the media that know it's not at all outrageous... implying or outright saying differently... so bad." [10:52]).
• Summary Judgment:
  Dylan Gabriel has been the NFL's worst starting QB, so Sanders’ shot is fair, but if he repeats his debut, he’s out: "The only reason that you wouldn't bench Gabriel for Shedeur is if... he looks at all like he looked in that Ravens game." [12:23]

2. LeBron James’ Return: A Case Study in Sports Narrative

[18:16 – 38:26]

• LeBron as a Media Main Character:
  LeBron has generated the "most idiotic and immediately self-refuting opinions," outlasting the skepticism for over two decades ([18:25]).
• History of Bad LeBron Takes:
  Wright pokes fun at media “friends and foes” who have predicted LeBron’s decline for over a decade—name-checking Dan LeBatard and Colin Cowherd for past whiffs ([19:22]).
  • "My dear pal Dan LeBatard announced LeBron was on the downside and Miami had gotten the best of him. That was 13 years ago." ([19:22])
  • "Famously, the owner and founder of this company, my mentor Colin ... said 'LeBron, hang it up whenever you want. The NBA's got it from here.' ... Nine years ago." ([20:15])
• LeBron's Versatile Greatness:
  Rejects the notion that LeBron could disrupt the Lakers’ chemistry, calling him the "most malleable, most flexible as far as how he can help your team player in NBA history." ([22:26])
• Statistical Context and Perspective:
  Highlights LeBron's untouchable records—double-digit point streak, All-NBA selections at every position ([24:48]), and his uncanny durability.
  • "That guy that can play all five, and ... guard all five, that that guy was going to screw up a team." ([23:51])
• Aging and Longevity:
  Remarkable for his age (approaching 40) and career length (year 23)—unprecedented even compared to Kobe, Jordan, or Vince Carter.
  • "Kobe Bryant ... How old do you think Kobe was when he played in his final playoff game?... 32. ... LeBron joined the Lakers when he was 34." ([27:57])
• Records Will Become Untouchable:
  Predicts LeBron’s statistical dominance will "age well for me and poorly for so many other folks... going to be Chamberlain-esque, untouchable and farcical in the numbers to future generations." ([31:46])

3. The "Draymond Suspension Conspiracy" and NBA Sliding Doors

[38:26 – 44:59]

• Debates Bill Simmons on NBA "Sliding Doors":
  Nick addresses Bill Simmons’ take on the Draymond Green suspension in the 2016 NBA Finals as a pivotal "sliding doors" moment.
• Pushback on Conspiracy Narratives:
  Wright objects to the idea that it's widely believed the NBA wanted Cleveland to win, rather than just wanting a longer series ("I've literally never heard that." [40:37]).
• Media and Revisionist History:
  Laughs at claims that LeBron and the Cavs only won because of Draymond’s suspension, emphasizing LeBron's dominance continued in Game 6 even with Green on the floor.
  • “In Game 6 when Draymond is there, LeBron scores 41, and the Cavs win by 15 points.” ([43:28])
• LeBron’s Enduring Brilliance:
  Uses this episode to again underscore LeBron’s unparalleled career longevity ("That game happened 10 seasons ago and this guy's still playing. It's just a career that will never be even remotely approached." [45:10])

4. NFL WEEK 12 PICKS (Nick’s Best Bets)

[51:51 – 58:55]

Wright’s five best bets for the NFL weekend, with reasoning:

• Chicago (-2.5) vs Pittsburgh
  Trusting Chicago at home, especially given Pittsburgh’s QB injuries ([52:13]).

  • "Feels like a Bears ugly three point win.” ([52:26])

• Jets (+13.5) at Baltimore
  With Lamar Jackson ailing, Wright expects a closer game, especially with Tyrod Taylor at QB for New York ([53:14]).

  • “He is refusing to run the ball… huge knock on his passing and the team’s overall efficiency.” ([53:24])

• Seattle (-13.5) at Tennessee
  Predicts a dominant Seahawks D will destroy Tennessee’s offense; sees a bounce-back for Seattle ([54:02]).

  • “What that defense is going to do to Cam Ward is going to be borderline criminal.” ([54:13])

• Arizona (+3) vs Jacksonville
  Cites Jacksonville’s inconsistency and cross-country travel, thinks Arizona stays in it ([55:07]).

• Cleveland (+3.5) at Raiders
  The mismatch between the Browns’ D-line and the Raiders’ O-line is decisive; Wright even envisions Myles Garrett having a record-setting day ([55:51]).

  • “Myles Garrett could set the single game and single season sack record in this game… He could do that against this Raiders offensive line.” ([56:02])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Shedeur Sanders and Social Media

• "Twitter has... warped people's brains and ability to discuss Shedeur Sanders in a way... the most idiotic Shador Sanders takes being so amplified." — Nick Wright ([04:23])
• "Life as a 5th round pick in this league is hard. It is supposed to be hard and it's not always fair." — Nick Wright ([07:32])

On LeBron's Longevity and Criticism

• "No athlete in my lifetime has generated more idiotic and immediately self refuting opinions than LeBron." — Nick Wright ([18:25])
• "Famously, ... my mentor Colin ... nine years ago ... said 'LeBron, hang it up whenever you want. The NBA's got it from here.' ... LeBron would go on to win multiple championships after that." — Nick Wright ([20:17])
• "He's the most malleable, most flexible as far as how he can help your team player in NBA history.” — Nick Wright ([22:26])
• "He'll simply never be bad and he could easily play at ... a high level throughout his 40s.” — Nick Wright ([29:55])
• "The record books ... are going to be Chamberlain-esque, untouchable and farcical in the numbers to future generations.” — Nick Wright ([31:46])

On NBA Narratives and the Draymond Suspension

• "I've literally never heard that ... that the NBA suspended Draymond because they wanted Cleveland to win the title." — Nick Wright ([40:37])
• "In Game 6 when Draymond is there, LeBron scores 41, and the Cavs win by 15 points.” — Nick Wright ([43:28])
• "A career that will never be even remotely approached.” — Nick Wright ([45:10])

On NFL Week 12 Bets

• "What that defense is going to do to Cam Ward is going to be borderline criminal." — Nick Wright ([54:13])
• "Myles Garrett could set the single game and single season sack record in this game.” — Nick Wright ([56:02])

Segment Timestamps

• [03:21] – Shedeur Sanders game & media spin
• [10:52] – Wright calls out sports media on Sanders
• [18:16] – LeBron James discourse history
• [22:26] – Why LeBron always works anywhere
• [27:57] – LeBron vs. Kobe/Jordan on longevity
• [31:46] – LeBron’s records are untouchable
• [38:26] – Bill Simmons, Draymond conspiracy, NBA Finals revisionism
• [43:28] – LeBron’s Game 5 and 6 2016 Finals stat lines
• [51:51] – NFL Week 12 picks with analysis

Tone & Style

Nick Wright's tone is pointed, data-driven, and combative, especially in calling out misleading sports narratives both on social media and mainstream sports media. He balances criticism with humor, self-awareness, and an occasional nod to his own past takes. Listeners will find Wright’s analysis brash but deeply informed, with plenty of stats, historical context, and memorable rants.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

If you want context behind Shedeur Sanders’ bumpy NFL start, why LeBron James continues to defy all athletic precedent (and the bad faith or clueless critics along the way), and which NFL bets to make for Week 12, Nick Wright's takes here are better than scrolling your feed. His insights cut through the noise, restore perspective, and—love him or hate him—are always entertaining to hear.