The Herd with Colin Cowherd – What's Wright Best Of

Date: February 8, 2026
Highlights: Nick Wright goes off on the LeBron All-Star debate, deep dives into Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl preview, and delivers fiery NBA Trade Deadline reactions.

Episode Overview

In this "Best Of" edition of "What's Wright with Nick Wright," guest host Nick Wright delivers his signature passionate commentary on three hot topics:

1. A detailed Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl preview
2. A heated defense of LeBron James’ All-Star selection and the ensuing NBA controversy
3. Sharp, insightful reactions to the NBA Trade Deadline’s biggest moves

Wright, never shy about strong opinions, mixes analysis, stats, and memorable rants—perfect for dedicated sports fans seeking clarity and arguments to bring to the next debate.

1. Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl Preview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

• Paths to Victory for Each Team

  • Seattle Seahawks:

    • Their defensive line must pressure rookie Patriots QB Drake May, forcing third and long situations.
    • Trust in Seattle’s elite secondary and Mike Macdonald’s schemes could "fool a young, excellent but young quarterback" (03:00).
    • "Since Mike Macdonald got there, [Seattle is] 15-2 away from home…quarterbacks, the first time they face Macdonald’s defense, have struggled massively" (11:17).
    • Need to avoid putting the game on Sam Darnold’s shoulders offensively.

  • New England Patriots:

    • Drake May must run effectively; Seattle’s defense struggles with QB scrambles.
    • Staying ahead of the chains is crucial; Patriots can’t afford to fall behind the sticks or scoreboard.
    • Patriots are "winning in spite of quarterback play" thus far in the playoffs (09:20).

• Drake May’s Postseason Struggles

  • Second-biggest drop-off in NFL history from regular season to postseason passer rating.
  • Dramatic decrease in completion percentage and spike in turnovers (05:30):

    "In 17 regular-season games [May] turned the ball over 11 times... In 3 playoff games, he’s turned it over 5 times total" – Nick Wright (05:48)

• Coaching Matchup

  • Vrabel, in his first season, could establish “best coach in the league” status with a win.
  • Macdonald being lauded for instant defensive transformation.

• Players with the Most to Gain or Lose

  • Vrabel can cement elite coaching reputation; Darnold can complete “greatest QB reclamation story in league history" (17:03).
  • "If the Patriots win and Drake May plays well…people will argue he’s the best quarterback in the league" (15:53).

• X-Factor Matchup

  • Patriots’ rookie LT Will Campbell versus DeMarcus Lawrence and Seattle’s D-Line:

    "That's where the game can be lost—Will Campbell against DeMarcus Lawrence…" (18:11)

• Score Prediction

  "27-17 Seattle is how I see this shaking out." – Nick Wright (19:53)

Notable Moment

• Vivid (and amusing) recaps of Super Bowl betting, including insider memories of prop bets during Rams-Bengals (21:23–24:12):

  “I laddered the sacks in that game...and they got Von Miller, I think, for sack number seven...” – Nick Wright

2. NBA All-Star Controversy: LeBron James' Selection

Nick Wright’s Rant Defending LeBron

• Core Argument:
  LeBron’s selection is non-negotiable—historical precedent dictates Hall-of-Fame icons get All-Star nods late into their careers, regardless of stats.

• Refutation of Critics:

  • Direct call-out of John Hollinger’s critical column, labeling it “unserious and embarrassing” (34:00).
  • Asserts legacy status (Kareem, Jordan, Kobe) always guarantees All-Star nods:

    "LeBron did not take anyone's spot because LeBron’s spot was guaranteed because he’s LeBron...and folks, the only folks ever who have walked those hallways are All-Stars until they retire." (33:03)

  • Cites historical examples:
    • Kareem’s late-career All-Star seasons (34:30)
    • Michael Jordan’s Wizards years (35:41):

      “…people understood, it’s Michael Jordan, it’s the All-Star Game, he should probably be there.”

    • Multiple Kobe seasons as an All-Star long past his best

• LeBron’s Stats This Season:

  • Averaging “22, 6 and 6 on 50% [shooting]” at age 41 (36:08)
  • Playing “at a drastically higher level than Kareem at the end, Michael at the end, or Kobe at the end.”

• Double Standard Point:

  "Others complaining about it is a double standard against LeBron..." (39:37)

• Fan vs. Coach Selections:

  • Noted that this was a coaches’ pick, not a fan vote, underscoring respect for LeBron’s status (45:20).

Notable Quote

"It would have been an unprecedented snub had LeBron been left out and the coaches knew better." – Nick Wright (48:02)

Memorable Moment

• Nick’s tone borders between mock outrage and citation-heavy lecturing, yet he connects historical context to the present in convincing and colorful fashion.

3. NBA Trade Deadline Reaction

Major Topics

• Anthony Davis to the Wizards

  • Mavs’ trade for Luka ends badly; Wizards acquire Anthony Davis for minimal draft capital.
  • Wright lambastes Dallas’ trade history:

    "It is an all-time tragedy of a trade...I am stunned Dallas didn't get more for Anthony Davis." (52:51–55:25)

• Jaren Jackson Jr. Moved to Jazz

  • Jazz pay more for JJJ than the Wizards did for AD.
  • Wright:

    "That just objectively means Jaren Jackson Jr. had way more trade value than Anthony Davis..." (64:05)

    • Details involved picks: Lakers 2027 1st, best of 2027 Minnesota/Cleveland/Utah 1st, 2031 Phoenix 1st

• Harden to the Cavaliers / Garland to Clippers

  • Skepticism about Harden’s fit & his playoff reputation (57:33)

    “The record of quitting and falling apart in the playoffs is unmatched by any athlete in American sports history. Just is.”

  • Likes Clippers’ buy-low on Garland.

• Minor Trades

  • Lakers add shooter Luke Kennard (49.7% from three); Wright applauds as incremental upgrade (59:00)
  • Jazz aim to be competitive soon, betting on youth and size
  • Celtics add Vucevic; Simons to Bulls
  • Chris Paul trade likely leads to buyout—hopes Lakers pursue him
  • Thunder take a flyer on Jared McCain

• Giannis Watch

  • No trade—likely to be dealt in summer, labeled “a wasted year for all parties” (68:12).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• LeBron All-Star Debate
  • “As long as you’re active and healthy, you’re an All-Star. Forget the fact that on its merits, there is an argument for LeBron.” (38:42)
• AD Trade Reaction
  • “Trading AD for Chris Middleton, salary filler and two awful first round picks…is a disaster.” (55:25)
• Drake May Playoff Struggles
  • “In 17 games he had 8 fumbles. In 3 playoff games, 6 fumbles. That’s stunning.” (05:52)
• Super Bowl Prediction
  • “Seattle 27, New England 17 is my official pick.” (19:53)
• On NBA Precedent
  • “It is long understood that if you are in contention to be the greatest player of all time...you’re an All-Star.” (39:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Super Bowl Paths to Victory (02:43–13:32)
• Most to Lose/Gain in Super Bowl (13:32–18:07)
• Most Important Super Bowl Matchup (18:07–19:47)
• Super Bowl Prediction (19:47–21:15)
• Nick Wright’s Super Bowl Memories/Bets (21:23–24:12)
• NBA All-Star Debate (LeBron) (32:02–49:13)
• Anthony Davis Trade Fallout (52:34–57:18)
• Harden, Garland, Kennard Trades (57:18–61:56)
• Jaren Jackson Jr., Celtics Moves (61:56–66:17)
• Chris Paul, Thunder, Pistons (66:17–68:12)

Summary & Tone

Nick Wright provides assertive, sometimes combative analysis, making the show lively and hard-hitting. His impassioned defense of LeBron connects modern NBA culture with its history, and his trade deadline reactions mix satire with solid front offices takes. For any sports fan looking for sharp insight peppered with memorable rants—this episode is a can’t-miss.

For further listening, find "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" and "What's Wright with Nick Wright" wherever you get your podcasts.