Podcast Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode Title: What's Wright - BEST OF: Stephen A. FIRES BACK at LeBron James, wild Patrick Mahomes story, why SGA is NBA MVP
Release Date: March 15, 2025
1. Stephen A. Smith Confronts LeBron James
Timestamp: [00:54] - [23:00]
The episode kicks off with a heated discussion surrounding Stephen A. Smith's recent confrontation with LeBron James. Stephen A. Smith publicly addressed his issues with LeBron on his show, leading to significant backlash and media frenzy.
Key Points:
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Stephen A.'s Criticism: Stephen A. Smith openly criticized LeBron James, particularly focusing on LeBron's role as a father. This confrontation was further amplified when Smith appeared on Gilbert Arenas' show, where Arenas dismissed Stephen A.'s stance as "weak" and "BS" ([00:54] Stephen A. Smith).
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Damanze Daniel's Analysis: Damanze Daniel delves into the power dynamics at play, emphasizing that media personalities like Stephen A. Smith, despite their prominence, are inherently in a subordinate position compared to superstar athletes like LeBron James. Daniel argues that the media should acknowledge when they are at a disadvantage and sometimes accept losses gracefully ([01:09] - [04:50]).
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Media's Role and Humility: Daniel stresses the importance of media figures recognizing their role in storytelling rather than positioning themselves as equals to the athletes. He references historical media figures like Howard Cosell and Bob Costas, highlighting that their influence stemmed from telling the athletes' stories, not competing with them for fame ([04:50] - [05:24]).
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Power Imbalance and Response Strategy: The conversation highlights the necessity for media personalities to handle confrontations with high-profile athletes thoughtfully. Daniel criticizes Stephen A.'s claim that his producers forced him to address LeBron, suggesting it was an attempt to deflect responsibility for the confrontation ([03:29] - [12:14]).
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Consistency in Criticism: Daniel points out the inconsistency in how media critics approach athletes based on their status. He argues that while it's acceptable to critique players like Bronny James, it becomes problematic when the criticism appears biased or disproportionate ([11:35] - [23:00]).
Notable Quote:
"We in the media have to recognize that no matter how big or prominent we get, we'll never have the fame or credibility to be on par with the biggest athletes we cover."
— Damanze Daniel ([03:29])
2. Wild Patrick Mahomes Story
Timestamp: [38:29] - [41:17]
The podcast takes a nostalgic turn with a segment revisiting an interview conducted with Patrick Mahomes before the 2017 NFL Draft. Damanze Daniel shares a memorable interaction that underscores Mahomes' clarity of purpose and vision.
Key Points:
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Future Vision Exercise: Daniel recounts asking a young Patrick Mahomes to envision his life ten years into the future, focusing on personal and professional goals. Mahomes confidently stated his aspirations to have a family, excel as an NFL quarterback, and secure multiple Super Bowl championships ([38:29] - [39:28]).
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Inspiration and Preparation: Daniel reflects on how Mahomes' clear vision provided him with a roadmap to success, contrasting it with individuals who lack a defined end goal. This segment highlights Mahomes' determination and foresight early in his career ([39:34] - [41:17]).
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Personal Anecdote: The discussion includes a lighthearted moment where Daniel addresses misconceptions about his appearance, emphasizing authenticity and personal confidence ([41:17] - [41:33]).
Notable Quote:
"That is remarkable by Patrick, that he said the goals that high and exceeded all of them. He said one or two kids. He's at three."
— Damanze Daniel ([39:34])
3. Why SGA Is NBA MVP
Timestamp: [27:12] - [35:45]
In a contentious debate, Damanze Daniel and Stephen A. Smith discuss the current NBA MVP race, advocating for Stephen A. Smith (SGA) as a deserving candidate despite the traditional focus on on-court performance.
Key Points:
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MVP Criteria and Consistency: Daniel critiques the current MVP selection process, arguing for consistent standards that prioritize both individual performance and team success. He uses Nikola Jokić's multiple MVP awards as a benchmark for excellence but contends that other players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) exhibit comparable statistical achievements with better team records ([27:12] - [35:45]).
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Comparative Analysis: The conversation includes a comparison of Jokić's and SGA's performance metrics, highlighting SGA's efficiency and significant contributions to his team's success. Daniel emphasizes that MVP awards should reflect both personal and team accomplishments to maintain fairness and prestige ([31:52] - [34:44]).
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Historical Context: Daniel references past MVP winners, such as Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to illustrate how the award has traditionally honored players with both outstanding individual statistics and pivotal roles in their teams' successes ([34:09] - [35:45]).
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Call for Evolution in MVP Voting: The hosts suggest that the MVP voting process needs to evolve to incorporate a more holistic view of a player's impact, rather than relying solely on personal statistics or team performance swings ([34:33] - [35:45]).
Notable Quote:
"We cannot play Calvin Ball with how we give out MVP awards. If you want to know what 'Calvin Ball' is, it's from the old cartoon Calvin and Hobbes, where you just make up the rules as you go."
— Damanze Daniel ([29:00])
4. Aaron Rodgers Free Agency Speculation
Timestamp: [41:33] - [44:27]
Shifting focus to the NFL, the discussion centers on Aaron Rodgers entering free agency and the potential destinations teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings might consider.
Key Points:
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Rodgers' Market Position: Daniel analyzes Rodgers' current standing, suggesting that he is a main character in his narrative and is likely to seek a team that aligns with his personal and professional aspirations ([41:33] - [43:29]).
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Team Suitability: The conversation scrutinizes the suitability of teams eyeing Rodgers, particularly questioning the Minnesota Vikings' interest and the logic behind their pursuit compared to the Steelers and Giants ([43:23] - [44:27]).
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Potential Team Impact: Daniel debates the potential impact Rodgers would have on a team's performance, using comparisons to recent quarterback performances like Russell Wilson to assess whether Rodgers would bring significant value to the Steelers or Giants ([43:29] - [44:27]).
Notable Quote:
"Aaron Rodgers wants the attention. And I don't think they are still negotiating. I think that he is the main character in his story and in every story, it would seem."
— Damanze Daniel ([42:14])
5. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
Timestamp: [44:27] - End
The episode concludes with brief reflections on the topics discussed, emphasizing the interconnectedness of media narratives, athlete performances, and public perception. The hosts underscore the importance of maintaining integrity in sports commentary and the evolving nature of award recognitions like the MVP.
Overall Summary:
In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, listeners are treated to a multifaceted discussion that intertwines media dynamics, athlete accountability, and award meritocracy. The confrontation between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James serves as a focal point for exploring the power imbalance between media personalities and superstar athletes. Concurrently, the segment reminiscing about Patrick Mahomes highlights the significance of clear goal-setting in athletic success. The debate on why SGA deserves the NBA MVP underscores the need for consistent and holistic criteria in award selections. Lastly, the speculation surrounding Aaron Rodgers' free agency provides insights into team strategies and quarterback valuations in the NFL. Throughout, notable quotes and in-depth analysis ensure that both avid followers and casual listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the pressing sports narratives of the day.