The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "What’s Wright" Episode

Luka Doncic and JJ Redick LAKERS FEUD? Giannis RETURNS to Bucks & NFL TRADE Reaction | Guest: Nick Wright

Date: March 4, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Summary by: Expert Podcast Summarizer

Episode Overview

This episode of "What’s Wright" with Nick Wright dives into the current state of the NBA and NFL. Nick, joined by Damanze, covers Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to the Bucks after injury, the implications for Milwaukee's future, the Celtics’ path with Jayson Tatum’s impending return, a heated sideline feud between Luka Doncic and JJ Redick with the Lakers, Draymond Green's critique of Luka coverage, and Lou Dort’s reputation for dirty play. The episode also dissects notable NFL moves, including the David Montgomery trade, and finishes off with rapid listener Q&A.

Tone: Opinionated, rapid-fire, slightly irreverent, and deeply knowledgeable on sports media and analytics.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NBA Calendar Lull and Show Structure

• Nick and Damanze address the early March lull in the sports calendar, noting limited major headlines outside a handful of NBA stories and an NFL trade.
• Nick playfully reflects on his career and the one-year anniversary of the show joining The Volume (06:26).

2. Giannis’ Return & Bucks’ Uncertain Future

[07:09 – 14:55]

• Giannis returns post-injury but the Bucks lose to the Celtics, who were missing Jaylen Brown. The Bucks are now three and a half games out of the play-in.
• Nick: Bucks may miss the play-in altogether, and even if they make it, they’re unlikely to make postseason impact.
• Nick reflects on Giannis’s loyalty and tenure:

  "Giannis came into the league in 2013, which remarkably means this is his 13th year with Milwaukee. 13 years with Milwaukee. That is… as many years as Michael Jordan played with the Bulls." (13:23)

• Discussion: The Bucks and Giannis both avoid initiating a breakup, but a poor finish could force the issue.
• Strong argument for the Bucks to consider trading Giannis if they falter, instead of waiting for him to demand out.

3. Celtics’ Outlook & Jayson Tatum’s Return

[14:55 – 23:56]

• Damanze asks about Tatum’s rehab and role upon his likely soon return.
• Nick clarifies Tatum’s public comments:

  "I think what Jayson Tatum is saying [to the doctor], is we need to approach this rehab so that… at some point I am 100% of the guy I was before." (16:56)

• Nick predicts:
  • Tatum will be a "role player" initially but should evolve to "high-quality starter" by the playoffs, maybe a "star" by round two (19:23).
  • “What they have going right now is a really good season and an awesome story that has no chance of resulting in a championship.” (23:00)
• Analogy: Nick likens the Celtics without Tatum to a race car with a wobbly tire; you fix it to actually finish the race, even if it’s disruptive in the short term.
• Damanze compares Tatum’s situation to “Jordan Love”-type expectations: just steady play on a strong team may be enough.
• Nick: Without Tatum, Celtics’ ceiling is capped as “not championship caliber.”

4. Luka Doncic & JJ Redick Sideline Feud, Lakers Troubles

[30:04 – 35:37]

• Luka, after turning 27, has a minor sideline altercation with new Lakers coach JJ Redick.
• Nick dissects the body language:

  "Luka not dapping up JJ is unfortunate but acceptable. JJ not dapping up Luka is unacceptable because the player-coach relationship is different. The coach has to constantly be above it." (31:58)

• Damanze notes that JJ used to be a player, but Nick insists the onus is still on Redick as the “adult.”
• Comparison: Nick references a recent Ant Edwards–Chris Finch moment to highlight player-coach dynamics.
• Nick calls out excessive criticism of Luka relative to Jokic:

  "The gap in criticism or critique of Nikola Jokic compared to Luka is far greater than their gap in impact, talent, and ability." (34:54)

• Both the Lakers and Nuggets have 24 losses; Nick argues the “sky is falling” narrative only hits the Lakers.

5. Draymond Green’s Comments & The Narrative Around Luka

[35:53 – 40:26]

• Draymond criticizes the media’s flip-flopping on Luka and former GM Nico Harrison (“regurgitating the same things Nico Harrison was saying about Luka”).
• Nick pushes back, noting the real disaster in the Lakers’ handling of the Luka trade was failing to get market value:

  “What made it the worst trade in NBA history was that you traded Luka Doncic with four pennies on the dollar…” (36:07)

• Nick calls out Draymond’s focus on media criticism despite his poor personal performance, referencing Draymond’s recent inefficient months and the Warriors’ defensive struggles.
• “I maybe wouldn’t be casting too many stones at anybody doing anything, but that’s me.” (39:53)

6. Lou Dort, Jokic, & “Dirty Basketball” in OKC

[40:26 – 54:45]

• Nick is outraged by a recent Lou Dort “cheap shot” on Jokic, calling Lou Dort the “unified... champion of dirty ass basketball” (43:49).
• He outlines Dort’s pattern: “mixtape of obviously dirty,” referencing previous incidents (kicking out on threes, collisions, and a new hip-check on Jokic).
• Notable quote:

  “That shit on Jokic was an embarrassment to basketball.” (47:32)

• Nick argues OKC will now be under greater officiating scrutiny, which could affect their playoff chances:

  “The current undisputed, unified, universal champion of... dirty ass basketball is on your team, Oklahoma City, and his name’s Lou Dort.” (43:49)

• Damanze and Nick discuss “enforcer” roles, referencing Draymond, Pat Bev, Dylan Brooks, and Grayson Allen.
• Nick notes Denver’s recent mediocrity (17–18 over the last 35) and defensive drop-off.

7. Knicks-Spurs, NBA Cup, and Contenders Outlook

[60:16 – 63:25]

• Knicks snapped Spurs win streak; Nick was at the game.
• Knicks defended Wembanyama physically and capitalized on the Spurs’ 3-point shooting woes.
• Knicks have the #1 defense since their resurgence, and Nick sees them as legit East contenders particularly if Tatum isn’t 100%.
• Anecdotes: Nick recalls the old Knicks-Spurs 1999 Finals (“one of the saddest finals matchups of my life” – 62:16).

8. NFL Trade Reaction: Montgomery to Texans, Media Critique

[63:25 – 73:46]

• David Montgomery traded from Lions to Texans for a fourth, a seventh, and OL Juice Scruggs.
• Nick criticizes Ian Rapaport’s reporting:

  “He told the world your client is such a horrible player that... a 4th, a 7th and a player on the minimum is [the value of] a 5th round pick. It’s just such a farce.” (69:37)

• Nick explains the sports media dynamic: pressure to be first, agents as information sources, and awkward attempts to save face on Twitter missteps.

9. Fast NFL Updates: Chiefs, O-Line Moves, Hall of Fame Q&A

[73:46 – 75:11]

• Chiefs cut Juwan Taylor to save cap; offensive line not high on Nick’s list of KC concerns.
• Listener Q&A:
  • Lamar Jackson is a “lock stock Hall of Famer” based on his two MVPs and three first-team All-Pros.
  • Active QBs who are surefire Hall of Famers if they retired today: Mahomes, Rodgers, Lamar, Stafford.

10. NBA Q&A: Kaminga and Porzingis

[75:11 – End]

• Kaminga thriving with the Hawks is “a bad look for Golden State.”
• Brief update: Porzingis’ mysterious health problems are “pretty sad, actually.”
• Sign-off includes March Madness contest promo and reminders.

Timestamped Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Giannis’ Milwaukee tenure:
  “Giannis came into the league in 2013… This is his 13th year with Milwaukee… That is as many years as Michael Jordan played with the Bulls.” (13:23)

• On Tatum’s rehab:
  “What Jayson Tatum is saying, we need to approach this rehab so that at some point, I am 100% of the guy I was before.” (16:56)

• On player vs. coach standards:
  “Luka not dapping up JJ is unfortunate but acceptable. JJ not dapping up Luka is unacceptable because the player coach relationship is different.” (31:58)

• On the Luka trade:
  “You traded Luka Doncic with four pennies on the dollar… the verdict is in on the Luka trade. It is an F triple minus.” (36:07)

• On Lou Dort:
  “The current undisputed, unified, universal champion of… dirty ass basketball is on your team Oklahoma City, and his name’s Lou Dort.” (43:49)

• On NFL reporting:
  “He told the world your client is such a horrible player that… a 4th, a 7th and a player on the minimum is [the value of] a 5th round pick. It’s just such a farce.” (69:37)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Start | End | |------------------------------|----------|----------| | Sports Calendar/Early March | 02:38 | 07:09 | | Giannis Returns/Bucks Future | 07:09 | 14:55 | | Celtics & Tatum’s Return | 14:55 | 23:56 | | Luka & JJ Redick Feud | 30:04 | 35:37 | | Draymond & Luka Discourse | 35:53 | 40:26 | | Lou Dort/Jokic/Dirty Play | 40:26 | 54:45 | | Knicks-Spurs/NBA Cup | 60:16 | 63:25 | | NFL Montgomery Trade | 63:25 | 73:46 | | Listener Q&A | 73:46 | End |

Conclusion

This episode provides a whirlwind tour of the week’s NBA and NFL storylines with Nick Wright’s trademark candor, sharp statistical insight, and unfiltered opinions. Whether breaking down player-coach dynamics, critiquing headline trades, or calling out dirty play, Nick brings behind-the-scenes clarity and memorable moments for both casual and hardcore sports fans.