Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "What's Wright - NBA Playoff Predictions: Lakers-Timberwolves, Playoff Jimmy ERUPTS in Warriors Win"

Release Date: April 17, 2025
Host: Nick Wright (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Nick Wright delves deep into the impending NBA playoffs, offering comprehensive predictions and analysis on key matchups. The primary focus centers on the Lakers facing the Timberwolves and a standout performance by Jimmy Butler in the Warriors' recent victory. Throughout the discussion, Wright collaborates with co-host Damanze to dissect team strategies, player performances, and pivotal storylines shaping the postseason.

NBA Playoff Predictions

Warriors vs. Rockets Analysis

Timestamp: [04:53]

Damanze kicks off the analysis by highlighting Jimmy Butler's exceptional performance against the Warriors:
"Playoff Jimmy has arrived or playing Jimmy, whatever you want to call it. He cooked him and Steph comb 75 points in that game the other day."

Nick Wright offers a contrarian view on the Warriors' favored status:
"I think the Rockets are going to win. I do not know how anyone could have watched Warriors Grizzlies and come away more confident in the Golden State Warriors."

Wright emphasizes Jimmy Butler's strategic gameplay, particularly his ability to draw fouls and utilize free throws effectively:
"Jimmy's ability to generate fouls and get to the free throw line... if your team gets in the bonus, that is super valuable."

He further critiques Stephen Curry's defensive contributions during critical moments, questioning the Warriors' depth and defensive strategies:
"They subbed Steph out for defensive purposes. But with five seconds left in a defensive possession, they put him back in. It was taken out for defense."

Refereeing Controversies

Timestamp: [09:00]

The conversation shifts to officiating concerns in the Warriors vs. Grizzlies game, with Wright expressing frustration over perceived biased calls:
"I thought the officiating... the refs seem to be almost intentionally controlling the flow of the game."

He cites specific instances where referee decisions favored the Warriors, ultimately impacting the game's outcome:
"Jimmy had 18 free throws... every single close call went the Warriors way."

Wright hopes for improved officiating in the postseason to ensure fair competition:
"I absolutely hate that. And I hope in the postseason, the refs are better all right."

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Series

Timestamp: [23:00]

Turning to the Lakers vs. Timberwolves matchup, Damanze highlights the Lakers' favorable odds:
"Lakers have the second best odds in the west to win the title right now at -195."

Wright assesses the Timberwolves' reliance on Julius Randle, scrutinizing his playoff performance history:
"The only chance the Timberwolves have is if Julius Randle, for the first time in his career, plays well in the playoffs."

He presents Randle's inconsistent playoff shooting stats, underscoring the risks for Minnesota:
"In his playoff career, and he has one other game against Miami where he was 20 and nine on 61%... he's got to be good for them to have a chance."

Wright also discusses Anthony Edwards' role and the Lakers' defensive strategies against key Timberwolves players:
"Anthony Edwards is going to average 30 in this series. Can Austin make him have to defend enough and run around enough that he is a little tired on the offensive end?"

Potential Rivalries and Team Dynamics

Timestamp: [32:18]

The hosts speculate on emerging rivalries, particularly between Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards, envisioning a dynamic and competitive series:
"I think that could be the start of a Luka-Ant rivalry."

Wright analyzes Luka's potential impact on the series, comparing him to other elite players and projecting his MVP-caliber future:
"I look at Luka as a guy I expect to win multiple MVPs. Anthony Edwards might win one."

Player Performances and Key Storylines

Jimmy Butler's Impact

Timestamp: [05:21]

Wright praises Butler's clutch performances but expresses skepticism about their consistency:
"Jimmy was brilliant against the Clippers... he's not going to be putting up these 30 plus point games with regularity."

He reflects on Butler's historical playoff performances, suggesting his recent surge may not sustain throughout the playoffs:
"Even prime playoff Jimmy was not doing that. He would pop off for these big games and then have more quiet games."

Stephen Curry's Defensive Role

Timestamp: [08:23]

Discussion centers on Curry's defensive contributions and strategic substitutions:
"They could have just said what the actual facts. It was not that he was resting. It was offense, defense, substitutions."

Wright critiques commentator Reggie Miller's portrayal of Curry's defensive efforts:
"That was a Reggie tour de force on that call."

Reflections on Team Strategies

Timestamp: [11:50]

Wright dissects the Warriors' "pods" offense, highlighting inefficiencies despite their reputation as a shooting powerhouse:
"It's weird to say about a Warriors team that is the greatest shooter of all time, but they're not an unbelievable shooting team because of the people they have out there."

He ranks the Warriors' players in terms of playoff value, favoring Rockets' bench over some Warriors' starters:
"In your team, the warriors have the best player by a considerable margin. Steph's the best player, Shingoon's the second best player... [but] you take all those guys over."

Team Strategies and Future Predictions

Warriors' Lineup Concerns

Timestamp: [13:25]

Wright expresses doubts about the Warriors' reliance on key players and potential lineup shifts:
"The Warriors are playing Kaminga out of the rotation entirely."

He references an article questioning Kaminga's role and discipline:
"Kaminga skipped pregame introductions and arrived late... did he fulfill his role as modest as it might have been, or did he try to do his own thing?"

Wright concludes that the Rockets are the preferable opponent in this series due to their more balanced and youthful roster:
"I think the Rockets are the better team, certainly the more rested team, maybe the healthier team."

Playoff Series Dynamics

Timestamp: [17:21]

Delving into the Lakers vs. Timberwolves series, Wright points out Julius Randle's necessity for Minnesota's success and LeBron James' pivotal role:
"Julius Randle's gotta be good for them to have a chance... he's guarding LeBron James a lot."

He assesses the Lakers' defensive matchups, noting Anthony Edwards' offensive prowess:
"You don't have anybody who can slow down Anthony Edwards. I would just go ahead and pencil in Anthony Edwards for 30 a game."

Wright also discusses potential coaching decisions and player fatigue:
"How much energy can Austin Reeves make Anthony Edwards expend on the defensive end?"

Listener Interaction and Predictions

Playoff Win Totals and Bets

Timestamp: [52:08]

Towards the latter part of the episode, Wright and Damanze shift focus to NFL win totals, discussing various teams' over and under bets based on DraftKings data. They touch upon:

• AFC Teams: Patriots, Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Jaguars, Titans, Chiefs, Raiders.
• NFC Teams: Eagles, Commanders, Cowboys, Giants, Lions, Packers, Bears, Vikings, Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals, Falcons, Saints, Panthers.

Wright shares his personal picks and reasoning behind choosing over or under for each team, emphasizing strategic insights and team performances.

Listener Questions

Timestamp: [65:13]

The hosts address questions from listeners, covering topics such as:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo's Playoff Potential: Breezy asks if Giannis can achieve a legendary postseason akin to LeBron's 2018 performance. Wright remains skeptical, noting the increasing competitiveness of the East.

• Playoff Betting Shows: Rule of Halves inquires about whether Wright would host a show featuring debates with sports fans. Wright remains open to the idea, citing potential engagement and fun dynamics.

• Lakers vs. Timberwolves Coaching Decisions: Ronnie questions if Minnesota might fire Coach Mike Malone if the Lakers win. Wright responds by expressing confidence in Coach Chris Finch's management but acknowledges potential shifts depending on series outcomes.

• Impact of Playoff Success on NBA: Quad asks if Jimmy Butler's championship victory might lead other stars like Tatum, Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Harden, and LeBron to rest during the regular season to peak for playoffs. Wright counters that Butler's experience and recent strategic plays are unique factors, though he doesn’t fully agree with the notion.

Concluding Remarks

Timestamp: [69:18]

As the episode wraps up, Wright and Damanze briefly reiterate their NFL win total predictions and encourage listeners to engage with their content through ratings, subscriptions, and reviews. They express enthusiasm for the upcoming playoff games and tease potential emergency episodes, particularly around significant dates like Easter Sunday.

Notable Quotes

• Nick Wright on Jimmy Butler's Playoff Impact:
  "Jimmy's ability to generate fouls and get to the free throw line... if your team gets in the bonus, that is super valuable."
  (04:53)

• Nick Wright on Refereeing Bias:
  "I thought the officiating... the refs seem to be almost intentionally controlling the flow of the game."
  (09:00)

• Nick Wright on Lakers vs. Timberwolves Series:
  "Anthony Edwards is going to average 30 in this series. Can Austin make him have to defend enough and run around enough that he is a little tired on the offensive end?"
  (23:34)

• Damanze on Potential Rivalries:
  "Do you think this could be the start of a Luka-Ant rivalry?"
  (32:18)

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd provides an in-depth analysis of the NBA playoffs, focusing on pivotal matchups like the Lakers vs. Timberwolves and the Warriors vs. Rockets. Host Nick Wright, alongside co-host Damanze, offers nuanced perspectives on player performances, team strategies, and the broader implications of playoff outcomes. Noteworthy is the critical examination of officiating in crucial games and the exploration of emerging rivalries that could define the postseason narrative. Listeners gain valuable insights into potential series outcomes, player impacts, and betting considerations, making this episode a comprehensive guide for NBA enthusiasts gearing up for the high-stakes atmosphere of playoff basketball.