The Herd with Colin Cowherd
What's Wright - Nick Wright REACTS: Eagles DRAMA, Hurts & Sirianni’s BROKEN relationship + SGA & Luka BATTLE for MVP
Host: Nick Wright (with co-host Damanze)
Date: April 3, 2026
Episode Highlights: NBA MVP Race (SGA, Luka, Wimby), Eagles Drama (Hurts & Sirianni), and NFL QB updates (Lamar, Cousins)
Episode Overview
This episode of “What’s Wright with Nick Wright” dives deep into NBA and NFL storylines:
- The contentious NBA MVP race featuring Victor Wembanyama (Wimby), Luka Dončić, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), with debate over media narratives and double standards.
- Analysis of the San Antonio Spurs' playoff potential and Wimby’s evolving game.
- In-depth reaction to a major ESPN report on Philadelphia Eagles dysfunction, focusing on Jalen Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni’s fractured relationship.
- Updates on Lamar Jackson’s offseason approach under a new Ravens head coach.
- Breaking down the reality versus headlines of Kirk Cousins’ new Raiders contract.
Nick maintains his characteristic mix of sarcasm, stats, and strong opinion, with Damanze playing off as a thoughtful foil.
Major Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Spurs’ Streak, Wimby’s Emergence, and MVP Narratives
(Spurs segment starts: 04:18)
- The Spurs have won 10 straight, with Victor Wembanyama dropping an astonishing 41 points in just 29 minutes in the last game.
- Nick is optimistic about the Spurs’ playoff chances, suggesting the low minutes-per-game is a management tactic, not a limit (“In the playoffs, let's assume he's capable of playing 35 minutes a game…” [04:30]).
- Nick’s frustration: Media double standard in MVP conversation, especially how high-volume scoring is praised for Wimby but critiqued for Luka.
- Quote:
"I've for the last month been told scoring 40 points and playing mediocre defense is no way to win an MVP...And now the Spurs win a game against what's left of the Warriors...and everyone's like, 'Holy, look at what Wimby did, man.' That feels like a double standard." [06:35]
- Quote:
- Damanze points out Wimby’s defense (3 blocks), but Nick notes that both the Bulls and Warriors outscored their averages against the Spurs recently, who abandoned their defense-first identity for splashy offense.
- The “role gravity” debate:
- Nick mocks the way media justifies Wimby’s MVP case with advanced metrics, then swoons when he does what traditional MVPs do (score in bunches).
- Quote:
“He pops off? Certainly...but what I find hypocritical by folks covering the league is they're yadda yadda'ing Luka putting up 40 consistently for a month, and then going head over heels over Wimby doing it a couple games in a row.” [10:50]
- Nick contextualizes his own stance:
- He likes Wimby, sees Spurs as legit contenders, but is tired of being cast as a “hater” for offering reasoned analysis.
- Quote:
“It's a skewed distribution...and me and maybe a couple others being like, yeah, right now, I think he's the fourth or fifth best player alive and his team could win the title. And people were like, you f---ing hater.” [14:40]
- Damanze compares Nick’s skepticism to his old take on Jokic, which Nick acknowledges (“I was flat wrong about him...I don't think there's anything I've said about Wimby that even has the possibility of being classified as wrong..." [16:39]).
2. Lakers-Thunder Matchup & Western Conference Playoff Implications
(Segment starts: 20:47)
- The Lakers and Thunder are both hot; tonight’s matchup could shift seeding.
- Nick downplays Luka’s MVP chances, expecting him to finish fourth behind Joker.
- Quote:
"I don't think Luka has any shot to win MVP. I think it has become a two-man race..." [21:01]
- Quote:
- Lakers’ hopes in tonight’s game will suffer from missing Marcus Smart, their “best point-of-attack defender”—puts the onus on LeBron and, possibly, Bronny, who Nick shouts out for earning real minutes.
- Playoff seeding is highly fluid:
- The Lakers could still fall to the 4th seed due to their tough schedule.
- Spurs-Thunder 1/2 split is especially volatile; if they tie, the Spurs get the #1 seed due to tiebreaker.
- Quote:
“It's a really remarkable situation...the Spurs have won 10 in a row...the Lakers have won four in a row…Nuggets...Rockets...Timberwolves...none of the good Western Conference teams lose anymore.” [25:45]
- The Lakers’ reward for their hot streak might be a brutal series vs. the Timberwolves if Anthony Edwards is healthy as they battle for top seeds.
3. SGA vs. Luka: Should They Campaign for MVP?
(Segment starts: 29:42)
- Damanze wonders if SGA “missed an opportunity” by not stumping for MVP more publicly.
- Nick breaks down why SGA should’ve made his MVP case, using historical stats to argue how rare his season is (30 PPG, 55% FG on a 60+ win team—typically an automatic MVP).
- Quote:
“Every single guy at any position who has scored like this and [whose] team has won, you know...had 20 or fewer losses...has won MVP. But have you seen his role gravity?” [34:50]
- Quote:
- For Luka, Nick thinks a public push would hurt rather than help, given current media sentiment.
- Quote:
"I think if Luka made a case for himself...people, it would have hurt him." [31:24]
- Quote:
- Nick admits (reluctantly) the numbers and precedent favor SGA, even though he considers Luka the better overall player.
4. Eagles’ Dysfunction: Hurts & Sirianni’s Fractured Relationship
(Segment begins: 36:12)
- ESPN’s exposé reveals deep fissures between Jalen Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni, as well as locker room splits involving A.J. Brown.
- Nick emphasizes how rare it is for a story like this to come out with so many internal sources—especially compared to organizations like the Chiefs or Bills.
- Quote:
“You’re just, you’re not going to find three people, much less double digit sources, that are going to be like, 'here's the problem with Patrick.' This story can’t exist in Kansas City.” [36:27]
- Quote:
- Main takeaways:
- A.J. Brown’s willingness to voice frustration actually helped his locker room standing—others agreed with him.
- Hurts is criticized for refusing to adapt his QB style (resisting under-center snaps, play-action, motions).
- Bombshell: Hurts audibled or drew up his own plays (e.g., a deep shot in a late-game Packers loss) on his own initiative, undermining staff decisions.
- Critique of Hurts’ leadership: He emulates Kobe/MJ’s ‘hard-edged’ style, which only works if you’re unimpeachably elite.
- Quote:
“I don't know that Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan's leadership styles were good. I think they were effective for them specifically.” [43:02]
- Patrick Mahomes’ inclusive leadership is offered as a contrast.
- Quote:
- The Russell Wilson parallel: Hurts, like Russ, must evolve now that his dynamic mobility is declining.
- Quote:
“If the running is not going to be as big of a part of your game, you...gotta get better as a precision, fully-developed passer or...lean into the running more like he used to.” [45:00]
- Quote:
- Sirianni’s “hot seat” remains; Hurts’ job security is tenuous for a recent Super Bowl MVP.
5. Lamar Jackson’s Voluntary Workout Absence Under New Coach
(Segment starts: 50:31)
- New Ravens coach Jesse Minter was non-committal about Lamar attending voluntary OTAs.
- Quote:
“He said, 'We'll see who walks in the door.'” [50:31]
- Quote:
- Nick’s longstanding policy: Never blasts QBs for skipping voluntary work—except, perhaps, when there’s a new staff or QB is coming off a down year.
- Lamar almost never attends such sessions but, Nick notes, he always shows up well-prepared and in shape.
- However, coming off “his worst season,” a coaching change means this is “the offseason to show up.”
- Quote:
“I think it's really weird that the new head coach Jesse Minter seems to just be resigned to the fact that he doesn't expect him there.” [53:56]
- Quote:
6. Kirk Cousins’ Contract with the Raiders—What’s the Real Deal?
(Segment starts: 55:22)
- Nick details how NFL reporters use misleading contract headline numbers (fake years/options).
- Praises Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter for clear reporting this time:
- In reality, Cousins gets $20 million fully guaranteed for 2026, with a two-year, $80 million option.
- Quote:
“It's a one year $20 million deal. Everyone understands it because our two biggest NFL transaction reporters nailed it. Guys, I can't—I'm not ready to say my work here is done, but I do feel like we're moving towards a better, more informed public, which has been my goal.” [59:10]
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
Nick on media Wimby bias:
“If you were to read out every Wimby take I've had since he's been in the league...I have found myself as, like, the most negative Wimby guy in the media—because I am just pretty positive...” [14:15]
-
On LeBron/Bronny:
“Their best point of attack point guard defender without Marcus Smart is probably Bronny...shout out to Bronny for getting real minutes in real games.” [22:55]
-
On Hurts’ self-determination:
“This article revealed they just called that on their own...Jalen will occasionally just call stuff on his own or draw up routes essentially on his own. That was not what they practiced or what the play design was. Man, if you're going to do that, you need to have higher success rate...” [39:24]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 04:18 – Spurs’ Streak, Wimby’s Offense, and MVP Narratives
- 20:47 – Lakers-Thunder Preview and West Playoff Race
- 29:42 – Should SGA/Luka Campaign for MVP? Case-breakdown
- 36:12 – Eagles Dysfunction: Hurts, Sirianni, A.J. Brown Deep Dive
- 50:31 – Lamar’s Voluntary Workouts & New Ravens Coach
- 55:22 – Kirk Cousins’ Contract: Real vs. Headline Numbers
Conclusion
This episode epitomizes Nick Wright’s brand: challenging prevailing sports narratives, revisiting his older controversial takes, and interrogating media double standards. He weaves together NBA MVP intrigue, NFL quarterback power dynamics, and the evolving calculus of leadership and contracts—all with lively, stat-supported debate.
If you like your sports commentary bold, analytic, and a bit sardonic, this episode is a must-hear.