Colin Cowherd Podcast - KAT Outplaying Wemby, Knicks Are A GREAT Story, Knicks Are A BAD Matchup For The Spurs, RIP Stacey King

The Herd with Colin Cowherd40mJune 7, 2026
AI-Generated Summary

The Knicks' improbable playoff run isn't just about talent—it's about scar tissue. Colin Cowherd and his guest argue that New York's success stems not from being the league's best team, but from years of painful losses that forged mental toughness, resilience, and cohesion. Unlike the Spurs' young, polished roster, the Knicks are a collection of traded pieces who’ve bonded through adversity, with key players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns transformed by personal loss and redemption. The episode reveals a deeper truth: modern basketball championships aren’t won by star power alone, but by a rare alchemy of team chemistry, health, matchup luck, and emotional maturity. The Spurs, despite Wemby’s brilliance, are still learning how to win under pressure—something the Knicks have already mastered through repeated heartbreak. This isn’t a Cinderella story; it’s a testament to the power of perseverance in sports. The conversation also explores how basketball culture differs from other sports: players like Wemby are judged too harshly at 22, when even legends like LeBron and Magic needed years of failure to evolve. The Knicks’ success is a product of their ability to adapt—switching strategies mid-series, leaning on role players like Deuce McBride and Mikael Bridges, and thriving in high-pressure environments. It’s a reminder that in today’s NBA, being situationally excellent—healthy, versatile, and lucky—can be more valuable than raw talent.

Key Takeaways
1

The Knicks' success is rooted in scar tissue from years of playoff heartbreak, not just talent.

2

Wemby’s size and finesse are assets, but his lack of physical dominance limits his impact against bigger, more physical centers.

3

Teams like the Knicks win not by being the best, but by being situationally excellent—healthy, versatile, and lucky in matchups.

4

Carl Anthony Towns is a unique 'unicorn' player: a 7'0" stretch big who can shoot, slash, pass, and defend at a high level.

5

The Knicks’ chemistry is deeper than their roster suggests—built through shared adversity, not just shared draft picks.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
3:33
3 min

The Weight of History: Why the Knicks Are More Than a Team

Cowherd reflects on the emotional weight of the Knicks' journey, framing their success as a product of accumulated pain and resilience from years of losing. The team’s identity is built on scar tissue from past failures, not just talent.

6:23
4 min

Wemby’s Limits: The Physical Reality of Being 7'4"

He is not going to just body check dudes into the lane at any point in his career. Like the closest example of this is Anthony Davis. He put on a bunch of muscle. It didn't help him at all because his center of gravity is too high.

Highlight
10:08
5 min

The Culture of Failure: Why Losing Builds Better Players

I've actually referred to this over the years as scar tissue when you're a competitor and you lose. And you know, it's cause you fucked up because you did something like a specific play here. There it eats at you. It literally eats at you.

Highlight
14:43
5 min

The Knicks’ Magic: Team Chemistry Over Talent

There's a magic in the jump shooting like that like like it or not I do think the Knicks are very good jump shooting team but there's also a variance element there like sometimes a team just has to get hot.

Highlight
20:00
7 min

The Era of Situationally Excellent Teams

I do think that's, to your point, what the Knicks are is that all these Denver, I thought was going to be more than situationally excellent. But then again, you lose a guy off the bench.

Highlight
High-Impact Quotes
I've actually referred to this over the years as scar tissue when you're a competitor and you lose. And you know, it's cause you fucked up because you did something like a specific play here. There it eats at you. It literally eats at you.
Colin Cowherd13:01
He is not going to just body check dudes into the lane at any point in his career. Like the closest example of this is Anthony Davis. He put on a bunch of muscle. It didn't help him at all because his center of gravity is too high.
Colin Cowherd9:32
If you if you never met Stacy King. It was your loss because he was just a huge man and a huge personality, beloved in the community.
Colin Cowherd41:49
Speakers

Host

Colin Cowherd
Topics Discussed
knicks playoff run95%scar tissue in sports92%wemby limitations90%situationally excellent teams88%stacey king tribute85%team chemistry85%knicks vs spurs matchup80%basketball culture70%
People & Brands

knicks

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20xPositive

wemby

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jalen brunson

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15xPositive

karl-anthony towns

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14xPositive

colin cowherd

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12xNeutral

spurs

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12xNeutral

stacey king

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6xNeutral

mike brown

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5xPositive

hard rock bet

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hims

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