THE HERD - Hour 1 - Defending Victor Wembanyama, previewing game 4 of the NBA Finals

Colin Cowherd delivers a passionate defense of Victor Wembanyama, arguing that the NBA's increased physicality in the playoffs disproportionately targets elite big men like Wemby—despite his youth, international background, and stoic demeanor. He draws parallels to legendary bigs like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaq, who also absorbed physical punishment, and frames Wemby’s occasional reactions not as aggression but as natural responses to relentless, multi-man defensive schemes. Cowherd dismisses the New York Post’s sensationalist 'wanted poster' headline as absurd, emphasizing that Wemby is navigating a code of conduct older than modern basketball. He also uses the NBA Finals as a springboard to critique the NFL’s failure to capitalize on available talent—highlighting Sam Darnold, Tom Brady, and Malik Willis as underappreciated stars who were ignored by most teams despite elite stats and coachability. Cowherd argues that NFL front offices routinely undervalue quarterback talent, especially when it comes from lesser-known or overlooked players, and calls out the league’s lack of urgency in developing its roster. The episode closes with a philosophical take on the World Cup: not as a vehicle for growing soccer in America, but as a four-week global celebration—like a vacation—that’s valuable in its own right, regardless of long-term impact.