THE HERD - Hour 1- Knicks playoff run, LeBron might go to the Warriors, the state of college sports
The New York Knicks are not just a playoff team—they're a phenomenon. Despite having no Hall of Famers, no legendary coach, and no dynasty pedigree, they’ve posted the best point differential in NBA history across regular season and playoffs, outperforming legends like the 1996 Bulls and 2017 Warriors. Colin Cowherd argues this isn’t a dynasty in the making, but a 'situationally excellent' team—built on grit, chemistry, and roster flexibility, not star power. The real story, though, is the seismic shift in NBA free agency: LeBron James may be leaving the Lakers for the Warriors, not for a title, but for a system that fits his age, IQ, and relationships. With Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and a top draft pick like Adai Mara, the Warriors could become a superteam of elite veterans and young talent. Yet Cowherd warns this era isn’t about legacy—it’s about adaptability. Meanwhile, college football is in crisis, but not because of money. Nick Saban’s alarm about a 'Ferrari racing toward the Grand Canyon' ignores the reality: revenue is up, attendance is up, and the sport is more competitive than ever. The real problem? A bloated system where $400 million facilities are built while non-revenue sports suffer. And in Chicago, the Bears may move to Hammond, Indiana—less because of money, more because the owners can’t afford a new stadium. The message? In sports, perception often trumps reality, and the herd follows the loudest noise, not the most sustainable truth.
The Knicks' historic point differential is inflated by a tanking epidemic—this is a situationally excellent team, not a dynasty.
LeBron James potentially joining the Warriors would be a 'Last Dance 2.0'—a roster of elite veterans and young talent built on chemistry, not just talent.
College football’s 'crisis' is a myth: revenue, attendance, and quality are all at record highs, but facilities and NIL spending are bloating the system.
Non-revenue sports are at risk not because of money, but because of misaligned priorities—universities can afford $400M facilities but not scholarships.
The Chicago Bears may move to Hammond, Indiana, not due to financial failure, but because the owners are among the poorest in the NFL and can’t fund a new stadium.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to The Herd: Friday Energy and World Cup Hype
Colin Cowherd kicks off the episode with a lively intro, promoting Fox Sports Radio, iHeartRadio, and the upcoming World Cup, setting a high-energy tone for the day.
The Knicks' Unexplainable Dominance
“The Knicks in the cruddy Eastern Conference finished below the Celtics who played most of the year without Jason Tatum and downgraded on their front line. So what is happening here?”
The 'Situationally Excellent' Era of the NBA
“I think San Antonio may be the latter, but New York right now is a favorite and they would be a little like Denver. Maybe got a Hall of Famer or two, but for the year, lightning in a bottle, they were exceptional.”
LeBron to the Warriors: The Last Dance 2.0?
“That is a lineup, folks. That is a roster. That is a playoff team. Frank Isola, covering the NBA for years, had thoughts on the rumors and reports. Does make a lot of sense.”
The Jalen Brunson Paradox: From Forgotten to MVP
“A lot of overnight successes take a really long time. And Jalen Brunson today is a top five finisher in the NBA. There's no doubt about that.”
“This sport's been Thelma and Louise for a long time. They've been cars driving over that canyon for a long time, and it's never been better.”
“That is a lineup, folks. That is a roster. That is a playoff team.”
“I think San Antonio may be the latter, but New York right now is a favorite and they would be a little like Denver. Maybe got a Hall of Famer or two, but for the year, lightning in a bottle, they were exceptional.”
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new york knicks
other
lebron james
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colin cowherd
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golden state warriors
other
jalen brunson
person
nick saban
person
chicago bears
other
steph curry
person
hammond indiana
place
draymond green
person
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