THE HERD - Hour 1 - Lakers get swept by OKC, the future for LeBron, upcoming NFL season

The Herd with Colin Cowherd opens with a scathing analysis of the Lakers' sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder, emphasizing that the loss wasn't about stars but about roster construction. Cowherd argues that the Thunder's success stems from maximizing value at the middle and bottom of their roster—highlighting players like A.J. Mitchell and Jared McCain—while the Lakers lack depth, value, and defensive versatility. He critiques the Lakers' failure to build a sustainable roster, especially after losing Alex Caruso and failing to acquire young, cost-controlled talent. The discussion shifts to LeBron James' uncertain future, with Cowherd suggesting that despite LeBron's elite playoff performance, the Lakers' structure makes it difficult to build around him, especially with Luka Dončić’s defensive liabilities and the team’s lack of wing defenders. The episode then pivots to the NFL, where Cowherd forecasts a resurgence of big markets like New York, Chicago, and Dallas, while analyzing the upcoming schedule and the importance of strength of schedule for middle-tier teams. He also examines the evolving landscape of college football, particularly the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, which is being restructured due to priorities shifting toward NIL and playoff access over tradition. Finally, Cowherd previews the upcoming World Cup, favoring England as a dark horse, and offers a hot take on the NBA draft, questioning whether A.J. DeBonta will thrive in Washington with Trey Young’s ball-dominant style.