Best of The Herd

We’re live on The Herd—thanks for making us part of your day. Celtics season’s over, and the Sixers didn’t just win; Boston leaned so hard on a three-point formula they forgot to adjust when it mattered.

Game seven summed it up: down a point with under four minutes, Boston launched seven threes and missed them all, while Embiid was the best player on the floor once he finally played. They need more burst at guard and length up front—someone like Aaron Gordon—because a cap tied to Tatum and Brown won’t fix their athletic gap by itself.

Chasing greatness means living with the other side of it; you’re going to fall short sometimes. We failed by not winning, and you have to accept that reality to keep going.

The Lakers closed the Rockets, and the most reliable piece in L.A. remains LeBron, not the younger co-stars who keep breaking down. He’s closer to Magic in how he lifts everyone, and at forty-one he still pulled a series win out of a roster full of B-level help.

Wild note: three forty-one-year-olds in that series—LeBron, OKC’s coach, and the Lakers’ coach. Great run, but the next matchup looks rough.

They can still steal a game when healthy because the half-court offense hums, but depth will be tested.

Knicks–Sixers is a coin flip that swings with Embiid’s availability; he tops my board if he’s upright, with OG Anunoby criminally underrated, Maxey blazing, Brunson clutch, Paul George steady, and Kat as the swing piece. Keep an eye on rookie BJ Edgecombe hounding Brunson and on Embiid baiting Kat into fouls, because New York’s bench is better but Philly’s first five can overwhelm.

I’d slot Maxey ahead of OG and still lean Knicks; the usage and numbers back him up. Loved how Mike Brown used Kat as a high-post facilitator to pull Embiid out and open lanes.

Kat’s foul history is a real risk, and Philly’s starters score more than anyone—health and bench are their trade-offs. The story is still Kat versus Embiid, emotionally and physically.

Where I was right and wrong: the LeBron–KD gap showed up again in impact, and Boston’s three-ball addiction finally bit them; I underrated the Knicks’ surge. I’ve never trusted Luka’s conditioning or Embiid’s durability, but Embiid was flat-out dominant when he played.

Chris Broussard joins—how would you tweak that top tier, and what should worry Knicks fans most?

I’d move Maxey to second and slide Brunson right behind; OG’s terrific two-way, but those guards drive more offense. Biggest New York concern is Kat versus Embiid, because Embiid has a history of getting him off the floor, and if Embiid stays healthy I like Philly in a long series, while New York’s depth could tilt the late games.

What’s actually changed for this Sixers group after years of drama?

Health caveats aside, Embiid planted himself on the block and punished mismatches while PG accepted a cleaner third or fourth role, which balanced them out. That inside-out diet should carry into the Knicks series.

Back to Boston—what’s the fix when you’re capped out and predictable?

They built around shooters and now lack top-end versatility beyond the two stars; analytics win the long season, but playoff basketball is situational. Mix in mid-range, post touches, and more athletes who can switch and finish.

KD’s future in Houston—run it back or pivot?

Go all-in now with KD and chase a title; I’d float a bold offer built around Sengun, Reed Sheppard, and picks for Giannis to form a win-now core with shooters and stoppers. You do not add a thirty-seven-year-old and talk about a ten-year window.

Quick one to close—hearing Steve Kerr may stay, but options are everywhere; could you see him stepping away?

I wouldn’t be surprised if he steps back, given the landscape and his choices.