Best of the week on The Herd

It’s Colin Cowherd—thanks for rolling with The Herd; stream us live, find your local station, and let’s get this thing going.

Sun’s out in L.A., I’m Jason McIntyre in for Colin, and I’m buzzing—my Knicks are marching to the Finals and Rachel Nichols is here to revel in it with me.

The league hits different when the Knicks matter, and yes, I’m holding you to that trash‑day promise because viewers remember.

Jalen Brunson changed the Knicks by taking far less money, which let them load up through trades and free agency, so now he’s the third‑highest paid guy on a contender built almost entirely without homegrown starters.

If he wins a title, he jumps into modern New York sports royalty and probably passes Ewing, a Brady‑style sacrifice story that fits this team’s identity.

On Dallas, Brian Schottenheimer moved close to the facility and the Cowboys reworked the defense, but that brutal seven‑game start screams good‑not‑great, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Jerry eventually chases a big college name like Marcus Freeman.

Wemby answered the challenge in Game Six with early step‑backs and twenty‑eight, got a lift from Dylan Harper, and now the question is whether San Antonio’s young group can bring that same edge on the road while OKC’s shooters heat back up at home.

SGA’s struggling against physical traps and not living at the line, the flopping talk is everywhere, and injuries to his help didn’t, well, help.

Fair or not, narratives stick—think LeBron’s early Miami arc—and right now some comps sound more like elite bucket‑getters who don’t draw tons of fouls, which is why I floated Caruso as series MVP and flagged that rough on‑court plus‑minus.

His legacy’s safe, but the vibe can sour for years when fans feel the joy getting sapped by constant falls, and because he seems to hit the deck the most, the backlash has found its face.

Stick around—Lamar finally opened up about John Harbaugh’s exit, and you’ll want to hear it.

Ryan Hollins, set the stage—Game Seven and the flopping fury: problem for the league or just part of star craft?

The league has to address it, but all great scorers bait contact, and SGA’s elite at that craft while still being a dog who’s won at the highest level.

When he isn’t getting whistles, he leans into jumpers and looks more CJ than two‑time MVP—what then?

He just closed a game with a cold‑blooded drive and finish, and if I need one shot with the season on the line, I still trust SGA over just about anyone.

Explain the minus‑twenty‑eight on‑court in this series.

Spurs built a scheme for him—early traps, shaded lanes, and Wemby erasing drives on the back line—so credit their length, discipline, and game plan.

If OKC wins the series, is Caruso your MVP?

It’s an Iguodala‑over‑Steph vibe—Caruso’s timely shooting and steadiness matter—but everything still orbits SGA.

Mitchell Robinson’s pinky surgery—how much does that change his impact?

Expect hack‑a looks to test his free throws, but his rim running and rebounding should hold.

Better matchup for the Knicks: Thunder or Spurs?

Spurs have more talent but less scar tissue, and while my heart leans San Antonio, role players thrive at home so OKC is the smart pick in Game Seven.

Jonathan Givony is here—your note floored me: analytics love Cam Boozer at the very top.

Every model I know has Boozer number one because he’s been wildly productive at every level, and I see a twenty‑and‑ten rookie with real All‑Star upside.

He’s not a leaper—what’s the comp?

Think a souped‑up Kevin Love with Jokic‑like feel and passing, plus strong off‑ball defense and a tough, skilled, read‑it‑fast game.

Where does he slot positionally?

Power forward who handles and passes, plays on or off the ball, and punishes switches in any lineup.

If he goes first, who’s next between DeBanza and Peterson?

I’d actually take Darren Peterson first—six‑six creator, serious burst when healthy, shotmaking off the bounce, plus multiposition defense and All‑NBA ceiling.

Head‑to‑head history matter to you?

Every time Peterson and DeBanza shared a floor, Peterson looked like the superior athlete and passer, though DeBanza still profiles as an All‑Star.

Caleb Wilson—any shot at the top three?

More likely fourth, where Chicago would be thrilled with his burst, defense, finishing, and the motor jump he showed in college.

Five‑to‑ten looks crowded with guards—who rises?

Size wins there: Michele Brown, Neda Mente, and Aday Mara can push smaller guards down, and Brown’s healthy now with wild tools.

Any true one‑on‑one workouts at the top?

Agents keep it safe with one‑on‑zero, so teams lean on film for real evaluations.

Does Wemby’s rise boost Mara?

The size trend helps; Mara’s nine‑foot‑seven reach and polished feel make him a strong top‑ten bet.

Yaxel Lendibor’s older—does he slide or stick?

He’s a plug‑and‑play eight‑to‑fourteen guy who handled, shot, passed, and defended across positions all year.

Last one for you: any late risers or fallers teams are buzzing about? I’m hearing some mid‑lottery chatter that surprises me, so what’s real from your vantage point?

It’s early, but the big climber is Maurice Johnson off Michigan’s title run. He showed elite tools—about six foot nine barefoot with a seven four wingspan—shot well in drills, impressed at twenty in interviews, fills the box score with efficient scoring and defense, and with the league trending bigger and his ability to play the four and five, he now looks like a true lottery pick, which could make three Wolverines in Dusty May’s banner year.

Love it. We’ll have you back—this was packed with actionable draft insight, especially now that people can bet the draft—great stuff and thanks again.