Colin Cowherd Podcast Prime Cuts - LeBron>KD, NFL Win Totals, Nuggets Need To Make A Move

All right, let’s head West. OKC’s defense is a bear, and if the Lakers get them, it’s speed, discipline, and no fouling—a rough draw. Watching the Houston series stamped it for me: the gap between LeBron and KD is wider than people want to admit; late in games, you still need LeBron on the floor, period.

LeBron can win a game in so many lanes that he survives the grind, picks his spots, and then floors it when it matters. Game six was classic old‑lion stuff—bully post‑ups, swagger threes to choke off Houston’s confidence—and it turned a big Moneyline upset into a signature moment.

KD barely played, but the net‑rating split told a story—the Rockets often looked better with him off. LeBron did the opposite, lifting guys like Deandre Ayton by feeding him touches and managing the series’ psychology; that’s leadership you can feel.

Getting a team to believe takes hands‑on leadership, which KD tends to sidestep. If Houston wants a real window, I’d flip Sengun and assets for Giannis, pair him with KD and vets like VanVleet and Amen Thompson, then attack a two to three‑year run instead of waiting on a ceiling I don’t buy.

On Minnesota, we might’ve slept on the whole build—coaching, size, and random twenty‑plus outbursts from role guys. If they were in the East, they’d roll.

I’m picking San Antonio, but close, and I love the value on Minnesota to push it. Physical forwards who can body Wemby bother him, and with Gobert camping near the rim to muck up drives, this shapes up as a grindy, tactical series.

On Denver, I’d build everything around Jokic’s game and entertain big moves. Would you move Gordon and Murray?

Only if I can land a pull‑up creator first; I’d try to recruit CJ McCollum on a mid‑level, then Jamal becomes movable. I’d explore Gordon‑for‑Derrick White‑type swaps, dangle Jamal to guard‑needy teams like Houston or Orlando, and add a vertical spacer—think Gafford—for Jokic; but I don’t move Jamal without CJ locked in.

Schedule talk matters. Dallas at eight and a half wins feels like an under to me—brutal road draws, a tougher division, and land mines everywhere.

I lean under too. The road slate is nasty, and while the new DC and defensive investments can raise the floor, you’re still betting on two big ifs—health and real defensive improvement.

Flip side, I like Detroit over ten and a half with the league’s softest schedule, an OC boost, and their left tackle solved.

The Lions’ schedule and home tilt help. I’ve got the Bears over nine and a half as well—special QB plus a good system usually spikes in year two, and the weapons fit; the North is packed, so I’d shade under on Packers and Lions at ten and a half.

In the West, I think the Raiders get steadier, Denver’s roster pops, and Herbert finally gets protection. Chiefs at ten and a half is an under for me—lost blue‑chip pieces, leaning on rookies, an aging tight end, and receiver questions.

I’m not betting against Andy Reid with a healthy Mahomes. If Kenneth Walker gives them a real run game and Rice and Worthy click, that offense can be nasty again—history says their floor is just too high.