Best of the week on The Herd

The Herd with Colin Cowherd39mApril 18, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

The episode opens with a series of promotional segments for iHeartRadio podcasts, including 'The Girlfriends,' 'Thanks Dad,' 'The Ceno Show,' 'Eating While Broke,' 'Mostly Human,' 'Playing Along,' and 'Serving Pancakes,' each highlighting personal stories, recovery, financial literacy, and music. The core of the episode features a deep dive into Rory McIlroy’s recent Masters victory, with guest Alan Shipnuck discussing McIlroy’s emotional journey, resilience, and legacy, emphasizing how his win at Augusta National marked a transformative 'legendary stage' in his career. The conversation shifts to NBA playoff predictions, with Colin Cowherd outlining five bold forecasts—ranging from the Lakers’ early exit to the Spurs’ controversial decision to rest Wemby, and the Celtics’ likely dominance. A heated, nuanced debate follows about the true value of stars like Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown, the Knicks’ limitations, and LeBron James’ potential future moves, questioning whether he wants to end his career as a third option. The episode closes with reflections on legacy, the difficulty of winning multiple championships in the modern era, and the importance of team culture over individual star power.

Key Takeaways
1

Rory McIlroy’s Masters win was a cathartic, emotionally charged triumph that marks his arrival as a legendary golfer.

2

The Celtics’ success is built on culture and depth, not just star power—Tatum’s return was critical, but the team’s foundation is what truly matters.

3

LeBron James may be seeking a role where he’s the primary offensive option in his final years, not a third wheel.

4

The Knicks’ playoff failure isn’t due to Jalen Brunson alone, but a lack of elite talent and defensive identity.

5

The Spurs’ decision to rest Wemby and lose to the Nuggets’ backups was a strategic blunder with playoff implications.

…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
4 min

Podcast Promos & Intro

A series of promotional segments for iHeartRadio podcasts including 'The Girlfriends,' 'Thanks Dad,' 'The Ceno Show,' 'Eating While Broke,' 'Mostly Human,' 'Playing Along,' and 'Serving Pancakes,' each highlighting personal stories, recovery, financial literacy, and music.

4:10
13 min

Rory McIlroy’s Masters Triumph & Legacy

It was recovery. How would you describe it? In some ways, it's his most impressive victory on the big stage because he never really had his game.

Highlight
16:40
17 min

NBA Playoff Predictions & Team Dynamics

If you took either one of them out, they can't win the title. But you took Jamal Murray away from Nikola Jokic for two postseasons. That team couldn't win a playoff series.

Highlight
33:20
13 min

Star Power vs. Team Culture: Tatum, Brown, and LeBron

The fact that one of them can be gone, the other is a MVP discussion and they're still the best team. It doesn't tell me that Tatum's great. It tells me this is a culture.

Highlight
46:40
12 min

The Challenge of Winning Multiple Championships

Colin and Nick Wright reflect on the difficulty of winning more than one title in the modern NBA era, noting that no player from this generation has yet reached two rings. They discuss the impact of injuries, team-building, and the changing landscape of elite team success.

High-Impact Quotes
The fact that one of them can be gone, the other is a MVP discussion and they're still the best team. It doesn't tell me that Tatum's great. It tells me this is a culture.
Colin Cowherd43:11
Viral: 88.0
It was recovery. How would you describe it? In some ways, it's his most impressive victory on the big stage because he never really had his game.
Alan Shipnuck14:34
Viral: 85.0
If you took either one of them out, they can't win the title. But you took Jamal Murray away from Nikola Jokic for two postseasons. That team couldn't win a playoff series.
Colin Cowherd47:15
Viral: 82.0
Speakers

Host

Colin Cowherd

Guests

Alan ShipnuckNick Wright
Topics Discussed
Rory Mcilroy Masters Victory95%NBA Playoff Predictions90%Team Culture vs Star Power88%Legacy and Championship Rings85%Lebron James Future82%Roster Construction and Depth78%Golf Legacy and Greatness75%AI Ethics and Responsibility65%
People & Brands

Rory McIlroy

person

45xNeutral

Jason Tatum

person

30xPositive

Jalen Brown

person

28xPositive

LeBron James

person

25xPositive

Boston Celtics

organization

22xPositive

iHeartRadio

brand

20xNeutral

New York Knicks

organization

18xMixed

Colin Cowherd

person

15xNeutral

Lakers

organization

15xMixed

Alan Shipnuck

person

12xPositive

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