THE HERD - Hour 1 - Knicks win game 2 against the Cavs, taking a look at SGA, Matt Stafford's new deal with the Rams

Colin Cowherd delivers a blistering analysis of the New York Knicks' dominant playoff run, calling their nine-game win streak—averaging 122 points and 54% shooting—the mark of a 'very good team' in a league lacking true elite squads. At the heart of the Knicks' success is Jalen Brunson, whose decision to take a pay cut to join the team is framed not as sacrifice, but as a masterclass in long-term wealth strategy: a '401k in sneakers' that prioritizes trophies over immediate cash. Cowherd draws parallels between Brunson and legends like Tom Brady, Bill Bradley, and Walt Frazier, emphasizing his leadership, durability, and self-awareness. He also defends Brunson’s lack of flashy athleticism, arguing that his 'Villanova guy' mentality—smart, team-first, and emotionally intelligent—defines his greatness. In contrast, Cowherd takes a contrarian stance on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, calling him 'a CPA' and 'the late Gene Hackman of basketball'—competent, consistent, but not inherently entertaining. He argues that not every great player needs to be a spectacle, and that SGA’s 27% flopping rate, while annoying, is a minor flaw in a player who delivers surgically under pressure. The episode also dives into Matt Stafford’s $110 million two-year deal with the Rams, praising the team’s 'mastering two timelines' strategy: winning now while building for the future with Ty Simpson, a move likened to the Chiefs’ Mahomes trade.