THE HERD - Hour 3 - P. J. Carlesimo stops by The Herd

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, legendary basketball coach P.J. Carlesimo joins the show to discuss the transformative state of college and NBA basketball. Carlesimo reflects on his storied career—from college coaching at Wagner and Seton Hall to NBA assistant roles with the San Antonio Spurs—and shares his insights on how NIL, player recruitment, and the evolution of team rosters have reshaped the game. He highlights the increased physicality and talent level in college basketball, noting that modern teams now resemble NBA squads in size and strength. The conversation turns to the NBA draft, with Cowherd and Carlesimo analyzing the rise of tanking due to the depth of this year’s draft class and the impact of the new CBA. They praise emerging stars like Cooper Flagg and Yaxel Lenneborg, while expressing concern over durability and playmaking issues with prospects like Darren Peterson. The discussion also touches on the modern NBA’s shift toward IQ, scheme, and shooting over pure athleticism, with Nikola Jokic and Arvydas Sabonis cited as exemplars. The episode closes with reflections on coaching longevity, team culture, and the changing dynamics of player development across college and pro levels.