Catch up on The Herd with Colin Cowherd videos in minutes

Bill Belichick explains that even the most uniquely gifted athletes like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Lawrence Taylor are driven by a desire for continuous improvement, making them coachable. He highlights how their games evolved, and they consistently sought to get better, rather than resting on their natural talents. This drive is what separated them and allowed for sustained dominance.

Colin Cowherd argues that Lionel Messi, despite not being a physical specimen, exemplifies greatness through his devotion to craft, commitment, and competitive fire, distinguishing him from athletes defined solely by athleticism. He posits that traits like obsessiveness and longevity are more critical than raw physical gifts, citing examples like Tom Brady and Michael Jordan who also prioritized process and dedication over peak athleticism.

Colin Cowherd predicts LeBron James will choose the Golden State Warriors for his next team, citing factors like better golf, weather, friendships, and a less demanding schedule compared to returning to Cleveland. He dismisses other rumored destinations like Minnesota, Miami, and Philadelphia due to team fit or player roles.

Colin Cowherd argues that England's decision to adopt a preventative, defensive strategy for over 30 minutes after taking a 1-0 lead against Argentina was a fundamental tactical error. He contends that professional athletes are trained to be aggressive and attacking, and asking them to play passively for such an extended period goes against their nature and ultimately led to their downfall. This cautious approach, he suggests, signaled weakness and invited Argentina's relentless pressure, ultimately costing England the match.

Vegas odds significantly favor the Dallas Cowboys to win the Super Bowl, a rare occurrence where oddsmakers believe in a team more than its own fanbase. This disparity is puzzling given the Cowboys' perceived weaknesses in ownership, coaching, and recent playoff performance, contrasting with teams like Denver that have similar odds despite perceived limitations.

Nick Wright argues that Josh Allen's consistent struggles in playoff games beyond the wildcard round, including multiple turnovers in a crucial loss and a poor record (2-6) post-wildcard, disqualify him from being considered the league's best quarterback. He contrasts this with Allen's strong wildcard performance, suggesting a pattern of underperformance when it matters most.

Colin Cowherd argues that LeBron James should choose the Philadelphia 76ers for his next team, as it presents the best opportunity to win a championship. He dismisses the notion of 'ring chasing' as a valid criticism, comparing it to career moves in other professions and highlighting that LeBron has already won multiple rings. Cowherd emphasizes the durability and ascending nature of the 76ers' young core, like Tyrese Maxey, as key advantages over other potential destinations like Cleveland or Golden State.

Colin Cowherd argues that the Boston Celtics are statistically a better team when Jaylen Brown is not playing, citing higher winning percentages and point differentials in games he missed across multiple seasons. He suggests that Paul George, despite his age and injury history, is a better analytical fit for playing alongside Jayson Tatum due to his off-ball efficiency and shooting. This perspective challenges the conventional view of Brown as an indispensable star, suggesting his role might be less impactful than perceived when Tatum is healthy. The data indicates a consistent trend of improved team performance in Brown's absence, leading Cowherd to believe the Celtics will be stronger with this change. This shift is framed as a strategic move driven by analytics, moving away from a high-volume scorer towards a more complementary player. The Celtics' consistent success over nine years, even with Brown, is presented as evidence that their system and coaching are robust enough to thrive without him as a primary offensive engine. The argument concludes that while Brown is a talented player, his specific skillset might not be the optimal fit for maximizing the Celtics' potential, especially when compared to a player like George who offers different strengths. The team's ability to win even without their top stars in previous seasons further supports the idea that their overall structure is more critical than any single player's presence.

Colin Cowherd argues that despite potential officiating gripes, the FIFA rankings generally align with the remaining elite teams in the World Cup, with France, Argentina, Spain, and England leading the pack. He suggests that Norway's presence is solely due to Erling Haaland, implying their absence would allow another top-ranked team to advance.

Colin Cowherd argues that LeBron James is in the 'sunset stage' of his career, where the priority is happiness and winning with the easiest path. He posits that joining the Philadelphia 76ers would provide LeBron with the best starting five of his career, featuring potential Hall of Famers like Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecomb, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown, making them Eastern Conference favorites. Cowherd believes this move aligns with the 'work smarter, not harder' philosophy for aging athletes, allowing LeBron to enjoy his final years without the burden of carrying a team single-handedly.

Lionel Messi, at 39, is defying age and expectations by carrying Argentina with exceptional skill and grit, reminiscent of other aging sports legends like Tom Brady and LeBron James. His ability to perform at a World Cup level at this age is a testament to his dedication and talent, showcasing an 'old man renaissance' in sports.

Christian Pulisic's performance in the World Cup was unacceptable, marked by fragility, missed opportunities, and an inability to consistently perform in crucial moments. Despite being hailed as the star, his impact was minimal, and his frequent injuries and withdrawals from games raise serious concerns about his dependability as the face of American soccer.

FIFA's decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card was the correct one, as the VR system was inappropriately used for an intensity argument rather than factual checks like offsides or goal-line decisions. Tradition should not trump accuracy, and FIFA's ability to get it right, even if it sets a new precedent, is crucial for the sport's integrity.

Colin Cowherd asserts that LeBron James's time with the Los Angeles Lakers was fundamentally transactional, not a deep emotional bond. He cites Ramona Shelburn's reporting that LeBron was willing to take a pay cut but wanted input on team spending, which the Lakers ultimately rejected, signaling a mutual decision to part ways. This marks the end of an era where LeBron was more of a consultant than a founder.

LeBron James is reportedly willing to play for the veteran minimum, signaling a strategic approach to his next career move. His agent, Rich Paul, has indicated that LeBron is considering all factors, including taxes, location, family, weather, lifestyle, and investments. The most likely destinations appear to be the Golden State Warriors, due to their high-IQ play and established stars like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, or a return to Cleveland, where he has strong relationships and a home. This decision-making process mirrors that of other elite athletes like Tom Brady and Lionel Messi, who also factored in personal and business considerations when choosing their teams. The final decision will likely hinge on a complex interplay of basketball fit, personal life, and future business ventures. The audience is left to wonder if his business acumen will outweigh his on-court legacy.

The red card issued to Folarin Balogun was an egregious and inappropriate decision, as the contact was not intentional and VAR should be reserved for factual calls like offsides, not subjective intensity arguments. Slow-motion replays can make any action appear more malicious than it is.

Colin Cowherd argues that Brad Stevens' decision to trade Jaylen Brown to the 76ers for Paul George and draft picks was primarily driven by a need for flexibility under the new CBA. He believes Stevens chose to build around Jayson Tatum and avoid the financial constraints of keeping both stars long-term, drawing parallels to Jerry Jones' trade of Micah Parsons for flexibility.

Despite some criticism, LeBron James' tenure with the Lakers was a success, delivering a championship and making them a perennial playoff team after years of struggle. He also achieved significant individual milestones, including becoming the all-time leading scorer.

The United States Men's National Team is facing a pivotal moment in its history, heavily favored in a knockout stage game at home. This 'Halley's Comet' of circumstances, with weakened European rivals and a 'golden generation' of players in their prime, presents a unique window to achieve significant success, potentially reaching the final four or eight. Failure to capitalize on this moment could mean a long wait for another comparable opportunity.

Colin Cowherd argues that the Lakers' decision to let LeBron James pursue other opportunities, despite his continued high-level play, is a strategic move by the new ownership. This 'hard thing' allows them to avoid the 'easy' path of re-signing him and signals a commitment to building for the future, even if it means sacrificing immediate contention. This approach is seen as a departure from the previous era's reliance on aging stars.

Colin Cowherd correctly predicted that the USMNT would advance to the knockout stage with a chance to win multiple games, citing the team's prime-age players and depth compared to rivals like Belgium and Croatia. He felt the team was not a one-man offense and had impressive reserves.

Mario Chalmers suggests LeBron James and Bronny could join the Miami Heat, citing the team's existing stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, and the opportunity for Bronny to develop. Chalmers believes LeBron prioritizes playing with his son and enjoys warm weather cities like Miami, making it a plausible destination if the Lakers don't meet his demands.

Tiago Splitter believes the Chicago Bulls have a promising young core with players like Giddy, Modus Buzzelis, Claxton, and Caleb Wilson, suggesting they could be a competitive team in the East, potentially a six seed. He highlights Wilson's versatility and defensive capabilities as key assets for the team's development.

Colin Cowherd highlights the massive four-year, $185 million contract Austin Reaves signed with the Lakers, emphasizing its record-breaking nature for a player of his caliber. He suggests this deal sets a new precedent for player value and team building around stars.