One Big Question for Every Eastern Conference Team! Plus, Ballmer Apology and Kawhi to the Raptors!

Zach is joined by Chris Ryan and Joe House to draft their favorite NBA champions since 2000. Then, Sean Fennessey joins for Mets Corner to discuss how they both feel about Citi Field giving Pete Alonso a curtain call. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:33) Drafting favorite NBA champions since 2000 (23:02) Second round (36:58) Third round (54:19) Fourth round (1:11:41) Fifth round (1:28:05) Teams that weren’t selected (1:40:38) Mets Corner with Sean Fennessey! (1:41:21) Should Mets fans have given Pete Alonso a curtain call? Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Chris Ryan, Joe House, and Sean Fennessey Producers: Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Michael Pina to recap Steve Ballmer’s apology letter and put a bow on the entire Clippers saga. Then, they run through every team in the Eastern Conference and ask one big question for each. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:28) Michael Pina joins the show! (2:02) Final thoughts on the Clippers (9:43) Toronto Raptors (14:02) Boston Celtics (17:25) Philadelphia 76ers (21:09) Brooklyn Nets (24:37) New York Knicks (29:24) Miami Heat (32:51) Atlanta Hawks (37:01) Washington Wizards (41:39) Orlando Magic (46:33) Charlotte Hornets (51:38) Indiana Pacers (57:02) Detroit Pistons (1:03:18) Cleveland Cavaliers (1:07:47) Chicago Bulls (1:13:59) Milwaukee Bucks Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Michael Pina Producers: Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Law Murray to discuss the seven teams that have not won a playoff series this decade and rank them in order of the likelihood that they'll break that streak this season. Then, Luke Epplin comes on to share stories from his new book, 'Moses and the Doctor.' (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:31) Law Murray joins the show! (3:03) The Clippers remain a mess (7:31) Ranking the seven teams that haven’t won a playoff series in the 2020s (9:56) The Magic still have the best chance to win a playoff series (32:33) Ranking the same seven teams based on which ones you'd want to run over the next five years (35:37) The Wizards jump up the list here (1:05:21) Fake Domantas Sabonis trades (1:15:46) Luke Epplin joins the show! (1:16:39) It’s been 43 years since the 76ers won a title (1:30:50) How Dr. J got his nickname (1:34:46) Darryl Dawkins was unfiltered in interviews Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Law Murray and Luke Epplin Producers: Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Create a Personalized Price Plan® today. https://www.statefarm.com/lp/football/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by John Hollinger to once again look at the punishment given to the Clippers and question whether maybe they got off easy. Then, they look at the players eligible for rookie extensions and share what they think will happen. Then, Mike Schur comes on to explain how fandom works in sports, discuss writing the infamous basketball scene in ‘The Office’ and even rank fruit. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:43) John Hollinger joins the show! (4:01) Did the Clippers get off easy? (13:28) Why did the Clippers even bother doing this? (25:00) Extension eligible rookies (1:03:17) Mike Schur joins the show! (1:13:36) Is it possible to become a fan later in life? (1:14:42) How Tom Hanks became an Aston Villa fan (1:37:33) Zach ranks his top five fruits (1:45:20) Writing the basketball scene in ‘The Office’ Host: Zach Lowe Guests: John Hollinger and Mike Schur Producers: Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Kirk Goldsberry and Michael McCann to break down the massive punishment given to the Los Angeles Clippers. They run through the report and share their takeaways on the entire situation. Then, Sean Fennessey joins for a late-season edition of Mets Corner! (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:41) Kirk Goldsberry and Michael McCann join the show! (6:00) This is the biggest punishment from the league ever (14:54) Let’s look back at how all this started (31:27) This could be Steve Ballmer’s legacy (37:24) Kawhi didn’t receive much of a punishment (51:20) Mets Corner with Sean Fennessey (52:44) Mets look better but still far from perfect (1:01:13) Things that have gone right for the Mets (1:12:13) Things that have gone wrong Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Kirk Goldsberry, Michael McCann, and Sean Fennessey Producers: Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Jon Krawczynski to break down what the next season will hold for the Minnesota Timberwolves with LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. Then, Mo Dakhil comes on to answer five big questions about the upcoming NBA season. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:17) Jon Krawczynski joins the show! (7:57) What is the Timberwolves’ ceiling? (17:46) Can this team compete with the Thunder or Spurs? (26:38) Will Kuminga be useful in the half-court offense? (33:07) Entertaining kids on vacation (37:57) Mo Dakhil joins the show! (40:50) Unwritten rules in baseball are stupid (43:20) Big questions for next season! (44:04) What Western Conference team can insert itself into the top six? (1:03:47) Most exciting potential playoff race (1:15:01) Who could win Most Improved Player? Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Jon Krawczynski and Mo Dakhil Producers: Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Rob Mahoney to cover all the news they missed while on vacation. They discuss Bennedict Mathurin going to the Pelicans, Kawhi’s latest, and Peyton Watson going to the Cavs. Plus, they cover Klay Thompson signing with the Heat and Russell Westbrook announcing his retirement. Then, James Surowiecki joins to break down the ins and outs of the Lakers sale. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:27) Rob Mahoney joins the show! (1:51) Pelicans sign Bennedict Mathurin (10:08) What the hell is happening with Kawhi Leonard? (20:09) Cavs acquire Peyton Watson in sign-and-trade with Nuggets (33:24) What does this trade do for the Cavs? (45:01) Klay Thompson signs with Miami Heat (52:53) Russell Westbrook retires (1:09:45) James Surowiecki on the sale of the Lakers (1:31:08) Where does this end for Mark Walter? (1:39:19) Has this affected fans' access to games? Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Rob Mahoney and James Surowiecki Producers: Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is once again joined by Kirk Goldsberry as they continue to rank the 10 players under the most pressure next season. They begin by debating Anthony Edwards vs. Tyrese Haliburton, before continuing their rankings and revealing the player they think is facing the most pressure. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:42) Kirk Goldsberry joins the show! (2:18) Anthony Edwards vs. Tyrese Haliburton (8:47) Pressure on Jaylen Brown playing without Tatum? (25:47) Joel Embiid is out of excuses (38:53) The Lakers are Luka’s team now (44:22) Jalen Williams has to be more available than last season Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Kirk Goldsberry Producers: Oscar De La Luz, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Kirk Goldsberry for a two-part special looking at the 10 players under the most pressure next season. In Part 1, they reveal the first half of their list and close the episode by discussing whether the Pacers should feel pressure next season. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:31) Kirk Goldsberry joins the show! (9:12) Players under the most pressure next season (16:19) This season could define Chet Holmgren’s career (30:19) De'Aaron Fox needs to bounce back following his playoff struggles (40:03) How will Jayson Tatum fare without Jaylen Brown? (51:27) Should the Pacers be feeling pressure? Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Kirk Goldsberry Producers: Oscar De La Luz, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Mo Dakhil to dive back into LeBron James signing with the 76ers and discuss what they expect from this team. Then, they throw out some fun Steph Curry trades before previewing what to expect from some Western Conference teams. Then, Sean Fennessey joins for Mets Corner to debate what the Mets should be planning ahead of the trade deadline. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:42) Mo Dakhil joins the show! (8:32) This is the most fun LeBron outcome (12:54) The Warriors are the biggest losers of the offseason (27:27) Fun hypothetical Steph Curry trades (35:34) Let’s take a look at the Trail Blazers (48:08) What should Suns fans expect this season? (55:23) Is the Nuggets' window closed? (1:05:42) Mets Corner with Sean Fennessey! (1:09:34) Who are the Mets' untouchables? (1:20:37) Should the Mets be trying to trade for MLB-ready talent? (1:29:20) Zach’s first pitch at Citi Field Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Mo Dakhil and Sean Fennessey Producers: Oscar De La Luz, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices