The Zach Lowe Show

Zach is joined by Kirk Goldsberry to debate if the Spurs have pulled away from the rest of the NBA. Then, they give credit to the Thunder and Timberwolves for winning despite injuries and marvel at what Luka Doncic and Steph Curry have been able to do this year. Finally, they preview the reunion between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and look back at the teams Zach put in his crisis tier. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:25) Kirk Goldsberry joins the show! (4:24) Are the Spurs the team to beat this year?  (13:58) OKC continues to roll (23:06) The LaMelo Ball trade was a flash point across the league (31:33) Need to pay respect to Steph and Luka (43:21) 76ers-Celtics preview (58:54) Let’s check back in on the crisis teams Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Kirk Goldsberry 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. #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA®️ COURTSIDE ’26 to ’27. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21+ Begins on 10/1/26 and ends on 6/30/27. Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Mo Dakhil to look up and down the NBA and place every team in one of three tiers. They start by revealing who they think are the best teams in both the East and West. Then, they break down the teams near the draft relegation zone, before closing with a list of teams that should be in crisis mode. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:08) Mo Dakhil joins the show! (7:19) NBA tier list! (8:17) Best in the East (24:42) Best in the West (38:24) Let’s look at the teams in the relegation zone (49:35) The crisis tier Host: Zach Lowe Guest: 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 run through the biggest news and notes around the league including the Thunder’s injury struggles, Yaxel Lendeborg’s hot start, and Luka’s monster game. Then, they each share the five role players who they think are driving winning and the five who need to play better for their teams. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:12) Rob Mahoney joins the show! (2:55) Thunder suffer another major injury (17:06) Yaxel Lendeborg has been fantastic (31:25) NBA Cup official predictions (35:29) The five under-the-radar players driving winning and the five who need to play better (49:29) Mavs are off to a great start! (53:44) Grizzlies remain undefeated (1:05:27) Quick Pelicans takes (1:13:39) Let’s say something nice about the Brooklyn Nets Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Rob Mahoney 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 starts the show with his thoughts on this year’s rookie class, the Tatum-Brown feud, and the influx of injuries we’ve seen this year. Then, Ty Jerome joins the show to discuss his breakout, the upstart Grizzlies, and life on the road. Finally, he’s joined by Jonathan Abrams to preview his new book, ‘When We Were Young and Fearless’ about the KD, Russ, and Harden Thunder team. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (3:38) AJ Dybantsa makes his debut (6:18) Yaxel Lendeborg looks fantastic (10:29) Tatum-Brown feud continues (19:37) Injuries continue to rise (43:28) Ty Jerome joins the show! (45:58) How did you get so good at floaters? (55:17) Are the Grizzlies as much fun as they look on TV? (1:00:04) On Cam Boozer (1:09:23) Jonathan Abrams joins the show! (1:11:16) Why was now the right time to write this book? (1:28:51) On KD leaving the Thunder Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Jonathan Abrams and Ty Jerome 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. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach starts the show by lamenting the injuries around the league and reveals why the Thunder could still be a title contender even without Jalen Williams. Then, Howard Beck joins the show to break down both the undefeated and winless teams before they close with their takes on the Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum "beef." (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:51) Jalen Williams suffers significant leg injury (21:29) Howard Beck joins the show! (22:48) Are the Thunder still contenders? (31:46) LaMelo has fit in great with the Wolves (36:07) Rockets are undefeated, and Amen Thompson looks incredible (42:52) Maybe fans should stop trash-talking Luka (52:50) Should we be concerned about the Knicks? (1:07:11) The Heat are just not jelling right now (1:18:41) Thoughts on the Tatum and Brown beef Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Howard Beck 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. The Club for every holiday club. Sam’s Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach starts the show with his thoughts on the 76ers and Thunder victories on Tuesday night. Then, he’s joined by Mo Dakhil to do a deep dive into Wednesday’s slate of games and reveal their opening night overreactions, hot takes, and most alarming performances. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:50) 76ers top Knicks on ring night (11:36) Thunder get revenge for playoff loss to the Spurs (16:45) Mo Dakhil joins the show! (18:20) Opening night overreaction (33:57) Most alarming performance (42:20) Do we need to eliminate the gather step entirely?  (50:38) Clippers dedicate their win to Steve Ballmer (53:31) Hot takes (1:02:33) Walker Kessler was fantastic Host: Zach Lowe Guest: 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 Fred Katz to detail what to expect from the Knicks following their historic title win and what to make of KAT’s contract standoff. Then, they anticipate which teams will make the playoffs in the East and West before welcoming in some surprise guests for Finals predictions. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:23) Fred Katz joins the show! (5:16) Knicks are the clear favorite in the East (12:27) Is there a number that gets the KAT deal done? (19:30) Cason Wallace extension (31:28) Western Conference playoff teams (43:25) Eastern Conference playoff teams (55:28) Star players who might get traded (1:04:50) Finals predictions! Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Fred Katz Producers: Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli Zach is writing about the NBA again! Sign up for his weekly newsletter, The Lowe Post, at https://zachlowe.substack.com/. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines. #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA®️ COURTSIDE ’26 to ’27. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21+ Begins on 10/1/26 and ends on 6/30/27. Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Stan Van Gundy to answer five big questions to prepare for the season. Plus, they look back on Stan’s time with the Magic and predict this season’s award winners. Then, Dan Woike comes on to reveal what we should expect from this season’s Lakers team. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:36) Stan Van Gundy joins the show! (3:05) Most confusing team in the East and West (11:55) Which teams are you higher or lower on than consensus? (25:19) Who will be your biggest crush of the season? (31:29) Stan’s Orlando team has infiltrated basketball’s highest level (36:33) Most interesting on-court trends or tactics (1:01:03) Awards predictions (1:11:45) Dan Woike joins the show! (1:18:42) The Lakers should be pretty good this year (1:31:16) All the pieces finally seem to fit together (1:45:34) If they lose in the second round again, what will the future of this team be? Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Stan Van Gundy and Dan Woike Producers: Jonathan Frias, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli Zach is writing about the NBA again! Sign up for his weekly newsletter, The Lowe Post, at https://zachlowe.substack.com/. 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 talk news and notes from around the league, including Brandin Podziemski’s new contract and Kyrie Irving’s return to the court. Then, they draft the most confusing teams in the league for the upcoming season. Plus, Zach is writing about the NBA again! Sign up for his weekly newsletter, The Lowe Post, at https://zachlowe.substack.com/. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:36) Rob Mahoney joins the show! (2:51) Brandin Podziemski gets a new deal (11:20) Knicks tabling contract-extension talks (21:20) Five most confusing teams in the NBA (1:00:26) Other teams we're confused by (1:08:26) Are the Pistons a lock to be a top-six seed? (1:15:02) Are we not giving the Mavs enough credit? Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Rob Mahoney 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. #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA®️ COURTSIDE ’26 to ’27. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21+ Begins on 10/1/26 and ends on 6/30/27. Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach and Nekias Duncan start things off by sharing their biggest takeaways from the preseason so far and revealing the players they find most intriguing. Then, Nick Friedell joins Zach to explain the Warriors' game plan for this season and provide some updates to their extension discussions. Finally, Tyrese Haliburton comes on to recap his recovery and thoughts on the Finals, his rivalry with the New York Knicks, and what he’d like to do in the WWE. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:27) Nekias Duncan joins the show! (9:20) Random preseason observations (34:10) Rapid-fire thoughts (37:52) Most intriguing players (58:35) Nick Friedell joins the show! (1:07:09) Should we expect a Podziemski extension? (1:16:38) The Warriors should probably just ride this out (1:21:22) Tyrese Haliburton joins the show! (1:24:16) What’s different about you from when you were at your peak? (1:34:11) On the team's differences at center (1:40:30) On the Knicks rivalry (1:42:35) WWE wishlist (1:45:28) Does this team have a hunger to it? Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Nekias Duncan, Nick Friedell, and Tyrese Haliburton 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