The Zach Lowe Show

Zach is joined by Michael Pina to break down what they learned from Spurs-Pistons. Then, they power rank the middle of the Western Conference before closing the show with a look at Zion Williamson and saying one nice thing about a team that’s tanking.

(0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show!

(2:30) Michael Pina joins the show!

(3:38) Spurs were able to handle Pistons physicality

(10:12) This showed why Detroit will struggle to win a title

(22:51) Can teams with no postseason experience win a championship?

(36:33) Power ranking the 3-7 seeds in the west

(39:26) Have the most faith in the Nuggets

(49:55) Minnesota is still dangerous despite their record

(55:31) What has gone wrong with Houston?

(1:07:54) Luka’s complaining has reached new heights

(1:13:38) The State of Zion Williamson

(1:28:18) One nice thing about a tanking team

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Michael Pina

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist.

#ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside MICHELOB ULTRA®️ COURTSIDE ’25 to ’26. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on October 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2026 Multiple entry periods. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/courtside for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details.

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Zach is joined by Howard Beck to draft the best games remaining in the NBA season. Then, they preview awards season and share their All-NBA teams as well as their MVP picks. 

(0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show!

(2:06) Howard Beck joins to draft the best remaining games

(11:48) Knicks travel to Cleveland in late February

(22:10) Spurs host the Nuggets on March 12

(36:31) Timberwolves-Rockets at the end of the season

(49:24) All-NBA first team predictions

(58:38) All-NBA second team predictions

(1:08:44 ) All-NBA third team predictions

(1:15:09) MVP ballots

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Howard Beck

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist.

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at Claude.ai/lowe

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.
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Zach is joined by Rob Mahoney to answer the NBA’s biggest questions, including which teams are real title contenders and the coaches and players who are most intriguing. Then, J. Kyle Mann comes on to reopen the Brandon Miller-Scoot Henderson debate.

(0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show!

(2:13) Big Questions with Rob Mahoney

(6:07) Are the Thunder more vulnerable now than earlier in the season?

(12:44) There are only four teams who could seriously win the West

(21:33) Is Detroit a real title contender?

(28:29) The four teams who could realistically win the East

(31:19) What to make of the Celtics?

(36:59) Are the Knicks the most confusing team in the league?

(46:31) Which team most wants to avoid the play-in?

(52:36) Jamahl Mosley will be the most scrutinized coach

(56:05) Who is the most intriguing player for the rest of the year?

(1:01:25) Tanking still needs more reform

(1:12:29) The NBA version of the papal conclave

(1:14:39) J. Kyle Mann revisiting the Scoot Henderson-Brandon Miller draft debate

(1:24:12) Brandon Miller is unquestionably the better asset right now

(1:35:15) Scoot has been injured, but people are forgetting about him

(1:43:45) What would a redraft look like?

Host: Zach Lowe

Guests: Rob Mahoney and J. Kyle Mann

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist.

#ULTRAinstructor could get you closer to the action! https://michelobultra.com/instructor MICHELOB ULTRA®️ ULTRA Instructor. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on January 30, 2026 and ends on February 22, 2026. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/rules for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.
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Zach is joined by The Athletic's Fred Katz to go through the biggest news and notes in the association, including Jaren Jackson Jr. being shut down for the remainder of the season. Then, they discuss the tanking epidemic and share ways to improve it before closing the show by revealing their best player fits after the trade deadline.

(0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show!

(2:06) Fred Katz joins the show!

(3:20) Aftermath of Pistons-Hornets brawl

(12:11) Jayson Tatum practices

(24:00) Brandon Ingram named All-Star replacement for Steph Curry

(29:12) What will the Suns look like moving forward?

(25:03) Jaren Jackson Jr. will miss the remainder of the season

(44:55) De’Aaron Fox has replaced Giannis in the All-Star Game

(46:51) The tanking crisis is here like it's never been before

(1:01:39) How the NBA could fix its tanking problems

(1:17:10) Best player fits after the deadline

(1:24:34) Jeremy Sochan signs with the Knicks

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Fred Katz

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist.

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The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.
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Zach is joined by Mo Dakhil to determine who’s on notice following the trade deadline. They discuss how Darius Garland and James Harden fit on their new teams, debate where Kawhi Leonard ranks among the NBA’s best, and challenge the Rockets and Timberwolves.

(0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show!

(1:53) Mo Dakhil joins the show!

(2:44) Who’s on notice after the trade deadline?

(3:38) Darius Garland is on notice

(10:54) Kawhi has been playing like the best player in the league

(25:01) The Houston Rockets and their offense is on notice

(35:27) Tanking in the NBA is ugly, and the rules need changing

(53:34) Miami’s front office has been bad

(57:50) Timberwolves need to prove whether they’re a serious contender or not

(1:01:28) Can the refs stop calling fouls when offensive players throw their bodies into defenders?

(1:07:13) What in the world is the Bulls front office doing?

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Mo Dakhil

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist.

#ULTRAinstructor could get you closer to the action! https://michelobultra.com/instructor MICHELOB ULTRA®️ ULTRA Instructor. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on January 30, 2026 and ends on February 22, 2026. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/rules for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices