Zach is joined by John Hollinger to discuss whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has surpassed Nikola Jokic as the league’s best player. Then, they cover Jayson Tatum’s return and reveal their All-Defensive teams. Next, Zach share random thoughts from around the league before Nick Friedell comes on to break down this season for the Warriors, the Jonathan Kuminga split, and what comes next.

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

(2:36) John Hollinger joins the show!

(4:16) Did SGA cement his MVP case last night?

(21:32) Tatum is back!

(35:42) All-Defensive teams

(49:22) Why Victor Wembanyama is the Defensive Player of the Year

(52:58) One nice thing about a tanking team

(56:48) Zach’s random thoughts

(1:09:26) Nick Friedell on the Warriors

(1:16:22) How will this team fare the rest of the season?

(1:26:56) Ready for the Kuminga bowl?

(1:32:42) What does the future hold for the Warriors?

Host: Zach Lowe

Guests: John Hollinger and Nick Friedell

Producers: Mike Wargon and Oscar De La Luz

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Zach is joined by Chris Ryan to react to the news that Jayson Tatum may be ready to return. Then, they draft the players they love and hate to watch and share their thoughts on Luke Kornet vs. Magic City. Next, voice of the Raptors Jack Armstrong comes on to discuss the Raptors since their title win and what the future holds for this year’s team.

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

(2:27) Chris Ryan joins the show!

(3:02) Jayson Tatum is nearly back

(9:11) Drafting players we love to watch

(48:21) Drafting players we hate to watch

(56:59) Luke Kornet vs. Magic City

(1:04:13) Jack Armstrong joins the show!

(1:06:53) How would you describe the post-title time for the Raptors

(1:19:34) Don’t think I see the roadmap for this team becoming great

(1:31:35) Is Scottie Barnes good enough to be ‘the guy’

Host: Zach Lowe

Guests: Chris Ryan and Jack Armstrong

Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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

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Zach is joined by Mo Dakhil to discuss Giannis’s return to the lineup and then break down the 6-11 seeds in the Eastern Conference. Then, they head to the West to question if it’s time to begin worrying about the Nuggets and if the Thunder are now the villains of the league.

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

(2:36) Mo Dakhil joins the show!

(3:50) Giannis returns

(13:48) Breaking down the 6-11 seeds in the East

(14:54) Philadelphia 76ers

(23:28) Orlando Magic

(30:15) Miami Heat

(37:49) Atlanta Hawks

(47:26) Charlotte Hornets

(55:19) Which of these teams will actually make the playoffs

(56:50) Are we beginning to worry about the Nuggets?

(1:12:40) Are the Thunder villains now?

(1:16:14) Push-offs are becoming a problem

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.

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Zach is joined by Tim Legler, who is fresh off calling Thunder-Pistons, to discuss Cade Cunningham’s rise this season. Then, they rank their next-tier MVP players and break down what makes the Spurs so good. Then, Dwyane Wade comes on to talk about his time in Miami, what he’s doing now, and more!

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

(2:08) Tim Legler joins the show!

(10:37) Do the Pistons have enough offense to make it through the postseason?

(20:35) If you had to pick one, would Jaylen Brown or Cade Cunningham be your MVP?

(28:29) Ranking the next tier of MVPs

(51:30) Can the Spurs overcome their inexperience?

(1:14:54) Harden’s fit with the Cavs

(1:19:39) One nice thing about a tanking team

(1:28:32) Dwyane Wade joins the show!

(1:39:47) When did you know LeBron was coming to Miami?

(1:50:04) On becoming "the guy" on the '06 team

(2:01:05) What happened in the 2011 Finals loss?

Host: Zach Lowe

Guests: Tim Legler and Dwyane Wade

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 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.

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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.

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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.

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Zach is joined by Kirk Goldsberry to recap the trade deadline, discuss the biggest moves, and explain what Giannis staying put means. Then, Kevin Pelton comes on to share his winners and losers of the deadline.

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

(1:53) Kirk Goldsberry joins the show!

(4:24) Pacers acquire Ivica Zubac

(10:29) What does this mean for the Clippers?

(20:36) Is the league turning on small guards?

(24:17) Anthony Davis is a Wizard

(37:54) Small trades that left us flabbergasted

(42:21) Giannis remains in Milwaukee past the deadline

(58:42) Trade deadline winners and losers with Kevin Pelton!

(1:07:01) Could the 76ers have pursued Giannis?

(1:13:08) Ja Morant has to be a loser of this deadline

(1:21:55) What are the Bulls looking for?

(1:31:53) Timberwolves remain Zach’s sneak title contender

Host: Zach Lowe

Guests: Kirk Goldsberry and Kevin Pelton

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.

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 Bobby Marks to recap a wild day in the NBA! They start with the Cavaliers acquiring James Harden from the Clippers and discuss the implications for both teams. Then, they break down Jaren Jackson Jr. heading to Utah and the Celtics trading for Nikola Vucevic before trying to determine what the Timberwolves' next move will be.

(0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show!
(1:41) Bobby Marks joins the show!
(5:30) What does James Harden get out of this?
(9:21) This is an astonishing lack of faith in Darius Garland
(23:16) Does this mean Kawhi could be on the move?
(29:28) Jaren Jackson Jr. traded to the Jazz
(39:45) What does this mean for Memphis?
(46:27) Nikola Vucevic traded to the Celtics for Anfernee Simons
(51:06) Tatum’s return looms over this deal
(56:57) Bulls, Pistons, and Timberwolves three-team deal
(1:03:52) What’s next for the Timberwolves?
(1:12:07) Is there a Cinderella Giannis team out there?

Host: Zach Lowe
Guest: Bobby Marks
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.

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