The Zach Lowe Show

Is SGA the Best Player in the League? Plus, Tatum’s Return and All-Defensive Team Picks.

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 #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. 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

Jayson Tatum is Back! Plus, the Players We Love to Watch and a Raptors Check-In.

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 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

What Giannis’s Return Means for the Bottom of the East. Plus, Trouble in Denver?

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. 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

How Close Is Cade Cunningham to Being the MVP? Plus, Dwyane Wade Looks Back on His Career.

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs Withstand the Pistons Physicality and Sorting Through the Middle of the West

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. 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