The Lowe Post

Zach and The Ringer's Howard Beck discuss the Sixers' success without James Harden and the Clippers' struggles to find their footing with him. Plus, surprise teams, a star in the making, and more. Philly looks great (2:10) Should the Sixers try to add another star this season? (10:03) Still feeling things out with Boston (26:45) Gut check time for the Clippers (35:55) Warriors look like themselves again (49:55) Rockets are Top 5 in net rating (56:46) Alperen Sengun is a star in the making (58:55) The Pacers are fun (1:02:37) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk discuss James Harden's debut with the Clippers. Then ESPN's Tim MacMahon joins to assess some intrigue in the West. Harden's debut (4:28) Harden's passing (7:40) Impact of Plumlee injury (13:19) Clips showed glimpses but still a bit disjointed (16:50) Harden and Kawhi aren't a perfect fit (29:46) Don't evoke the lob word (32:15) Title contenders? (37:08) Tim MacMahon (40:02) Thoughts on Harden (40:47) Timberwolves winning with defense (44:53) State of the Lakers (58:45) Zion's burst (1:10:33) Heat Culture jerseys and court (1:11:38) Warriors so far (1:14:00) Mavs 6-1 start (1:27:42) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Steve Jones, Jr. of The Dunker Spot discuss Victor Wembanyama's breakout game against Phoenix, the repercussions of the James Harden trade in both Philly and LA, and then go rapid-fire around the early NBA landscape.  Wembanyama's coming out party (1:11) Early takeaways on Phoenix (10:51) Mavs'4-0 start (16:11) Thoughts on Minnesota (20:53) Harden's fit in LA (22:25) Lakers getting defensive effort from Reddish and Wood (32:50) Sixers look good so far (35:36) Rapid Fire Thoughts (44:33) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks discuss the many layers of the Clippers trade for James Harden. Terms of the trade (2:48) Both teams will think they won this (6:08) Clippers knew they needed more to contend (8:31) Clippers could not make this deal a year from now (14:32) This is a last chance for everyone involved (23:03) Clippers are must see TV (26:09) How do Clippers match up with the top teams in the West? (33:01) On CP3 coming off the bench for the Warriors (41:19) Was the price worth it for Clippers? (43:07) Sixers' chances in the East (49:05) Sixers trade candidates (55:08) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Nekias Duncan of the Dunker Spot go rapid-fire around the first week of the NBA season: Dame's debut in Milwaukee, Lakers and Suns two games in, the Sixers without Harden (and what happens next there), Wembanyama, and tons of other early observations.  Dame's debut (1:11) Sixers offense without Harden (7:41) Harden interlude (13:47) Lakers (26:09) There's nothing you can do to stop Jokic (32:35) The AD discourse (37:45) Random rapid fire observations (47:15) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach reacts to Giannis Antetokounmpo signing an extension in Milwaukee. Then he and ESPN's Kevin Pelton predict every major NBA award, the Finals matchup, and 2024 NBA champion -- plus quick-hitters on all the new contract extensions, James Harden/Clippers latest, much more.  Rookie of the Year (9:28) Most Valuable Player (14:54) Defensive Player of the Year (21:19) Grizzlies without Steven Adams (28:57) Coach of the Year (34:45) Minnesota’s financial crunch (38:11) Most Improved Player (46:19) 6th Man of the Year (53:40) Latest on Harden (58:09) Finals Predictions (1:09:40) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach brings in old friends Shea Serrano and Jason Concepcion to talk about their new podcast Six Trophies and preview the NBA season in their own way. Then ESPN's Bobby Marks makes rapid-fire predictions on contract extensions for the 2020 draft class and Kevin Clark previews the Orlando Magic and the East play-in race.  Serrano and Concepcion Reviewing Shea's Finals prediction (3:02) Will Anthony Edwards be a Top 8 player by the end of the season? (8:05) Should the Knicks trade for KAT? (10:09) Random team you are excited to watch (15:53) Rule change you would make (18:57) A player that makes you laugh (23:05) 2020 Rookie Extensions with Bobby Marks (27:54) Kevin Clark (55:46) Top 7 in the East (1:00:42) Franz and Paolo tandem will be special (1:03:37) Optimistic case for the Magic (1:08:18) What are they getting from Suggs and Isaac? (1:17:07) Fultz is a winning player (1:24:31) Will Orlando make the play-in? (1:28:31) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach talks to father-and-son broadcast duo Ian Eagle and Noah Eagle about sharing Nets play-by-play duties, their lives and careers, and what to expect in Brooklyn this season. Then it's time for a James Harden Interlude (sponsorship pending) before Eric Nehm of The Athletic pops on to talk all things Milwaukee Bucks -- including our first look at Dame and Giannis together. Eagles Noah will be broadcasting 10 Nets games this year (1:36) What's it going to be like for Ian watching Noah in his seat (6:06) On Noah deciding to pursue a career in broadcasting (8:40) Other broadcasters Noah has looked up to (12:40) Parallel parking advice from "The Czar" Mike Fratello (19:14) The notion of being on or behind the play (22:37) Difference between doing a game on radio and television (27:22) Bill Raftery stories (34:55) Ian's "Blank Space" call on a Travis Kelce touchdown (38:31) Most interesting thing about the Nets (42:15) Kevin Garnett stories (51:08) James Harden Interlude (57:34) Eric Nehm (1:08:28)

Zach and ESPN's Tim Bontemps discuss the Heat and Sixers after neither was able to make a trade (yet), the James Harden stand-off, the Clippers role, much more. Then Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com hops on to preview the Cavs. Hawks bet (1:02) Heat outlook (5:00) Like the over on 44 wins for Miami (14:54) Tyler Herro’s strengths and weaknesses (20:39) Sixers options with James Harden (31:03) Similarities between ’23-‘24 Sixers and ’18-’19 Raptors (35:59) The Tyrese Maxey breakout is coming (42:54) Chris Fedor on the Cavs (54:34) How does Cleveland recover after last year's defeat (57:30) Who starts at the 3 for Cleveland? (1:00:00) Pressure on JB Bickerstaff (1:03:30) Change in tempo in Cleveland (1:07:20) Are we going to see less Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley lineups? (1:11:35) What is Cleveland's plan against top wings? (1:15:00) Will Evan Mobley's defensive role change? (1:22:00) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton break down the Victor Wembanyama-Chet Holmgren duel, pick their favorite overs and under for NBA win totals, talk James Harden stand-off and his potential fit with the Clippers, Jrue Holiday coming off the bench in Boston's preseason opener, and much more.  Wemby vs. Chet (1:12) Thunder outlook (5:07) Wemby takeaways (12:48) Favorite Overs Hornets (21:20) Grizzlies (29:11) Raptors (34:10) Timberwolves (35:45) Hawks (39:54) Favorite Unders Bucks (42:50) Mavs (53:29) Warriors (57:06) Other under candidates (1:01:27) Clipper interest in James Harden (1:06:01) Reaction to GM survey (1:15:40) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Chiney Ogwumike project a Celtics-Bucks head-to-head matchup, talk Jrue Holiday and Dame trades, James Harden situation, Devin Vassell extension, Chiney's hometown Rockets, the WNBA Finals, and most important a detailed analysis of Chiney's performance on "Is It Cake?" Then Matt Barnes of All the Smoke joins to preview the Sacramento Kings. Ogwumike How the Celtics and Bucks matchup (1:29) Embiid commits to Team USA (22:23) Devin Vassell extension (27:37) Rockets outlook (30:23) WNBA Finals preview (40:45) Is It Cake? (47:17) Barnes (56:20) Playoff loss was learning experience (59:39) Kings want to prove last year was not a fluke (1:05:20) Defense remains the big question (1:07:41) Importance of Keegan Murray (1:10:48) Kings bench (1:14:12) Thoughts on Lillard and Holiday trades (1:20:33) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Howard Beck of The Ringer break down the Jrue Holiday trade to Boston, the potential Bucks-Celtics matchup, the Portland-Miami stand-off over Damian Lillard, James Harden's absence from Sixers media day, and much more.  Recapping who and what went where the past week (2:53) State of the East (10:34) Jrue Holiday's fit in Boston (13:19) Best in the East (17:09) Clippers still looking for a guard (22:24) Celtics moving on from Robert Williams (30:07) Boston's financial future (39:16) Re-visiting the Dame deal to Miami that never happened (42:35) Joe Cronin is vindicated as a GM (49:54) How we got here with Dame (53:16) Embiid not happy (1:02:47) Draymond injury (1:11:21) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks discuss what the Damian Lillard trade to Milwaukee means for the Bucks, Blazers, Suns, Heat, and Raptors. Plus, fake Jrue Holiday trades. Jrue Holiday appreciation (2:43) What the Blazers got back for Dame (7:08) Lillard's fit with Milwaukee (12:51) Potential double gut punch for Miami (23:31) Raptors sniffed around but risk was too high (32:24) Phoenix side of the deal (38:29) Fake Jrue Holiday trades (46:42) The Knicks should really consider making a play for Holiday (57:43) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach talks to Austin Reaves about his unlikely journey and all things Lakers, then DNVR's Adam Mares joins to preview the defending champion Denver Nuggets -- plus a brief Dame aside. Team USA experience (:58) Did you think you were going to be on the Spurs? (3:43) Taylor Swift dating rumors (5:36) Earning LeBron’s trust (11:42) The “I’m him!” game (14:36) LeBron’s team workouts (25:11) Says he’s the best golfer among NBA players (29:06) Russell Westbrook being a great teammate (41:40) How Denver will replace Bruce Brown and Jeff Green (54:05) Teams can’t outscore Denver (58:49) Will Michael Malone have to stagger starters more? (1:09:24) Getting Michael Porter, Jr. more involved offensively (1:12:07) Jamal Murray should be in the All-Star conversation this year (1:17:05) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach talks to ESPN's Bobby Marks about Damian Lillard buzz, Buddy Hield trade possibilities, and the new-look Indiana Pacers. Then ESPN's Tim MacMahon joins to preview the Mavs and Jazz. Recent buzz around Dame (:28) Fake Buddy Hield trades (12:07) Pacers outlook (21:42) We were all wrong about Lauri Markkanen (34:58) Jazz outlook (41:57) How many wins? (47:30) John Collins' fit (57:57) Mavericks fit around Luka and Kyrie (1:01:10) Where do Mavs stack up in the West? (1:04:53) What would a successful season be? (1:16:11) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton pick their most intriguing players for the upcoming NBA season, talk Dame trades, rest rules, and more. Then ESPN's Andrew Lopez joins to preview the Pelicans and Spurs.  2:10- Josh Giddey. 12:25- Giddey's FIBA play 14:00- Kristaps Porzingis' fit in Boston 20:25- Who are the favorites in the East? 21:10- Miami Heat discussion 23:00- Lamelo Ball talk 25:30 What went wrong with Lamelo last year 27:00- Kai Jones' social media brigade 33:15- Trae Young's season outlook 35:00- Tyrese Maxey's season outlook 38:00- Deandre Ayton's importance to Phoenix's sucess 40:50- Damian Lillard updates 44:00- Dame to Toronto? 49:30- Resting Policy. 51:00- Andrew Lopez joins 54:50- Injuries plaguing New Orleans 1:00:00- Latest on Zion 1:07:45- How many games will Zion play 1:11:15- Pelicans pick equity 1:19:15- Why the Pelicans aren't in the Dame sweepstakes 1:22:00- Spurs expectations after getting Wemby 1:30:30- Devin Vassell's outlook 1:35:30- Jeremy Sochan's fit on the Spurs Learn more about your

Zach and ESPN's Ramona Shelburne discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo's recent comments about his future, dive into Ramona's recent story on the James Harden stalemate, preview the Golden State Warriors, and much more.  Giannis doubling down on his future possibly being elsewhere (1:27) Zach thinks Milwaukee might trade Giannis if things go horribly wrong this year (10:22) How can Milwaukee improve this season? (13:45) What teams are closely monitoring Giannis' situation (21:03) How many more titles will Steph-led Warriors win? (33:20) On a potential extension for Klay Thompson (38:28) Will CP3 start for the Warriors? (44:50) Harden vs. Daryl Morey (53:30) Trying to make sense of Harden's thinking about his contract status (1:13:13) Lakers extend Jarred Vanderbilt (1:24:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Tim MacMahon discuss Team USA's failure at the FIBA World Cup, look ahead to the 2024 Olympics, and size up the Lakers' place in the West in the wake of the Christian Wood signing. Then (58:30) Sportsnet's Blake Murphy joins to weigh in on Team Canada as well as the Raptors' outlook for the 2023-24 season. Potential new resting rules (:46) Team USA finishes 4th at the FIBA World Cup (5:03) How many of the guys on the World Cup roster will be on Olympic Roster next year? (9:12) Who are your dream 3 picks to have on the Team USA roster for the 2024 Olympics? (11:29) Do you enough the aesthetics of FIBA basketball? (16:33) Filling out the rest of the 2024 US Olympic roster (20:08) Olympics will be fun (28:54) Lakers sign Christian Wood (35:49) Where do the Lakers stack up in the West? (47:35) What did Canada's 3rd place finish at the FIBA World Cup mean? (1:00:03) What big names might join Team Canada for the 2024 Olympics (1:02:12) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's tour de force in the FIBA

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks get caught up on the James Harden situation, the Damian Lillard landscape, Giannis Antetokounmpo's recent comments about his time in Milwaukee, Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, and much more. Harden upset in Philly (2:58) Giannis' statement (16:02) Harden situation is more chaotic than it was with Simmons (22:25) What happened in Brooklyn with Harden? (30:28) Anything new with Dame? (38:40) The one question Zach would ask Ben Simmons (52:07) Team USA at the World Cup (54:30) Supermax candidates (1:13:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone go behind the scenes on the Nuggets journey to the 2023 NBA title, then ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk join to talk the Clippers at the crossroads, the James Harden situation, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices