The Zach Lowe Show (The Ringer)

Episode: LeBron Returns, the Pistons Are Rolling, and Insights to Mediocrity With Steve Jones Jr.
Release Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Zach Lowe
Guest: Steve Jones Jr. (The Dunker Spot Podcast, Yahoo Sports)

Episode Overview

Zach Lowe welcomes Steve Jones Jr. to dive into the most compelling NBA storylines of the week. Main topics include LeBron James's season debut and the reinvigorated Lakers, the Detroit Pistons’ electrifying 13–2 start, injuries across the league, an in-depth discussion about stylistic variety atop the Western Conference, insights about rising teams, extensive thoughts on mediocrity, and quick-hitting gripes about NBA culture and coverage. The conversation is a blend of strategic breakdown, honest assessments, and classic NBA banter.

Key Segments, Themes & Timestamps

1. LeBron's Return: Lakers Season Debut

[03:19–14:24]

• LeBron's First Game Back:
  • LeBron posts 11 points, 12 assists; notably deferential early, takes over more as the game progresses.
  • Lakers’ offense “A+”—three-man synergy with LeBron, Luka, and Austin Reaves developing.
  • “You have what Luka does and you have the growth of Austin Reaves … LeBron can kind of come in. I think you saw him play in the flow a lot more.” — Steve Jones Jr. [04:15]
• Offensive Highlights:
  • Play design and execution: e.g., LeBron-Reaves pick and roll to post mismatch with Luka flaring off-ball.
  • LeBron’s feel in transition and half-court offense, finding Ayton, Smart, showing strong post passing.
  • Strategic rotations: Subbing LeBron and Luka’s minutes to keep offensive engines on the floor.
• Defensive Questions:
  • Starting five (Reaves, Luka, LeBron, Rui, Ayton) looks slow, struggles with containment and switching.
  • “Defensively, I will say that starting five looks slow … Reeves, Luka and Rui and a pretty traditional center in Ayton. The speed even like Svi flying around the floor was too fast for them.” — Zach [08:50]
• Takeaway/Concern:
  • Offense appears cohesive; defense needs time and perhaps rotation tweaks, especially with Marcus Smart's role as a stabilizing force.
  • “For the Lakers, they don’t want to put two on the ball ... Their worst moments are when they’re not decisive on the defensive end and not communicating.” — Steve [09:35]
• Lakers’ Outlook:
  • 11–4, 4th in West, but face a tough conference with OKC and Denver at the top.
  • “I think the Lakers could compete in any playoff series … But winning three in the West just feels like too much of a stretch for me when one of the best players is 41 years old.” — Zach [15:01]

2. Stylistic Variety in the Western Conference

[16:47–20:37]

• Debunking homogeneity; OKC, Denver, and Houston all win with wildly different styles.
  • OKC: Defensive frenzy, midrange assassin (SGA), extreme versatility.
  • Denver: Jokic-driven, last in drives/threes yet bludgeoning on offense, connected team defense.
  • Houston: “First team to chase a championship where at least 50% … is missing a shot and just getting a rebound on their own misses and beating the hell out of everybody and being giant.” — Zach [17:23]
• Steve’s Add-on:
  • Highlights Houston’s defensive mindset, Denver’s expanded uses of Aaron Gordon, and OKC’s plug-and-play system.
  • “They all have their own identity ... Everyone knows what they’re supposed to do.” — Steve [18:25]
• Key Quote:
  • “If you want any kind of different basketball, you can find it just at the top of the Western Conference standings.” — Zach [17:55]

3. Injury Report: Calf Strains, Soft-Tissue Watch

[20:37–26:21]

• Wave of Injuries: Wemby (2–3 weeks), Giannis (1–2 weeks, grade 1 groin), Ja Morant, etc.
• Bucks Concern:
  • Big on-off gap with Giannis, stretch without him will test team’s offensive identity.
  • “Their margin is not … nothing. Any prolonged time that Giannis misses is not nothing … I’m just watching, that’s all.” — Zach [23:15]
• League-Wide Soft Tissue Concern Debunked:
  • “Calf injuries are not up this season when compared to the last five seasons … It’s common to see a spike in … the first 20 games.” — Zach (quoting Jeff Stotts) [24:36]
• Takeaway:
  • Teams will exercise extreme caution with any “calf” injuries in light of the Halliburton hangover effect.

4. Detroit Pistons: The NBA’s Hottest Team

[26:56–43:21]

• Pistons start 13–2 (2nd in defense, 13th in offense), thriving despite missing key rotation players.
• Identity & Edge:
  • “They play a very specific style of basketball and they believe … Cade’s been incredible.” — Steve [28:41]
  • Aggressive, physical defense (highest foul rate; turnover-forcing); dominate the paint on both ends.
  • “Their identity is: we’re physical as [hell] and we own the paint.” — Zach [31:56]
• Development Stories:
  • Cade Cunningham:
    • “You never know what you’re going to get with one of his drives … And I think his playmaking has grown.” — Steve [28:41]
    • 27 & 10 average, better handle on turnovers, facing blitzes/pressure regularly.
  • Jalen Duran:
    • “He’s averaging 21 and 12, shooting 68%... should be in the All-Star game right now the way he’s playing.” — Zach [29:34]
    • Defensive discipline and offensive craft much improved.
  • Dennis Jenkins Surprise:
    • “He’s a legit guy. A real rotation guy.” — Zach [27:51]
• Strategic Note:
  • Despite poor shooting lineups, they offset with defense and hustle; Stuart and Duran anchor the rim (“no-fly zone”).
• Playoff Readiness & Trade Debate:
  • Should Detroit make “the move” now if the East stays wide open?
    • “Let’s ride this until the wheels fall off and figure out in the playoffs if we are exposed or we need player X.” — Steve [40:23]
    • Zach: Only make a “big swing” (Lowry Markkanen, etc.) if it’s perfect, otherwise stick with the current group and explore minor upgrades.

5. Insights to Mediocrity: Life Pro Tip

[44:13–46:48]

• Zach’s “Insight to Mediocrity”: Keep your ties perpetually knotted on the hanger—eliminates frustration, saves time.
  • “Who cares? Less of a man? I already can’t fix anything—that’s over ... It’s a perfect solution.” — Zach [44:41]

6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Maddening Middle

[44:54–53:12]

• 10–5, but Garland and Strus mostly out; offense/defense statistically fine but “feels” disappointing.
• Biggest Issue:
  • “My mind is caught between the current state, the ceiling that we know exists, and the playoff questions that also exist.” — Steve [47:01]
  • Drives/paint attacks plummeted without Garland; offense too often “Save us, Donovan.”
• Mobley/Allen Conundrum:
  • Mobley getting more center minutes; questions about playoff viability, offense creation, and team size if Allen marginalized.
• Trade Watch:
  • Cavs have only distant picks to trade; second apron limits maneuverability, but Zach reminds listeners: “Just put it in the back of your head.” [53:12]

7. League Quick-Hitters & Gripes

[54:02–70:27]

Anthony Edwards — Wolves’ New Point Guard

• Ant’s role as primary ball handler has increased, assists down but decisiveness/flow improved.
• “When he makes those quick decisions ... if you put two on the ball, I understand how to get to the roll real quick.” — Steve [55:21]
• “He’s just making the simple play and letting the offense run … a quiet potential for a [big] second half leap.” — Zach [61:56]

ESPN Box Score Redesign

• Both dislike (especially Zach) the new layout, especially minutes/rebounds rearrangement.
  • “Whoever did this ought to give a speech at Sloan … I fucking hate this.” — Zach [64:10]

City Edition Jerseys and Courts

• Zach’s Gripe: Announcers “shill” every jersey as the greatest ever; calls it ad overkill.
• Steve’s Gripe: Portland’s airport jerseys clash with the red court—“fix it.” [68:14]
• Praise for originals: Wolves’ Prince (highly rated), Jazz grayscale, Heat “Miami Vice,” etc.

8. Heat, Tyler Herro’s Return, and Miami’s Offense

[64:54-66:32]

• Herro’s fit in a more motion-heavy, less pick-and-roll Miami system should be smooth.
  • “He should fit in well...he should be able to attack...They play with good pace and tempo, so...he knows he’ll get it back.” — Steve [65:19]

Memorable Quotes

• “A Luka-LeBron pick and roll is just going to be a switch … Usually the defensive presence is going to be: ‘We have to live with this. Who’s gonna guard Reaves?’” — Steve [05:29]
• “You want to come in here? You’re either going to get hit or you’re going to get blocked … or you’re going to chicken out.” — Zach on the Pistons' paint defense [32:06]
• “You have all the guys, you have all the buy-in … If you make [a trade] and go backwards, what’s the cost this year, next year?” — Steve on trade patience for Detroit [40:23]
• “It’s Anthony Edwards. So we’ve seen him prove that he can defeat this in the playoffs. That’s why the Wolves made a run.” — Steve [56:31]
• “My biggest regret … they talked me into taking the over on Cleveland. I should have stuck with my guns.” — Zach [44:54]
• “Whoever did this to the ESPN box scores needs to give a speech at Sloan and we all get tomatoes to throw at you.” — Zach [64:10]

Final Thoughts & Summary

• LeBron’s return offers hope for Lakers' offense, but defensive questions persist.
• Detroit Pistons are the league’s best story, blending youth, defense, and identity—finals run not out of the question with right move.
• Western Conference offers stylistic diversity at the top, proving NBA’s strategic variety is alive and well.
• Injuries remain a league-wide hurdle, but not anomalously so statistically.
• Cavaliers and Wolves both face fascinating strategic inflection points—each with a superstar exploring new roles.
• Gripe Zone: NBA culture, design, and coverage all get the classic Zach Lowe vent treatment—entertaining as ever.

For More

• Follow Steve Jones Jr. on The Dunker Spot (Tuesdays and Fridays, Yahoo Sports).
• Zach Lowe continues twice weekly, all season.

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