The Zach Lowe Show – September 26, 2025

Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle & Mets Corner with Sean Fennesee

Episode Overview

On this packed episode, Zach Lowe covers the latest in NBA news—focusing on the Lakers’ puzzling media day, LeBron’s uncertain future, and the continued drama with the Sixers. He’s joined by Sean Fennesee for “Mets Corner,” where they dissect the New York Mets’ turbulent push toward the playoffs, grappling with pitching woes and franchise-long anxieties. In the second half of the episode, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle sits down with Zach for a wide-ranging discussion on the Pacers’ inspirational Finals run, behind-the-scenes stories from Game 7, Tyrese Haliburton’s impact and injury, the team’s future, and some classic Rick Carlisle anecdotes—including throwing hands with a locker-room TV.

I. NBA Roundup: Lakers Drama, LeBron’s Future & Sixers Woes

[02:42–09:20]

Key Points & Insights

• Lakers’ Half-Media Day & JJ Redick Extension

  • JJ Redick just received another extension as Lakers coach, with Zach joking:

    “Maybe it’s like, you’re gonna have to coach DeAndre Ayton for at least a year. Here’s something to ease the wounds of how annoying he’s going to be.” – Zach Lowe (02:47)

  • LeBron’s future remains murky; Rob Pelinka says the Lakers would love for his story to end in L.A. but defer to LeBron's decision.

• LeBron's Mysterious Future Paths

  • Zach breaks down LeBron's possible paths: retirement, another team, staying with the Lakers, or a left-field move (“the mysterious European league”).
  • Zach’s ranking of likelihood: “Retire, another team, Lakers. But not like dramatic gaps between.” – Zach Lowe (04:11)
  • Adds: “Just reading tea leaves… the stupid Crown commercial, which seemed like... we're setting the stage for the swan song.” – Zach Lowe (04:20)

• Predicting LeBron’s Falloff

  • Sean asks if this is finally the year LeBron looks his age.
  • Zach's take: “I think something like 22, 7, and 6 is in play... He just gets numbers.” – Zach Lowe (05:09)

• JJ Redick Coy About Lakers’ Starting Five & Austin Reaves

  • JJ isn’t revealing his starting lineup, setting off speculation.
  • Zach notes: "I'm just monitoring the Austin Reeves situation... last year of his contract, player options. Not going to take it. Extension, not really... Lakers are thirsting to add a second megastar next to Luca." – Zach Lowe (06:28)
  • Ponders the best use for Reeves—a "Lou Will style sixth man"—and notes fake-trade rumors, but believes inertia keeps him in LA for now.

• Sixers’ Ongoing Misfortunes

  • Jared McCain tears his UCL in his thumb.
  • Zach: “Just boy, between the Sixers and the Clippers, it’s like, should we just fold it up?” – Zach Lowe (08:10)
  • Sean offers sympathy, recounting Chris Ryan’s fleeting optimism over the Sixers’ promising young core—“24 hours later. Heartbreak.” – Sean Fennesee (09:20)

Notable Quote

“I’m just monitoring a lot of things. I got a lot of monitors out there.” – Zach Lowe (07:18)

II. Mets Corner: The Agony and Ecstasy of the Playoff Push

[10:29–32:35]

Key Discussion Points

• Recent Playoff Surge and Lingering Doubt

  • The Mets clawed back after a demoralizing stretch, winning two of three from the Cubs, thanks to big moments from Nimmo, Alvarez, and Lindor.
  • “It got a little dicey... They do the job. They took two out of three from the Cubs. My mom’s beloved Pittsburgh Pirates did their job. Took two out of three from the Reds.” – Zach Lowe (11:20)
  • But three daunting games in Miami loom: “Those are haunted words, if you’re a Mets fan. Because the Miami Marlins... always play the Mets tough.” – Sean Fennesee (12:31)

• Pitching Woes and Roadblocks

  • The Mets can’t find reliable starters: "None of the pitchers can get through six innings. Tong and Peterson couldn't get through two." – Zach Lowe (11:11)
  • Both agree making the playoffs would be an achievement amid swirling pitching drama and rotation uncertainty.
  • “With this pitching, it’s almost unfathomable to me that this idea now that, oh, they could get in and make a run is just… seems unfathomable.” – Zach Lowe (14:22)

• Nolan McLean's Growth and Hope for the Future

  • McLean had a dominant night but faltered late; both recognize it's essential for young guys like McLean to get playoff experience.
  • “To become great, these things have to happen.” – Sean Fennesee (15:45)

• Bittersweet Offense

  • Mets have "the best four offensive players together that the New York Mets have ever had in their franchise history. And they’re kind of wasting this season." – Sean Fennesee (16:57)

• Offseason Wishes & Free Agency

  • Both hosts want the Mets to keep Pete Alonso and spend big on a frontline starter—regardless of contract risk.
  • “Steve Cohen’s money is immaterial to me. The luxury tax is immaterial to me. I’m now just a pure ‘just give me a good fucking team’ fan.” – Zach Lowe (19:37)
  • They debate possible trade and free agent targets for pitching, like Sandy Alcantara.

• Franchise Pathos & Fan Experience

  • Both share the anxiety and routine dread of being a Mets fan with so much at stake in every game:
    “We feel great right now. In 24 hours, the Reds could win and the Mets could lose and we could feel like the depths of misery. There’s just no break.” – Zach Lowe (25:25)

Notable Moments & Quotes

• Zach’s dad advice about heartbreak:

  "If the Red Sox were ahead after the seventh or eighth inning, just go to bed. Only. Only bad things can happen after that." – Zach Lowe (26:53)

• On Lindor’s importance:

  “He seems just like the perfect guy. I. I love Francisco Lindor.” – Zach Lowe (27:17)

III. Special Guest: Rick Carlisle, Pacers Head Coach

[34:01–80:49]

A. Reflections on the Pacers' Run

[34:01–42:07]

• "Inspirational" Season

  • Carlisle says he’s heard from more people about last year’s Pacers team than even his 2011 NBA champion Mavericks team:

    “The word inspirational was repeated very frequently. Things like it restored my faith in the NBA game as an unselfish game.” – Rick Carlisle (35:14)

  • Carlisle praises the group for their selflessness, relentless defense, and willingness to commit full-court pressure—doing what many teams won’t.

• When Did the Run Feel Real?

  • Carlisle says he stays “process driven,” but noticed a shift once the Pacers got healthy in December, then posted the league’s best January record.

    “From January 1st through the end of the regular season, the two best teams, record wise, were us and Oklahoma City.” – Rick Carlisle (38:23)

• How Their Style Impacted the NBA

  • Pacers’ aggressive approach made a league-wide impact:

    “The way we play... has changed people’s view on roster construction because… we aren't a super team with three superstars and a bunch of role players. We’re built differently.” – Rick Carlisle (41:04)

B. Looking Ahead: Life Without Haliburton and Turner

[42:07–47:02]

• Tyrese Haliburton is out this coming season; “starting center” Miles Turner is now a Buck.

• Offense will be reimagined with Andrew Nembhard taking over as playmaker:

  “So much will be on him. So we’ve got to alleviate pressure from him.” – Rick Carlisle (43:12)

• Center by Committee

  • Carlisle gives the current roster candidates for starting center, describes past experience with "center by committee" teams.

    “There have been some years… was definitely centered by committee teams… all three players played in just about every game, and they, you know, they, they were pros.” – Rick Carlisle (45:41)

C. Game 7, Haliburton’s Injury, and Locker Room Stories

[47:02–59:12]

• Pre-Game Mantra & Pacers History

  • Shares how he drew inspiration from franchise legend Slick Leonard:

    “Walk out there like you own the damn place.” – Rick Carlisle (52:08)

  • The team got the start they needed in Game 7—before Haliburton’s devastating injury changed everything.

• Halftime Thoughts and the Power of Showing Emotion

  • On Haliburton’s presence at halftime:

    “He needed to be in that locker room… there’s an element of bare naked emotion, bare naked, naked reality… we were still one, and that’s how we needed to look at it.” – Rick Carlisle (58:41)

D. Pacers Culture: WWE, Netflix, and the Modern NBA

[62:01–70:36]

• Carlisle on indulging Tyrese Haliburton’s WWE obsession:

  “I tip my hat to that industry for being able to do what they do… but I can’t say that I’m anywhere near as invested in it as him, but I have great respect for, for what they're doing.” – Rick Carlisle (62:24)

• On Media, Social & Content Creation:

  • Acknowledges the new era:

    “Podcasting is going on everywhere... our job now is to normalize this stuff... as a coach, you just got to decide how much of it you want to expose yourself to because you're not going to control it.” – Rick Carlisle (68:28)

E. Classic Carlisle: TV Fights, Coaching Superstitions, and Wins

[70:36–75:50]

• Locker Room TV Fight:

  • On a frustrating game in Washington:

    “I wouldn’t say the tv won. I would say the TV survived.” – Rick Carlisle (72:13)

  • Details his typical careful approach to venting anger:

    “I’ve learned never to punch anything. That’s a broken hand. I think I went flat hand into the TV and I may have even done it with, with two hands.” – Rick Carlisle (74:06)

• In-Season Tournament Superstition:

  • Refused to change his lucky coaching shirt:

    “Yeah, I wasn’t going to change the shirt. There’s no way.” – Rick Carlisle (74:06)

F. Nearing Coaching Immortality

[75:50–80:49]

• Carlisle reflects on being near 1,000 wins and 10th all-time, marveling at his journey from a small-town NBA fan to a Hall of Fame career:

  “At some point, when you get on this kind of journey, you feel guided... the game has inspired me… here I am talking to you.” – Rick Carlisle (75:50, 79:02)

IV. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “With this pitching, it's almost unfathomable to me that this idea now that, oh, they could get in and make a run is just… seems unfathomable.” – Zach Lowe (14:22)
• “The word ‘inspirational’ was repeated very frequently.” – Rick Carlisle (35:14)
• “Walk out there like you own the damn place.” – Rick Carlisle quoting Slick Leonard for the Pacers in Game 7 (52:08)
• “I wouldn't say the TV won. I would say the TV survived.” – Rick Carlisle (72:13)
• “I’m just monitoring a lot of things. I got a lot of monitors out there.” – Zach Lowe (07:18)

V. Timestamps for Key Segments

• NBA Roundup: Lakers, LeBron, Redick – 02:42–09:20
• Sixers & Clippers Woes – 08:30–09:20
• Mets Corner: Playoff Push & Pitching Woes – 10:29–19:13
• Offseason and Alonso Debate – 19:13–22:29
• Carlisle Interview Begins – 34:01
• Game 7 Story & Haliburton Injury – 47:02–59:12
• Locker Room TV Fight Anecdote – 70:36–72:13
• Coaching Wins Reflection – 75:50–80:49

Overall Tone & Style

Zach blends deep basketball insight with humor, self-deprecating asides, and sharp analysis. “Mets Corner” offers the relatable, neurotic highs and lows of fandom, heavily seasoned with wit and resignation. Rick Carlisle is characteristically reflective, candid, and insightful, providing both behind-the-scenes gold and broader wisdom about what makes a group special—tempered by the battle scars and pride of a coaching lifer.

This summary captures all major themes, storylines, and notable discussion points for listeners interested in NBA news, the drama of late-season baseball, and the wisdom of one of the game's most respected coaches.