Podcast Title: The Zach Lowe Show
Host: Zach Lowe
Guests:
- Kirk Goldsberry – NBA Analyst and Author
- Ian Begley – New York Knicks Insider
Episode Title: WELCOME TO… the NBA Finals: Pacers–Thunder Preview with Kirk Goldsberry, Plus the State of the Knicks with Ian Begley
Release Date: June 2, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Zach Lowe Show, host Zach Lowe delves deep into the highly anticipated NBA Finals matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Joined by esteemed guests Kirk Goldsberry and Ian Begley, the discussion not only previews the Finals but also examines the current state of the New York Knicks following their surprising playoff run.
NBA Finals Preview: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder with Kirk Goldsberry
The Rise of the Pacers
Zach Lowe opens the conversation by highlighting the remarkable transformation of the Indiana Pacers from near chaos in the 2021 season to NBA Finals contenders in 2025. He emphasizes the strategic moves by the Pacers' front office, particularly the acquisition of Paul George and the pivotal trade that brought Tyrese Haliburton into the fold.
Notable Quote:
“The Pacers have taught us time and again they bring something very interesting to the table, which is must-haves if you want any shot at not getting run over by the Oklahoma City turnover machine.”
— Zach Lowe [04:42]
Front Office Excellence
Kirk Goldsberry commends Indiana's front office, led by Kevin Pritchard, for their stability and strategic acquisitions. Goldsberry points out three major transactions that have shaped the Pacers into Finals contenders:
-
Hiring Rick Carlisle as Head Coach:
“He’s reinvented his coaching style to match the personnel and the Era with this Pacers group.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [06:00] -
Trading for Tyrese Haliburton:
Highlighting Haliburton's impact, Goldsberry notes his excellent playmaking and defensive capabilities. -
Acquiring Pascal Siakam:
Although Siakam was traded for Bruce Brown and three first-round picks, Goldsberry underscores the long-term value Siakam brings to the team.
Notable Quote:
“Indiana has to be in the conversation of who has run the 2020s the best from a front office point of view.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [10:17]
Defensive and Offensive Strengths
The discussion moves to the Pacers' defensive strategies and their ability to create turnovers. Goldsberry praises their depth and how the team's complementary pieces have built an offensive juggernaut, although he notes a slight weakness on the defensive side compared to top-tier teams.
Notable Quote:
“Kevin Pritchard has gotten Carlisle, gotten Haliburton, gotten Siakam, and then one of the best supporting casts around. They built an offensive juggernaut.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [12:08]
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Dominance
Zach Lowe contrasts the Pacers with the Thunder, highlighting Oklahoma City's impressive 68-win playoff run and their exceptional defensive metrics. Goldsberry expresses skepticism about the Pacers overcoming the Thunder’s "Death Star" defense but acknowledges the Pacers' ability to adapt and bring creative strategies to the court.
Notable Quote:
“This is one of the best teams we've seen play. A double digit net rating in the playoffs gets you into a club of four or maybe even fewer NBA champions.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [62:20]
Final Predictions
Kirk Goldsberry confidently predicts a decisive victory for the Oklahoma City Thunder, citing their superior defensive prowess and overall team metrics.
Notable Quote:
“I'm going to pick the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, which is a shorter number than I almost always predict.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [63:41]
The State of the Knicks with Ian Begley
Knicks' Playoff Performance
Ian Begley provides an in-depth analysis of the New York Knicks' unexpected run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite finishing the regular season with a balanced record and showing moments of brilliance, the team faced criticism for inconsistent performances and questionable player contributions.
Notable Quote:
“The Knicks finished with a point differential of exactly zero, which is pretty remarkable.”
— Ian Begley [69:09]
Key Player Evaluations
Begley scrutinizes the performances of key players like Mikhail Bridges, Carl Anthony Towns, and Josh Hart. He highlights internal concerns regarding Towns' defensive capabilities and the fluctuating contributions of Bridges and Hart throughout the playoffs.
Notable Quote:
“There were internal concerns about Carl Anthony Towns' defense throughout the season.”
— Ian Begley [74:38]
Coaching Decisions and Future Outlook
The conversation turns to Coach Tom Thibodeau's strategies and the uncertainty surrounding his future with the Knicks. Begley discusses the potential scenarios for the Knicks' coaching staff and the broader roster adjustments needed to build a championship-contending team.
Notable Quote:
“We don't know yet on Tom Thibodeau. We don't know how many years he's got left.”
— Ian Begley [75:45]
Roster Moves and Future Strategies
Zach Lowe and Ian Begley debate the Knicks' offseason strategies, focusing on retaining Carl Anthony Towns, addressing defensive weaknesses, and exploring potential trade scenarios. They also touch upon the disappointment of missed draft picks, such as Shea Gilgis Alexander, and the impact of Obi Toppin's transition against his former team.
Notable Quote:
“I just don't see a ton of like massive crises here.”
— Zach Lowe [82:40]
Final Thoughts and Predictions
Both hosts reflect on the Knicks' potential to return stronger next season, emphasizing the need for strategic roster changes and improved defensive performances. They also speculate on the likelihood of Towns remaining with the team and the challenges of balancing offensive and defensive roles.
Notable Quote:
“I'm betting that he [Tom Thibodeau] comes back because it's coach strict year.”
— Zach Lowe [77:37]
Conclusion
This episode of The Zach Lowe Show offers a comprehensive examination of the NBA Finals matchup between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, while also providing a critical analysis of the New York Knicks' season. With expert insights from Kirk Goldsberry and Ian Begley, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of both teams' strengths, weaknesses, and future prospects. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual follower, this episode delivers in-depth basketball analysis and engaging discussions that illuminate the complexities of the NBA landscape.
Notable Quotes Summary:
-
“The Pacers have taught us time and again they bring something very interesting to the table, which is must-haves if you want any shot at not getting run over by the Oklahoma City turnover machine.”
— Zach Lowe [04:42] -
“He’s reinvented his coaching style to match the personnel and the Era with this Pacers group.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [06:00] -
“Indiana has to be in the conversation of who has run the 2020s the best from a front office point of view.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [10:17] -
“Kevin Pritchard has gotten Carlisle, gotten Haliburton, gotten Siakam, and then one of the best supporting casts around. They built an offensive juggernaut.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [12:08] -
“This is one of the best teams we've seen play. A double digit net rating in the playoffs gets you into a club of four or maybe even fewer NBA champions.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [62:20] -
“I'm going to pick the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, which is a shorter number than I almost always predict.”
— Kirk Goldsberry [63:41] -
“The Knicks finished with a point differential of exactly zero, which is pretty remarkable.”
— Ian Begley [69:09] -
“There were internal concerns about Carl Anthony Towns' defense throughout the season.”
— Ian Begley [74:38] -
“We don't know yet on Tom Thibodeau. We don't know how many years he's got left.”
— Ian Begley [75:45] -
“I just don't see a ton of like massive crises here.”
— Zach Lowe [82:40] -
“I'm betting that he [Tom Thibodeau] comes back because it's coach strict year.”
— Zach Lowe [77:37]
Note: All timestamps are based on the provided transcript and indicate where the quoted statements occur within the podcast episode.