The Zach Lowe Show: Live From Minnesota

With Rob Mahoney, Jon Krawczynski, Chris Finch, and Donte DiVincenzo
Date: November 13, 2025
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Host: Zach Lowe

Episode Overview

Zach Lowe hosts the first-ever live edition of his NBA podcast in Minneapolis, joined by Rob Mahoney, Timberwolves beat writer Jon Krawczynski, Wolves head coach Chris Finch, and Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo. The episode is a dynamic mix of rapid-fire NBA Western Conference Power Rankings, deep dives into Timberwolves franchise history, interviews, candid behind-the-scenes NBA talk, audience Q&A, and engaging stories—delivered in Zach’s signature sharp, self-aware style.

Key Sections and Highlights

1. Setting the Scene & Opening Banter

[01:15]

• Zach Lowe welcomes a live Minneapolis crowd, jokes about the prospect of taking the live show on tour if all goes well.
• Rob Mahoney expresses gratitude for being flown in, praises the Timberwolves' current on-court legitimacy.
• Playful banter about the venue’s connection to Prince.

2. Western Conference Power Rankings (Main Segment)

[02:19 – 20:02]
A rapid-fire, back-and-forth session where Zach and Rob reveal their unseen Western Conference team rankings (from worst to best), sparring about franchise directions, vibes, and recent developments.

Key Discussion Points by Timestamps

• [03:44] Lowest-Ranked Teams:

  • Rob: Dallas Mavericks—“If you have to install new mobile staircases to let your GM exit the arena in shame, you get to the bottom of the list and then you fire him.”
  • Zach: Pelicans—“Do I even need to explain? They’re hopeless. They don’t own their first round pick."
  • Notable audience theme: “Is Nico Harrison the new David Kahn?” (multiple audience questions echoed).

• [04:59] Sacramento Kings judged harshly for “bad vibes” and dysfunctional roster—Zach: “If we got together in a room… to build the stupidest possible basketball team, we could not do any worse or any better, I don't know, than the Sacramento K[ings]. What a miserable team to watch.”

• [07:01] Clippers discourse:
  Rob: “They're the slowest team by choice… They don't seem like they could really be troubled to jog back.”
  Zach: “…still have James Harden guaranteed to shit the bed in game seven of any important playoff series.”

• [09:32] On the Phoenix Suns' resurgence:
  Rob: “Turns out, if you get rid of the bad vibes Express that was last season's collection of stars, there’s a normal thing under there that kind of works.”

• [11:07] Warriors drama:
  Rob: “If your star players are getting into fights on threads, you gotta move down a couple spots.”
  Zach: “These guys seem to hate each other already.”

• [14:07] The “Good, but Old” Lakers:
  Zach: “LeBron’s got sciatica… Age is tough. It’s a young man’s game.”

• [15:24] Wembanyama's Spurs:
  Rob: “My most boomer take is like, I just don't understand why double teams work on him at all… How could someone a foot shorter than you really disrupt you that much?”

• [16:21] Top Six Teams (no huge controversy):
  Zach: “Old, young, weird. Proven. That's what I'm going.”
  Rob (on Julius Randle): “I am addicted to watching Julius Randle play basketball. It is…becoming a problem.”

• [18:47] The Dominant, Disruptive Elite:
  Zach (on Thunder): “They have a net rating of 14.5… and the number one defensive lineup, they're terrifying. Shay gets better and better every year. The Chet Leap is happening… Barring injury, this is the NBA Finals.”

  Rob: “Houston and Minnesota… these are the disruptors to your beautifully laid plans. Oklahoma City and Denver is the proxy finals, these are the two teams who could really muck it up.”

• Most Depressing Franchise?
  Universal answer—Dallas Mavericks.
  Lighthearted fake trade pitches between audience and stage.

3. Timberwolves Franchise Deep-Dive (w/ Jon Krawczynski)

[22:41 – 38:39]
Jon Krawczynski joins to recount the five most pivotal moments in Timberwolves history.

Notable Picks & Stories

• 2004: Sam Cassell’s “Big Balls Dance”
  Jon: “If you listen to Flip Saunders, he says that's when the avulsion fracture on the hip happens... That team would have won the championship, I'm convinced.”
  Zach: “Did the big balls dance injure Sam Cassell?”
  (25:42)

• 2009: The Hiring of David Kahn
  Jon: “[Owner] Glenn Taylor empowers his son-in-law… They administer a personality survey for GM candidates. Dennis Lindsay: ‘I’m out of here.’ David Kahn: Passed with flying colors.”
  Zach: “He just looks me dead straight in the eye—‘Tell your boss he’s a fucking asshole’—and walks away.” (29:32)

• Rubio’s ACL – The Muskies Jersey Curse (2012)
  Jon: “Ricky Rubio tears ACL… electrifying rookie year… down the toilet… never the same.”

• 2020 Draft: Picking Anthony Edwards over LaMelo Ball
  Jon: “One of the questions: ‘What do you want to do after playing?’ LaMelo: ‘I want to be President of the United States.’” (32:27)

• 2024 Game 7 Comeback vs. Denver
  (Jon: “What is the greatest sequence… in this franchise’s history? Game 7, 2024 Western Conference Finals… down 20 in the third… Ant hits a three, Nas Reed tip dunk, Conley’s steal, Edwards’ three… they finish it off.” (33:26)

Quick-Fire Franchise Oddities and "What Ifs"

• Marbury and KG trades, OJ Mayo for Kevin Love, Jimmy Butler experience, Derrick Williams at #2 pick, crazy trades and the “27-year-old draftee.”
• KG’s mentorship, Nikola Pekovic as locker room legend—"stone faced and terrifying," but surprisingly nice off the court.

4. Timberwolves Today: Interview with Coach Chris Finch

[39:55 – 60:26]

• Team Vibes:
  Finch: “We're beating teams in the manner we should… we've always struggled against [bad teams]… but now, everyone's kind of expanding in their own role.”

• On Jaden McDaniels’ Development:
  Finch: “He had this game in him and you could see it… more of a usage puzzle… the real catalyst has been finding more opportunities amidst so much talent” (42:01).

• On the Gobert Trade:
  Finch: “We were all in right away… Thought it would make us different. Kind of zigging while the league was zagging… There’s no basketball reason why he and Kat wouldn’t fit.”
  Zach: “I did say, I am in shock… disbelief at how much the Timberwolves gave up for Rudy Gobert. And yet you can't argue with the results.” (44:48)

• Locker Room Turbulence:
  Finch: “He [Rudy] also punched somebody on our team, so… There’s levels to these things. I consider it a step forward.” (47:24)

• Kat’s Departure:
  Finch: “[Trading KAT] was a hard one… He was one of the most coachable superstars I’ve ever been around.”
  Stories of learning about the deal at a Prince tribute concert (49:10).

• Behind-the-Scenes War Stories:
  Finch on coaching overseas in Belarus: “If he wants to take a girl to his room, he has to choose one of ours… I said, ‘This has got to go in the book.’” (59:00)

• Halftime of Game 7 vs Denver:
  Finch: “There was a tremendous confidence that we were going to still win the game… a calmness about us in the locker room.” (52:48)

• NBA “In-Season” Cup Courts and Weird Jerseys:
  Finch: “Some of these courts are unwatchable… Why do the Celtics have a gold jersey with no green on it?" (57:18)

5. On the Court: Interview with Donte DiVincenzo

[61:02 – 76:29]

• Adapting to Minnesota:
  “This is the first year in four or five I’ve started the season on the same team” (63:50).

• Being Traded From the Knicks:
  “I was up visiting my fiancée’s family, got a call at noon—’might happen’—another call, ‘it’s happening.’”
  First Nova Knicks teammate to reach out: “Josh [Hart]. He’s glued to his phone.”

• The Famous Nova Knicks Commercial:
  “I hurt my toe the night before the shoot, so if you notice, I don’t do much walking in the commercial.” (64:19)

• Trash-Talking Former Team:
  “Tibbs and I had friendly banter, and then somebody jumped in…” [refuses to name participant]. (65:19)

• Big Moments:

  • Game 2, Sixers-Knicks: “The floor was shaking… you’re overwhelmed with emotion.” (67:16)
  • Game 6, Philly—nm clutch free throws and "friendly banter" with Buddy Hield.
  • Villanova National Title: “My foot was supposed to be broken … I ran out to celebrate in a full suit.” (69:05)

• Green Light Off the Bench:
  “Ant is the main one behind me—’You better shoot that every time.’” (69:38)

• Broken Nose Incident:
  “I didn't know it was that bad ... I went back in and finished the game. Didn't see my nose 'til after.” (71:19)

• How Close Are the Wolves?
  “It’s just the little things that put us… to make us a great team. Not like we’re chasing something unattainable.” (71:51)

• Defensive Mentality:
  “Jaden [McDaniels] can guard every single position... When we bring [the energy] up a notch... it's hell.” (74:22)

6. Live Audience Q&A

[76:33 – 87:04]

• Who would you pair with Anthony Edwards?
  • Zach & Rob: “Wemby.”
    “It’s got to be a big” (77:07).
• Could Ant win MVP with All-Defensive honors?
  “No, not necessarily... it's a tough field” (78:28).
• LeBron’s future and Lakers rank:
  “The Lakers were sixth in both of our power rankings... are we pushing LeBron down [legacy-wise]?” (79:27)
• Best Starting Five of Non-All-Stars:
  Jamal Murray, Austin Reaves, Jaden McDaniels, Denny Avdija, Chet Holmgren, Aaron Gordon—lots of options debated. (82:14)
• Will Jaden McDaniels make an All-Star Team?
  • Rob: "I think the answer might be yes now…”
  • Zach: “If you gave me over/under 1.5 all-star appearances, I’m taking the under… but I could see it.” (84:55)
• Favorite Live Sporting Moments:
  • Rob: “Klay Thompson’s 2016 Game 6 vs. OKC”
  • Zach: “Cavs-Warriors Game 7, 2016… The LeBron block was mesmerizing—live, I thought it was a goaltend.” (88:13)
  • Both muse on being at legendary games and improbable upsets.

Notable Quotes

• Zach (on Wolves’ past): “If the Timberwolves have done one thing really well their entire existence, it’s be really crazy.” [23:11]
• Jon Krawczynski (on 2004 Wolves): “That team would have won the championship, I’m convinced of it, had Sam Cassell been fully healthy.” [25:07]
• Chris Finch (on the Gobert trade): “We felt he would—there’s no basketball reason why he and Cat wouldn’t fit.” [44:48]
• Rob (on failed franchises): “If you have to install new mobile staircases to let your GM exit the arena in shame, you get to the bottom of the list.” [03:48]
• DiVincenzo (on shooting): “Ant’s the main one... ‘Yo, you better shoot that every time.’ When you have that next to you… just keep letting it go.” [69:38]
• Zach (with heartfelt encore): “Why not the Minnesota Timberwolves? Someone's got to push the Thunder and the Nuggets. Why not you guys?” [75:35]

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Zach Lowe’s analytical yet humorous, lightly self-deprecating tone; the guests are frank, insightful, and unguarded—encouraged by the live, friendly arena crowd. Banter is loose and conversational but smart, and enthusiasm for basketball (especially the Timberwolves, old and new) runs throughout.

Conclusion

The first live Zach Lowe Show delivers a unique blend of hard NBA analysis, team history, honest inside stories, hilarious asides, and community spirit, cementing Minneapolis as a passionate basketball city—with Lowe teasing future live shows if this is a success. The Timberwolves' revival and proud past are celebrated alongside real talk about the league’s weirdest franchises, CBA quirks, and why the NBA is never dull.

Supplemental: Key Segment Timestamps

• [01:15] Welcome, banter
• [02:19 – 20:02] Western Conference Power Rankings
• [22:41 – 38:39] Timberwolves History w/ Jon Krawczynski
• [39:55 – 60:26] Chris Finch Interview
• [61:02 – 76:29] Donte DiVincenzo Interview
• [76:33 – 87:04] Audience Q&A
• [91:42 – End] Why Minneapolis? Lowe on the city's underrated sports culture

For Wolves fans and NBA obsessives, a must-listen—insightful, nostalgic, and a celebration of the league’s quirks and community.