Playoff Preview, Awards Picks, and Tanking Fixes With Stan Van Gundy

About this episode

Zach Lowe and Stan Van Gundy discuss playoff matchups, awards, tanking solutions, and compare the careers of James Harden and Dwyane Wade.

Zach is joined by Stan Van Gundy to preview the upcoming playoff matchups, hand out some awards, and discuss how to fix tanking. Plus, they debate whether James Harden or Dwyane Wade had the better career and discuss how their Finals picks have evolved as the season has gone on. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:09) Stan Van Gundy joins the show! (7:33) What playoff series that isn’t set yet is the most interesting? (15:46) What did we learn from SA-DEN? (26:26) Stan’s award picks (38:08) Cooper Flagg has taken on a huge role for the Mavs (46:01) What tanking solution do you like the best? (59:39) Who had the better career: James Harden or Dwyane Wade? (1:04:56) Who was your Finals pick to start the season, and what is it now? Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Stan Van Gundy Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto This episode is sponsored by State Farm®️. Like a good neighbor, State Farm®️ is there with the Assist. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Zach Lowe

Guest: Stan Van Gundy

Topics covered

• playoff preview
• awards picks
• tanking solutions
• career debate
• NBA Finals predictions

Keywords

• NBA
• playoffs
• awards
• tanking
• James Harden
• Dwyane Wade
• Stan Van Gundy
• Zach Lowe

Sponsors

State Farm®️

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Ringer

More episodes of The Zach Lowe Show

• The MSG Miracle! OG’s Tip, the Spurs' Collapse, and a Finals MVP Debate! · June 11, 2026 · 1h 16m
• Spurs Take Game 3! Wemby’s Big Game, Brunson Hero Ball, and More! · June 9, 2026 · 1h 10m
• The Knicks Win a Game 2 Thriller with Jon Krawczynski! · June 6, 2026 · 1h 1m
• The Knicks Take Game 1 With Stan Van Gundy! · June 4, 2026 · 1h 10m
• NBA Finals Are Here! All the Info You Need from Podcast Row · June 3, 2026 · 1h 19m
• A Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Finals Preview! Plus, What's Next for the Thunder? · June 2, 2026 · 1h 45m