AI Summary
5 min read“He didn’t take the easy way,” an anonymous source told ESPN about LeBron James’s decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Zach Lowe read that quote aloud on his podcast and then let it hang in the air before unloading. “Can we just settle down? Was anyone making an argument that there was a harder way he should have taken?” That moment of exasperation set the tone for a two-part episode built around a simple gimmick: Lowe and co-host Kirk Goldsberry each ranked the ten NBA players facing the most pressure in the upcoming 2026-27 season. Part one covered the bottom half of their lists, plus a deep dive on the Indiana Pacers, a team that reached the NBA Finals two years ago but now carries a modest 43.5 win total over/under.
The Many Flavors of Pressure
Goldsberry opened the rankings by defining five distinct types of pressure that players face: contract pressure (living up to a big salary), legacy pressure (meeting career expectations), health pressure (staying on the floor), foundational pressure (being the center of an organization), and market pressure (playing in a city that expects to win). These categories became the framework for the entire discussion.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (01:01) **Episode Setup & Gimmick** - Zach introduces the two-part pressure player countdown with Kirk Goldsberry, explains the format: reverse order from 10 to 1, plus a deep dive on the Indiana Pacers.
- 2 (02:26) **Opening Banter & Offseason Drama** - Zach and Kirk discuss lingering Kawhi Leonard investigation, LeBron's move to Philly, and the media frenzy around it.
- 3 (10:53) **#10: LaMelo Ball (Timberwolves)** - Kirk leads off with LaMelo, now on Minnesota after a blockbuster trade, facing massive expectations to elevate a contender.
- 4 (15:00) **#10 (Zach's Pick): Reed Sheppard (Rockets)** - Zach picks Reed Sheppard, the #3 pick whose disastrous playoff performance and looming extension eligibility create a make-or-break season.
- 5 (17:20) **#9: Chet Holmgren (Thunder)** - Both hosts have Chet on their lists (Zach at #3, Kirk at #9), focusing on his offensive collapse in the playoffs and the pressure of his massive new contract.
- 6 (21:10) **#8: Immanuel Quickley (Raptors)** - Kirk picks Quickley, who has been invisible since the OG Anunoby trade and needs to justify his $32M/year contract.
- 7 (23:55) **#7: Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)** - Kirk places Mitchell here for "legacy pressure," arguing the superstar has never been close to the Finals and time is running out.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
Zach is joined by Kirk Goldsberry for a two-part special looking at the 10 players under the most pressure next season. In Part 1, they reveal the first half of their list and close the episode by discussing whether the Pacers should feel pressure next season.
(0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show!
(1:31) Kirk Goldsberry joins the show!
(9:12) Players under the most pressure next season
(16:19) This season could define Chet Holmgren’s career
(30:19) De'Aaron Fox needs to bounce back following his playoff struggles
(40:03) How will Jayson Tatum fare without Jaylen Brown?
(51:27) Should the Pacers be feeling pressure?
Host: Zach Lowe
Guest: Kirk Goldsberry
Producers: Oscar De La Luz, Billy Gil, and Mike Wargon
Social: Keith Fujimoto and Michael Szokoli
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