Loading summary
A
Study and play come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get the best of both worlds. Get the Unreal college deal everything you need to study and play with select Windows 11 PCs. Eligible students get a year of Microsoft 365 Premium and a year of Xbox Game Pass ultimate with a custom color Xbox wireless controller. Learn more@windows.com studentoffer while supplies last ends June 30th terms at aka mscollegepc. This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast that sounds like heaven to me. Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8:80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.
B
Last Call Crew 1-800-919-3776 take up until 7:00'.
A
Clock.
B
Pat O' Keefe will have the 90 minute pregame show. Tyler Murray and Monica McNutt will have the call at 8:30 for game one spurs and the Knicks.
A
If you're a Knicks fan, you got to think about it this way too, right? What you get right now is on the radio you have Tyler and Monica, but even on the TV you've got Mike Breen, right? Like, is this not you should be in heaven? This is heaven.
B
No, this is perfect. It really is.
A
You don't have to deal with an announcer that you don't know or you don't feel like knows your team that well or does like kind of a generic call. God love him. No, Reggie Miller, you know, like Richard Jefferson's funny. Tim Legler I think is phenomenal. I think he's really good. We have him on our show, but his ex is and O's and his breakdown. He really knows the teams. I've talked to him all season about this Nick team. So he and I have talked a lot about them. So it's just the fact that you have those choices is phenomenal. And did you hear that Jeremy Lynn's going to be part of some of the stuff that ESPN's doing coverage around Jeremy Lynn. Yeah. Isn't that great to have him back?
B
Is he trying to get into the business?
A
He's done some stuff. Yeah, he's done some. He's done some things and I think it's important because you know, of all the Knick players who have come back and are on on alumni row, everybody always says like where's Jeremy Lynn? So to get him and let's see if he's around for game three and you can see him put him on the Garden Vision, that think about the ovation he'll get.
B
It's pretty rare that you get your announcer calling a fight.
A
Yeah.
B
You know, you don't. You don't get it in football because you don't have local TV in football. The last time it happened was nationally. It happened with Joe. But here in the. In the metropolitan area, it's really. You're talking about Mike Emmer.
A
Yeah, Doc with the. With the Devils.
B
And it was pretty cool. For me, like, the devil's first trip to the Stanley cup final was 95.
A
Yep.
B
Doc did it. JD balanced it out because he was the Ranger guy, but still, he had Doc calling it. And then in. In 2000, in 2003, when they went to ABC, you got Gary Thorne. So. And he was. He was. It's.
A
It was.
B
It was. It was pretty cool. And then you'd have to go back, I think. I think Mar. Did Marv call 94? He didn't call 97. 99. Excuse me, but I think he called 94. It was definitely on NBC.
A
NBC, yeah. You know, he might have had 94. Now. Now I'm thinking about it.
B
I think I remember looking it up. It doesn't happen.
A
No, it is. It is. Obviously, it is. It is very rare because, Mark, it's always a complaint, you know, fans get, right? So this, this is no matter where you are, if you're. If you got to be in the car for something. I know there's a lot of people that are gonna. Are working tonight. Oh, yeah. You know, they won't be able to watch, but they'll be. Or even if you are watching on a, you know, on your smartphone, you can watch it on the ESPN app. You get Mike Breen's voice.
B
No, it's pretty awesome.
A
Yeah, I love it.
B
All right, let's go to the busy phones. 1-800-919-3776. Scott in the car. You're on Don on Rosenberg.
C
Hey, hey, guys. Couple things real quick. And I hope I get home because I'm stuck on the parkway in Jersey. But one of the interesting parts about this thing, which I don't think I've heard a lot of people talk about, is the secondary people on this team. We know Wendy's gonna be Wendy, Brunson is going to be Brumson. We know we got to pull Wemby out of the inside so the Knicks can drive. But if McBride doesn't come through, if Landry Shammit doesn't hit like he has been, even if OG and Bridges doesn't get on board and be consistent now, they have been. As opposed to the Spurs. What I've seen where Castle's been kind of streaky, and a couple of those guys go back and forth. This is where I think the Knicks are really going to take over the game.
A
That's literally what I've been saying from the start of the show. Yeah, that Wemby's going to get his. It's the others that you have to worry about. It's the others on the Spurs. You don't want them to get off. You don't want a Kelvin Johnson to come in the game off the bench and bring energy, get the crowd going and start playing physical and turn the game. Like, what you want is for Deuce McBride or Landry Shammit to come in and knock down some threes and quiet it down and settle it down. Like, that's. Bench minutes are not a lot. Like, you know, when you get this far, your start is going to play a ton. But those bench minutes, as little as they are, the pocket of three minutes, four minutes, whatever it is, that could change the game. It could turn the game. So those areas is what I want everybody to be concerned with. Not, oh, my God, Wimby went for 35. So what? He's going to do spectacular things. He's a spectacular player. It's not letting other guys change the game and suddenly be impactful and make you feel like, okay, we got beat because we weren't ready for Julian Champagne to hit a bunch of threes or Devin Fitzel to hit a bunch of threes, or, you know, Dylan Harper coming in and he's getting into the paint, he's scoring easily. Like, you know, you've got to make sure that you have that part handled. Because the wembanyama factor, shutting him down doesn't necessarily mean you win the series. True.
B
But when you look at the Thunder series, it seemed like his best games were in the wins and when he was contained.
A
Yeah.
B
Were in the losses. Like, he had three bad games, they lost them. He had four good games, they won.
A
You know why? Because no one else really. The Game seven is where Champagne stepped up. Right. Like, you have to look. His bad games were because no one else stood up. That's the problem that the spurs have. They rely so much on him to do a little of everything that that's why he has to carry. That's why I keep. I would want to put so much pressure on him to feel like he's gotta play well, and if he doesn't, it's gonna cost his team.
B
Let's go to Raul in Connecticut. You're on espn, New York,
C
Raul,
B
he's gone.
A
He gone. But you get what I'm saying, right? It's. It's. He's a young player. The pressure's gonna feel on him. And he did feel this in the Thunder series, but he responded to it. But if you keep, like, if you keep taking everyone else away, he's gonna feel like he's got to do more, and that's just gonna wear down. It's gonna wear him down, man.
B
Well, I don't know.
A
You gotta make him run. Like, there's a lot you got to do. And it's not like everybody's gonna see him as this big, skinny guy and they're gonna. You know, this is how a lot of surface fans, people who come in now, they parachute in and they'll go, you got to hit him. You got to beat the hell out of them. You gotta. Where's. Where's. We need more. Oakley's out there. We're gonna get that. I guarantee you in the series. Somebody's gonna call and they go, you know, they need a Charles Oakley. That's they're gonna say. And it's, no, that's not how you beat him. Because what you do is you beat him by, yes, being somewhat physical, but you gotta make him run, so he's sucking wind, so he's tired. You take his legs out so he can't make threes. That's what you got to do with him. You gotta make sure that he's always feeling. I thought Hardenstein did a really good job on him. He did. He did a really good job on him. And for the most part, he was doing what he does, but he had to work for it. It's the problem that Thunder had was a. Offensively, there was all Shay and nothing. Chet gave him nothing. They were doing the same thing. Shea had to carry it. The Knicks have an offense where other guys can step up, and I do think the game will be won. When I say perimeter, I don't mean the perimeter meaning outside shooting. I mean the periphery of the roster. They'll win because their roster depth will provide more coverage for a guy like Brunson than I think the spurs roster will for Wemby.
B
When you have European players like Wemby, you don't know the origin story the way you do the American born players
A
like you mentioned, the colleges.
B
He won two national championships with Villanova. He won big games. He had a lot of eyeballs on him. Playing in stadiums, on national television, winning a title. What's the biggest game Wemby played in before he was drafted.
A
He played in the gold medal game, France versus the U.S. he's a young kid. He played in that game. Yeah, that's, you know, that he felt loss. So, you know, he has experienced that. But that was, again, it was a single elimination situation for him. But, yeah, no, he's. This is the biggest stage, really. I mean, the Olympics are the Olympics, obviously, but for what he's doing, yeah, this is the biggest thing. And that's why I want to see, like, he's a really. He's a remarkable young, young man. Never mind the talent. He's a remarkable young man. The way he handles things, the way he talks is very thoughtful. But this is the NBA Finals. Like, you gotta make sure that he's constantly under pressure, physically and mentally. And that's. That's up to, again, the Knick players to be aware of that. And they have to stay locked in, not. You can't chase him. And all of a sudden everybody's eyes are on him. And now double teams, you can't worry about that.
B
Right.
A
You just can't let other guys beat you on.
B
So far, you know, his resume, although limited because he's only been in the league three years. Again, those six and seven wins, even it wasn't the NBA Finals, but it's the conference finals against the defending champions, elimination, you know, that was a standalone game. Right. That was Saturday night, national television.
A
That was a big deal.
B
I mean, that again, it's not the finals, but it's. It's damn close. So he answered the bell.
A
Yeah.
B
You know, and again, it's not as extensive as what some of the Knicks have gone.
A
He didn't have a great game either. His numbers were decent, but it wasn't like he didn't dominate the game. They were really good defensively. There were some big plays that have. Luke Cornette made the play of the game, his backup, his backup center. That game was still up for grabs, and Cornet made a great block. And then after that were a couple of defensive plays, some missed shots by. By the Thunder, and the game suddenly was over. But it wasn't as if Womenyama dominated game seven. He had a couple of really strong games in that series, but he wasn't overwhelmingly great. But they had other guys. Like I said, it was to watch other players come off that bench and have strong performances. That to me, said everything. So all I keep saying to myself is, don't let someone else beat you.
B
Well, like I said, Demonica, you know, there's the there's the narrative that they're inexperienced and the Knicks are experienced, but don't look past what they recently just did because they had every read, especially the Game seven.
A
Right, Right.
B
Like if you were, we were doing a Show Before Game 7, we'd be like, oh, listen, Thunder, they've been there, done that. They won a Game seven at home last year and spurs have never been in this situation and it didn't matter.
A
It's hard to believe a defending champion would lose a Game seven at home. It's, it's, it's still, to me, it's hard to believe that happened.
B
Yeah, it's, it's pretty incredible. So they face the fire. Can they do it again? It'll be interesting. And it starts tonight. Paddock will have the coverage at 7. Monica and Tyler will have the call at 8:30. More of your calls to close it out here. Last segment 1-800-919-3776. Donna Rosenberg, take it up at 7:00 clock live from stout, right here on ESPN New York.
A
I like things my way, my coffee, my schedule and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self injecting with the Viv Hytrulo pre filled syringe which contains fgartigamide alpha and hyaluronidase qvfc. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment, my way. Visit vivgardmyway.com that's V Y V-G-A-R-T myway.com and talk to your doctor about Vivgart Hytrulo. Brought to you by Argenics Buster Only
D
here for La Quinta by Wyndham. When you're on the road this summer, traveling for work, your routine can fall behind faster than a 30 count, especially if your hotel gym is non existent. But at La Quinta by Wyndham, every location features a full size, fully equipped fitness center. So whether it's cardio, weights or a quick workout before a long day, you can stay on top of your game. No excuses, no shortcuts, just your full routine. Ready when you are. And when you book@laquinta.com you can earn Wyndham rewards points with every qualified stay tonight La Quinta. Tomorrow you shine. Terms and conditions apply. Game day at my place is kind of a big deal. If I'm grilling, chillin and watching hoops, my outdoor patio setup better be ready to play. That's where Wayfair wins from patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grilling accessories. Wayfair's got it all and it shows up for fast. I'm talking championship level, fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game and your outdoor chill game and head to Wayfair.com now to get your outdoor space ready for the season. From first call to final invoice, service
A
Titan is the only integrated intelligence that
D
automates your entire workflow.
B
Built for visionaries ready to stop operating and start automating their success.
E
AI for the trade in today's world, planning ahead isn't always top of mind, but not having life insurance can leave families facing difficult financial uncertainty during already emotional times. In many cases, loved ones are left managing expenses, debts or long term obligations without a clear plan in place. Life insurance is one of those ways to help provide financial security and support when it's needed most. That's where Ethos comes in. Ethos makes getting life insurance fast and easy and it's 100% online. You can get a quote in seconds, apply in minutes, and even get same day coverage. There's no medical exam, you just answer a few simple health questions online. And coverage options are flexible, with up to $3 million available and some policies starting at around $30 a month. Ethos has also earned strong customer feedback with a 4.8 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot based on more than 3,000 reviews. Help protect your family with life insurance through Ethos. Get your instant free', @ethos.com sports that's e t h o s.com sports application. Times and rates may vary.
B
Save money on your next oil change with O'Reilly Auto Parts. Get a $15 O'Reilly gift card after rebate when you buy 5 quarts of Mobil 1 full synthetic motor oil for just 35.95. Stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts.
A
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.
B
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
A
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. It all happens on Friday, June 12th at Platt Deutsche in Franklin Square, Long Island. If you get there early, we start at 3 o'. Clock. We're gonna do our show there. Grab a Milagros, a cocktail and we'll talk matchups and storylines while you get to be part of the live, passionate soccer atmosphere that'll be going on there and probably NBA Finals atmosphere happening as well. So don't miss this special live event with us on Friday, June 12 at Platt Deutsch in Franklin Square on Long Island. It's all brought to you by Milagro Tequila. Now, Don. So this is game one of the NBA Finals tonight. And you can feel the excitement. We're here at Stout. It is absolutely packed. Just saw there's a huge line all the way down 35th street just to get in the building. So that's why you want to get here early. There'll be a watch party on 33rd Street. They're allowing that outside barricades already being set up on 7th Avenue in anticipation. So there's a lot of great anticipation for this game. Now, I think the obvious answer when I say this is the biggest game. Sporting event in New York since clearly it's the World Series a couple of years ago with the Yankees and the Dodgers.
C
Right.
A
Like, is that. Is that too. Or could you say, well, the Yankees go a lot. So, like, there's something that just feels huge about this.
B
It's.
A
And it's. It's undeniable. And I'm wondering, like, does this go back even further? Like, what would you say?
B
I don't think you could just look at, like, you know, Yankee fans are gonna. Of course.
A
So the first thing I thought was, well, you know, the last time we had this in the city, it's Yankees Dodge. There's nothing bigger than that.
B
But is it.
A
But is it because of the vibe that it's.
B
But we're getting here? Let's face it. The vibe is two things. It's the Knicks that feel like they're standalone because of the fact of.
A
Of. Of.
B
Of the popularity compared to the Mets. Right. So there's that factor.
A
All right.
B
Because as popular as the Yankees are, the Mets are pretty popular. You want to go 60, 40, you know, whatever. You're talking about a significant amount of Met fans who didn't care.
A
And the Mets were basically two games away from making that a Subway Series.
B
Exactly. So you have that aspect of it, which makes it a little bit different. There's also the city aspect. I've always been told this by people, that the advantage that the Rangers. Lennox, have is that they play on the island itself of Manhattan. Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena.
A
Right, right.
B
Where the worlds come together. Right. You're. You're a stone's throw from Times Square, where like every. Every transplant, every. Every. Every traveler is there. Where the Yankee stadiums, it's in the Bronx. Shay is in Flushing, you know, and so it's a little bit different. And the jets and Giants play in Jersey So there's something like the centrally located. Right.
A
Yeah.
B
You know, having a watch party in Manhattan just makes it feel bigger.
A
Right, right, right.
B
And I'm sorry it's Yankee Stadium, but it's, it's a new Yankee Stadium. It's not the old Yankee Stadium. So from a historical standpoint, the Garden still is the oldest building Right. In this city. All the other buildings are new, so there's that aspect of it that you throw on, too. And the Yankees. Maybe not to a certain generation, but, you know, going to the World Series has been fairly routine compared to everybody else.
A
It doesn't feel like, like, you know, again, it was the first time since 2009. So it did, it did end, what, 13 years. Right. That, that, that you didn't have a World Series. That's, that's a long time for the Yankees anyway. But I, it's. I'm trying, I'm trying to figure this out without being.
B
The answer is.
A
Without being.
B
I think when they play game three.
A
Yeah.
B
At Madison Square Garden.
A
Right.
B
It will be, I think from a New York perspective, the biggest game since. Since game seven. Rangers, Canucks, really that long ago? Well, what else would it be? 32 years ago, you want to say?
A
All right, you're saying in New York. So like the Giants Super Bowl.
D
Right.
B
That's in the super bowl.
A
But it's not. It's not here. But still not here.
B
They're championship games.
A
People are caught up in that game, though.
B
Of course they were.
A
Because I'm talking about the first one because it was the undefeated Patriots.
B
I'm just saying that I was around. And the vibe around New York City that going into that Game seven, maybe not game one.
A
Right.
B
But by game seven, with a chance to slay the dragon. That was a big. That was a big deal. Yeah.
A
That was a cardiac night.
B
And then forget it. If the Knicks come, you know, the Knicks have a Game 6 with a chance to flinch or it'll be. It even be bigger than that.
A
That would take it back to. I would probably say then you. That game seven, 1970. No, no, no. Game 786. Game 786. There was,
B
that was humongous as well, because even though there was the Yankees, there was something about that Met team that really just brought everybody together.
A
There was a. There was a. There was. I would say that's probably a universal interest in, in the Mets and that,
B
I'm saying, because it was the Red Sox.
A
Keep this in mind too, as a Yankees fan, if. Were you torn about the Mets winning? I Didn't want the Red Sox winning.
B
And I'm going to tell you something. I'm sure Yankee fans will go nuts. But I'm old enough to tell you this. The Yankees are way bigger a deal now than they were in 86. That was 40 years ago. It was still considered a National League town back then because remember you still had old Dodgers and Giant fans that became met fans that were still alive, still rooting for the Mets. Okay, that made it a big deal. And the Yankees, they weren't a dynasty for a while. No, they hadn't been good for now and then they win four championships in five years and six. And Derek Jeter and Alex, they become a monolith.
A
The mystique was.
B
But in 86 the Yankees hadn't won a World Series. 78, you know they, they weren't, they were good but in Dom Mattingly was good, but this is post, you know, Reggie and Nettles and Guidry and all that. Like Gidry was still there, but it was. The shine was gone though they became I think much bigger when Jeter got here in the, in mo to where they can't be touched from a popularity.
A
Well, it was. I'm, I'm as much as I hate to say it, but I do agree it was a Mets town then. It was a Mets town.
B
They don't say it anymore, but I'm telling you, younger kids aren't going to believe this, but they called. They still say it was a National League town. No, I know because you took two fan bases and combined them into one.
A
Yep.
B
I mean, you know, people don't realize the Yankees were winning so routinely back in the 50s that people got bored. But no, I'm serious. Like Roger Maris, the day at the home run there was 27,000 people in the.
D
The building.
B
Now a lot of it had to do with the fact that they didn't. It was past the 154 games and Ruth still was their champion, but still it was, it was a different vibe. And now that changed since the Yankees have become so good now. Aaron Judge and everything else.
A
Yeah.
B
So.
C
All right. All right.
A
Yeah.
B
So.
A
So if we get to an elimination type game, we'll go to 86. But you're saying right now as far as vibe with game three would be the biggest game, the biggest championship level game played in New York and you're going to go back since 94, not even 96.
B
That was a big deal.
A
That was a pretty big deal, man.
B
But I, I live in that series. This just feels because again, it's the Yankees. The Yankees have champion. Even in 96, the weight was only 18 years. This is 53 freaking years.
A
I know, I know, I know.
B
For Yankee fans, it's a long time. From 1978 to 1996, it's 18 years. Not even two decades.
A
I know.
B
This is five plus decades. You have to be in your 60s to remember the last time they won. Like I think when you combine all that, man.
A
And the heartaches too, because they lost a couple of times beforehand and the year before. The heartbreak of losing last year. And it's, you know, there is a lot of that. That's part of this. But I thought it was an interesting question. I'm trying not to be biased about it because I'm in the moment and you sometimes you're the prisoner of the moment. But I'm thinking that the 24 World Series was. It was cool, but it, you know, like, I don't know if it had this kind of feel where people were just so into.
B
But I will tell you this. And being a young kid at the time, 77 for the Yankees, that was, to me, when I look at Yankee World Series, that was my first to see the Yankees win. That was big because that had been the first time since, what, 62.
A
61, right.
B
Most 62. And they beat the Giants. Yeah, you know, so. But that was a big deal because Reggie was a big deal. They were. They had so many stars. Guidry was in his prime, you know, so there's certain ones that hit. So 77 was a big deal and the Yankees are a big deal. But this has all the elements, the 53 years, the popularity of the team, the game being played in the city. It has all the elements of being gargantuan.
A
Now all they got to do is
B
win because remember, the Rangers weren't the most popular team, but the fact that they hadn't won in 54 years. And then here in comes Messier. You know, there was like a perfect storm there, right?
A
It just. Again, it all felt like it was. And then they traded away players to bring in more name players. Like there was a lot of momentum on that one. And it's. And it's here. And so finally we have it.
B
Yeah.
A
Game one, NBA Finals, Knicks and the spurs in just about an hour and a half from now.
B
Enjoy it, man. Have fun with it. And we'll be all over it tomorrow at 3 o'. Clock.
A
You, everybody here at Stout, we appreciate you all.
B
Jake Aspen came out.
A
There he is. All right.
B
Interesting outfit. But it is hot out. But you look good. More beach wear than anything but New York forever.
A
All right.
B
We will talk to you again tomorrow at three.
A
Let's hear it. Let's hear it. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.
B
Have no fear. Chosen Foods is here to defend your favorite foods from the forces of seedy oils and sketchy ingredients. With cooking oils, salad dressings and mayo, all powered by the good fats from 100% pure avocado oil and simple, delicious ingredients.
A
Chosen Foods.
Date: June 3, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca
Main Theme: The anticipation and atmosphere surrounding Game 1 of the NBA Finals (Knicks vs. Spurs), the significance for New York, and an in-depth look at matchups, storylines, and the broader impact on the city.
This episode centers on the mounting excitement for Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Hahn, Rosenberg, and La Greca discuss what this series means for the Knicks, the significance of local announcers covering the Finals, how the city is rallying around the event, and dive deep into the game’s key matchups and historical comparisons to other major New York sporting events. Listeners call in to share their perspectives, fueling passionate debates about legacy, pressure, and what a championship would mean for the city.
The Importance of Secondary Players:
Strategic Pressure on Wembanyama:
Playoff Experience and Pressure:
Madison Square Garden’s Unique Energy:
Comparison to Yankees, Mets, Rangers:
Cultural Significance:
How Does This Compare to Other Milestones?
The Outsize Importance of Game 3:
Legacy and Generational Memories:
Conversational, passionate, and rooted in the unique identity of New York sports fandom. The hosts blend nostalgia, statistical analysis, and the pulse of the city, giving listeners a sense of belonging to a singular moment in NY sports history.
This episode captures the electric mood in NYC on the eve of the NBA Finals, giving context to why this moment means so much for longtime Knicks fans and New Yorkers at large. Expect in-depth basketball talk, lively debates on sports culture, and the special significance of MSG hosting games at this level once again. The hosts’ blend of expertise, storytelling, and authentic local pride is on full display, making this a can’t-miss episode for any fan of basketball or New York sports history.