Hour 1: Adebayo 83 & Monica McNutt

Summary

Podcast Summary Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Adebayo 83 & Monica McNutt

Date: March 11, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Guest: Monica McNutt (ESPN/MSG basketball analyst)

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Episode Overview

This lively hour on ESPN New York’s “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg” blends classic New York sports banter, food talk, and in-depth discussions about an historic NBA performance, the Knicks’ recent road trip, and the evolving role of spectacle in sports. Highlights include a breakdown of Bam Adebayo’s astonishing 83-point game, reflections on the ethics of record chasing in blowouts, and Knicks analysis with Monica McNutt. The team also detours into Monica’s first viewing of "Wayne’s World," and debates surrounding the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Food and Fan Appreciation

[00:55–02:51]

• The hosts open with effusive praise for a food delivery from Darios in West Hempstead, Long Island.
• Hahn explains: “The bread’s homemade because that’s what makes a sandwich is the bread. And they did a terrific job.” (01:24)
• Banter about missing out on group photos and “gavon” eating ensues.

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Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Game: “Basketball or Spectacle?”

[05:26–09:47]

• Don recounts the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo scoring 83 points against the Wizards, comparing it to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game:
  • “This was no longer a basketball game. This was a spectacle.” (06:06 – Don)
  • “He was playing the Wizards, one of the worst defensive teams in the league who aren’t trying… When you get 31 in the first quarter, that’s when you start to say, okay, this could be a special night.” (06:19 – Don)
• Alan: “Honestly, we sometimes forget that we’re in the entertainment business.” (10:07)
• Discussion about record-chasing, tanking teams, and the blurred line between sport and performance.

Notable Quotes:

• “Don’t clutch your pearls and tell me about how this is unethical basketball. Because what Wilt did… was the same thing.” (08:38 – Don)
• “It became less about…winning the game. Now it was about, let’s see how many points we can get our guy.” (07:15 – Don)
• “Entertain me, clowns. Go out there, throw 10 touchdown passes. Why do I have to sacrifice my moment because you suck?” (10:24 – Alan)

Ethics of Record Chasing & Emotional Reactions

[11:16–16:19]

• Rosenberg dislikes the manner in which Bam surpassed Kobe Bryant’s 81-point feat:
  • “I would have really respected it because he got to 81. If he sat at 81… Yes. There’s no need to… I don’t think we need Bam Adebayo as the name after Wilt Chamberlain.” (12:00 – Rosenberg)
• Don insists: “He should have had 100. He could literally have gotten 100.” (12:28)
• The group debates whether pros should “hold back” in routs and the meaning of competition when teams are tanking.
• Alan concludes: “Let me get mine, man. When am I ever going to be in this situation again?” (15:02)

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The Magic of the Unexpected in Sports

[16:19–18:14]

• The randomness of a defensive-minded Bam Adebayo having such a night sparks wider reflection:
  • “That’s what made it fun. That’s why I said it was a spectacle. That’s not a knock.” (17:54 – Don)
• All agree: “Every once in a while, out of nowhere, something special happens. It’s the perfect game in baseball… That’s the beauty of sports.” (16:19 – Alan)

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Monica McNutt Joins: Knicks’ Shooting Woes & Playoff Concerns

[23:05–31:48]

• Monica teases Don for being “get off my lawn” about Bam’s 83:
  • “Wow, your get off my lawn is very impressive.” (23:39 – Monica)
• On the Knicks’ recent West Coast struggles:
  • Monica: “If they cannot hit threes, they do not space the floor and they cannot come up with easy baskets. And that to me is problematic when you get to a series.” (26:32)
  • Advocates for “smarter sprays” and creating easy baskets, “because everything is just so hard right now.” (27:32)
• Don and Monica analyze Karl-Anthony Towns’ improved post-break shooting and the defensive strengths of recent Knicks’ opponents.
• Monica on Celtics as the East’s barometer:
  • “I don’t think that’s McNuts at all… every team’s talented, every team’s got an All-Star, the tiebreaker… falls to experience and that’s the group that is experienced.” (30:53)
• On Jaylen Brown’s role adjustment with Tatum back:
  • “Absolutely… None of these guys achieve the level of success they have without the ultimate belief in themselves.” (32:40 – Monica)

Memorable Quotes:

• “Are you guys really that reliant on the three point line? And I think those two games showed me.” (25:43 – Monica)
• “Let me see them find ways to create some easy ones because everything is just so hard right now.” (28:32 – Monica)
• “That ain’t no cakewalk, that’s for sure.” [on facing Boston] (29:52 – Monica)

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Comic Relief: Monica’s Review of “Wayne’s World”

[34:06–36:28]

• Monica announces she finally watched “Wayne’s World”:
  • “I would like to be officially removed out of the Woody bucket because I watched your dumb ass movie, Wayne’s World.” (34:18)
  • “I did chuckle, but I was mostly like, this is really stupid, but the music is beautiful… this was actually sort of ahead of its time.” (34:52)
• The crew riffs on mockumentaries and pop culture lineage, crediting “Wayne’s World” for inspiring TV’s direct address style.

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WBC (World Baseball Classic) Debate: Seriousness and Credibility

[42:53–54:26]

• Alan slams Team USA’s Mark Derosa for not knowing WBC tiebreaker rules:
  • “It took a major hit last night when Mark Derosa didn’t know that his team still had to win the game to clinch a spot.” (43:47)
• Broader point: Does the event “matter” when managers and players aren’t truly all-in? Alan:
  • “When you start referring to it as something that has some import, stop… It’s a nice little thing and that’s what it is.” (45:14)
• Comparisons to Olympic hockey and basketball where “everybody is all in.”
• Rosenberg postulates that the chaos could add intrigue:
  • “This stupidity could actually work to the advantage of the event. If this gets very close… it might actually have a reverse effect where it brings more excitement.” (46:28)
• Discussion transitions to whether MLB should shut down for the Olympics as the NHL does.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Food Segment & Group Photo Banter: 00:55–02:51
• Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Game Deep Dive: 05:26–16:05
• Record Chasing, Spectacle v. Competition: 11:16–16:19
• Monica McNutt Knicks Analysis: 23:05–31:48
• Boston Celtics and Playoff Experience: 30:48–31:48
• “Wayne’s World” Movie Review: 34:06–36:28
• WBC/International Sports Debate: 42:53–54:26

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Entertain me, clowns. Go out there, throw 10 touchdown passes. Why do I have to sacrifice my moment because you suck?” (10:24 – Alan)
• “It became less about winning the game. Now it was about, let's see how many points we can get our guy.” (07:15 – Don)
• “If they cannot hit threes, they do not space the floor and they cannot come up with easy baskets. And that to me is problematic…” (26:32 – Monica)
• On “Wayne’s World”: “I did chuckle, but I was mostly like, this is really stupid, but the music is beautiful… ahead of its time.” (34:52 – Monica)
• “When you start referring to [the WBC] as something that has some import, stop.” (45:14 – Alan)

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Tone & Style

• Playful, sharp, with a heavy New York sensibility; the hosts mix ribbing, nostalgia, and sports expertise with frankness and insider knowledge.
• Candid debates, with Alan often taking the “let them chase history” entertainment perspective, and Don and Monica running with analytic nuance but also appreciating spectacle.
• Accessible—whether deep into advanced basketball metrics, or riffing on 90s comedies, the show maintains humor and relatability.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This hour is a masterclass in balancing irreverent sports talk with genuine analysis. You’ll come away understanding the nuances and controversies around huge individual sports performances, the Knicks’ strategic questions as the playoffs loom, and how the seriousness of international sporting events is perceived by fans and insiders alike. Plus, you’ll get a dose of 90s nostalgia and insight into the chemistry that makes this New York trio a staple on the afternoon dial.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

Shot clocks, big shots, upsets, aces. TGL playoffs are here. First, Atlanta drives, starts their repeat run against Los Angeles Golf Club. Then Rory's Boston Common golf and Tigers Jupiter Lynx face off in their playoff debuts. Who will advance? Keep up its playoffs. Tune in Tuesday, March 17, at 6:30pm and 9pm only on ESPN and the ESPN app.

[Alan Hahn]

Don, sometimes fraud gives you movement.

[Don Hahn]

It sounded like it moved. Han, you heard a squish. And Rosenberg shake gently to assure complete activation.

[Alan Hahn]

Hello. This isn't North Dakota, this is New York.

[Don Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Monica McNutt]

The best threesome I've ever heard on

[Don Hahn]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[Alan Hahn]

Three o' clock in the big city. Don, Han and Rosenberg. We've got a full vehicle today taking you up until 7 o'.

[Monica McNutt]

Clock.

[Alan Hahn]

Like you dream, like you dream.

[Don Hahn]

Belly today. That's what I.

[Alan Hahn]

A full, full belly. A full, full show.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Really? Just unbelievable stuff from Darios. Came in from West Hempstead. West Hempstead, Long Island.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, boy.

[Alan Hahn]

Big fans of the show. They came in 1:35, something like that.

[Don Hahn]

It was definitely because we were hoping for 1:30. We were very hungry.

[Alan Hahn]

We were very hungry.

[Don Hahn]

Traffic always affects.

[Alan Hahn]

And the food was just unbelievable. Steak sandwich just melted in your mouth. Chicken parm, pizzas.

[Rosenberg]

Eggplant parm.

[Alan Hahn]

It was donuts. Donuts, which I'm saving for my coffee a little bit later on in the show. What I did is I brought it in because I know if I leave it out there, forget it. They'll be like shrapnel.

[Rosenberg]

No, it's. It was. That is like one of the best food situations we've had in a very long time. I feel like an absolute slob. A doodle do. I mean, I'm just a gavon. Speaking of.

[Don Hahn]

There you go. That's exactly how to describe what the last hour was like.

[Rosenberg]

Speaking of which, I mean, did you see Brownshirt today? Just living up to his. His reputation of Schnurr. Yeah, one of the great. The first person I saw when I showed up, I got in at 140.

[Don Hahn]

You guys got food.

[Rosenberg]

I got in at 100. Just told food coming at 1:30. We had some other stuff we had to do. I parked, I get in at 1:40. I look up, the first person I see, I see that flannel shirt just hovering over the kitchen counter here. I know what's going on.

[Alan Hahn]

So shout out to those guys if

[Commercial/Announcer]

you're ever in that area.

[Alan Hahn]

Swing by. They make the donuts, like, first thing. They're gone in like an Hour because they're so.

[Don Hahn]

Everything's homemade and it's all homemade.

[Alan Hahn]

The bread's homemade because that's what makes a sandwich is the bread. And they did a terrific job. So shout out to those guys. They were great. They're big sports fans, big fans of the show. So that was very nice for them to swing by. So if you're in that area about what they got 12 minutes away from UBS.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So just about 10 minutes away from Hempstead Turnpike, right out there. West Hempstead, Nassau. Was it the name of the shoes of Nassau?

[Don Hahn]

Nassau Road.

[Alan Hahn]

Nassau Road. So check them out, man. Good stuff. And looking forward to going out there when we're in that area and get some lunch, get some dinner. Um, normally at 4:00 clock is when we have Monica McNuth. Because it's Wednesday.

[Don Hahn]

Sure.

[Alan Hahn]

And Wednesday is when we talk to basketball with her. Because they're out in Utah on the time difference. She's gonna be joining us in just a few minutes. So we're gonna have her a little bit earlier on in the show around 3:15. So mark that. But don't worry, the 4:00 hour is still going to have a guest and it's a pretty significant guest. It's somebody that we've had on the show before. And Liu going to the dance. Rod Strickland is going to join us in studio.

[Rosenberg]

My boy.

[Alan Hahn]

So we're looking forward to talking to him.

[Rosenberg]

The last guy.

[Alan Hahn]

This will be two straight interviews with him where he's on site.

[Rosenberg]

That's because he's the real deal. I'm a little upset about something. Not Rod Strick. Can't wait to see him.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

You guys couldn't have waited to take a photo? I mean, I was there like the whole time.

[Don Hahn]

You were late.

[Rosenberg]

You take the photo. The second they walked in, the food was still hot.

[Don Hahn]

It was still being.

[Alan Hahn]

So we want. We want the picture.

[Don Hahn]

I was going. I was gonna put in the caption. Not pictured Peter Gavon. But instead couldn't have waited five minutes.

[Alan Hahn]

You didn't know it was five minutes.

[Don Hahn]

I know.

[Alan Hahn]

Did you say it'll be five minutes? All they did was say, let's take a picture.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

This is what happens when you don't show up on time. These are the things that go wrong for you. This is you problem. This is not my problem.

[Rosenberg]

I mean, usually. Usually when guests come, a picture happens at the end. Hey, let's all get together.

[Alan Hahn]

We wanted to get the food in the picture. If we waited till the end, there would Be nod boxes in front of us. Is that. Is that gonna sell?

[Rosenberg]

It's a fair point by you. It's a fair point.

[Don Hahn]

Real thing.

[Rosenberg]

Put one aside. But now you go, great.

[Alan Hahn]

We have the technology, Peter. We superimpose you in.

[Rosenberg]

It's too late now.

[Don Hahn]

We just got new pictures.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's right. Can you superimpose one of the photos I took today into this?

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, we can. Because we had a whole photo shoot that apparently was catered. So we do appreciate that. Dream about a lot of things on the table. Wbc we're gonna get into a little bit later on.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, boy.

[Alan Hahn]

To me.

[Don Hahn]

You good?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. All that food is. It's over in my mind now. Not the fact that USA might be eliminated, but when your manager doesn't know the rules. We'll get into that. But it really lacks the seriousness. All right. It's almost the equivalent of, you know, why didn't you. Mike Sullivan, Team USA in the gold medal game, for whatever reason, you put two guys out on the ice in overtime instead of three. Did you not know the rule? And you would be like, no, that would never happen. Well, it's at that level.

[Rosenberg]

So we're gonna.

[Alan Hahn]

We're gonna. We'll talk about that a little bit later on. But. But since Monica is coming on in mere moments, something happened in Miami last night that has, like, Monica and Alan kind of going at each other.

[Don Hahn]

She sent me a text today.

[Alan Hahn]

I heard.

[Monica McNutt]

Did you hear about this?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I did.

[Don Hahn]

We're gonna have to discuss.

[Rosenberg]

I'm very curious. Can we get. Is it possible to get audio from you on get up today or can you repeat what you said?

[Don Hahn]

Everything. No, it's all erased. It's all gone. That's dead.

[Rosenberg]

No, every time. Every time Alan leaves, they burn whatever.

[Don Hahn]

He burned it. Like Mark DeRosa interview on MLB Network. Right.

[Rosenberg]

They don't want to know that.

[Don Hahn]

I can give you the Cliff Notes if you like.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I saw it, but go ahead.

[Don Hahn]

Okay. What I. What I basically said was this was no longer a basketball game. This was a spectacle. Because that's what generally happens when we have these high scoring games. You reach a point of the game where you start to say to yourself, okay, this has gone beyond a 50 point performance. This has gone to. Now, you know, he could do it like he was at 52 points in the third quarter. It just tells you that this is going off the rails. Now, how did he get there? He had a great first quarter, scored 31 points. Bam. Adebayo, he's playing the Wizards one of the worst defensive teams in the league who aren't trying. And the defense was pathetic, but he got off to a great start. When you get 31 in the first quarter, that's when you start to say, okay, this could be a special night.

[Rosenberg]

That's. That is big time. What's the number you think of, like,

[Alan Hahn]

ho, ho, ho, ho.

[Rosenberg]

Anything over 25 in the first, 25

[Don Hahn]

in the first gets you thinking.

[Rosenberg]

Well, now you're doing the math.

[Don Hahn]

Now you know, 50's got to be in. In play. And then if it. If you stay hot, it could get even higher. Second quarter by. By halftime, he was at 43. And now you're like, okay, like, Kenny, keep going. Most teams at halftime would make the adjustment of, hey, Bam's got 40. Let's let somebody else shoot. We're taking him out of the game. Wizards didn't do that. They started fouling him for some reason, just kept fouling him. And so he went to the line making free throws. And we're at 52 points in the third quarter, and you're thinking, now something real could happen. The. The heat record was 62. LeBron James, he got to that. But there was a lot of time left in the game. They were winning by 28 at one point. That's when you wonder, all right, get the franchise record. Get him out of the game. Let's keep it moving. The game's over. But they didn't. They left him in, right? Eric Spoelster, a little surprised. Left him in. So all I said was it stopped being a basketball game and it became a spectacle, because it became a spectacle of he was fouled so much, then the Heat would foul to, you know, so that he could get more shots. They're giving him the ball in every possession, and they missed it. Purposely missed a free throw so he could get the rebound, meaning the Heat, it just. It became less about. They already knew they were going to win the game. Now it was about, let's see how many points we can get. Our guy, he was jacking up threes. It was no longer a basketball game. Because that's all I said. Now, in context, what I said was, so was Wilt's 100 point game.

[Rosenberg]

You did say that. You made it very clear.

[Don Hahn]

So don't get.

[Rosenberg]

You said, this is how it always is.

[Don Hahn]

Don't clutch your pearls and tell me about how this is unethical basketball. Because what Wilt did in Hershey, Pennsylvania, 1962, March 2, 1962.

[Rosenberg]

There you go. Break it down.

[Don Hahn]

Is he was Playing against a nick team that didn't have any centers. They were all hurt. Six, eight. Guy was guarding him. Six, eight, Come on. So he was scoring at will. So they said, this is no good. Let's foul him because he sucks as a free throw shooter. But on this night, he actually made his free throws. So he started just getting points. So what the Knicks do? They started following his teammates so he couldn't score. That's what they did. And so what did the Philadelphia warriors do? They started following the Knicks to stop the clock so they can get more possessions so Will could get to 100. That was all it was about.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Can he get to 100? And that's what that game was. It was a farce. The problem is there's no video. It was not on television. No one saw it. So there's no history with your eyes to see how much of a force it was. So no one thinks of that 100 point game as a farce, but it is. It's a bit fugazi. But he did it. So don't tell me that you celebrate Wilts 100, but Bam's 83 is suddenly unethical. Basketball, it was the same thing.

[Alan Hahn]

But I think both could be true in the sense that this is a meaningless game for most people, especially if it's not on my radar.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

I gotta be honest with you. But then the text thread starts going, and he's got, you know, 52 early in the third, and all of a sudden, now it's on my radar.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

And there's no way the Wizards are gonna win. The Wizards don't want to win. So what else should happen? Honestly, we sometimes forget that we're in the entertainment business. And I brought this up with Peter during the meeting. I forget the total, but I think there was a Monday night game where Aaron Rodgers had, like, six touchdown passes in the first half.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And the record seven.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And he didn't come out for the second half because he was humiliating. I think it was the Bears, because he owned the Bears. And I'm thinking to myself at the time, I'm like, listen, you're getting paid, all right? This isn't college. Nobody's learning any lessons. Entertain me, clowns. Go out there, throw 10 touchdown bats. Like, why do I have to sacrifice my moment? Because you suck? Like, honestly. So Bam's probably thinking, listen, we're winning this game by 50. You're tanking. You don't care. Let me get mine. I mean, really, honestly, we'd all love a hundred point Game to be like Jordan's double nickel at the Garden. That was a close game. Everybody would love that. You'd love the touchdown record to be broken in overtime with a tie game. You know, you love Sitler's record of 10 points in a game to happen in a competitive game. Right. But a lot of times it happens in a non competitive game. And rather than like, all right, let's just get through. Let's go through the motions, guys. Let's not entertain our audience. Let's just get out of dodge here or hey, let's try to do something that maybe has never been done before or hasn't been done in 50 plus years. Give me that. You know, entertain me. Yeah, but put a game that was not on my radar last night, now all of a sudden on my tv.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

What's wrong with that?

[Don Hahn]

It's fun. I found what's wrong with it.

[Alan Hahn]

But when you say. But when you say farce that that sounds like it's negative. Shouldn't have happened.

[Don Hahn]

Now can I say the one thing

[Rosenberg]

I don't like though? All right, there's one piece I don't love.

[Don Hahn]

Free throws.

[Rosenberg]

Two parts I don't love.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

The free throws are part of it. So the free throws, what? 43 attempts, I think in the end.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

And I.

[Don Hahn]

That was a record, by the way. Record makes record attempted.

[Rosenberg]

I didn't love. I know this is being that guy a little bit. I didn't love that. He like basically waited. He got he nonsensically through free throws and terrible defense, broke Kobe's record and then went and sat down. I would have really respected it because he got to 81. If he sat at 81 Saturday. Yes. There's no need to. I don't think we don't need Bam out of Bayou as the name after Wilt Chamberlain. I don't think we need it.

[Don Hahn]

I'm blow your mind. He should have had 100. He should. He easily. He was 10 for 16 in the first quarter from the floor. 10 for 16, like tremendous, tremendous. On fire.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

5 of 8 from 3 for the last three quarters he was 10 for 27. He missed 17 shots. And I'm not saying like he was well defended. So if he was really ready, like he was hot to start but if he was really like on one, he could. That's why the hundred thing and the point I'm trying to make when I said on get up this morning he really could have gotten 100 is that we're probably going to see 100 this now.

[Rosenberg]

Don's been saying this for years and I've been pushing back. This now makes me think we're going to see it. And my prediction is maybe before this season ends, we're now going to see someone go for another huge one, like a 65. I wouldn't be surprised because it reminds people that you can do this and it's fun. And hey, the Wizards defense didn't care. They didn't mind being a complete abomination.

[Don Hahn]

And all you gotta do is be hot. And a three point shooter. Remember, Bam's not a three point shooter. And he hit some right, made seven. Now he could have made a good three point shooter. I think it was seven for 22. That's. That's obviously not great. If it was like a three point guy, a guy who really can be a three point shooter. I'm telling you, 100. 100 was on the table.

[Rosenberg]

But once the hundo was off the table.

[Don Hahn]

Wild.

[Rosenberg]

Once the hundred's off the table. I know, I know this is a lot to ask. I would have respected if he sat at 81.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I understand that.

[Rosenberg]

Because they weren't real points at the end. It was nonsense.

[Don Hahn]

My pushback.

[Rosenberg]

Is this what Kobe's were probably nonsense

[Don Hahn]

at the end too. No, Kobe wouldn't have told. Kobe wouldn't have said, you should sit.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Said no. Keep going. Step on the throat. Get it?

[Rosenberg]

He would.

[Don Hahn]

The record. He would.

[Rosenberg]

Kobe.

[Don Hahn]

So if that's what you're about. And he. He idolized Kobe. Bambit. That's literally what you do if you sit there. Kobe's disgusted. No, take the record. It's there. Take it.

[Alan Hahn]

It's almost patronizing him.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Alan Hahn]

When you think about it, I could have broke it, but I didn't. Because you're Kobe.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, but Kobe was 28 from 40, 46 from the floor.

[Don Hahn]

I know.

[Rosenberg]

And took, I think 28 free throws. It was just such a better outing. Kobe said he was deed up by Jalen Rose.

[Don Hahn]

Like I said, this was not the best shooting night for a guy who scored over 70.

[Alan Hahn]

Allen outlined it perfectly. The damn hundred point one was who? Gays?

[Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

So why all of a sudden we paying respect to Kobe when. When wilt like got 100? It really shouldn't have. So, like, all bets are off anyway. And normally when you get that high a total, it's probably something off the rails. But I do sometimes think because, oh, you don't want to do that. You don't want to embarrass that. I believe it in grammar school and high School and maybe even in college. You don't want to disrespect, humiliate. There's gamesmanship. But I think when you get to the pros and everybody's getting paid, and especially now when the team that's getting killed doesn't care because they've checked out and they're, they're, they're trying to tank. Let me get mine, man. When am I ever going to be in this situation again?

[Don Hahn]

David Thompson won the scoring championship on the last day of the season. He and George Gervin went head to head. George Gervin had the early game. He scored like 60 something. He had the lead. Thompson knew he had to get to 71 to win the scoring title. The game didn't mean anything. So he just, now he shot well, but everybody on the team just knew what this deal was. Get him the ball, let him score. That's all it was. So even though again, the efficiency was there, what were the ethics of the game? It wasn't like. That's why I hate this argument. The whole idea of that's never been there. Oh, God. Oh, it was a terrible display of basketball. No, it was a show. It was not basketball.

[Rosenberg]

If, you know, if you want to criticize just the Wizards lackluster defense, that's fine.

[Alan Hahn]

Embarrassing, that's bad.

[Don Hahn]

But don't you, shouldn't you punish them if they're going to play like that? What do you supposed to back? Oh, I don't want to take this layup. This is great.

[Alan Hahn]

No, they're not playing. There's got to be a positive byproduct of all this meaningless regular season basketball with teams tanking and teams being to where, you know what, every once in a while, that's what's so great about sports. It's a Tuesday night. The NBA's not on my radar. Right. The Knicks aren't playing. Right. And you know, I'm watching the Ranger game because I'm a hockey guy and I'm bouncing around different games. Islanders come back from three, nothing down, win the game in overtime. I'm watching hockey. NBA is not on my radar. All of a sudden, because of a text message, the NBA is on my radar. And all of a sudden, you know, Heat, wizards becomes a thing that's good for basketball. That's what you want to have. Every once in a while, out of nowhere, something special happens. It's the perfect game in baseball. Or you find out somebody's got six goals in a hockey game, you know, or there's a record that can be broken in the NFL, where a meaningless game, all of it becomes something that you have to watch. That's the beauty of sports.

[Don Hahn]

That's what you love about sports. And that's the idea of why any night, anything can happen. It's a great example of it. Because if I said to you, Don, if I said to you, out of the top 50 scorers in the NBA this season, where would Bam Adebayo's name be?

[Alan Hahn]

If I told you, no, it wouldn't

[Don Hahn]

be, this guy's going to score 80. Like you know how far down the list you're going before you get to him. And it's not a knock on him. He's known as a defensive player. He's also an all star and a good player, but he's having a down year offensively. He is not considered one of the great offensive talents in the game. So the fact that he could have a night like this is the randomness

[Rosenberg]

of it is sort of the magic

[Don Hahn]

regular season where you never know what's going to happen. Even when it's a game against a team like the Wizards, you'd never know. That's what made it fun. That's why I said it was a spectacle. That's not a. It's not a knock.

[Alan Hahn]

I just watched it.

[Don Hahn]

Spectacle. It means I turned off the best game of the night, which was Celtic spurs, turned it off and went right over the league pass.

[Alan Hahn]

I gotta watch this, dude.

[Rosenberg]

I. I was like, do I still have an NBA league pack? I'm not kidding. I was like, do I still haven't canceled the last year? Started digging around for it because you want to see it that much. I was just watching the highlight for fun. Rogers threw his sixth touchdown.

[Alan Hahn]

I believe it's Randall Cobb against the Bears.

[Monica McNutt]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

16 seconds Sunday night.

[Rosenberg]

16 seconds left. Oh, yeah, to see the NBC logo. 16 seconds left in the first half. 42 nothing. Bears. Oh, I mean, Packers.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Rosenberg]

And then he came out.

[Alan Hahn]

And then he comes out. The record is seven.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. All right, but in that sport, one misstep and it's like, why was he out there? Right? That is a thing. That's the problem.

[Alan Hahn]

Here's why he's out there. No, but this is what this would be.

[Rosenberg]

Hold on, hold on. He's in the game in the third quarter, I think.

[Don Hahn]

You know what?

[Rosenberg]

And by the way, they drove the field. We're at the five. He just threw an incompletion on third down.

[Don Hahn]

And they came up.

[Rosenberg]

Now they probably gave him one chance

[Alan Hahn]

to tie the record.

[Don Hahn]

Now I remember, yes, that you remember. They'd give him one shot and that was it.

[Alan Hahn]

And. But because that's.

[Rosenberg]

That's the thing. Jake Cutler's really struggling.

[Alan Hahn]

God forbid Rogers had gotten hurt on that drive to start the third quarter.

[Rosenberg]

Save that for the Jet.

[Don Hahn]

People would go, hey, yeah, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

What are you doing? Why is he out there? You know why he's out there? Because he's got a chance to do something that nobody has done since. What ya tittle back in 1959, whatever it was, throwing seven. Touchdown Pat. That. Can't that be worth something?

[Don Hahn]

And bam. And bam. In that moment, they're. They're a playing team trying to get into the top six, and they've been playing better lately. Is it a risk? Could he have gotten hurt? Whatever. You're trying to go for something that is special.

[Rosenberg]

Emeril Lagosi's favorite player, folks. That's right.

[Alan Hahn]

I just.

[Don Hahn]

Bam.

[Alan Hahn]

It's like. It's like the. It's like the Colts when the Colts didn't want the perfect season. So we already locked up one. No, because you know what? Everybody wins a championship every year, right? There's no uniqueness in that. But to win a championship undefeated, like, I think sometimes we just get too reindeer games with stuff, man.

[Don Hahn]

Well, everybody's afraid.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, don't be afraid. I love it again.

[Rosenberg]

Listen, I love. Let's bring in Monica, but I love that he stayed in the game. I love that he was being aggressive and trying to get the ball constantly. The only thing I don't love about it, and this isn't one person to blame, it's more the Wizards are just a disgrace to sports, as I've argued.

[Alan Hahn]

Maybe the worst team in all the Fouling.

[Rosenberg]

Foulings.

[Don Hahn]

Bad def.

[Alan Hahn]

But I shouldn't have to sacrifice my night. Bam shouldn't have to sacrifice his moment just because the Wizards can't figure out what they're doing.

[Don Hahn]

Go for it.

[Commercial/Announcer]

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[Don Hahn]

I like things my way. My coffee, my schedule and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo pre filled syringe which contains fgartegamide 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 Vivgard Hytrulo. Brought to you by Argenics. Want to earn extra income for your business?

[Monica McNutt]

Amazon Hub Delivery is looking for ambitious

[Don Hahn]

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[Monica McNutt]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

Plus, Amazon Hub Delivery makes it easy to get started. There's no upfront costs, delivery experience or

[Monica McNutt]

long term contracts required.

[Don Hahn]

Sign up to learn [e-mail] hubdelivery that's Amazon.com hubdelivery hi Monica.

[Alan Hahn]

Monica McNutt joins us every Wednesday. How are you?

[Monica McNutt]

I'm good. How are you guys?

[Don Hahn]

I'm not good, Monica. I'm not good.

[Monica McNutt]

Why?

[Don Hahn]

I'm not good. The text you sent me. What do you mean? Why? You know what you said? You know what you said.

[Monica McNutt]

I mean because that was a very grouchy response on your part.

[Don Hahn]

Wait a minute. Grouchy? All right, here's the exchange. I said he could have had 100. He was 10 for what? I told you guys, 10 for 16, 10 for 27. The rest of the game he missed 17 shots. He could have had a hundred. And Monica said, wow, your get off my lawn is very impressive.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow, she gave me that.

[Don Hahn]

So what off my.

[Rosenberg]

What about. What about Alan Hahn gave you get off my lawn today?

[Monica McNutt]

He could have had 100. That's your response? Like, what in the world?

[Don Hahn]

Monica didn't wake up. She didn't get up this morning to watch me on get up. Like, I watch her when she's on get up. Clearly.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, my God.

[Don Hahn]

I was with. I was with Janae. So you had. You had double reason to watch, and you didn't because you didn't see what I said.

[Rosenberg]

Monica, he keeps track of everybody who watches his every move. It's the same.

[Don Hahn]

Because I can on one hand.

[Rosenberg]

Your wife. Stop.

[Alan Hahn]

That's funny. Oh, sorry.

[Rosenberg]

Not your wife.

[Don Hahn]

She don't even watch.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's the hard part. You know what? I hear what you're saying now, Monica. Just the fact that he was like, well, he could have had 100. Am I get off my lawn? That I felt like I was super happy. I think it's a really cool thing. I love when these point moments happen, but, like, there's a little part of me that wished he finished with 81 and not 83.

[Monica McNutt]

No. So we were not in position to actually watch in real time. Rosenberg. Right. And so I was with a couple friends who were going to dinner, so we were tracking on our phones, and we actually thought at 81, he got pulled. So we were like, cool. Like, the record stands for Kobe. Like, it stays tied. Whatever, whatever. And then we're watching, like, oh, no, he's back at 83. So, no, I don't think. I think that in terms of, obviously, the unfortunate ending, in terms of Kobe no longer being with us. Like, I had that thought as well. So. No, I'm with you on that one,

[Alan Hahn]

but I feel like you're most patronizing Kobe. Like, I could break it, but I'm not because of you. I would think if Kobe were alive, watch. He'd be like, go ahead, break it, man. Show me something. Do it.

[Monica McNutt]

That is also true. I'll give you that.

[Don Hahn]

Both are true.

[Monica McNutt]

My first thought. Yeah, no, no. And I think 83 is fine. I'm sure that it will always be associated with Kobe, and that's beautiful. But my first initial thought was, like, are they going to let it stand for Kobe? And that's fine, because clearly, y', all, at that point, you're running up the score. You don't have to be in at all. You know what I'm saying? Like, whatever. At that point. So it was cool. Not school.

[Don Hahn]

All right, so what. What happened in la? I mean, two. Two forgettable Days in la. You were there, Monica, you, you called the Clipper game with Mike on MSG. What, what are we seeing from this team? 38 turnovers. What are we seeing?

[Monica McNutt]

You know, I, the, the turnovers, I just, I'm going to chalk it up to a little bit of a lack of focus on their part. But the thing Han, that is really haunting me as we are navigating the rest of this season is, is are you guys really that reliant on the three point line? And I think those two games showed me. Now, granted, there's two things to keep in mind with the Lakers. LeBron didn't play, which by all the numbers and the metrics actually makes them better in terms of the spacing. And I actually thought that the Lakers went with defense. They leaned in on what their team could do defensively. And Jared Vanderbilt, if he's hooping in, like he's a all NBA defensive caliber kind of guy, if he's healthy and has the room to run. Who else out there impressed me? Rui Hachimora could be in that if he wanted to. And terms of the length that he has, Marcus Smart, we already know he's the only guard that's, well, not only, but one of few guards that has come up with that defensive player of the year. So I thought it was one of the better defensive performances from the Lakers. And it just posed problems for the Knicks because in the two games, y', all, I could probably count on my one hand the effect, well, I'll take out Cat in the second game because he was fantastic. But from the guard position, the effective amount of times you got dribble penetration that was able to create an imbalance on the floor to make anything easy. Like nothing was easy in the last two games. And I think for me, it's becoming a little bit concerning because if they cannot hit threes, they do not space the floor and they cannot come up with easy baskets. And that to me is problematic when you get to a series.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, so how do you clean that up when now you're kind of going through the softest part of your schedule. So like, how do I, how do I determine what's fool's gold and what's not? Just how they play against the three or four really good teams they have left on their schedule, or can I look at something tonight and say they're cleaning it up or do I just chalk it up to, hey, well, it's Utah, who cares for me?

[Monica McNutt]

And I haven't run this by anybody because usually I Can run my thoughts by somebody that actually is watching the tape night in and night out. In terms of the way the coaches look at it, I would like to see smarter sprays personally, because I think they have. This has been drilled into them in terms of getting two feet in the paint and finding a guy on the perimeter, which is fine. But to me, they have bailed defenses out by not even looking at the rim. And because they don't get any easy baskets like you, I need a little bit more of a strategy than just to naked spray. Like sometimes if a guy is at the rim, give let me see what it looks like. Even if you get blocked and we find out that it's not your strength. But let me see what it is, what it look like. I think OG Anunobi is a guy that has done better of getting to the rim and getting to the free throw line as of late. Landry Shamon a couple times is there, but I don't even think he's looking at the rim. He's so focused on that extra pass back to the. Back to the perimeter. So to me, in this soft stretch, can y' all get to the rim at all and create some easy basket? Now will it be as efficient potentially when it ramps back up in terms of competition? We'll see. But I would like to see them find ways to create some easy ones because everything is just so hard right now.

[Don Hahn]

So you mentioned Cat. That was a hell of a game in la Clippers, I should say. But what I've noticed since the All Star break is the threes are dropping for him now. He's a. He's a high 40% three point shooter. Now on the other side of the break, remember before the break, that was always an issue for him. What are we seeing there? Has he found a rhythm as he figured something out? What are you seeing from him?

[Monica McNutt]

I think he looks really good on that trail three, which, I don't know, kind of elusive prior to the All Star break. I think that Trail 3 has been good to him. And then frankly, I think he's leaning in in terms of like aggressiveness is not just scoring. Right. Obviously he puts up his first 30 point game since I think the date is actually December 27th, but late December. And he had it going like, I'm like, keep going to the guy, right? But I just think he said it and it is continuing to come true that like when this team is able to defend, it's able to loosen up other things. And I think of the two matchups in L. A. Those were good for him in terms of his three point shooting as well, in terms of things that didn't necessarily want to leave the rim.

[Alan Hahn]

You talk to fans all the time. So when you hear a Knick fan go, I'm not worried about Boston, you think, good for you, man. You're a good fan of dudes. Like, man, you're delusional. You're kidding yourself.

[Monica McNutt]

I'm somewhere in the middle.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the right answer.

[Rosenberg]

Good.

[Monica McNutt]

I'm like, okay, yeah, let's go. I mean, listen, if it was done now, there'd be no point in us going to the post season. Right. So you gotta suit up. But do I acknowledge how I need a vocabulary word? I need to read more books? How unique. That's an appropriate word. Last year's experience in Boston was 100% right. Do I see the sort of deficiencies of this team versus the strengths of what Boston has going on? And it's gives me a little bit of pause. Yeah. Now, on the flip side, can I give it to you on the back in the reverse in terms of how the Knicks might be able to exploit them? Yeah, but that ain't no cakewalk, that's for sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. I don't think there's anything wrong with. Just the reality of this is concerning.

[Don Hahn]

It's again, again. And I'm surprised Monica didn't text me about this the other day, me saying I was asking, you know how they ask us questions all the time in the morning shows and it's the, you know, you know, is it something or nothing or true or false, whatever it is. Or with you, it's always, is that McNuts? That's Monica's.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

And so I'll ask you, is it McNuts? The east runs through Boston.

[Monica McNutt]

No, I don't think it's McNuts. To me, if we were to look at all of the teams in the east, right? What then is the tiebreaker? Because every team is talented, every team got an All Star. The tiebreaker to me then falls to experience. And that's the group that is experienced. And so, yeah, I don't think that's Magnus at all.

[Don Hahn]

That's the three of them that are experienced.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's the part that's so interesting about it.

[Don Hahn]

So remade. But it's white, Tatum and Brown are the ones in Missoula and Pritchard.

[Rosenberg]

I mean, yeah, once you get beyond those four in the coach, it's kind of a new team.

[Don Hahn]

It's new guys, but they all seem to know exactly what. There's all robots. That's incredible.

[Monica McNutt]

That part.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Monica McNutt]

But do you think this is. I mean, listen, y', all, we're. We're not far removed from everybody trying to have their big three, right? And whether you would sign up for that big three or not, they got three and a coach and a fourth that know exactly what to do. And we could say that the system has not changed from what won them a championship. So all they needed was some roll guys to piece around, and that's what they found.

[Rosenberg]

Is there any part of you that thinks. And I know it's. It's worked out over the last three games, for the most part, for the Celtics, but there is a part of me, Monica, that feels like, man, if I'm Jaylen Brown, as happy as I am that Tatum is back, there has to be an adjustment of, like, this really was my team in this period.

[Don Hahn]

Well, he had a weird crash out last night.

[Alan Hahn]

What?

[Rosenberg]

Late in the game when he got.

[Don Hahn]

You mean when he got booted? Yeah, yeah, the second Tech. No, he should have. That should have never happened.

[Rosenberg]

But, like, do you think, Monica, like.

[Don Hahn]

But you were.

[Alan Hahn]

You were.

[Rosenberg]

You're a real ball player. Respectfully, to everybody here. I don't know. That feels like that no matter how much, right? Nah, it's great. Of course he's the guy. I want him back. I'm. I'm. I'm unselfish. I'm a team guy. We all know Jalen's had a chip on his shoulder his whole career about showing he's the man. Like, do you think there's some adjustment period to getting Tatum back in that way?

[Monica McNutt]

Absolutely. I mean, I think Scotty and Mike had to adjust, like, when they was doing that thing for sure. I think what gets made, what gets overblown of it is that they can't do it. We only sat around for seven years or whatever the run was and said that they had to split him up and they only figured it out.

[Don Hahn]

So.

[Monica McNutt]

Absolutely. Now do I think. I think none of these guys achieve the level of success they have without the ultimate belief in themselves. But very practically, in terms of winning A championship, winning 16 games once the calendar strikes April out of however many you're actually going to play. Do I think that Jalen Brown will look you in your face and say, I want to do it without him if given the choice? Hell no.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I want you to enjoy the game tonight. Enjoy Utah. I think the Delta center has a vibe. I called a Devil Mammoth game there. So I'm sure a basketball game is even better. I like the arena. It's got a nice vibe.

[Monica McNutt]

I will tell you this. They won their last game versus the Warriors. And I'm watching the film back and I'm like, oh, my God, it's like rocking in there. Like, they're so excited. 14 win.

[Alan Hahn]

What else they do?

[Monica McNutt]

But it was really rocking.

[Don Hahn]

There's nothing.

[Monica McNutt]

Yeah, no, for sure.

[Rosenberg]

That's the situation right there.

[Alan Hahn]

Although the good news is you're.

[Don Hahn]

You're very far away from the court when you call the game there, so that'll be fun.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Monica McNutt]

I mean, it can't be worse than intuition. So there's that.

[Don Hahn]

That was some experience. But you and Mike again tonight.

[Monica McNutt]

Right, that we're back. And then Tyler and I will close out the trip one Friday in Indiana.

[Don Hahn]

Look at you killing it.

[Monica McNutt]

I have an announcement, gentlemen.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, oh, really?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, that's all. Standby. Hold on.

[Rosenberg]

I gotta get my drops ready.

[Alan Hahn]

Hold on, everybody.

[Don Hahn]

Hold it.

[Rosenberg]

This is big.

[Alan Hahn]

Take your time, Art.

[Rosenberg]

I'm ready.

[Monica McNutt]

Yes, I would like to be officially removed out of the woody bucket. Cause I watched your dumb ass movie,

[Alan Hahn]

Wayne's World. I guess you didn't like it.

[Rosenberg]

What'd you think?

[Don Hahn]

Dumbass movie.

[Monica McNutt]

I was like, they warned me that I might want my time back after this, but was there?

[Rosenberg]

Did you really dislike it or did you think this is good and stupid? What was the actual vibe?

[Monica McNutt]

So here's the deal. First we were like. I was like, where is this movie? I gotta watch it. It's on Pluto tv. Which I don't own personally, but here in Utah, it was free in the hotel.

[Rosenberg]

There you go.

[Monica McNutt]

Turned it on last night after dinner. Yeah, turned it on last night after din. I did chuckle, but I was mostly like, this is really stupid, but the music is beautiful. And like, I actually had the thought, y', all, that this was actually sort of ahead of its time. Because now in the area era of social, when people are walking around creating their own documentaries or crazy things like those guys talking to the camera. And the love story of, like, not the hot guy wins all the time. Like, I was like, all right, cool. That was fun. That was stupid, but it was fun.

[Don Hahn]

Party on, Mom. You didn't.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Rosenberg]

No laughs. No actual chuckles.

[Monica McNutt]

Like the sort of goofy ones. But let me think. I'm trying to think what made me laugh. I was not ready for the scene when they're all going back to the house when he's trying to get Cassandra to be heard by the Mr. Big or whatever. And the cop. Like the thorough exam.

[Don Hahn]

There you go.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I forgot about that.

[Monica McNutt]

The random opening of the door and people are preparing to be in a James Bond movie. Where is this thing even coming from?

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don Hahn]

It just. It's just.

[Alan Hahn]

It's stupid and it's 33 years old. It's. You know, I think if you watched it in. In real time, it would have hit a little different. But wait a minute.

[Don Hahn]

Monica makes a great point, though. It's. It's a. It's a. It's a show that was on, like, a cable access.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Which is basically like my YouTube show.

[Rosenberg]

Correct.

[Don Hahn]

It's essentially the same thing. It's very relatable.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, no, it's. It's actually very now in that way.

[Monica McNutt]

Yeah, right. That's what I said. I was like, oh, this is actually ahead of its time. Like, I get it.

[Don Hahn]

Like.

[Monica McNutt]

No, I'm glad I watched it so now I can be in on some of the jokes. Well, I prob. Watch it again. Unlikely.

[Rosenberg]

Well, guess what? You're now more a part of our show than ever. I mean, this is. You're moved to the top of the guest list at this point.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but you. It's a great point. If you wonder, if it wasn't for Wayne's World, would there have been an Office? Would there have been a Modern Family? Would there be an Abbott Elementary? Like, they really opened up the whole idea of, hey, we can break down that wall, and it changed everything. Right?

[Rosenberg]

Well, I mean, you don't want to look past, you know, the. The Christopher Guests of it all, you know what I mean? Who were doing mockumentary work before that.

[Alan Hahn]

True.

[Rosenberg]

But this was really big.

[Alan Hahn]

But they had to tell you, this is a documentary.

[Rosenberg]

Right. Whereas this didn't really do that. No, it doesn't really mention why they're being filmed.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but they're being filmed. And then still, like, even. Even in the office. Like, they finally did address it in the last ones. But, like, even Modern Family and what's going on with Abbott Elementary? When are we going to see the final product? Shows up for 10 years. There's no product on this documentary.

[Rosenberg]

No, it's like. And I love the product parts. Like, I love Garth when they're meeting with Rob. What's his Face. And Rob Lowe when they're meeting with Rob Lowe. Benjamin, thank you. Thank you, Monica. And Dana Carvey. And Dana Carvey gives, like, the look to the camera and then goes under the table, like, talks to the camera. Does anybody think it's weird? I Love that shot. Thank you so much, Monica. You're the best.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day.

[Monica McNutt]

Thanks for bringing me into the world. All right, talk to y' all soon.

[Don Hahn]

Peace. See you, man.

[Alan Hahn]

Purchase local cable access show and exploited.

[Don Hahn]

I feel bad for those guys.

[Rosenberg]

You know, my most quotable line is from that movie. So I did an interview yesterday. We remind me to tell you this on the side. We got a break. I'm going to tell you what I'm telling you now on the other side of it.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a great tease. Don Hahn and Rosenberg just getting started here on a Wednesday on ESPN New York.

[Don Hahn]

You know, I want to tell you about my good friends at Rings and Everybody because as I told you, I have a project at my house. I'm very excited about it. We are getting underway. They're actually gonna come and get some measurements done. So construction very, very close. You know how exciting that is, that part, right? What's more exciting is that working with Ring's End means I'm working with the best. They know their stuff. They work with pro contractors. I trust them because the pros trust them and obviously you can too. They have an extensive inventory of built to last high end product lines that contractors rely on. They do it right, guys. They don't do it over. Ring's End has a full service lumber yards. They have showrooms with products you can touch, feel and try so you know exactly what you're getting. And if you can't make it to a store, shop online. Ringsend.com See, they're not a national chain. They have regional expertise with eight full service lumber yards in Connecticut and Westchester county and 12 freestanding paint centers. So Rings and his family owned and operated since 1902. That's 124 years to you and me. Deep northeast routes. As I mentioned, they know your house, they know your area, they know what you need. And they support local builders and communities. So if you can shop online, do it. Ringsend.com that's ringsend.com Quick timeout, some breakfast

[Alan Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

of protein per serving, a good source

[Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

And there's depth on the roster.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

Breakfast that delivers, Snack that delivers Find

[Alan Hahn]

Kodiak frozen waffles and flapjacks in the

[Rosenberg]

frozen aisle at your local grocery store.

[Don Hahn]

They're the ones with the bear on the box.

[Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

by thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Alan Hahn]

Get ready for Rickleball madness. That's Friday, March 20th. ESPN New York is taking over Pickleball Heaven in Medford, New York. Catch a live broadcast of DPA Joe and Rothenberg starting at 6am Then stick around for our Social Ladder Pickleball tournament. We'll crown our champion, then roll right into a college hoops watch party to cap off the day. Sign up now on the ESPN New York App Sponsor Ltd. Rickleball Madness brought to you by Pickleball Heaven, the new standard of indoor pickleball. So it's always great to talk to Monica about the Knicks situation and we're going to have Rod Strickland in studio coming up in just mere moments as Liu has made it to the dance. So that's always cool. He's always been good to us, so we're going to talk to him. Got a list coming up at 4:30 that you dream about.

[Don Hahn]

Is it?

[Alan Hahn]

How will we feel about it?

[Rosenberg]

Really?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah.

[Rosenberg]

You mean it?

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Rosenberg]

Really? Everybody in?

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Rosenberg]

Equally?

[Alan Hahn]

I can't say that.

[Rosenberg]

Who will be most into it?

[Don Hahn]

I'm out. He's looking at you so well.

[Alan Hahn]

He'll Be into it. But will he be in it?

[Rosenberg]

I might be more. I might be more into it.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, I think everybody's gonna love him, man.

[Rosenberg]

I'm excited about this.

[Don Hahn]

You won't even tell us what the top.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no, no, no.

[Don Hahn]

All right, all right. No, no. I don't want to know now.

[Alan Hahn]

See, now, don't take it. You know, he doesn't want to know now. All right, get out. You know what?

[Don Hahn]

No, I'm not getting out. I don't want to know. You were gonna tell. You were about.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, I was not about to

[Don Hahn]

want to tell you.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I was not even close to that one.

[Don Hahn]

All right, well, you said.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, if you put a rifle in my mouth, I wouldn't have told you.

[Rosenberg]

Really?

[Alan Hahn]

Because it would have been hard to speak.

[Don Hahn]

That's probably.

[Rosenberg]

It's hard to speak in your mouth.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, well, there's been much debate, much ado about the wbc. What does it mean, representing your country? Yada, yada, yada. I think it took a major hit last night when Mark Derosa didn't know that his team still had to win the game to clinch a spot. Now, they could still get in. I'm sure you guys have heard it. Italy's taking on Mexico tonight. And if Mexico wins and stay within four runs, if they end up losing, if they end up winning the game and they score more than five runs, then the United States would be in. But if Mexico wins and scores four or less, they're out. Which is crazy because they use run differential. But, hey, if you know the rules going in, that's how you got to play them. That's right. But it really does take away, I think, when the manager's like, ah, you know, I. Because he went on MLB Network, he went on MLB Network, said that they were already in. So he managed that game as if they were already in, and they end up losing the game. You find out later on they're not in. He said he misspoke. Whatever. I don't want to beat up on Mark Derosa, because, again, this is the problem. Not everybody's all in. So now you're disqualified. You know what? In the four nations, everybody was all in. All right? In the Olympics, everybody's all in. The wbc, they're not all in. You got pitchers on pitch counts. You got guys going home. You got a manager who doesn't know. And really, honestly. And again, I'm a fan of Mark Derosa. I am. He's a local guy, played for the Giants. My wife was Familiar with his work, watching game. I really like him. But hockey Team USA hired Mike Sullivan.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

A two time Stanley cup champion, to coach their team, Canada. They had John Cooper, who might be one of the best coaches in the history of the NHL coaching the team.

[Don Hahn]

Who does USA Basketball hire? Yeah, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Greg Poppins champion Eric Spoelstra and who ran Dream Team?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, nobody, Right? Yeah, but you hire Mark DeRosa. Not, not a manager. Listen, he played, you know, but he was on tv. So please have fun with it. I'm not telling you not to have fun with it. You know, and if, and if USA makes a run, I'll watch. But don't make it into something that's not. And when you see something like we saw last night that just. All right, stop. It's a nice little thing and that's what it is. Baseball fans will be into it because there's nothing else to watch because who the hell wants to watch three hour spring training game when you don't even know half the guys that are in the game? All right, and you know what? Aaron Judge is worth the price of admission no matter what uniform he's wearing, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And Ohtani, the same thing. But please, when you start referring to it as something that has some import, stop. And as far as the four nations, which is the equivalent, don't even compare it to the Olympics. That's stupid. All right? Comparing the WBC to the Olympics is moronic. It's apples and the planet Pluto. All right, it's completely opposite. But four nations is a fair comparison because it was a gimmick made up event by the league. But the difference was the players that played in it cared. In the wbc, they kind of care. They're kind of guilted into caring. They want to represent their country, but believe me, in five minutes they're going to go back to their spring training facility and then it's on. So it is what it is. Can we, can we now just define it as it's. It's a nice event.

[Don Hahn]

It's fun. It's fun.

[Rosenberg]

It's a.

[Alan Hahn]

Fun.

[Rosenberg]

There's a chance I'm going to say something here though.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, be careful.

[Rosenberg]

Watch out. This stupidity could actually work to the advantage of the event. If this gets very like close and they almost don't make it, but then do and then somehow get through and then like there's a world in which it increases sort of the intrigue and then if they were to follow it with exciting games and wins, it might actually have a reverse effect. Where it brings more excitement to it. I know it sounds weird.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I hear what you're saying. I guess it could, but at the same time, wasn't this an admittance of, you know, we're not really all in this thing.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, I mean, listen, I don't know. Let me ask you a question. How many times in the last few years have we heard players or coaches in the NFL express a rule? We go, yeah, that's wrong. That's not the rule.

[Alan Hahn]

Not a head coach.

[Rosenberg]

I know. No, no, we did. What was Anthony. What was the big NFL head coach thing last year? Or was it the overtime rule? Wasn't there. I thought it was a head coach.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, no. That was McCarthy.

[Rosenberg]

It was J.J. mcCarthy.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no.

[Don Hahn]

Mike McCarthy when he was with Dallas.

[Alan Hahn]

What was it again?

[Don Hahn]

It was something about overtime, about not

[Rosenberg]

understanding that they changed the overtime.

[Don Hahn]

He thought. He thought they still could get the ball back. Yeah, there was something.

[Rosenberg]

Whatever.

[Don Hahn]

That was two years ago.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

It's interesting. It happens.

[Rosenberg]

It doesn't mean that Mike McCarthy wasn't all in.

[Alan Hahn]

But also, there's never been any debate on whether an NFL football game means something.

[Rosenberg]

That's fair.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, good.

[Rosenberg]

Good response.

[Alan Hahn]

By now, the wbc. What does it mean? Is everybody all in? Listen, Mark DeRosa knows baseball. Mike McCarthy knows football. But when they change a rule and there's a lot going on and he forgets something but it's not on the table, does this have meaning when something is on the table? Does it mean something? Should we care about it? And the manager of the team thinks they've qualified and they didn't. Tells me. And he's not a stupid person. It just. It's not something that was on his radar because this whole thing is not really. He wants to win. It's.

[Don Hahn]

But this is. How do we care about something when it looks like you really care?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's not my job.

[Don Hahn]

Why did four nations matter to us? Because the players showed us they freaking care.

[Alan Hahn]

They cared about.

[Don Hahn]

Like they were into this. So once we're all like, sports is about.

[Rosenberg]

Well, the players are acting like they're into it, though. I will give them that.

[Don Hahn]

Are they?

[Rosenberg]

I think so. When I watch, like, the celebrations on home runs and all these teams, when I see Cal Raleigh acting a complete nozzle and not give a handshake to his teammate, I don't know. They're giving the vibe that they care. But by the way, that doesn't age well when you can't shake hands with

[Alan Hahn]

one of the best players.

[Rosenberg]

On your team in the major leagues, but your manager doesn't know what the rules are. It doesn't age well.

[Don Hahn]

But, you know, I think that's part of the problem.

[Alan Hahn]

But at the same time. And I felt like that was performative. Let's show them how much this means. I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna fist buck. I'm not gonna shake your.

[Don Hahn]

Stop it. Stop it. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. It's gotta be genuine, and you can't make stuff up. And I do believe that in time, the WBC could become a thing. But I feel like people wanted to fast track it after what happened with the men and women in hockey. It's like, oh, now let's patriotic. Let's fast track it. They wanted to piggyback and let it mature naturally.

[Rosenberg]

Let's be fair. It's also fast tracking because two years ago. It was two years ago, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, three.

[Alan Hahn]

Three years ago. 23. Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

That was the most intriguing one so far.

[Alan Hahn]

That one.

[Rosenberg]

We started to talk about that one of the year. Yeah, that one started to build.

[Alan Hahn]

Trout versus trout otak.

[Rosenberg]

So we had.

[Don Hahn]

There was moments.

[Rosenberg]

It had moments. So this is the next logical step. And now this one's here in the middle of spring training.

[Don Hahn]

But let's not lose fact that. The fact that what they're trying to do is make an Olympic sport again, that's a build. That's all Bryce Harper's talking about is how, you know, this is, you know, yo, yo, fun. What we want, though, is Olympics. Okay, but then it'll really matter. But that's the problem if you're Major League Baseball. The NHL shuts down its season.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Because it knows how important for its sport, the Olympics is. If the players are saying this, if Bryce Harper saying this, maybe Major League Baseball needs to understand that in an Olympic year for us, for our sport to be on that stage.

[Rosenberg]

It does matter.

[Don Hahn]

We probably need to shut down for two weeks. It's two weeks, Don. Do you need an All Star Game?

[Rosenberg]

How about this?

[Don Hahn]

You really need an All Star game.

[Rosenberg]

You want something crazy. We just talked about lessening the season. Good way to warm it up in an Olympic year. You go, it's an Olympic year. We're doing 140 games.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

And that's your teaser to maybe bringing this thing down a little.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me ask you this in all seriousness, though.

[Rosenberg]

Go ahead, I'll listen.

[Alan Hahn]

The reason why the NHL players are playing in the Olympics is because the players want to go to the Olympics and they would be willing to walk Alexander Ovechkin unfortunately, you know, or depending how you look at it, can't play because of Russia. There would be players that would say, screw it, I'm going anyway. I'm going to represent Canada. That did happen and I'm not going to play.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And the owners who want to have a nice relationship with the next CBA is like, all right, we'll put it back in. They hadn't been in there since 2014. Let's put it back in. Do you really think the Major League Players Baseball association is going to fight with the owners to go to the Summer Olympics?

[Don Hahn]

How many.

[Alan Hahn]

No shot.

[Don Hahn]

How many Puerto Rican players would say, I'm going to play for my country. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And how.

[Don Hahn]

You kidding me? Will it be enough pride those players have planned for their country is there.

[Alan Hahn]

And also we found out Allen, with the PD situation is it's not the number of players that want to go, it's the significance of the players that want to go.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So you could have a majority vote, but will they be intimidated to vote the other way? Because the big name players. That's what happened with peds, right? Oh, we're going to vote for no. But then all of a sudden, some of the big players like, no, we're not.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

And they're like, okay, we won't vote for.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, so I agree with you that I think there are some players that would want to go and represent their country, but would you get the majority that you need? Would they fight for it where the hockey players did? And I understand them maybe not wanting to go because that's the other thing. Hockey is an international sport. There are a lot of people around the world that dream more about a medal than they do a Stanley Cup. Like Alexander Ovechki maybe dreamed growing up of winning a gold medal more than winning a Stanley Cup. That doesn't happen in Canada and it doesn't happen in the United States. But you could see certain places in Sweden, in Switzerland, hey, I dreamed of not playing in the NHL, but I dreamed of winning. There is nobody, unfortunately, because it hasn't been around long enough of a kid playing in the backyard, hitting the game winning home run in the championship game of the wbc, they're thinking about winning a World Series.

[Don Hahn]

But if again, and this, what the NHL was smart in doing is partnering with, of course, the International. What is, what is the Hockey one? What is it called? The governing body.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. I always forget what it's called, but they worked with them like that's smart. Major League Baseball should work in conjunction with it and make sure, because this is good for our sport, our players will want this and they call it a World Series when we know it's

[Alan Hahn]

not, we know it's not.

[Don Hahn]

But you can turn it into a global sport, which we know. They play it in Australia, they play it all around the world. Obviously this is a global sport. Take advantage of it. Take advantage of a stage like this. And by the way, I would ask viewers, I would ask people who are casual baseball fans, would that draw you in in the summer to have two

[Alan Hahn]

weeks of that now? Now time for the Tournament Update, which is brought to you by Schweppes. The Big East Tournament starts today at MSG. Providence faces Butler at 4, followed by Xavier vs Marquette and Georgetown taking on DePaul to close out the night. That's the Tournament Update presented by Schweppes College Hoops. Biggest stage is here. Celebrate Schweppes at Shoprite, 1121 Jerusalem Ave. In Uniondale and meet former All Americans Charles Smith and Walter berry. Friday from 11am to 1pm on Friday, March 13, thanks for listening to the

[Don Hahn]

Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the

[Don Hahn]

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. Monster Energy. Everybody knows White Monster Zero Ultra, that's the og. It kicked off this whole zero sugar energy drink thing, but Ultra is a whole lineup now. You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian Sunrise and Vice Guava, and they all bring the Monster Energy punch.

[Alan Hahn]

So.

[Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Don Hahn]

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