Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – "Brunson's Clutch Shot" (Hour 1)
Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg (not present this hour)
Topic Focus: Knicks’ gritty win behind Jalen Brunson’s heroics, NBA Cup scheduling and its impact, Knicks’ roster depth, and fan engagement.
Episode Overview
This hour opens as Alan Hahn checks in live from Salt Lake City and Don La Greca preps for Knicks-Sixers at MSG. The central theme is last night's intense Knicks win over a shorthanded Pacers squad, capped by a cold-blooded, game-winning shot by Jalen Brunson. The guys dissect Brunson’s clutch play, strategic shifts under Coach Mike Brown, and a broader conversation about the NBA Cup’s impact on contenders’ regular-season performance. The episode also features robust Knicks talk with callers, covering roster needs, the emergence of rookie Tyler Kolek, and whether the team should stand pat or pursue major stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Aftermath of the NBA Cup and Scheduling Challenges
- Heavy Schedule Burden: Alan Hahn and Don La Greca express concerns that winning the NBA Cup creates a punishing schedule for the victors. Citing recent history, they note both previous winners (Bucks and Lakers) struggled after their victories—pointing to possible “Cup hangovers.”
- Quote [04:14] (Alan Hahn): “The Bucks last year…had two days off after winning the Cup. They lost that game and went on to lose five of their next eight. The Lakers…lost ten of their next thirteen.”
- Fear of Strategic Losing: They speculate if contenders may someday try to avoid advancing in the Cup to preserve energy for the regular season/playoffs, given the risk of burnout.
- Quote [05:25] (Don): “If you’re a team with aspirations…you’re going to strategically make sure you don’t make it to Vegas."
- Suggested Fixes: Proposing a mandatory rest window (3–4 days) after the Cup and perhaps more home games for the winner and loser, though they acknowledge the implementation challenges.
- Quote [07:24] (Hahn): “Give me a couple home games…at least two days off. Get a day off at home, reconvene, then a couple of home games.”
2. Knicks’ Depth Shines in Gritty Win Over Pacers
- Adaptability & Depth: Despite missing key players, the Knicks rallied from 16 down, utilizing deep-bench contributors like Tyler Kolek, Trey Jemison, and Ariel Hukporti. Contrast is drawn with previous years’ short benches under Tom Thibodeau.
- Quote [13:28] (Alan): “Trey Jemison—did you even know he was on the roster?"
- Quote [28:00] (Hahn): “Now that he’s got our attention, how does [Kolek] now adjust as other teams adjust to him?”
- Coach Mike Brown’s Influence: Praise for Brown’s willingness to rest banged-up players and trust his bench, a shift from the past.
3. Jalen Brunson’s ‘Killer’ Instinct and Rising Star Power
- Last-Minute Heroics: Detailed retelling of the decisive moments (approx. [09:21–10:56]):
- Brunson, gassed and struggling, is fouled hard by Nemhard after a series of missteps.
- He ignores a gesture of sportsmanship, comes out of the timeout “pissed”, walks onto the court “eyes locked on Nemhard,” and swiftly drills the winning three, celebrating by staring and signaling at opponents.
- Quote [10:14] (Hahn): “Brunson walks by Brown...‘I'm going for the win.’ Brown’s like, ‘Alright, you do you, man.’ ...Drilled it. ...That’s cold blooded.”
- Appreciation for Brunson: Alan and Don urge fans to better appreciate Brunson, citing persistent critiques about his size or superstar status.
- Quote [11:09] (Don): “I wish Nick fans would appreciate him more…nights like last night—he’s a killer.”
- Quote [35:44] (Don): “Stone cold killer is what he…what he is, what he needs. He’s big in the postseason.”
4. Managing Expectations: Trades, Giannis, and Team Chemistry
- Evolving Roster Philosophy: Discussion of whether the Knicks should seek stars like Giannis or maintain current roster chemistry, especially if play continues to exceed expectations.
- Quote [21:59] (Hahn): “Some people not happy when I said, this is not the time to trade for Giannis…and if you’re Giannis, you don’t want them to trade for you right now.”
- Several callers echo that “sometimes you just leave a good thing alone.”
- Fan Input on Roster Needs: Listeners call about needs for a backup PG, a versatile “three” (SF), and additional bench pieces. Generally, hosts see bench depth as solid; point to Kolek’s emergence and existing wing talent (OG, Hart, Anunoby).
5. Tyler Kolek: New Guard on the Rise
- Comparison to Established Guards: Multiple comparisons made between rookie Kolek and T.J. McConnell—a reliable NBA backup—due to similar play style and physicality.
- Quote [27:46] (Alan): “Kolik…quarterback on the court…and he can shoot, he knows how to be a point guard.”
- Quote [39:01] (Hahn): “I looked at McConnell last night…Kolik can have a career just like McConnell.”
- Caller Debate: One caller challenges them on making race-based comparisons, but Alan clarifies, “You gave ten examples why they’re very close. Skin color was not one…”
6. Listener Calls: Knicks Pride and Staying the Course
- Cautious Optimism: Callers express a newfound “calm” and trust in the Knicks’ future, saying “finally, we don’t have to make a move out of desperation” ([45:47], Merv in Queens).
- Championship Hope: Fans and hosts alike agree this team is the closest to contending in decades, some calling it the best since the ‘90s.
- Quote [43:34] (Hahn): “This is the closest they’ve been in over 30 years.”
- Quote [45:23] (Hahn): “All these years of begging for a superstar…now the superstar wants you, and you go, ‘I’m good.’”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- [09:21]–[10:56] Alan Hahn on Brunson’s game-winner:
“He looks at Brown, he goes, 'I’m going for the win.' ...Brunson’s eyes locked on Nemhard…brings the ball, drills it…cold blooded.” - [11:09] Don: “I wish that Nick fans…would appreciate what he brings to the table."
- [35:44] Don: “…you see the look in his eye…like 'I’m about to tack your hide up on the wall.' …Then do it. Cold blooded.”
- [34:35]–[35:07] Alan on team needs: “They don’t really want to play ISO anymore. They really want to play in the flow. …Anunoby is one of the best corner three shooters in the league. That’s what you’re looking for.”
- [39:01] Alan on comparisons: “Kolik can have a career just like McConnell and he could be a really…huge part of that team going to the Finals..."
- [45:23] Alan: “That would be something…now the superstar wants you, and you go, 'I'm good.'”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00–01:50 — Show opens with geography, NBA Cup schedule gripes
- 03:00–07:08 — Discussion of NBA Cup winner letdowns; potential solutions proposed
- 09:21–10:56 — Play-by-play retelling of Brunson’s incredible last-minute sequence and shot
- 13:28–13:55 — Emergence of deep-bench assets, bench depth talk
- 16:58–21:59 — Callers on NBA Cup incentives; debate on potential changes
- 27:46–29:00 — In-depth analysis of Kolek’s emergence and point guard rotation
- 39:04–40:36 — Debate on McConnell–Kolek player comp and the topic of comparisons
- 43:34–45:23 — Big-picture Knicks optimism; reluctance to trade for “big names” like Giannis
- 45:47–47:21 — Caller on “finally, no desperation moves," team fine-tuning
Tone & Style Highlights
The hour is a blend of informed Knicks analysis, self-deprecating New York sports talk bravado, and open phone lines for passionate, knowledgeable Knicks fans. Alan and Don keep a conversational and sometimes irreverent tone, giving space for banter, disagreement, and humility (“Embrace the madness, people. [Brunson’s] a great player”). The segment is deeply embedded in “Knicks therapy” for the loyal fanbase.
Takeaway
The episode celebrates one of the Knicks’ gutsiest wins of the season and centers on Jalen Brunson’s ascending star status in New York lore. It also raises a critical discussion about the unintended consequences of the NBA Cup on a contender’s workload, warning the league to fix this before it affects the integrity of the tournament. Meanwhile, the emergence of unsung players like Tyler Kolek underscores the positive direction and depth of the current Knicks team, fueling optimism that—for once—New York might not need to chase a superstar to contend.