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- [00:00]
Ian Fitzsimmons
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- [01:07]
Don
Cross your legs, honey. Let's get out of this in it.
- [01:09]
Alan
Han, I didn't know you were a screamer.
- [01:11]
Rosenberg
And Rosenberg, happy new Jewish New Year.
- [01:14]
Peter
Not Newish Jew Year.
- [01:15]
Don
This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.
- [01:18]
Rosenberg
This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.
- [01:21]
Don
The best threesome I've ever heard on
- [01:23]
Rosenberg
ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.
- [01:27]
Peter
Oh, you bet.
- [01:27]
Don
It's New York 301 in the big city. Don, Han and Rosenberg on a gorge Friday. And another feel good Friday when you're a Knick fan. As the wins just keep on coming. They dispose of the Cavaliers. Another big 180 run to dispose of the Cavs in game two. Take a commanding two games to none series lead and become just the 13th team in NBA history to win nine consecutive playoff games. How's everybody doing? Hey, how are you?
- [01:58]
Alan
What's up? All right, so give it to me right now that your percentage, I mean, I know they have two, they're two wins away, but there's so many people that I've dealt with today that just continually just keep looking. Oh, they're. They're going. They're in the final. They're in the finals. Assuring me of this. And you guys know that any New York fan worth it, like a true one, a true New York fan is so afraid to touch the money when you get this close to it. And so where are you guys? Because I know both of you pretty detached as far as Emotionally from this.
- [02:31]
Don
Right?
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Alan
So I'm gonna leave it up to you. I want to see if you, what you guys say goes in line with what people nationally have been saying to me. Hey, you guys are going, you're going, you're going. What do you both think now, after,
- [02:42]
Don
after that game, Here, here's the level that I'll put it at and I'll let you go. Peter, is that the reason why you don't want to touch the money is because there could be an injury or something happen that can change the series?
- [02:55]
Alan
Right.
- [02:55]
Don
So that's why you don't want to touch the money. But I don't think it takes an NBA expert to realize that if everything stays the way it is, they're going, they just are. I mean, you could make the case that the Knicks really haven't played a 48 minute game in this series and yet they're still up 2 0. Now, things can change going back to Cleveland, but this team's one on the road. You know, this team has faced adversity. You know, do I think they're going to sweep the Cavs and go into the finals, you know, riding a 11 game winning streak? That, that's going to be tough. The law of averages can catch up with you.
- [03:28]
Alan
Right?
- [03:29]
Don
But how can you think otherwise? What, what is about this team or the way this series has gone, where you would think this team would drop four of their next five, go from nine straight wins to dropping four of their next five games and losing this series other than something happening unforeseen bright? Peter, if everything stays the way it is, how can you tell me they're going to lose four?
- [03:53]
Peter
Let me, let me start with this, Alan. First of all, excellent, excellent question as far as touching the money goes. Hold on, let me hit. Push this button real quick. All right, that's five hundo on the Knicks on the money. Because, you know, there's an early. There's only one way to do it. There's only one way to do it. I have to bet him. You guys already said that. It's nine straight. So I have to pick them either way. And I'm doing what I'm guessing a lot of the New York public would do, which is they started off a one and a half point dog last night. And I know you weren't literally talking about money, but here we are, two and a half point dog. Now, guys, I got the Knicks on the money line just now at +110. So it is interesting, interesting that Vegas really, you know, Vegas seems To actually believe they will lose tomorrow night. Which is. Which is it compelling to me. I don't think. I think you'd have to be a looney tune at this point to say you don't expect them to go this, this now for them to not go to the finals would become one of the great colossal disappointments and failures in New York sports history.
- [04:58]
Don
I don't want to re.
- [04:59]
Alan
Don't. Why would you do that?
- [05:01]
Peter
We're not going to read. No, no, we're not going back. But I'm just saying up to O in pretty dominant fashion yesterday and come on, yesterday, let's be honest, they did exactly what we. What we talked about. Let me be more specific me. They didn't give you what they gave you the night before. They got back to the Knicks basketball the previous eight games and they dominated and they looked like a team that's significantly better than Cleveland. So why should they lose the series? Like Don said, of course, you never know. God forbid an injury changed the series completely. But assuming this team stays healthy and intact. Oh, they will win. I said five games on before game one. To me, it's sweet for five games. Guys, they have this team's number. If they play that brand of basketball, they are going to the championship.
- [05:41]
Alan
Don't.
- [05:43]
Don
Yeah, I mean that's just how I felt about it from the very beginning. They were the better team. And if they stay healthy, if there's nothing unforeseen that happens, the unseen hand, I can't say they'd sweep because I think that's what Vegas is looking at. Right. Law of averages. Eventually this streak is going to have to come to an end at some point. But what is happening, like usually like when, when the, when The Yankees blew the three nothing series lead in 04 against the Red Sox, there were people saying good thing it's 30 because this pitching staff is spent.
- [06:17]
Alan
Right, right.
- [06:18]
Don
Like there was something coming that you said, boy, they. I'm a little worried about this. I'm a little worried about that. That make you think they, they better be careful. What would that be? You know, what would. What is happening with this team where you say something's about to give, something's about to swing, something's going to change in this series to make you believe that they can lose four of the next five games? The reason I go for the next five games, I'm doing the math right. You're up two games to none. In order to lose the series, you would have to lose four of the next five games. What Is there. You were there every second, Allen, analyzing this, dissecting it an hour before, an hour after you're at the game. Is there anything that would concern you that the Cavaliers could take advantage of or something that just in the back of your mind, you're thinking, boy, I hope this doesn't happen to them.
- [07:13]
Alan
No. And I keep searching for it, right, Because I. I keep telling myself I'm supposed to be, hi, Kobe. I'm supposed to be finding something that's wrong, and I don't in this series. And that's the part that makes you just keep saying, I must be missing something. But it's. This team is, you know, the level they're playing at, and it's also the fatigue factor that you're clearly seeing. Donovan Mitchell won't admit it, but he's definitely compromised. There's something going on with him. And I. I think that's the part that I just keep waiting for, is, what is that area now? Just isolating one game, not four of the next five, but just isolating game three. Peter, you already hit. You already hit the button. You're. You're in.
- [07:59]
Peter
I'm done. It's in.
- [08:01]
Alan
Yeah, See, that's it. I might have advised against that.
- [08:06]
Peter
I can't, though. I have to.
- [08:07]
Alan
No, no, I know you have to
- [08:09]
Peter
do it, but how much money.
- [08:10]
Alan
And here's the reason why. Is. Is like the Philly series. Game three, I still felt like was, no, no. They could go in there and win in Philly for all the reasons. Like, they get a big crowd in Philly, usually they're confident in that building. The Sixers, you know, you felt like they were already teetering. CAVS team is 6 and 1 at home. Very good home playoff team. Their bench sucked last night. Couldn't make it 1 for 15 from 3 from guys that I've seen in their playoff run, you know, have good shooting nights. And then I look and I go, well, when do they have them home games? Okay, so that's the part where I feel like. And that's what I think Vegas is doing. Nine straight playoff wins. First thing you're doing is the law of averages. They're going to lose one. And the one you generally do lose is the Game 3, because the Cavs will come out, they'll be red hot from three. The crowd will get into it, the Knicks will kind of have some struggles, and then that's that, right? That. That's what you are assuming is going to happen. The problem I'm having, though, is, is that as I watch this Nick team. They could look like something in the first quarter and by the end of the third quarter or even in the fourth quarter, they are completely different. And that's Mike Brown, the coaching staff and adjustments that they seem to make in game in, during this run, during this whole playoff run that just keeps telling me that as long as they're within striking distance and I guess 22 points must be striking distance, it's really hard to count them out right now because they're playing at such a high level of confidence.
- [09:47]
Don
Now if I think Vegas is looking at the law of averages also, this is the sixth time that the Knicks have taken a two nothing series lead in either the conference or divisional finals, depending on what you called it in their history and their own five in game three. So history tells you that this is a game the Cavs can get, but that's a far cry from them coming back and winning the series. Again, I'm not going to predict the sweep because I do think the Cavs will be heard from because you're not going to win 11 straight games. Going to matter of fact, I think if you're a Knick fan, you don't want that because then you'll know probably game one of the final is be when and I'd rather lose game three than a game one against the Thunder or the Spurs. Right, right.
- [10:31]
Alan
Yeah.
- [10:31]
Don
In a perfect world you'd rather it be up 30 and given the gentleman sweep with a sure Cavs winning game four. But I again, but that history, if anything, this Knick team has bucked the history, right?
- [10:44]
Ron
They have.
- [10:45]
Don
They just that this is not your same old Knicks. This is not your dad's Knicks. This isn't your grandfather's Knicks. This is your Knicks that are. It's a different story. And the other thing that plays into this because you look at recent New York history, right? With the, with the way that the Rangers lost to the lightning back in 22, they had a two nothing series leading the conference final. They had a two nothing leading game three. But the Lightning and won the previous two Stanley Cups, right. So the opponent had a lot to do with the comeback. If the Cavaliers had come up, had won championships recently, this was the LeBron James Cavs or they had won back to back titles, I'd say, well, hey, this Cavaliers team's gonna be heard from. Well, why would I think that? I know they're six and one at home. I know that they've been very, you know, coming back from a 31 down against Boston and all that. But, you know, you want to talk about history, what is this Cavaliers team, minus LeBron James ever done to make you think that they're going to be able to get off the mat? They certainly didn't off them get off the mat after the way they lost game one.
- [11:43]
Alan
No.
- [11:44]
Don
So, no, they've nice.
- [11:46]
Alan
They played fine. Like. Yeah, they haven't been other than that, obviously, that fourth quarter where they gave the lead away. But the Cavs have been fine, but they haven't taken it to another level. It's very strange. Like, I. The way, I think there's something up with Donovan Mitchell. He will not say it. He denied it after the game. Of course, they're not making excuses, but when you watch some of his movements, even on his drives, he's just. It's the pop isn't there and there's something going on. Whether it's his ankle, I don't know what it is, but it's not the same. And it's certainly something to keep an eye on. But it's their others that, that hurt them in game two. And you expect those guys, role players always play better at home. And that's what makes game three, you know, again, a very, very interesting game that they all are. But you're right, if the Knicks get this third game, we know that then we know this series is over.
- [12:42]
Michael
Yeah.
- [12:42]
Don
And then it's just a matter of.
- [12:44]
Alan
But it's a hard game to get.
- [12:45]
Don
Yeah, of course it is. And you know, the knicks have won nine straight, the 13th team in NBA history to do that in the postseason of the, of the previous 12, the only team not to make it to the final were the 2012 Spurs. The other 11 won the title seven times. So it's not, it's no guarantee what's going to happen in the next round. And I think we realize that, we understand that if they beat the Cavaliers, that there's going to be a different level of competition with the spurs and the Thunder. But still the numbers have just been historic.
- [13:19]
Alan
Oh, yeah.
- [13:20]
Don
And, and now it's, you know, it's somebody else that jumps into the conversation and that's Josh Hart. Playoff career high 26 points. You know, the Knicks are 5 and 2 in the playoffs when Hart scores 20 plus. So we know his important level, the level of importance there. So, you know, so worried about Brunson ball and they certainly needed to do that in the fourth quarter to win game one. But getting contributions from other players, you know, tells you the depth of this team and how important it is for there be the other guys to star
- [13:51]
Alan
and, and really it just shows you too the versatility of this team where it's different people. So Cat was the hub for a while and his passing and all that stuff was great. And then Jalen Brunson in game one sort of said okay, let's go back to some ISO ball and I'll just take you home. And so we, you saw that. And then in game two as they're trapping him and he realized, okay, they're all coming at me. I now will be the passer, I'll be the facilitator. He threw like 32 passes to Josh Hart, the most of any other player on the team. Why? Because the, the Cavs were gambling like they did in Detroit where they left the sword Thompson open because sort Thompson's can't shoot. He does a lot of great things but he can't shoot. And that was to their benefit. Well, Josh Hart, who had been struggling with his three point shooting in the playoffs despite shooting 40% during the regular season, Hart was left open. And after 1 for 5 in game one where he was taken put on the bench because it was just, he was not effective. He comes into this game and he started out two for seven guys. It wasn't like he was red hot to start this game. 2 for 7. Passed up a shot in the third quarter and Bridges threw it right back to him. No, no, shoot it. And he still wouldn't shoot it. But then the next possession after they talked to him and said we're going to keep going to you because you're going to have to break through this. You got to get through it. Then he goes 3 for 3 in the quarter. They go on an 180 run as he's going 3 for 3 and he had. So all of a sudden 2 for 7 becomes 5 for 10. He finished 5 for 11. But that's like trusting a player, telling him to stay with it, telling him we believe in you, we're not going to bench you, we need you to step up. And he does. Now it's another element of this team. So it just again, it just shows you that if they're not winning the same way every night, in fact it feels like almost every night it's a different way.
- [15:40]
Don
Yeah. And that also leads to why you think they're going to win this series. Because if there's one guy carrying you, well then that one guy can get cold and they've got tons of guys that can make up for any lack of production from Brunson or cat. Brunson had 14 assists. Allen, he was dishing the ball like Amazon dishes packages.
- [15:59]
Alan
Yeah, he certainly was. That's the delivery part of it, right? And if you are a small business and you want to be part of something like this. Listen up. Amazon Hub Delivery lets you earn extra revenue from the business you already run. So you and your staff can deliver packages just like Jalen Brunson was delivering passes right in your own neighborhood on a schedule that works for you. So Brian and the crew at 165 Hardware in Washington Heights, they deliver during their store's afternoon downtime. The extra revenue from Amazon Hub Delivery helps their bottom line. And delivering has given the business more visibility and connection to their community. And getting started, it's easy. No delivery experience, no long term contracts and no startup costs either. If you're a New York local business, if you're ready to make your next move, visit Amazon.com hubdelivery that's Amazon.com hub delivery.
- [16:52]
Don
I'm wondering, Alan, can we do this as a station, you know, like during the summer when we're talking a lot of baseball? Maybe Peter can deliver some packages during those segments.
- [17:00]
Alan
Actually, I love that idea.
- [17:01]
Don
Would you be up for that? Peter?
- [17:02]
Alan
Don't we have a van? We do have a van.
- [17:06]
Don
We had a van. It's down by the river.
- [17:08]
Peter
Yeah, I was gonna say the only van we have is down by the river.
- [17:12]
Don
You know, I'd really be shocked if we still had a van.
- [17:14]
Alan
You don't think we still have that van? I don't.
- [17:16]
Don
I don't think so.
- [17:17]
Alan
Yeah, we have the Equinox.
- [17:20]
Don
That's right. The van we have is Jake Montgomery's or Kevin McArdle's, you know, pickup truck.
- [17:26]
Alan
He'll let us use it.
- [17:27]
Don
No, they'd let us use it. But you know, we got a big show today. We've got fraud alert Friday at 4:30, ENN at 6. We're out of Dodge at 6:30 for Mets Marlins. Got to get into the Giants stuff at the end of the show. Yesterday news came out that the Giants extended Joe Shane. So some Giant fans have feels about that. And also they announced today that Ray Robertson, Harris defensive tackles out for the year because of a torn Achilles at practice in minicamp. So another D tackle down, one traded, now one hurt for a team that really had trouble stopping the run. So we'll get into some football. Yankees struggling offensively. One run in their last two games. What's going on with Aaron Judge? But right now a lot of Knicks to talk about. And you want to talk about it at 1-800-919-3776. Let the phones go and let's start it off with Ron in the truck. You're on. Don Hanna, Rosenberg. What's up, Ron?
- [18:21]
Ron
Hey, guys, thank you so much for making sports that much interesting for people like me. And I've been listening to you guys for a long time. So just quick points. I just think the Cavaliers, their bigs are outplaying our bigs. I mean, they have that one advantage and the coach seems to not look at that. They keep shooting threes like Boston. I think they could do a lot better if they attack us on the inside. And one question for you guys. At what point would you consider this team better than the 94, 95 Knicks? I mean, if they, they made the Eastern Conference finals last year, if we make the finals this year, even if we lose, and let's say we make another finals next year, would you consider this to be the next, the best Knicks team since 1970?
- [19:05]
Alan
Well, if you, if you go into back to back finals, then yes. Yeah, I mean, for sure. Like that's. But that has to happen first. So, you know, that's a conversation we'll get to in a week if, if we get there in a week. But Ron makes a good point about the bigs Evan Mobley had. He was great in the first half, didn't take a shot in the second half. That doesn't make sense until you watch it and you realize what the Knicks do. All these adjustments. Mike Brown and his staff has done a great. They've been really good. And one thing that they did was say, okay, we got a. Mobley is killing us, so we've got to take him out of the equation. How do you do it? Pack the paint. You pack the paint and you try to get out on shooters. But we put pressure on those guys that weren't making shots. And you try to, you hope that they just continue to shoot without confidence. And when you have tired legs, which it seems like the Cavs do in the second half of these games, you're kind of betting on the fact that they're not going to make these shots and they didn't. So you take the pain away at Mobley now, can't operate the way he was before because you're not as spread out. And they, them missing those threes started getting in their head, but they were taking more perimeter shots than they were going to the basket. And also it's the. I keep going back to It Donovan Mitchell is not able to do what he does, breaking down somebody, getting to the paint, scoring as frequently because I do think he's compromised. So that does lend to also. Just pack it in, man. Pack it in. Forced him to play from the outside and see if, you know, if. If they get hot, you got to make an adjustment, but if they don't, you take. You take Mobley out of the game completely.
- [20:45]
Don
Blanderson, Hooper, you're on. Don, Han and Rosenberg.
- [20:50]
Blanderson
How's it going, gentlemen?
- [20:51]
Alan
Good. How are you?
- [20:53]
Blanderson
Good. So, huge win last night. Obviously, Hart started off poorly, and I gotta be honest, I wanted him out of the game because it was like we were playing five on four or four on five on offense, and then he turns things around and he has a great game. But I really wanted to touch on something not related to the game, but what Alan was talking about yesterday, and that is the answers that all these guys give to the questions that they're being asked during the press conferences and in the locker room. Because if you saw Hart up on the dais with Kat after the game, somebody asked him a question and he was going on and on about how nobody is worried about who gets the shine and nobody is worried about who's getting the shots and Kat is up there nodding his head through the whole thing. And to a man, every single one of them seems to give the same answer every time they're asked a question. It doesn't seem like any of them ever slip up. And so Alan, you're obviously around the team as much as anybody. Do they really all buy into this? Because if, if there's anybody who really is selfish and it's just kind of saying this stuff just to fit in. Like, you don't get any hint of that. Like, they really all seem to believe that this is a team thing. There don't seem to be any individuals, which I find to be incredible in this, this particular day and age.
- [22:14]
Alan
Anybody who was like that ain't here anymore. And it's all starts with Hart and Brunson, who, you know, you empower them with leadership. And if those guys talk that way but also walk that way, look who was the first one in the playoffs to say something like that that caught everybody look up and you realize, like, wow, that's a pretty strong statement. It was Jalen Brunson. You know, most stars, boy, you've. You've taken the ball out of your hands. They're playing through Cat now. Most stars wouldn't be comfortable doing that one. I'm not a star 2, I just want to win.
- [22:52]
Javier
So he says that they all say the same.
- [22:54]
Alan
Says that after game one, when he's benched down the stretch, guys get benched that are starters. They take that personal. Oh, I suck now. Oh, you don't trust me? No. He sat there, he admitted it's not great. Obviously I want to be out there, but I can't put myself in front of the team. And if this is helping us win, then who am I to say something right? Who am I to say that I. Who am I to be mad that I didn't get to play when in the end, all that matters is the team. One team success ahead of it. Car Anthony Towns for all the crap he's taken this year. Do you know he has said that all year, from day one. Go back.
- [23:30]
Don
He.
- [23:31]
Alan
He consistently has said, anytime you've said, you know you're not getting enough shots, it's not about that. It's just what do I have to do to help the team win. If we're winning, I want to contribute to winning. That's all I care about. And no one really wanted to believe him because they wanted to believe that he's selfish. But when you see where we are now, you realize that's just kind of in the culture of this team. And it really did. I think I truly believe it started with Brunson, with Hart, and how they set that tone three years ago. And it's. It's really now taken. Taken hold because every guy in that room, Jordan Clarkson, all these guys, even the new guys, they all do walk that same walk. That's reality. They're not just. This is not a front that they're putting up.
- [24:14]
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- [25:25]
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- [25:56]
Rosenberg
thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [26:00]
Peter
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [26:01]
Rosenberg
Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
- [26:09]
Don
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- [27:21]
Peter
So because you can almost guarantee this Spurs Thunder thing is going a while,
- [27:26]
Don
it feels like it's going to go six, right?
- [27:29]
Alan
Not seven, depending on injuries.
- [27:30]
Peter
Of course it ain't five.
- [27:32]
Alan
We know it's definitely starting to mount for both teams but especially on the spurs side.
- [27:37]
Don
And Fox, another game time decision, right?
- [27:39]
Alan
Fox and Harper, the rookie, Dylan harper, he add Dr. Strain or not all adductor soreness. They won't say strain. But that's, you know, that's still. Hips are important in this, in this game.
- [27:52]
Peter
Hips don't lie.
- [27:54]
Alan
They. They never do.
- [27:55]
Peter
But either way, honestly, there could be injuries to. Basically everybody is outside of SGA and Wemby and I'm. This thing's. I mean listen, it's already one one, right. So I don't think it's going five. So it's minimum six, if not seven. So if you're the Knicks and you could sweep or let's just say get it done in five. Well, yeah, you have an opportunity.
- [28:15]
Alan
You get a.
- [28:16]
Peter
Another week. Another week to chill.
- [28:17]
Don
Yeah.
- [28:18]
Alan
More time.
- [28:19]
Don
And we're locked into what a June 3rd. Third start. That's. That's a week from Wednesday.
- [28:27]
Alan
Right.
- [28:27]
Peter
Like you dream about.
- [28:28]
Don
If I got it. If I got it right.
- [28:30]
Alan
Because I know that June and Monday would be game four, Wednesday would be game five for the series.
- [28:35]
Don
So there you go. I mean I just. You could just do the math yourself, right.
- [28:38]
Peter
And they're locked in that the final schedule doesn't change now.
- [28:41]
Alan
It does.
- [28:41]
Peter
Not for anyone who's worried though, I will be out of the country for games one and two. But I will figure out a way to make sure these bets get placed. Well, that's where Anthony Pusick will have to step in. I will have to transfer him the funds. We'll make things happen. But the games will get bet, don't you worry. And then I imagine we'll have a party sitting there. Listen, we're getting ahead of ourselves, but if they make the finals and if it would then be a game three back at msg.
- [29:10]
Alan
Right.
- [29:10]
Peter
And hopefully, and I imagine we'd have some sort of festive situation like you dream about.
- [29:15]
Alan
You bet your ace.
- [29:16]
Don
Yeah, exactly.
- [29:17]
Peter
Like a wise man once said.
- [29:19]
Don
All right, phones, lines are packed. I'm not surprised by that. So don't even bother giving out the number. So let's go to Javier in Queens. You're on ESPN New York.
- [29:29]
Javier
What's going on, boys? Time to be alive. Like I said after game one, I'm going to stick to it. This series is over.
- [29:38]
Blanderson
But just to like think about where
- [29:41]
Javier
the conversation has gone since game one. Right.
- [29:44]
Blanderson
That caller before.
- [29:46]
Javier
Yeah. The Cavs bigs have been really good. But in a 24 minute game. The game is 48 minutes. Right. The Cavs don't Have the horses to get through the four quarters. The way that the Knicks do. The conversation yesterday was that Hart needed to be benched for Landry Shammit. Like, what's the next thing that they're. Oh, the next thing they're going to say is, oh, I'm scared about Game 3 because Cleveland's going to throw the kitchen sink. Alan, answer this question for me. Has Cleveland been holding something back for game three? Have they not been trying their best in the first two games?
- [30:21]
Alan
They have been. They just, they're three point shooting, which is a huge strength of theirs. It's when they make their, like any team, when they make their threes, they usually win. They have not been able to do that. Their shooting has been bad. How much do you want to credit defense for that? That no one wants to do it, but they're just feeling like if they just could make some of these threes that they're getting in their offense that the fortunes would have changed. And again, Meryl's shot at the end of game one rattled out. You know, think about it.
- [30:52]
Javier
He looked more like Stump Merrill last night.
- [30:54]
Michael
Wow.
- [30:55]
Blanderson
Yeah.
- [30:55]
Javier
They like, they made Josh Hart look like Klay Thompson last night. And this guy Merrill looked like Stump me night. This series is over before it, before it ends. Because I know next week the conversation is going to get even worse. So many Bandwagon fans are going to jump on. I want to shout out the animals in the chat. I want to shout out Omar, Spike, Jose from Brooklyn, all the believers from the beginning because the Knicks are getting there and let's see what happens. And hopefully OKC and the spurs go to seven a bunch of OTs and
- [31:28]
Alan
like the, the, the people who love
- [31:31]
Javier
the Knicks are so jaded. They don't, they don't believe what they're seeing. And the Knicks haters are so used to the Knicks having the kick me sign on the back of them. They also don't know what they're seeing. We are looking at the best team in the NBA today in the playoffs. So let's keep the good times rolling. And miss me with all the. Cleveland has something for them in game three. Cleveland got this same stuff they've had the last two games. Knicks just got to play that game. Let's go Knicks.
- [31:59]
Don
Let's do it. I like it.
- [32:00]
Alan
I love it.
- [32:01]
Don
I love it. I'm not, I'm not ready to say they're the best team in the NBA, but they won nine in a row. So I, I, I, I can't kill Javi for it, but it's a great spot.
- [32:13]
Peter
I love that he feels that way.
- [32:14]
Don
Celebrate.
- [32:15]
Alan
He's buzzing, you know? He's buzzing.
- [32:16]
Don
Yeah, no, he's buzzing. That's why. I know. Celebrate him, man. But we're gonna find out, you know? We are. We are going to find out. But right now, I understand you're riding the high. Nine straight wins, it just. It feels great, but there's still. Still work to be done.
- [32:30]
Alan
Yep.
- [32:31]
Don
He didn't exactly touch the money, but he came. He came close. He was smelling the money.
- [32:34]
Alan
He was.
- [32:35]
Don
At least.
- [32:36]
Alan
He was counting.
- [32:37]
Don
At least doing that.
- [32:38]
Alan
He wasn't touching it, but he was counting it with his eyes. How many bills, you know.
- [32:40]
Don
But how about Dave and Westchester with a bit of a different take? You're on. Donna Rosenberg.
- [32:45]
Peter
What's up, Dave?
- [32:47]
Javier
Hey.
- [32:47]
Michael
Oh, I just want to ask you a question, Alan. Give me the percentages of. Is it the Knicks are just playing tremendous basketball or is it just the Knicks are just a better team than Atlanta. They're just a better basketball team than Philadelphia and just a better basketball team than Cleveland. So when they get to the next round. This round's over. I don't care what anybody says. It's over when they get to the next round. Okay?
- [33:12]
Alan
They're gonna be an underdog.
- [33:13]
Michael
If the team is healthy that they're played, if the team is completely healthy that they're playing, this will be the first time in the playoffs they're going to be playing a team that people are going to think are better than them. So is it the Knicks are that great, or is it the teams they're playing are not bad, but they're just definitely better than the three teams? You couldn't write a better script at the beginning of the season.
- [33:36]
Blanderson
Give me.
- [33:36]
Michael
Give me the three teams you want to play in the playoffs. I would have said probably Toronto and then the next two teams. So it ends up being Atlanta. They're just better than all the teams in basketball. It's not like baseball or football where you can have an upset. If you're better in basketball, nine out of ten times you win. They're better than Cleveland. Cleveland's not winning. It's not happening. Philadelphia is not winning. Their best player was crippled. They can't even jump over a telephone book. And Atlanta is not nowhere near the team the Knicks are. So I want to know what's the percentage, in your opinion, that the Knicks are doing this because they're a really good team or because the other teams are just nowhere near as good as Them.
- [34:11]
Alan
I'm going to tell you, I'm worried
- [34:13]
Michael
about the next round.
- [34:14]
Alan
Why would I worry about the next. Worry about the next. Dave. Let's worry about the next one day at a time. Make sure we do that, because the round is the finals, man. And I'd love to be in a place where I can worry about the finals because it's been too long since you've been able to do that. And we have to see the condition of whoever comes out of that Western Conference final when you get there to make those choices. But look, all I know is this, going into the Hawks series, a lot of people were telling me, oh, no, the Hawks can beat. The Hawks can beat them. Then they were down 2:1. So remember, despite the. What you know now, it's too easy now because you already know what happened. You can't say it's just because the opponents weren't as good. The Knicks turned into something that they weren't. When the playoffs began, and the belief grew in them based off of all that stuff, they had a. There must have been a line in the sand after that Game three in Atlanta, and they just decided, no more of this.
- [35:11]
Michael
Well, there's.
- [35:11]
Alan
And they've been a different team since. But were they better than Atlanta? Yes, they were. I tried to tell everybody that. Nobody wanted to believe me. Then I said, I think they're better than the Sixers and they can win this. This series. They can do it pretty quickly. And other people said, wait a minute. They have Embiid, they have Maxi. How are they going to stop Maxi? We create sometimes ghosts and monsters because we don't trust our own team. The team hasn't given you a lot of reason to trust. But at this point now, how could you not trust the fact they are better? But it's. They're better than the teams, but they are a different team. They are a really. They're playing like a really good team.
- [35:42]
Don
There's a couple of things that I got to say about that, because he's not wrong. They are better than Atlanta, they are better than Philadelphia, and they are better than Cleveland. But the team going into the playoffs that was the favorite to come out of the east was Boston, right? And Boston blew a 31 series lead to Philadelphia. The Knicks wiped the floor with Philadelphia. Now, Embiid's injury obviously had a lot to do with that, but, hey, I'm sorry. When you play the Sixers, there's a very good chance Embiid's gonna get hurt. All right?
- [36:09]
Alan
That's just the way it goes.
- [36:10]
Don
And the Knicks shouldn't have to apologize for that. The other thing in play here is that the Knicks are killing these teams for the most part. So it's not like they're winning all these games in overtime.
- [36:20]
Alan
Think about this. An average of 18 points a game, right?
- [36:23]
Don
So what are they supposed to do? Is it their fault that they're so much better than everybody else in the East? Now? You're right. When they get to the west, they're going to be the dog. Whether it's the spurs or the Thunder, they're going to be the underdog. But the idea that they have no shot, yeah, that'll be the biggest test. I don't think anybody is doubting the fact that the best team that they will play in this run by far will be either the spurs or the Thunder. But that's kind of the way you want it to be, right? They've been climbing the ladder and now the final dragon of slay is going to be the toughest.
- [36:55]
Peter
And also, and to be clear, they've been the. That's what you have to realize. That's what you are right now. The Knicks are the cream of the east and they're going to play the best team in the West. And remember one, this is a team in San Antonio that they've really been able to beat up, too. Let's not act like they're not going to be able to play against either
- [37:14]
Alan
of these teams, right? Well, especially San Antonio, they do have the confidence of demonstrated performance. They had beaten them twice in the third game was they were up by double digits in that game until a guy went crazy from three to. To pull off a crazy, crazy New Year's Eve night game. But one thing I'll add too, is. But from both of you, especially you, Don, because we follow a lot of hockey and we've all seen a good team that starts to build momentum, can think they're, can believe they're better than they are and suddenly become a team that wins it all. Because it all fell for them and they took advantage of it. It was all the right time. And that's why it's like something about everything that's happening just seems to be setting this thing up and heading in the right direction. And that's what you're hoping, you know, that that continues to happen. Obviously, anything can happen from game to game, but that's what it just feels like. It's like they're building up because of these wins, a belief that might not have been there at the start of
- [38:15]
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- [39:16]
Don
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- [39:33]
Rosenberg
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [39:37]
Peter
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [39:38]
Rosenberg
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
- [39:46]
Don
Alan had brought up about a team, finding it and the example that I would go back to because you threw out hockey. And the first one that popped in my mind was the 2012 Los Angeles Kings, who were an 8 seed and won the cup. And all through the run it felt like this is a fluke. They beat Vancouver in five. Oh well, you know what? They caught Vancouver at the wrong time. St. Louis. What do they ever win? Beat him in five. And then they played the Phoenix Coyotes. When did the Coyotes ever do anything? Beat them in five and they go to the Stanley Cup Final. I remember the Devils played the Rangers in the conference final and the feeling was whoever wins this is going to win the cup because the Kings aren't going to win a Cup. They were an eight seed. They were lucky to be there. They caught teams of the right. Everybody was making every excuse in the book why they got to the final. And I remember Dave Maloney saying, I don't know what they're talking about. Nobody's beating this Kings team the way they played. At the end of the season, they found themselves and everybody Looked at, oh, they're an eight seed. They had never won anything, but they found it. And people that knew the game realized they're going to be a tough out. And what happened? The Devils beat the Rangers, they go to the Stanley Cup Final, and in a blink of an eye, they're down three games to none and eventually lost the series in six. Like, it's that kind of feeling where, yeah, you get caught up in all. Nobody's beating anybody in the west, but this Nick team is different than they were even a month ago right there. So there's something happening here that I think has to be taken into account that goes beyond being a 3 seed or who they beat in the first, you know, three rounds of the playoffs. That this, this is a different animal. And maybe the Thunder and Spurs are different. I think the spurs might be different in a positive way and the Thunder may be different in a negative way because of, you know, just looking at the first two games and how well the spurs have played. But guys, you got to live in the moment. And we. And I think I'm guilty of it, too. You fall back to history and even recent history. What do your eyeballs tell you right now, right this second? That why can't they?
- [41:49]
Alan
That's what it is. And I keep using the phrase, when you see a team that really is believing, how do you not believe? Another example I can give you that's out of the NBA is the 2019 Toronto Raptors. The Kawhi Leonard bounce to beat the Sixers. That's a chance bounce, right? But you're going up against one of the great teams in the history of the NBA.
- [42:15]
Don
That's right.
- [42:15]
Alan
Warriors were going for three. Three straight. Nothing was going to stop them. Even with Kevin Durant dealing with calf strains. They, they, they still. The warriors, they're so freaking good. But then things happened in that final. And all of a sudden it's like, hang on a second. This can happen. And that's that team of destiny kind of stuff. You know, Fred Van Vliet having the run that he had. Let me remind you, the Raptors weren't the best team in the NBA that, that season they were. They were second in the east, but the Bucks didn't get there. And they get that bounce against the Sixers. Like things happened that fell their way and suddenly now they're in the Finals. So that's why there's, there's examples of teams. I don't know if the St. Louis Blues one is the. Is a, Is a great example. They Were so bad.
- [43:10]
Michael
Right.
- [43:10]
Alan
And got a. Got a goalie and it got. Things got hot and they figured it out. But. But we've seen teams that just sort of figure it out and get right.
- [43:20]
Don
Yeah.
- [43:21]
Alan
And it can work. And I add to it that this is a core that has been together and been through some wars and it just seems like they've looked at each other and said, if not now, when? And everybody is so far bought into it.
- [43:35]
Don
Yeah. And so I was just guilty of it before. I was like, I don't think they're the best team, but this is why you play these series. And you're going to find out. And it just seems to be getting better and better and better for them. Let's go to Michael and Brooklyn. You're on ESPN New York.
- [43:51]
Michael
Hey, how you doing guys? Big fan of the show. I listen to you guys to work every single day. You guys have great Nick analysis. It's not that mainstream bs. Also, I don't know how Alan does the courtside post game interview and then still makes it to the postgame studio with all the craziness. Like.
- [44:10]
Alan
Well, last night. I gotta tell you story about last night. Last night was the. Yeah, I didn't think I was gonna make it, but go ahead.
- [44:18]
Michael
Yeah, no, I. Let's. I would want to hear because I was there last night too. And man, it is crazy. If they pulled this off, I don't. The city is gonna turn into like Escape from New York. Like, it. It was absolutely.
- [44:31]
Don
Don't scare.
- [44:33]
Alan
No, it wasn't like that.
- [44:36]
Peter
No.
- [44:36]
Alan
No, you're right though, Michael.
- [44:37]
Michael
It was like a party.
- [44:38]
Alan
It really. It was just a lot of happy people and a confluence. All the bars. Because again, 35th, 35th street, down 7th Avenue, there's a lot of bars in this area. And it just. It's not only coming out of the building in the front part, it's coming up and down 7th Avenue and in the watch party people. And then everybody just comes together in one place. And I give credit to nypd. I want to shout out NYPD because they did a really good job there. This has now become a thing. So they know to be prepared for it. The barricades are up, they're moving people. They have. They have a game plan. But in that game plan, I almost got caught in the wash and I texted my producer. I don't know if I'm gonna make it because it was so crowded and everybody was just. All they wanted to do was either talk or ask questions. And you know, somebody finally saw Me and it's like, don't you have to get to the post game show? I'm like, yeah. And they all like cleared out. It's like the like one guy was like, get out of his way. You got to let him through. And then one of the police officers saw me and he pulled the barricade by and I was able to get in, but it was, it was.
- [45:47]
Ron
I got caught.
- [45:48]
Alan
It was.
- [45:50]
Michael
I wasn't like you. I got caught. I was trying to make it back to. Because I went to the watch party. So I was trying to make it. I drove down and I was trying to get. It was like a concert. It was like. I felt like it was like a big like festival. And I just got caught in this whole mosh pit wave of people, you know, the iPhones and the cameras. And I'm like, whoa, what's going on? But everybody's happy. You know, you just have, you see random people on the street. They see Nick Gear, they go up to you and they're like, yeah, let's go, Nick. It's our year. It's our year. But what I actually wanted to talk to you guys real quick. I know we kind of just had a little moment like that was, you know, in all of that I keep hearing that, you know, the spurs is the preferred team. It's the spurs, the spurs, the Spurs. And I'm. That kind of confuses me a little bit because the game that I went to see them live this year was against San Antonio and they beat them. It was a good game. But Wemby's length definitely did have an effect on the Knicks. Like, you know, the Knicks, they live in the paint. So there was an effect there that they had kind of pushing them out to, to settle for jump shots. And you know, luckily that game, they made it. You know, this playoffs are not really a crazy three point shooting team. And now the guy that backs him up is Luke Cornett. Luke Cornett, single handedly, I think extended that series to six games last year for Boston. Also had a 10 block game against the Knicks. Also another, you know, presence in the paint defensively that can affect the Knicks. So that's where it kind of confuses me a little bit. Like would we rather
- [47:23]
Alan
just let me cut you off there and appreciate the call is here's your choice. The defending champions who've already done it with the two time MVP or yes, a guy like Wemby who's definitely generational, but a team of players who've never been there before, never done it before very young. You tell me because that's the only choice you got.
- [47:47]
Don
Yeah. And you beat him in the cup which is I guess and that too regular season adjacent.
- [47:52]
Alan
Right. But. But at least you have some sort of feeling of. Yeah, we've, we've beaten them a couple of times.
- [47:57]
Don
But all Alan all trying to chase down a ring.
- [48:00]
Alan
Yes, a ring for sure. And I want to tell you about Ring's End and the project that we have going on. You all know about and, and we're excited about it. But I want you to be excited about something you could do around your house right now. Some project we all want to do upgrades and updates. You know this stuff. This is the time of year you look around going what else can I do? Because I need some windows, can I. Doors need something. So I am encouraging you to tell your contractor to reach out to Rings End. Why? They have an extensive inventory of built the last high end product lines that contractors rely on rings and has showrooms with products you can go in and touch and feel and see so you know exactly what you're getting and the highest of quality. And if you can't make it to a store you can shop online@ringsend.com that's where you want to go. Now they have regional expertise. They have eight full service lumberyards in Connecticut and Westchester county and also by the way 12 freestanding paint centers. So Ring's End is family owned and operated since 1902. And if you can't get to one of the stores, like I said, go to ringsend.com that's ringsend.com it's amazing the
- [49:04]
Don
things that Allen has to do to try to get to where he's got to go. I had to do the same thing doing Rangers running around and even after a Devil game if they win, I got to run upstairs to. To do the postgame show and you're running through the crowd. Peter actually won a belt while on television leaving the desk. I mean it's amazing all the things that we have to do sometimes to do our job properly. But only one won a championship from it. That was Peter.
- [49:31]
Alan
Peter. Peter's the only one with the real championship.
- [49:33]
Don
That's right. Then he went low too.
- [49:37]
Peter
Sorry.
- [49:39]
Don
Wow. Well, how did you separate the belt from.
- [49:42]
Peter
Well, I mean our truth, if you want to look at it that way. I mean I don't like the way you describe was. It was.
- [49:48]
Alan
You'd go there.
- [49:49]
Peter
It was considered. It was considered a low blow. Sure.
- [49:52]
Don
Yeah. It's the low blow.
- [49:54]
Michael
Yeah.
- [49:55]
Peter
Well you know, listen, whatever it takes, that's the thing. And the 24 hour, 247 championship could be defended anywhere. So when someone decides, you know, that they're going to take that opportunity, there's
- [50:07]
Don
no rule rules, as you found out, or prison rules. In a hotel room doing the Michael K Show. Right.
- [50:12]
Peter
Another classic.
- [50:14]
Alan
Did they ask you how or just how many?
- [50:16]
Peter
That's exactly right. And the answer was one and for almost a full day.
- [50:20]
Alan
Yeah.
- [50:21]
Don
And that's one more than us.
- [50:22]
Peter
That's right. Thank you.
- [50:23]
Alan
That's right.
- [50:25]
Rosenberg
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [50:28]
Peter
I don't want to know how the
- [50:29]
Alan
sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good.
- [50:31]
Rosenberg
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. This is what everyone's talking about.
- [50:46]
Don
Everything's on the table.
- [50:48]
Rosenberg
This is what champions come to take. This is what everyone came to see. No do overs. No second chance. No more Mr. Nice Guy. This is winner take all. And it's all happening now on the home of the NBA Finals. Don't miss it. June 3rd on ABC and the ESPN applied.