Hour 1: Giannis in Play?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Giannis in Play?

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Episode: Hour 1: Giannis in Play?
• Release Date: June 24, 2025
• Description: Hosted by ESPN New York and New Jersey legend Don La Greca, sportswriter Alan Hahn, and Hip Hop veteran WWE personality Peter Rosenberg, the show delves into New York sports and beyond.

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I. Introduction and Current Sports Climate

[00:22] Don Hahn:
Don opens the episode by acknowledging the city's oppressive heat and the lackluster performance of baseball teams. He sets the stage for a day filled with sports discussions, emphasizing the current frustrations surrounding the Mets and Yankees.

Key Quote:
"Another day of heat and sports. I can't say that either of the baseball teams are hot right now. That's a problem." — Don Hahn [00:22]

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II. Defining a Championship Team

The hosts engage in a deep dive into what constitutes a championship-caliber team. Peter Rosenberg references Lee Goldberg’s foresight about upcoming challenges, highlighting his dramatic anticipation of a "storm."

Peter Rosenberg:
"Do either team look like a team that can win?" [00:56]

Don Hahn:
Discusses the recent NBA champions over the past seven years, emphasizing that each appeared dominant throughout their seasons. He draws parallels to MLB teams, questioning whether current teams genuinely embody championship traits.

Key Quote:
"In the NBA's had seven different champions over the last seven years. Texas Rangers look like a champion." — Don Hahn [01:30]

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III. Current MLB Season Analysis

The discussion shifts to Major League Baseball, focusing on the performance of teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets.

Don Hahn:
Criticizes the Dodgers for their high spending without significant dominance, paralleling concerns about the Yankees' lack of competition in the American League East.

Peter Rosenberg:
Highlights the Yankees' consistent strength and the Mets' ongoing struggles, specifically their inability to hit effectively in critical game situations.

Key Quotes:
"The Mets can't hit 5 through 9. None of their kids have been able to do anything for them this season." — Don Hahn [03:55]
"The Yankees are still in great shape to win the American League." — Don Hahn [03:16]

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IV. Future Interviews and Draft Discussions

The hosts preview upcoming segments featuring key sports figures. Don mentions interviews with David Stearns, the Mets' General Manager, and Matthew Darsh, the new GM of the New York Islanders, discussing their strategies and draft plans.

Don Hahn:
"We have a chance to talk to him and we're going to talk to him coming up at 4:00." — Don Hahn [14:47]

Peter Rosenberg:
Analyzes the Boston Celtics' rebuilding phase and the broader implications for the Eastern Conference, noting significant injuries and strategic moves by rival teams.

Key Quotes:
"The Celtics are definitely trying to do it. So we watch." — Peter Rosenberg [15:13]
"Now the Yankees can't hit. Throw your problems on the table." — Don Hahn [05:53]

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V. Conversation on Paul Simon's Concert

In a lighter segment, the hosts discuss Paul Simon's recent concert at the Beacon Theatre, sharing personal anecdotes and opinions on his performance.

Allen:
Shares his experience attending the concert, expressing mixed feelings about the setlist and Simon's vocal performance.

Key Quote:
"I just want to ask you guys something. I’m going to skip past the first few songs because they're from his last project, Seven Psalms, which I strongly recommend." — Allen [30:14]

Don Hahn:
Reflects on Paul Simon's longevity and the challenges of maintaining vocal prowess with age.

Key Quote:
"Bridge Over Troubled Water is my favorite song ever." — Don Hahn [33:07]

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VI. Listener Q&A: Knicks and Anthony Volpe

A listener named Dave poses a critical question regarding the New York Knicks' coaching decisions and the performance of Anthony Volpe, a key player.

Listener Question ([35:02] Dave):
"Can anybody explain to me what would it have hurt to have that Kevin Durant for the last three years... What does it mean for the Knicks and Giannis?"

Don Hahn:
Responds by emphasizing the importance of patience with the current management and coaching changes before passing final judgment.

Key Quote:
"Can we hold the criticism of Leon Rose and the Knicks until we find out what the pivot is?" — Don Hahn [37:35]

Peter Rosenberg:
Analyzes Anthony Volpe's performance, defending him against undue criticism and highlighting his dedication and potential.

Key Quote:
"Volpe looks like a guy that gives you everything he's got. And maybe, just maybe, he is not overflowing with talent, but all the other stuff, there's a reason to root for him." — Peter Rosenberg [44:07]

Discussion Highlights:

• Debate over whether the Knicks should have pursued star players like Kevin Durant to alleviate pressure.
• Examination of Volpe's statistical performance versus potential expectations.
• Consideration of the Yankees' influence on Knicks' strategies and Volpe's role.

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VII. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts urging listeners to stay informed and patient as the Knicks navigate their coaching and player dynamics. They tease upcoming discussions on Joel Sherman's insights about Anthony Volpe and continue to engage with the audience's questions.

Key Quote:
"But can we find out what it looks like first before we start?" — Don Hahn [37:59]

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Notable Themes and Insights

• Championship Dynamics: The hosts dissect what truly makes a team worthy of a championship, critiquing both MLBA and NBA teams' performances.
• Management Strategies: Emphasis on trusting team management's decisions amidst varying team performances.
• Player Performance: Balance between statistical analysis and personal dedication in evaluating players like Anthony Volpe.
• Fan Sentiment vs. Reality: Addressing the disparity between fan expectations and team realities, especially concerning high-profile teams like the Yankees and Mets.

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Closing Remarks

Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg deliver a comprehensive analysis of current sports landscapes, blending critical insights with personal anecdotes. They encourage fans to maintain a balanced perspective while navigating the tumultuous seasons ahead.

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Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments have been excluded to focus on the core discussions and insights shared during the podcast episode.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

Don. I'll be licking the television screen. Licking it like it's ice cream.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don. Oh, the type of music I listen to would make you cry.

[Unknown]

And Rosenberg, I expect to be called ball coach.

[Allen]

This isn't North Dakota.

[Don Hahn]

This is New York.

[Unknown]

This is Don Han and Rosenberg on 880 ESPN and the ESPN New York.

[Don Hahn]

App, 3 o' clock in the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg. Another day of heat and sports. I can't say that either of the baseball teams are hot right now. That's a problem. We're going to discuss that for sure. Because feeling hot, hot, hot. It's a bit of a problem. I hope everybody is in agreement with that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm. I'm sorry. I just feel like Lee Goldberg right now kind of forecasted this was coming. I warned you of the storm, but I'm. But I'm. I'm being dramatic.

[Don Hahn]

I'm not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm trying to. I'm trying to, you know. Cause I'm doing this just for the show. No, you know, maybe I just saw something I didn't like and now I asked the question. I'll ask it again. Do either team look like a team that can win?

[Don Hahn]

I don't, but I don't know what that looks like. I know the Dodgers just won, but it's not like the Dodgers are running away with things. I'm told that San Diego's a threat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that's what a championship team looks like. Is that what it is?

[Don Hahn]

That's what that's. Life is in the world. That's the world of parody, people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sucks.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't want to jump off to this, but you brought it up. What's a champion look like? All right. NBA's had seven different champions over the last seven years. Texas Rangers look like a champion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

But every one of them won the championship.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Every one of those teams that won in the last seven years, every one of them during the season looked like it. The Thunder, they're the best team in the sport. Start to finish, start to finish. Best team in the sport.

[Don Hahn]

I understood.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Denver Nuggets, they won their championship. They had the best player in the sport. And. And that whole season, they were a squad depth. They were really good. And they're the best player in the sport. Yeah, The Bucks, same thing.

[Don Hahn]

And this okay, but yet still within the body of this season. The Cleveland Cavaliers look like they couldn't be stopped. Best team in the Eastern Conference. They make it out of the second round.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Mental issues.

[Don Hahn]

And then if you're so dominant, then why can't you do it again, and nobody's been able to do it again. Look at baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, let's stick with baseball. Give me the last. Give me the last couple of champions.

[Don Hahn]

Well, you got the Dodgers, and the Dodgers are good, but they've also spent way more money than everybody else, and they don't. And they are in first place.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they.

[Don Hahn]

But they're not running away with anything. They do look like a team. They've got basically the same record the Yankees do. And you're all worried about the Yankees and the year before that. The Texas rangers haven't been above.500 since.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that year.

[Don Hahn]

I understand. Okay, but you know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I could still say if you want.

[Don Hahn]

To give me the Braves. Wait a minute.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Braves made moves.

[Don Hahn]

Wait a minute.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they won a world.

[Don Hahn]

Wait a minute. Allen, if the Yankees win the World Series this year, what are they going to say? Well, they were never challenged in the American League east, which is the case. They're still not challenged.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's true.

[Don Hahn]

All right, so you're not wrong to complain about the Yankee situation. You're not in a broad scope of, you know, this can hurt us in maybe winning another championship. Your first since 2009. You're second since 2000.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

But you're still comfortable. Don't even tell me you're worried about winning the American League East. You're not even. Don't even. Don't even front that. You're not worried about winning the American League. So I'm supposed to sit here and feel bad for you that you're complaining about a team that is going to walk away with the division title? And right now there's one team, one team that concerns you in the American League, and that's the Detroit Tigers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, they got pitching.

[Don Hahn]

Can't worry about that until you get to October, so. Oh, but meanwhile, I can look at my Met team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, no, no. So this is what you're doing to me again. You're telling me to keep my hands folded, keep my mouth shut, and. And just watch baseball. Well, no, because I can't do it that way, Don. I watch a game and I see the same things, and I get frustrated by it.

[Don Hahn]

You should be able to do that, but you're frustrated. But that frustration is not going to come to fruition until we get to October. All right. The Mets issue is they can't hit 5 through 9. None of their kids have been able to do anything for them this season, and they are now in second place. And they're only a handful of games from falling out of the wild card.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they can't beat Atlanta.

[Don Hahn]

Can't beat Atlanta on a bet, Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

All right. So, hey, do I think the Mets are going to be okay? Yeah, I think they'll make the playoffs. But the Mets problems are in the now because it is a legitimate concern if they're going to win the division. It is a legitimate concern they're going to make the playoffs. So a Met fan that's fretting on their situation right now, dropping nine of their last 10 because it's costing you position. The Yankees are still in good shape to win the division. They're still in great shape to win the American League. And then once you get to the World Series, yes, this could be an issue. Maybe it'll be an issue in October. Maybe you'll lose to Detroit because you can't hit. Hey, they've only gone to the World series once since 2009, so I'm not telling you it's not a concern. But it is an October concern. The Mets are right now a June concern, which is pretty soon going to spill into July, which might be a concern all year. Not hitting with runners in position, a problem all year. Getting nothing from your kids, a problem all year. The bottom of the order not giving you anything, a problem all year. These are. These are concerns. What does my urologist say, Peter?

[Allen]

Excuse me, I don't know how to.

[Don Hahn]

Because whenever I bring it up, he's like, I've heard that before, where he says, you know, you throw. Everybody throw their problems on the table, Right.

[Allen]

And everyone probably want to come back.

[Don Hahn]

With their own problem, and everybody's going to pick up their own problem.

[Allen]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

Right. So we can all have our sports and throw our problems on the table. The Knicks don't have a coach now. The Rangers look like they're in a rebuild, you know, what are the Islanders going to do with the first overall pick? Mets can't hit. Yankees can't hit. Throw your problems on the table, Allen, you might be picking up your Yankee problem as the one that you'd rather have than all the other problems that are in local sports right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why does your urologist say that?

[Don Hahn]

Because he said it. What are you going to do?

[Allen]

Meaning, like something's going on and that's frustrating.

[Don Hahn]

Well, he always asks me the same things that a urologist.

[Allen]

How's your urination?

[Don Hahn]

Right. You know, how's everything standing up for you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

How's it hanging?

[Don Hahn]

How's it hanging? Yeah. Is it hanging too much?

[Allen]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

How many times do you go to the bathroom at night. And every time, every year, every year I see him, I add the number of times it's getting a bit of a problem. And then when I show a look of concern, he's like, believe me, I talked to a bunch of people all day. And then that's when he said he'll take your problems than the 315 that he's going to meet later on. So the where that guy's bottom half is.

[Allen]

Yeah, that guy's got no haram altogether. So trust me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. I'm glad I asked. So, so fine. So David Stearns is going to talk today. Yes. And we'll maybe, maybe we'll get some answers out of him about the Mets and their direction because we are weeks away from having to make some decisions with the roster. At the trade deadline last year at this time, we were reaching a point of, oh, they got to blow this thing up because the team had gotten off such a bad start. He was steadfast and it worked out. Made a couple of moves. It worked out. So the feeling is, is there's gotta be, I don't know, there's gotta be a belief in some trust, you would say, in him. Because of what we've seen him do in guiding this franchise since he took over. You do kind of believe. All right, he, he, he proved to you last year that he wasn't gonna panic and he wasn't gonna just, oh, we suck, let's blow it up. No, he saw what he saw. He saw places to fix it and it worked out great. So you trust him. But I'm curious to see when the media does speak with him, the questions they're going to ask him about the roster. And I think you're right. On the Mets perspective, you're looking at a team that they spent money on really talented players, and those talented players are, for the most part, coming through. Yes, you're getting production. Soto's really starting to come alive, which is a good sign. But it's bottom of the order, which is the same problem as Yankees. And, and it's young players that they were hoping to fill in in some areas.

[Don Hahn]

Right. And it has not happened in the slightest. So when they get to the trade deadline at the end of July, they're going to have to address some things. Unless all of a sudden, the next five weeks, things change dramatically. And I trust that Stearns is going to do that. I'm not giving up on this team, but I think both could be true. I believe in this team, but I'm concerned and your concerns are genuine. Yankees only one run last night against the Reds and it came on a judge home run. And they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The game itself, like, was maddening.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Over 12 with runners in scoring position.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They had to. They had to piecemeal a starting pitcher. He was doing well in the minors, but it didn't, you know, second time around. You could tell right away. I mean, they were whispering. Isn't it if you were a pitcher. Actually, you were a pitcher, Don. Second time around the order. If you saw a batter whispering in the ear of the guy who's up next. Guy drew a walk and then he. Are you like, going, they're on to me. Like, they must know something.

[Don Hahn]

I'm tipping something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Reds were doing that the second time around. And I'm watching that. I'm thinking to myself, they're seeing something. And they were absolutely hammering him after that point.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you know, and I know what's his name, Delacroix. He is unreal.

[Don Hahn]

And they haven't faced real talent because he always seems to be on the Il when they faced him over the last couple of years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my God. Game changer.

[Don Hahn]

Single triple home run. You know, he is base path. He is a terrific, terrific.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Seriously, I don't think. And I know he's got some pub. I don't think enough has been said about him. Dude. Six, five. Incredible at.

[Don Hahn]

No, he's. Yeah, he's a Red. That. That's the problem. He hasn't played in any big games yet. You can. We talked about with the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he's. He's a box office guy. He jumps off the screen, this guy.

[Don Hahn]

But you know, Peter and I talked about it for. For years in the summertime about like Trout. You can be. You can get lost as a star in baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Because you got to play in the postseason. You got to play primetime games. I'm sorry, when was the last time. You know, Reds aren't ESPN Sunday night baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Reds aren't on Apple in your Reds game, then Fox on Saturday.

[Don Hahn]

It's crazy because when we were growing up, Alan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

The Reds were always the team. You know, Big Red Machine, everybody.

[Allen]

I missed that. They were okay when I was a kid. I mean, when I was a kid, they were okay.

[Don Hahn]

But for Barry Larkin Davis. Right. Which. Which was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wasn' the first memories I have of baseball is Big Red Machine.

[Don Hahn]

Big Red Machine you're talking about. I mean, we could probably, if we wanted to and bore our audience, you know, be able to give you like the 1977 team. You know, Johnny Bench at catcher, you know, you got Pete Rose at third, David Concepcion, like they were loaded, loaded. And that's why I think it's. It's a farce that the first team in Major League Baseball, the Cincinnati Reds, back in the day when they would be win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

During that time, they won two, right?

[Don Hahn]

Well, during the 70s, well, they won 75 and 76. And 76 Yankees.

[Allen]

Is that it?

[Don Hahn]

But they.

[Allen]

But, yeah, they were there.

[Don Hahn]

But they were there all the time. Mets beat him in 73. The A's beat them one time. Yeah, but they were constantly. They were.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They beat the Red Sox and they beat the Yankees. Right.

[Allen]

How.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How do you. Isn't that what. How it went there?

[Don Hahn]

They beat the Red Sox in seven, and they swept the Yankees in four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was 57. Wasn't that the pesky Pole Fisk thing?

[Don Hahn]

No, no, that's. He had it down over the Green Monster, but trying to keep it fair.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, okay.

[Don Hahn]

That was the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right. Keep it fair.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And. And the thing that you hear the story behind that, so usually you don't follow the guy going down the first base line.

[Allen]

Is a bizarre story.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, bizarre.

[Don Hahn]

So it's because the guy that was in the kit had the cam in the camera. Well, in. In. In the Green Monster.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mm.

[Don Hahn]

There's a rat at his feet, and he's trying to kick the rat away. And as he's kicking the rat away, the cameras moving up the first baseline. So the director had the camera panning, and he's thinking, this guy's amazing. What a wherewithal to be able to follow Fisk up the first baseline.

[Allen]

I love that scene.

[Don Hahn]

He's doing it because he's kicking a rat from underneath his feet.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That is such a Leslie Nielsen naked gun thing.

[Allen]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Isn't it? Trips into it.

[Don Hahn]

It's been on my mind because the whole Leslie Nielsen vehicle that's coming out this summer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Liam Neeson.

[Don Hahn]

Liam Neeson. I'm sorry, Leslie Nielsen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So they've been running the. The Naked Guns on some of the premium channels. So I watched a lot of the one from whatever.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The one Enrico Palazzo.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, the one. The Smell of Fear. It's when it's. It's about the environment. And they're going to give the speech on whether they should go with coal or whether they should go with solar. But it is so funny. And the problem is that O.J. killed that because it became politically incorrect to kind of play those movies in the 90s. Now I think we've aged away from it enough. A matter of fact, I think they actually poke fun of Simpson in the new movie.

[Allen]

They have to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a great idea. Absolutely do.

[Don Hahn]

But. But even watching O.J. i kind of a little bit felt uncomfortable watching the movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But.

[Allen]

Well, you have to.

[Don Hahn]

He's hilarious.

[Allen]

He's also very likable in the movie.

[Don Hahn]

Well, that's the problem.

[Allen]

So you can't watch it and not like him. He's great in it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He doesn't really have much speaking parts. It's all just him getting obliterated.

[Allen]

But he's lovable. You feel bad. Like he's like a. He's a sympathetic character.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know if there's another. It never stops, Peter. The movie never stops.

[Allen]

You mean the jokes?

[Don Hahn]

There is a joke every millisecond of that movie. You have to watch it like four or five times to pick them all up. Like every comedy, Something about Mary, one of the greatest comedies of all time will take a breath. They'll kind of get to the plot a little bit. At the expense of humor. No, no, no, it's humor. The plot doesn't matter.

[Allen]

That's airplane. Airplanes the same way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Classic.

[Don Hahn]

All just cut from the same mold. But I, I digress.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But anyway, that's a story about the camera thing.

[Allen]

That was the great red machine.

[Don Hahn]

That's where we were.

[Allen]

But the big Red.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, the great American ballpark is what it was. Did you notice though the. I sent this in the group. I don't know if you saw.

[Allen]

See.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One of the. One of the ads on the high priced right behind home plate is a guy who roofing something something. Roofing.

[Allen]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I'm thinking to myself that's got to be a hell of a roofing company this guy's got.

[Allen]

Or it really tells you about the price they really can't sell between Cincinnati and the Bronx.

[Don Hahn]

I think that's.

[Allen]

Well, not the Bronx, but you get the idea.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're telling me that, you know, like we're going to get just your run of the mill like bodega can. Can you quick ad.

[Allen]

How much is he behind third base? We got a new. We have a new bacon, egg and cheese. We added hot sauce to the bacon, egg and cheese. We want it. We want to put it out. That's what we're thinking we could do here.

[Don Hahn]

That would be classic. So. So that's the baseball of it all. And Alan brought up that Stearns is going to speak at 4. So we'll have a lot of sound from that. We're really diving into the baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How about hockey?

[Don Hahn]

Matthew Darsh is going to join us, new general manager of the New York Islanders. They got the first overall pick in the draft which is coming up Friday. On Friday. And what are they going to do? Are they going to trade it? It's a lot happening there. So we're going to. We got a chance to talk to him and we're going to talk to him coming up at 4:00. But we digressed the start of the show because we're kind of touching on everything. But you know, the Boston Celtics kind of officially went into kind of rebuild mode, right, A reset mode while you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Were sleeping next year last night.

[Don Hahn]

And you know, just further showing the evidence that the Celtics are not a threat. Indiana is less of a threat now with Halliburton blowing out his, his Achilles in Milwaukee. You know, the issues there and no Lillard and it's really the door is just kind of flung open for this Knicks team and it's just really hard to ignore just how open this Eastern Conference just almost becomes daily for the New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Three of the top five teams that finished in the east have massive injury issues. Two of them also have luxury tax and you know, second apron implications that they are trying to work out. The Pacers probably would have written the check if Halliburton was healthy because they wanted to see all right, let's go for it next year. They might now change that plan because they've got to wait here. They got to punt the season. The Celtics are definitely trying to do it. I mean they so, so they traded Jrue Holiday who was a major piece in their championship last year. Them getting him as a. They got him after the Bucks traded him away. Remember he's got two rings now. He's also one with the Bucks.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And the Bucs traded for Lillard. They traded Jrue Holiday to Portland of all plays, which now he's back there in Portland. But they did it to save themselves $40 million in luxury tax. There's still 18 million though over that apron. So they still have more work to do. The next guy that they're trying to move, which is not going to be easy is Chris as Porzingis Al Horford. Like you're talking about. This isn't like ancillary pieces. These are important pieces of a team that was a championship caliber team for the last two years. And so it does tell you, it signifies that their focus right now while they'll try to compete, you know, wild card, six seed, whatever it is they're not going to be anywhere near. No. Tatum, you took Drew Holiday, who's been in such an important defender. They bring in assignments who is, he's a good player, but he doesn't really fit who they are as far as the defender and high iq. He's a, he's. It's a good scorer. There's a lot going on to watch in Boston and I don't think they're done yet. So we watch.

[Allen]

Probably not. Holiday hurts though. Let me just say that that means that what it certainly at least means is the championship. Celtics are dead. And that. And that does.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They got to remake themselves.

[Allen]

I will say that is disappointing because it did feel like to me it was going to be the first of at least a couple with this group. It was such a good group this year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They thought they'd get a back to back. And then when you looked at the league, you thought if they got into a finals healthy against the Thunder, you would take the Celtics because of their.

[Allen]

Experience and you would have taken the Celtics in the conference finals. And I can't just help but think about them handing off games one and two to the Knicks. Like that's just such a ridiculous thing to do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Holiday was playing through injury like, you know, there was a lot of stuff going on anyways. So I look at this and I just keep saying to myself this for those who remember, Don, you remember when Michael Jordan retired 93.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like the Knicks had just lost to the Bulls again. And it felt like they just can never get past Michael Jordan. Then he steps away from, from basketball to play baseball for all the reasons that we can debate some other time. And that was that signal of this is the time, this is the year right now. Now the Knicks weren't the only team, you know, the Patriots thought this was their time too. And they, they had a good team. But this was the go for it summer. And so when Doc Rivers early in that coming season blew out his knee, the Knicks were so like, no, no, no, no. We are all in on a championship. They went and got Derek Harper like an all star caliber point guard. They went all in to get him too. That's what you do. So I'm curious to see with Knicks still waiting to make a decision on a coach and they are hiring. I mean, I'm sorry, they're interviewing some names and I've given you some of these names. But I am curious to see when the business begins. Draft day, which is tomorrow, is what starts to happen in the east that signifies who's going to go for it while these top tier teams are going through injuries and resets and everything else. Because while KD is not in the east, so Miami didn't get them, that's important. The Knicks also passed, but does that mean there still isn't a big fish out there for them to get? And from what I understand, Giannis is not off the table yet. He has not said anything. The Bucks have made it clear they don't want to trade him. But it's a long summer, everybody. You never know when conversations start to begin and teams start to take shape and urgency starts to kick in.

[Don Hahn]

And I would think that as long as Dallas has not given Jason Kidd an extension, I don't care what you hear, I don't care what rumors, he is still very much in play for the Knicks, in my opinion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now let me just an aside to that. And I don't know this, I'm just, this is if I was in Dallas's situation. I have the number one pick of the draft tomorrow. He's a generational talent, Cooper Flag. Now, the Rockets answered the Knicks request for Emi Odoka by giving him an extension, a very lucrative one. They let it know not only can't you talk to him, we're locking him up so he's not even thinking about you anymore. Then they traded for kd. So they went all in. The Mavericks have Cooper Flag, they won the lottery. They have the number one pick, a generational talent, the player of the year. Are you really going to let your coach talk to another team right before the draft and distract everybody from the glory of you won the lottery and you got this guy Cooper Flagg or the two things that should have happened is this. They give Kid the extension because you know it's gotta be part of it. He got a two year extension last May. The Knicks. Kid could go to the Knicks and say, could go to the Mavs and say, all right, you won't let me talk to them. They were gonna give me a five year deal. Cause that's what you give coaches. They would five years, you gave me two, I need three more and then I'll forget about it. But if you're not gonna give me three more, you cost me three years of a contract. So they don't have any. So the Mavs should have right away said, okay, three years, you're done. Now you can't think about it. But they didn't.

[Don Hahn]

No, they haven't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So this means after the draft, will we either see the Mavs announce That they're extending him three more or are we gonna hear that the Mavs will let him talk to the Knicks?

[Don Hahn]

Now you talk about the optics of the draft, but the draft doesn't matter when it comes to a head coach. Dicks aren't going to have a coach in time, but it's a draft on Thursday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Optics though.

[Don Hahn]

Right, but it's the optics of it. But where it's important is July 1, when you're trying to convince free agents to come play for you. You want to have all your ducks in a row.

[Allen]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

So the draft, all right, we get through it this weekend because now it's a two day thing. Draft is over. I would think then you could say, all right, we're going to give Jason Kid the extension because I don't want to go on July 1st and have an issue where free agent be like, is Kid staying or going? What's happening? Give him a contract extension. I'll sign with you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you need to resolve for several reasons. And the Knicks need it resolved also because the Knicks are going to have. How do you, you know, it also goes along the lines of you're trying to have continuity. We're not trading any starters if that's what they're going to say. We just want to build out the bench is what they want to say. Okay, but if you're trying to build out a bench, how do you attract the bench player if a. You don't have a coach? Because the other part of it, the other argument is how do you attract a bench player if Tibbs is still coach and they're like, I'm not signing there because that guy doesn't play his bench anyway.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that's. But that's the idea.

[Don Hahn]

Now you can say, we'll see. Well, Don, why are you so confident it's going to be Kid when they're talking to Nori? Well, you want to let Kid know, hey, we're not waiting on you. Well, you can't anyway get in the ear of your owner because we're. You say, hey, they're interviewing other guys. I want to go there. Yeah, you know, so you, you got to keep things going in case the Mavericks all end up giving him the contract extension. Kid's not going to turn it down. You wouldn't think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

And the Knicks have to have their ducks in a row. So I still think it's possible, but I think that window after the draft is over to July 1st. We get closer to July 1st and there's no extension. I think Is every day we get closer to July 1. Dallas does not extend. Kid becomes a chance for the Knicks to swoop in and grab them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or draft night when you can send a pick or two. I mean, I'm not first round pick. Knicks don't have one.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But if you package a couple of seconds. They only have one second this year. But I mean, you want my 50th pick and I'll give you next year's second. I have a bunch of them anyway.

[Allen]

Why not? It could be worth it in this situation. It might be worth it.

[Don Hahn]

Garden could go dark on their two drafts. Rangers just gave up their 12th pick to push.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just saw that.

[Don Hahn]

Which is smart because next year's draft is deeper.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And we'll see what So I don't think that's a reflection on the Rangers thinking they're going to be worse and have a higher pick next year. I think it's because they believe whatever they might be picking at, say, 20th next year will be of more value than what they would take at 12 this year. Because that this year, this draft is not as deep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So not a great draft for the Islanders have the number one pick.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I mean, but if you have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Number one, you should get the best player.

[Don Hahn]

Right? But, but, but that doesn't necessarily reflect on the top of the draft.

[Allen]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

You might have one through three that are good. It just might be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Which by the way, guys, that's the NBA draft this year.

[Allen]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's quiet after five.

[Don Hahn]

And the Rangers no first round pick.

[Allen]

This is an ad by BetterHelp. It's okay to struggle. Real strength comes from opening up about what you're carrying and doing something about it so you can be at your best for yourself and everyone in your life. June is mental health awareness month, and men today face immense pressure to perform, to provide, to keep it all together. So it's no wonder that 6 million men in the US suffer from depression every year. And it's often undiagnosed. With over 35,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. And it works with an App store rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on over 1.7 million client reviews. As the largest online provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Talk it out with BetterHelp, our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com timeout. That's betterhelp.com timeout thanks for listening to.

[Unknown]

The Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Allen]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Unknown]

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

[Don Hahn]

Keep it locked in today for your chance to score VIP cabana at the ESPN New York beach bash. This Friday, enjoy your own table in the shade for up to 10 people with unlimited barbecue from 1 to 5pm Cabanas are cool, man. You'll laugh at me. The last time I got a cabana was at Sesame Place, but it was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good to go with.

[Allen]

No, listen, sometimes Don just has to make it rain.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What?

[Allen]

You know, let people know what a place to float.

[Don Hahn]

Wait, so you. You're dragging Maya and you're going to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Have a place that you're going to.

[Don Hahn]

Want to change her?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, no.

[Allen]

I know. I totally get the value.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The cabana was in front of the water thing, right? With the big bucket that fills up.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, yeah, yeah, exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Counts it down and then falls down on everybody.

[Don Hahn]

It's the best, I'm telling you. I mean, I might just go myself, because the count. The bucket fills up with water and it just dumps water on everybody. It is a pretty cool thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The kids go crazy because the minute you hear the count start going, 3, 2, 1. And then the gigantic bucket just jumping water off kids, they lose it.

[Allen]

Oh.

[Don Hahn]

It's a place to start, really. And luckily, I've heard great things about Sesame Place. But we get the cabana because Peter, who can't be seen in the upper deck of an arena because it's bad for his brand, wouldn't be changing. Maya in the public bathroom is also, I would think, one of the things you believe you're above.

[Allen]

Hold on. You have to hear me. You're not hearing me. I 100% agree with what you've done. I'm laughing at the idea of the last. But I. I would do. Oh. I mean, that sounds. If you could have the option to have privacy when you have little children to deal with. Oh, hell yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course.

[Allen]

And I want to say something else to Don. My hatred of the upper deck is not about being seen. It's just about view of the game.

[Don Hahn]

I don't care about being seen.

[Allen]

Come on. Who wants to watch a game from that high?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, it depends on where you are, because my mother and I used to go to. I used, for her birthday, take it to a Mets game every year, and we would always choose home plate. Upper deck, Shay. Like, right. Because it's a great view of the game. Yeah, it's just a nice.

[Allen]

You have the whole field.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's. You're not spending what you'd have to spend all the way down. Right.

[Allen]

Especially if you bring in the whole.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Family and you got a shot at a foul ball.

[Allen]

By the way, baseball tickets in general don't care as much. It's basketball and hockey. You can't see the puck. I don't. I can't do 400.

[Don Hahn]

It's all thanks to Bar A, the Jersey Shores most popular and diverse restaurant.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who's coming?

[Don Hahn]

Payment facility. I'm there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who's. Who's there?

[Don Hahn]

I'm going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Plant your flag now. Let us know who's going to be there.

[Don Hahn]

Roll call and FanDuel, America's number one sportsbook. Go to FanDuel.com or download the app. You got to get the sponsors.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry.

[Don Hahn]

Otherwise there's no cabana.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's no cabana if we don't get the sponsors. In my bed. I thought you were done.

[Don Hahn]

But no, Peter made a great even before he had mine. It's like, you don't want to spoil the kids with great and we have the ability to get kids great tickets.

[Allen]

Yeah, I've always worried about that.

[Don Hahn]

So, you know, Jalen and Marco would probably benefit from, you know, watching a few games in the upper deck to just let them know that's how, you know, daddy people live. Not in the ESPN suite, by the way.

[Allen]

Meanwhile. Meanwhile. So far, what is it? Maya just hit five months in one week. By the time she goes to her first WWE show, she will have already met the Undertaker. Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch. I'm already failing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

She might be the 24 7.

[Allen]

She could already be champion by the time she. So who am I to talk? But I'm trying my best because the seats thing, I didn't have a good seat at a game or on a plane in basically until my late 30s.

[Don Hahn]

Me too.

[Allen]

Now, I did. I'll tell you where I had great seats last night, though. Paul Simon.

[Don Hahn]

Very good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How'd that go?

[Allen]

I just want to give a shout out to my dear friends at Madison Square Garden. I paid for tickets, bought them, you'll be happy to know, full price, but I got them from msg. And so when I tell you my seat, don was probably 15 rows back from the stage at Beacon. But my. I was 100% squarely facing Paul Simon. I might have been in the exact location. He was standing 25ft straight away. It was great. Obviously, if you saw him at snl, you know, he doesn't quite sound the Same. That's why these shows are called A Quiet Celebration. He doesn't hit the big songs, but I do want to ask you guys something.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Allen]

I'm going to skip past the first few songs because they're from his last project, Seven Psalms, which I'm sure you haven't heard, but I strongly recommend. It's. It's actually very, very good. Very low key. Played them all together. No breaks between songs. It was like a little 30 minute experience of his last project. Right. But then he does 8 to 22, like 14 songs. I want you guys to tell me your familiarity with these songs because I can't judge if, like, obviously some are obvious, but some I was like, I was really excited for and the people didn't know and I thought, oh, I'm kind of that guy, I guess, with Paul Simon.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Allen]

Graceland, of course. Slip Sliding Away, Train in the Distance.

[Don Hahn]

Okay. Okay.

[Allen]

Allen, yes or no? Be honest. There's no. There's no shame here, you know. Training the Distance.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well or no? Yeah, I mean, well. Can I sing it? No. The first two. Yes. That one I know.

[Allen]

Training the Distance.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know.

[Allen]

Don, you're familiar.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Allen]

Homeward Bound.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Of course.

[Allen]

The late, great Johnny Ace.

[Don Hahn]

I feel like I should know it.

[Allen]

It's an incredible song, but the crowd didn't seem to know. And I love it, but, like, I got familiar with it.

[Don Hahn]

Where's it from?

[Allen]

The first time I think it's from. It's from. Not Hearts and bones. No, no.

[Don Hahn]

80S.

[Allen]

Early 80s. Under African skies.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Allen]

And Edie Brickell came out and did.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, really?

[Allen]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why?

[Allen]

St. Judy's Comet. Renee and Georgette Magritte with their dog after the War. Fan or no?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Allen]

No. But a lot of people didn't seem to know it. Then he did a rewrite, which is recent, from the early 2000s. And then he did two songs from rhythm of the Saints, which, I'll be honest, are not two of the songs I listen to regularly. Spirit Voices and. And the Cool, Cool River. Not two of the main songs that I knew from that. Then he does Me and Julio and encores with. You could probably pick them. 50 Ways to Leave your lover. The Boxer and Sound of Silence.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fantastic.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Allen]

But it is interesting to me that he closes with, you know, the Boxer and Sound of Silence are basically the two biggest songs that he's still comfortable doing. But it's so funny because neither of them are my Paul Simon, like, at all. Isn't that funny?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Allen]

The boxers I don't like. I know the boxer Is as gigantic as it gets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Boxer.

[Allen]

And I'm not. I'm not of the boxer guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Boxer is one of the great songs in American history.

[Allen]

I know, I know. I'm not knocking it. I'm not saying it's not true.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you just don't feel.

[Allen]

It's just not one that I'm going to like, start putting. Making it more part of my regular repertoire. I knew it would be one of the last two songs and everyone.

[Don Hahn]

But like, I don't know how it's not. Honestly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Allen]

I don't know. It's just.

[Don Hahn]

It's got to be one of his favorite.

[Allen]

Well, it's certainly one of the biggest now.

[Don Hahn]

When I saw him at the art center. This is going back 20 years ago.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Don Hahn]

He did do Bridge Over Troubled Water.

[Allen]

Oh, I've seen him do that many times.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know how rare that is. But I could also see him not being able. That. That's probably why.

[Allen]

That's why.

[Don Hahn]

You know, they call me Ali can't do. Because there's certain. He just can't do it. But now listen.

[Allen]

And Lake great Johnny Ace is on Hearts and Bones.

[Don Hahn]

The problem with. With for me, because Bridge Over Trouble Water is my favorite song ever.

[Allen]

So Art number one or his number one.

[Don Hahn]

That's my. That's my number one song of all time. I want to play it at my.

[Allen]

Wake funeral on repeat. Or should we just play it once?

[Don Hahn]

I'll probably just Once is enough. Hold on. You know what?

[Allen]

Hold on. No, no, no. Anthony. Anthony. Tell Juanito at Don's.

[Don Hahn]

Wait.

[Allen]

I think he'd be happy to do it.

[Don Hahn]

I think. Well, I. I would hope.

[Allen]

We need Bridge Over Troubled Water. Write that down. All right, go ahead.

[Don Hahn]

But, you know, Art's the guy, though. No, Paul wrote it.

[Allen]

I know, but. But yeah, now I will say he did. He did a cool trick on a couple of the records. He's. You know, he's one of those guys. I love that when he does live always changes parts, either words or tune. Play something different on the guitar. Like he found ways to change the pitch or key to make it work in a different way. But it. But I'm not gonna lie, it does make you feel a little sad and just look at your life a little bit that it's. He's up there, he looks the same, but his voice just isn't there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He can't do it.

[Don Hahn]

But the boxer, that's. You got the boxer. You should be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's.

[Don Hahn]

That's good.

[Allen]

Oh, no, no. He.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To Hear him sing the Sound of Silence for me.

[Allen]

For me what made it special, right? For me, what made it special was that he did St. Judy's Comet late great Johnny Ace. Like, those are records that I personally love that I. I've never heard him do. Okay, so it was great, man. Shout out to Paul Sign.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[Allen]

I hope that people still care about a word I have to say in my 80s. I'm hoping they care in my 40s. What? What? Did someone say something?

[Don Hahn]

No. Yeah, we. We're just going to. We're going to put the phone away. 1-800-919-3776. Let's go to Dave in the car. You're on ESPN, New York.

[E]

Hey, thanks for having me on, guys. I want to pose a question to you. I'm going to say a few things and then just pose a question. We just watched the Knicks, as successful as they were this past season, there was a struggle for them to gain chemistry, and it finally came in the playoffs. So there's that you get rid of Tibbs, there's that you have a new coach coming in. So the question I have is this. And the thing that's killing me about Durant not being taken by them, we don't even know how this team is going to gel under a new coach if they couldn't do it in a system that was already built within the culture of Tibbs. So the bigger question I have is, can anybody explain to me what would it have hurt to have that Kevin Durant for the last three years, he's in the NBA at the level of efficiency he plays at, which would have elevated the entire team, could take off pressure when the new coach comes in. Now, you're telling me this is a team that could shut down the east, but as it looks now, I do not think it's a cakewalk for the Knicks in the East Conference.

[Don Hahn]

What if. What if Kid comes and because of Kid, you get Giannis? Because I agree with everything that you're saying, Dave, but would you be as critical if they get Kid and you find out that because of Kid, you get Giannis?

[E]

I'm going to be critical for this. I'm still going to stay critical until I see what's around Giannis and Brunson. I'm going to stay critical because I get a feeling from Rose what he's left me with as a fan, and then I'll get off the call, we're good enough. We're that close.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really?

[E]

So you're so sold you're going to Get Giannis, and no one else in the east has more to offer. That's how good your team is. Five teams get Giannis in the east, and the Knicks don't stand a chance of coming out of the East. You can name any five you want, even some of the worst teams. So I'll let you give me feedback. But it's just sickening that they didn't take your risk.

[Don Hahn]

All I. All I'm saying is, is that, well, I'm sickening for Duran. I mean, however you want to feel about it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So your extension. Hundred plus million dollars.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And he's gonna be 37.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And also the pieces off your team that you'd be giving up for all of this for. Again, I understand you wanted to see them get a star, but is that the right move or is the better move to see what happens with Giannis? Whenever the hell it's going to happen?

[Don Hahn]

All I ask Nick fans to do is can we hold the criticism of Leon Rose and the Knicks until we find out what the pivot is? Because if it's Kid and Giannis, I don't think you're going to complain right now. If it ends up being Nori and no Giannis and you. And you lose, you know you lose, you win 45 games next year, then you have every reason to complain. But can we find out what it looks like first before we start?

[Peter Rosenberg]

We're not even at July 1st yet.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, exactly. So let's not panic just yet. Joel Sherman had some very interesting things to say about Anthony Volpe on the K Show. We'll dive into that next on Don Hanna Rosenberg on ESPN New York.

[Allen]

I have a message from BetterHelp. It's okay to struggle. Real strength comes from opening up about what you're carrying and doing something about it so you can be at your best for yourself and everyone in your life. June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, and men today face immense pressure to perform, to provide, and to keep it all together. So it's no wonder that 6 million men in the US suffer from depression every year, and it's often undiagnosed. With over 35,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. And it works with an App store rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on over 1.7 million client reviews. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Talk it out with BetterHelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first [e-mail] timeout. That's betterhelp.com timeout.

[Unknown]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Allen]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Unknown]

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

[Don Hahn]

This whole song is a hideout. There is no easy part of this song. He's got the voice of an angel.

[Allen]

Although it does. It is disrespect by Jacob, though. I'm gonna say this. It was the right production that he did because that's what Don talked about. But to do a whole segment about Paul Simon's concert and come back with Garfunkel, it's. You might as well punch the man in the gut. You're just seeing him, right? Just slap a spit in your face. That's not the Greco said. No, that's not right.

[Don Hahn]

Garfunkel's entire career has lived in the shadow of Paul. So every once in a while he gets a little.

[Allen]

But, you know. I know. But for me, you know, I'm a Paul guy. Although I do. I do have a hunch that the issues between them are Paul and not Art. That's always the way it's felt to me.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Allen]

It's always felt that way.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Allen]

He was. Art was tall and good looking and Paul was not. And that's just that, to me is the original essence of the issue that Art was the heartthrob. This I've never. Don going back to middle school. And Paul never quite got over that. Art was naturally. That Paul was like the. More was the brilliant one. Right. And Art was the one who got a lot of eyeballs. That to me, is the origin story of their issues.

[Don Hahn]

But it's still as aged as it's Paul Simon. And like, Art's along for the ride. That's the way it's aged.

[Allen]

Yeah, but that's not.

[Don Hahn]

But because how big a monster Paul became when they broke up.

[Allen]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

And then Art did movies and he had a nice solo career too.

[Allen]

But what's our biggest solo record?

[Don Hahn]

Oh, the name is. I actually have it autographed. It's hanging in my man cave. But all of a sudden it's escaping me the name of the album. But he had two or three. He had some hits. And then of course he did. He did Carnal Knowledge with Jack Nicholson. So he was an actor for a while. But Paul. Paul was the monster.

[Allen]

I mean, he's one of the. He's one of the all timers. You see, you could feel it yesterday at the show. I mean in your 80s to do five sold out nights at the Beacon. It's impressive the man still. And by the way. And everyone knows your voice is basically lost and you're still going, but they're.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There to see you.

[Allen]

They're still selling it out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's less about Entertain me clown and more like make sure we see.

[Allen]

We just want to see you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like I want to, I want to say I saw you because you know, you get to that age, there is.

[Don Hahn]

There is something that's when I saw Brian Wilson. Brian Wilson was a shell of himself when I saw him. But to say, hey, I saw Brian Wilson, right? You know, there's something to that.

[Allen]

Paul still plays great by the way, and walks great like he, he looks like he's in wonderful shape for someone.

[Don Hahn]

Tremendous guitar.

[Allen]

It's just his voice is right, not quite there.

[Don Hahn]

So Volpe's been a thing. Obviously his struggles.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fans are already. That's just.

[Don Hahn]

And, and I found a couple of things interesting. This is from Buster Olney on DNR this morning. And he was asked, do you understand why Volpe gets so much criticism?

[F]

I don't know. I've been trying to figure this out because my time covering the Yankees, it always feels like there's one or two players that get a lot of scrutiny. And I double checked after talking with you guys, I checked myself and called around folks with other teams and asked them, hey, what do you think of Volpe? Because I know how much criticism he gets from the Yankees fan base. And the feedback that I get from other teams is exactly what I see, which is he's okay. Like he's a, he's an average major league shortstop. He's not great. He obviously is not in the conversation with guys like Lynn Dore. But if you look at his offensive performance, I look checked it again this morning. Adjusted OPS plus is 101, which means he's average. His defensive metrics are average. He's going to finish the year and his current pace right around three and a half wins above replacement, which is average. Because when take a guy in the first round, at the end of the first round and you get an average major league player, I can tell you front offices would sign up for that all the time.

[Allen]

Well, here's the problem.

[Don Hahn]

Here's the problem.

[Allen]

Here's the, here's the, here's the, here's.

[Don Hahn]

The issue is that it's who they could have had. They didn't want to landlock Volpe. So they didn't sign Trevor Story. They didn't go after Seeger. There were big shortstops they could have traded or signed in free agency. They didn't want to do it because they said, volpe is going to be our shortstop. So average isn't going to cut it because he's going to be held up to what could have been had. They said, you know what, Volpe is going to be good, but I think we could do better. That's why he's criticized. Yeah. Getting an average shortstop late in the first round, you know, and he's won a Gold Glove and he hit 20 home runs in his rookie year. He hasn't been bad. But Allen, they could have had an all star shortstop and they said, we don't want to landlock Volpe.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Give me a break. All right. Trevor Story. Trevor Story is going to make you. Going to change.

[Don Hahn]

It hasn't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He has not really. He's been hurt. He has not been the. Like he showed you something early on on in Colorado. He has not been the same guy. He's good. He's not great. Like, he's also. He's average at this point.

[Don Hahn]

But weren't you sold, Alan, as a Yankee fan, that Volpe was gonna be better?

[Peter Rosenberg]

The belief was this was the next one. He was anointed as such. He was the prodigal son and all that stuff. The kid from Jersey grew up a Yankees fan, all that. Right. I completely understand it. But I also like Buster. I also don't understand why. Why there's so much vitriol. This is like, we're not talking about, like, I couldn't stand watching Gary Sanchez play baseball.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he was. Oh, he was another one. He was. He was effervescing with talent, but he was maddening. Why? Because he looked lazy. He looked like he didn't give a damn. He looked like conditioning to him. Was. Was something that other people talked about.

[Allen]

Didn't run it didn't run a base hit out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like there was just a lot of things about him that drove you crazy. Glen Guerator as Same thing. Like a guy who had so much talent, but for whatever reason, always looked like he was probably like, you know, he probably could put some more sprints in. He didn't really lock in mentally. Frustrating as hell. Volpe looks like a guy that gives you everything he's got. And maybe, just maybe, he is not overflowing with talent, but all the other stuff, there's a reason to root for him. And instead we want to Run him out of town. We want to kick him out. I can't stand how we treat this kid.

[Don Hahn]

I understand, but it set a certain value when they could have done better. Shortstop. The thing with Sanchez was, all we kept being told is, no, no, you don't see it. He's good. He's the best framer in baseball. You know, like they always try to tell you, you don't know what you're seeing. When you saw everything, you know exactly what Gary Sanchez, that was the problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Guy played like he didn't give a damn. Now he's the third catcher on the.

[Don Hahn]

On the Orioles.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Orioles, yeah, I just saw.

[Don Hahn]

So here's Joel Sherman on K. It might be time to send Volpe down.

[G]

Go ask anybody who scouted Anthony Volpe as an amateur. They would tell you he was a terrific hitter, right? He played on a Pan Am team that had Bobby Witt Jr Riley Green, C.J. abrams and a few others. He hit third on that team because he was a terrific hitter. And the. And he is between philosophies, he doesn't get on first base. He's Now, I think, eight for 15 and stolen bases. He's been thrown out nearly as much as he has. The sport is caught up to the hop, hop timing mechanism thing. And so to me, a lot of his assets which was he was going to be a good hitter, a base stealer, a defender, like some of that is gone, it seems in his head now. I do wonder if he could use a pit stop, even if it means using Peraza, who you would least.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[G]

Defends at a very high level for a little bit because this is a guy.

[E]

Mike.

[G]

One of the things I've written consistently for about a year and a half about Anthony Volpe now is he doesn't go into slumps, he goes into death spirals.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Offense, well put. I don't have a problem with it. Got to get him right. There's nothing wrong with it if he's not right. Get him right, you got the options. You use him, you get him right. And there's nothing wrong with that. You're still trying to do right by your player to get him where he needs to be. What I saw last night, when you're swinging and missing as bad as he was and then losing the bat, bat was flying out of his hands. He had won that bat with twice, lost the bat swung miss and the bat just went flying. And Paul o' Neal, like you could hear it in his voice because you know he wants to be careful not to not to rip the kid, but he's just letting you know with the eye that of course, Paul o' Neill has as a hitter. He's like, man, when your hip just flies open like that and the ball and the bat's just slipping out of your hands. Yeah. Like you got so many mechanical issues, I don't know where to begin. And that's clearly what's going on here. And maybe they tried to do something. We don't know. The Yankees do crazy stuff with you with analytics and numbers. Who knows if somebody got to him in the, in the off season about you need to start doing this and it's got him completely wrecked. We have no idea. Wasn't he one of the torpedo back guys?

[Don Hahn]

Oh, yeah, I think so.

[Allen]

Yeah, he was one of the torpedo back. He was hitting bombs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

First day or two, he was just bashing them.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But so we thought maybe he was onto something and obviously everything else has calmed down. I just don't think he is a disaster of a player. I think he's a mess right now and they got to get him right. That's it.

[Don Hahn]

And you have the ability where you are in the American League to say, I think we can do that because you got to get him right. Because again, you have big.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's not helping you.

[Don Hahn]

Right. He's not helping you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's got the reason why you're losing, but he's not helping.

[Don Hahn]

But you're going to need him if you're going to win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I agree.

[Unknown]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.

[Unknown]

Hear more of Don, Alan and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.