Hour 1: Giannis Stays, Knicks Acquire Alvarado

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Giannis Stays, Knicks Acquire Alvarado
ESPN New York | February 5, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

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Episode Overview

This lively episode dives into the fallout of the NBA trade deadline, particularly focusing on two key storylines:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo not being traded (the "greatest non-trade in Knicks basketball") and what it means for the Knicks’ title aspirations;
• The Knicks acquiring Jose Alvarado, a move the hosts believe brings toughness and crucial bench depth.

Mixing basketball analysis with classic banter and banter with callers, the hosts break down last night’s double-overtime Knicks win, speculate on future franchise moves, and explore the evolving mentality of the Knicks and their fans.

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Major Discussion Points and Insights

The “Greatest Non-Trade” — Giannis Remains in Milwaukee

• Knicks fans’ anticipation and relief: The possibility of Giannis being traded was at the center of NBA rumors, but the “greatest non-trade in history in Knicks basketball” (01:00, Don) renews hope for a future blockbuster, while preventing a season-derailing roster shakeup.
• Impact on Team Morale: The hosts agree the locker room would be buzzing after news of Giannis staying put, cementing a sense of belief and endorsement from Knicks management.
  Don: “Let’s show the world ... Leon Rose is betting on us.” (08:22)
• Future speculation: Alan reiterates that the “Giannis conversation will get hot and heavy again before the draft in June” (11:34). The Knicks neither mortgaged key assets nor saw an Eastern rival get the Greek Freak—meaning the door is still open in summer.

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Knicks’ Identity, Resilience & Double OT Win

• Double-OT victory over Denver as a turning point:
  • Hahn recounts the intensity and significance of the win—highlighting Jalen Brunson's leadership and refusal to cede “his court” to opposing stars.
  • Brunson’s response to Jamal Murray’s hot start is singled out: “He had 24 at the half. And Brunson said, hold my beer. This is my court.” (04:10, Alan)
• Karl-Anthony Towns (“Cat”) narrative:
  • “The fans are chanting his name. ... Maybe it took him bleeding from the head to get his head right.” (05:50, Alan)
  • The group agrees that Cat’s ability to activate under adversity mirrors a classic “Rocky” moment (07:00).
• Home court advantage:
  • Knicks are 21-6 at home; Brunson’s emergence means “opposing stars [find it’s] not your court anymore” (05:15, Alan).

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Jose Alvarado Trade — “The Dog They Needed”

• Alvarado’s fit:
  • Native New Yorker, defensive pest, and tough-minded “dog” off the bench.
  • Acquired via a series of transactions without giving up rotation pieces (12:35, Alan).
• Replacing Deuce McBride:
  • Necessary due to McBride’s core injury that may sideline him until playoffs.
• Sneaky value:
  • “There’s always these trades teams make that nobody notices ... and I think Alvarado is that kind of guy” (13:54, Alan).
• Callers’ enthusiasm:
  • Immediate love for the trade—“Alvarado, I know what a pest he is ... we got ourselves a native New Yorker who’s ready to do it.” (18:52, Javier, caller)

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Knicks’ Trajectory and Remaining Questions

• Championship aspirations:
  • Are the Knicks different enough from last year?
  • “The results are very similar ... So do you now believe in this team to ... get to the NBA final?” (14:46, Alan)
• Bench & coaching:
  • Mike Brown’s coaching, more depth, and subtle improvements argued to make a real difference.
• Eastern Conference outlook:
  • With “Pacers gone. Tatum gone. This should, in theory, be an easier path to the finals” (15:31, Peter).

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Giannis’ Instagram Post & The “Legend” Narrative

• Giannis posts: Wolf of Wall Street “I’m not leaving” scene and the quote “Legends don’t chase, they attract.” (40:13, Alan)
• Mixed reactions from hosts:
  • Don: “He’s trying so hard not to be that guy. And he’s nothing but such a fraud with it.” (40:33)
  • Rosenberg: “He’s truly that guy.” (40:29)
  • Alan: “He won’t say the words we all know he should say—which is, I really want to play in New York.” (41:40)
• Speculation on meaning:
  • Is Giannis saying he wants talent to come to him in Milwaukee, or that teams should come for him?
• Broader NBA theme: It’s hard for stars to “attract” co-stars to small markets—a point compared to LeBron’s Cleveland tenure (45:05, Alan).

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• On the “non-trade”:
  Don: “The greatest non trade in Knicks basketball.” (01:00)
• On Jalen Brunson taking command:
  Alan: “Brunson said, hold my beer. This is my court.” (04:10)
• On the Cat/Knicks marriage:
  Don: “If this ends up being what I think it can be, we’ll look back at last night as one of those turning points...” (01:55)
• On Alvarado’s homecoming:
  Javier, caller: “We got ourselves a native New Yorker who’s ready to do it.” (18:55)
• Giannis Instagram reaction:
  Rosenberg: “He is truly that guy.” (40:29)
  Don: “He’s trying so hard not to be that guy ... and he’s nothing but such a fraud with it.” (40:33)
• On small-market superstars attracting talent:
  Alan: “LeBron couldn’t get people to come to Cleveland. You think Giannis is getting people to come to Milwaukee?” (45:10)

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Key Segment Timestamps

• [01:00] — Discussion of Giannis’ “non-trade” and team morale ramifications
• [03:44] — Analysis of Knicks’ double-OT win over Denver
• [05:15] — Brunson’s home-court culture; opposing stars’ struggles at MSG
• [12:35] — Details of the Alvarado trade; impact of McBride’s injury
• [14:46] — Knicks’ chances for a deeper playoff run
• [15:31] — East “easier path” argument
• [18:55] — Caller: Alvarado’s NYC fit and toughness
• [40:13] — Giannis’ IG post and hosts’ mixed reactions
• [45:05] — Comparison to LeBron’s Cleveland days, small-market struggles

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Caller Highlights & Listener Takes

• Humor: Multiple callers refer to the “drop your pants” theme from early in the show (01:17, 15:58)
• Optimism for Alvarado: Multiple fans love the acquisition, viewing him as a spark plug and essential defender.
• Giannis anticipation: The summer is circled as the real window for a deal, with fans relieved neither the Knicks nor a rival overpaid at the deadline.
• Knicks’ “family business” meme: The idea that family/ties (Brunson and his dad, Giannis and his brother, LeBron and his son) could become a Knicks trend (19:09)
• Mitchell Robinson appreciation: Discussion of his unique impact, despite limited minutes due to injury management (“He’s become invaluable even in limited minutes” – Alan, 22:58)
• Fun, meta back-and-forth: Friendly caller ribbing, Peter’s past radio comments, and playful in-group jokes showcase the show’s rapport and New York flavor.

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains the trademark blend of intense Knicks/NBA analysis, sharp humor, and New York sensibility. Hosts aren’t afraid to tease each other, vent about player “frauds,” or throw a little shade at Giannis’ brand of superstar crypticism. Calls are integrated naturally, adding flavor and street-level support for the city’s basketball heartbeat.

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For Knicks fans and New Yorkers, this episode reinforced belief in the current roster, celebrated new blood like Alvarado, and set the table for a wild summer—when the Giannis chase may heat up again. The Garden is rocking, the vibes are high, and for once the Knicks stood pat without regrets.

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For full context and the full array of jokes, caller stories, and classic Don-Hahn-Rosenberg needle drops, check out the full podcast!

Transcript

[A]

Don.

[B]

I had never seen holes like that before.

[A]

Han. I'm not comfortable touching it. I'm not. No. And Rosenberg.

[C]

I'm not breastfeeding. No, but I.

[A]

That's too bad.

[B]

This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[A]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[D]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[A]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube. Oh, that is the deadline. Stop what you're doing. Drop your pencils and your pants. Why?

[B]

Wait, what?

[C]

Wait, who drops their pants?

[A]

I don't think anybody should drop their pants. Why not?

[B]

Are you in or you out?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Do you want.

[C]

You want great radio or not?

[A]

Right. Right now I'm in. I'm very in.

[C]

So that's it. Deadline's done. Giannis on the Knicks. Can you believe it?

[A]

What an amazing trade deadline moment this was. God, what. What a. What a trade that went down. Yeah.

[B]

The greatest non trade in history in Knicks basketball.

[A]

Wow. The greatest non. Non trade.

[B]

The greatest non trade. If it ends up that they get Giannis in the off season, you'll look back at this day and say, who's the greatest non deal? Like if he ends up in Minnesota or Miami. Nick, fans are freaking out. Everybody's ready to jump ship. Now you can get. Just settle in. It's all coming together. Nick fans, embrace the madness, man. It's coming together.

[C]

You're feeling it.

[B]

Well, and who benefits from this the most as a player? The one guy that jumps to mind, that benefits from Giannis not being traded.

[A]

Cat is cat, yo. Yeah.

[B]

And then last night, cats bleeding at the foul line. The fans are chanting his name. It's coming together.

[C]

I like it. I like this. I'm telling you, I do.

[B]

A double overtime win against the timings.

[C]

The timings. This is good.

[A]

Let him cook, dude.

[B]

I'm just telling you that if this ends up being what I think it can be, we'll look back at last night is kind of one of those turning points when you're going over the DVD of the season, if they still do that, the YouTube video, whatever, this is where the music starts to build. Right. The night before the trade deadline. Giannis on the block. The Knicks deciding whether they want to be all in or out with this team. Kat having a slow start to his season. Disgruntled at times, tough relationship with the fans. Bleeding at the foul line. Hits his foul shots. His name being chanted. The Knicks win in double overtime over the Nuggets. And Joker. The next day, Giannis is not dealt. The Knicks go on a run. Come on, man. It's there.

[A]

It's there.

[B]

You don't have to be Shakespeare. You don't have to be Joyce. You don't even have to be Lupica. This is right in itself, right in front of you. That's why you're dropping your pants.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

In your pants.

[C]

Chocolate saucer.

[B]

It's the opposite.

[A]

No, I like this. I love the. I like this take a lot. I think. I think what you're saying.

[B]

No, no, I'm not lying. I'm feeling it, man. You're not feeling it.

[A]

Well, what you. What you saw last night was definitely a sensation. That was a battle, man. Like, that was. That was a knockdown, drag out. Denver wanted that game so bad. They were playing Jokic double the minutes he was supposed to play. He was supposed to stop at like 28, 29 minutes. He wasn't really supposed to go over 30, but he wanted to win. They wanted to win. They were all in. Knicks were all in. Knock down, drag out. Should have ended after the first overtime, but that's a conversation for another day.

[C]

And it's a game that you. If you lose, it's completely reasonable.

[A]

I lose it. You just feel like, all right, we laid it out there. But that's a really. Denver is considered one of the top title contenders in the NBA, and they have been playing really well, very good basketball.

[C]

But they didn't lose. That's the beauty. You could have, and you didn't.

[A]

Well, what. What you saw. And again, before we get into the trade stuff, this. This is also why, when we talk about this team and the window they're in right now, I watched Jalen Brunson say to Jamal Murray, who had 20 first quarter points and their sideline was kind of doing the 5, 0. Oh, he's going for 50. 50 in the card, right? And I even said it to their sideline reporter. I go, he going for 50, isn't he? He's putting on a show. And, you know, and to her credit, she said, he tends to have big quarters, but they don't always last. And I said, well, I think he's going for 50. He had 24 at the half. And Brunson said, hold my beer. This is my court. And we haven't. Again, that's always been the problem. Other stars would come in, I'm taking over the court. LeBron came in Sunday. He didn't think he wanted to put on a show. Luka winking, smiling, pointing at celebrities. They had a little lead. He was knocking down some threes. What happened after that? Nothing. Because that's what this team has established is the opposing teams come in. It is not easy. It is not your court anymore. That's what we've seen. That's what Jalen Brunson has done. And I think that's critical, man. That's critical. When you have in the past the. The Tatums and the Browns and the Halliburtons walking in Embiid, right, Walking in the building and trying to take it over. And this group, they're 21, 6 at home this season, 21 and 6 in the garden. That's a lot of winning in the building that the home team has felt a lot of stress trying to win. So the first thing I want to acknowledge is that part of it, you're in that place right now where you've got a guy that doesn't let opposing stars take over your building. And then on top of it, you had a franchise that didn't, as you said, Don, get desperate and chase another superstar. Like you were saying this yesterday. You've been saying this for a couple of days about that desperation of, we need a savior. We need. No, they looked and said, we got one. Nobody wants to believe it, but that dude, he's. He's different. He's special. And this team that they've built, you can see they have different ways they can play. They can do a defensive lineup. They can try to score. And the last thing, as I said, the last thing that was left was, can they get Towns? Can they get his head right? Maybe it took him bleeding from the head to get his head right because he was a different player when he came out.

[C]

He is that kind of guy, right? He is the kind of guy who. He sees his own blood, and all of a sudden he starts going crazy. Like, we see that he has that.

[A]

No, he's getting mad.

[C]

It always comes back to Rocky, doesn't it?

[A]

I can't help it. I call. It's the best move, but.

[C]

But I don't. We definitely can't pretend like it's not in Cat. It's there. And you love the timing of it all, because Don's right. There's a world in which the honest trade happens and it's the beginning of the end of Katie. He ends up going one place, then someplace else, and the wheels could quickly fall off.

[A]

Don.

[C]

Instead, you get a huge win, and you can start to get really excited about this team in the second half of the season.

[B]

And, you know, we've said on two separate occasions that it is ironic that he's having what is looked upon as his worst year, although it's not a bad year, it's an all star year.

[A]

Yeah, he's still an all star.

[B]

It's still, you know, compared to his, the back of his basketball card. Not the year that he would want to have, coincidentally on a year where his name is being thrown around in a possible Giannis deal. And now at least he knows for the rest of this season, which could really turn out to be something special he doesn't have to worry about. And if he plays to the best of his ability and Brunson plays the way he played last night after a tough first quarter, then why can't this team get a shot? And I'm sure that room, when they heard that news from Shams earlier that Milwaukee is not trading Giannis, that they're high fiving going, they believe in us, let's go.

[C]

Why not us?

[B]

And let's show the world that they're right, that Leon Rose is betting on us. Let's show him. And I think this fan base is ready to embrace it and let's see what happens. Right. I don't think they're winning a championship because, you know, the Thunder or the Thunder, but stranger things have happened.

[A]

Well this weekend once again, I mean last night was the start of it and that was a hell of a game. But they play at Detroit tomorrow night in as we know, I mean that's, that's the scene of the crime. That's the worst loss of the season. That's where it really hit rock bottom, that game where whatever they were going through was really exposed badly and they were really pointing fingers. You saw, it was a lifeless team. They go there and then they play at Boston Sunday afternoon. Another place where, when they went back there, you know, so that this weekend is another, you know, they've won eight in a row and yet all we keep doing is, oh, you still got to make another statement. Well, you still got to make another statement. That's the way we are in a regular season. But they over an eight game winning streak have gotten themselves back and you take out, what are they at 52 games now. Right. So 30, 33 and 18. Done. Help me with the map.

[B]

It's on 51.

[A]

51 game. The 52 is Friday. So 51 games. Take the, take the 2 and 9 over 11 out.

[B]

Ball.

[A]

Just because that's their bad stretch. Right? That was their bad stretch. So take the 2 and 9 out and you're at 31 and 9 right now.

[B]

That happened. But they Overcame it. I see. I don't mind including the 2 and 9, because that could cripple a team and that could get them doubting themselves and maybe the organization doubting themselves and panicking. But they've answered that by winning eight in a row. Now. I wouldn't put too much stock. I know it's sexy, Detroit and Boston over the weekend. But you could be facing Detroit third game of four nights.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And. And then you got Boston on a short term, like, listen, I'm not saying that. I'm not excusing them for losing both games, and I'm not saying you shouldn't be concerned if you got blown out, but, I mean, you got to take some of these things into consideration when you're trying to make it the end all be all. And again, last year, look what happened against Boston and you still beat him when it counted. So I wouldn't get nuts if we come up on Monday and the Knicks, you know, lost both games or maybe split, but lost to Detroit. I think this team is proven what they are. But hey, every statement in the regular season, I guess you want to, you're going to have moments. You got Detroit and Boston back to back. You don't want to go into. But I wouldn't get nuts.

[A]

So 800 now. 3, 7, 7, 6. Let's get into calls, reactions from Knicks fans. So we, we've talked about it. If he went to another team, I'm sure Knicks fans would have been upset. Yeah, but the fact that Giannis is still there and I now, as I've been trying to tell you all along, we started this back in June, talking about this. I do believe that the Giannis conversation will get hot and heavy again before the draft in June, and I do think that's when it's going to get real.

[C]

But you were dead on about it not being realistic.

[A]

Well, again, we're just, we're just following.

[C]

You know, the bread, the tea leaves, the breadcrumbs.

[A]

Yeah, but, but that's when it's going to get real again. And that's where the Knicks will know who they are at that point. Right. But right now, this is that this is the team. He stays in Milwaukee and you'll have the opportunity once again. So, as a Knicks fan, like, like Don, I think you were just alluding to, it's like that sense of relief of, okay, we didn't get him. We didn't blow up the team, and no one else did either, which means we all know he's going somewhere at some point. It just isn't going to be now. And the team you have now is, is they've added Jose Alvarado. Now he's a Brooklyn guy. He's a tough, tough player. That kind of dog that they've been kind of missing. He wanted to be here and he's a point guard, which they needed somebody off the bench, come in to handle the basketball, give you that tough dog kind of defense. And so they got him, and they got him without giving up anything that they were using. So Yabushelli last night was traded to the Bulls for Dalen Terry. And Dalen Terry was flipped to the Pelicans with two second round picks for Alvarado, who's a useful player. So you got a player that you can use in exchange for a player in Yabushelli that you had no use for. That's, that's pretty good.

[C]

That's what you're looking for.

[A]

So you did that. Now, the one negative is the news that came on top of it. Why'd you need to get Alvarado is Deuce McBride's going to probably miss the rest of the regular season. There's reports about him needing some type of procedure because he has a core injury. And that could be painful, of course, and he wasn't right. And there was something about him missing all these games. Well, now we know, according to these reports. So could be back for playoffs. Could be, could be back for playoffs. And if those two get on the court together, two ex football players, they'll wreak havoc against opposing teams. But the Alvarado pickup is a sneaky, good pickup. And I've always said there's always these trades teams make that nobody notices or pays attention to that. In May, somebody's like, boy, when they got him, what an addition he became, right? And I think Alvarado is that kind of guy. The dog that you need. And one other thing to keep an eye on. The Brooklyn Nets did something today. I can't believe they did this, but they did. They waived Camp Thomas. Now, Camp Thomas is a young guy and he has not had a great year because you could tell he's just completely annoyed with what's going on there. And he is a very shot, heavy guard, but man, he could fill it up. He could put 40 on you. And he's now waived. He's available, he can sign with anybody he wants. So keep an eye on that. But the Knicks are set. Now, this is your team and how.

[C]

Comfortable you are, how comfortable are you, is this team different enough? And is the landscape different enough and the coaching approach different enough for you to feel better about this team being able to make it one more round, or I guess two more rounds to win the whole thing.

[A]

And to be clear, compared to last year, for those who want to do that, literally the same record, offense, defense, the three point shooting is better. Bench is being used a little more, but really it's. The results are very similar. So there was no drop off and no huge uptick when it comes to the change, the major change they made, which was that head coach. So now it's a matter of, do you now believe in this team to make a run to get to the through the east and get to the NBA final?

[C]

So you can even argue though, that things are the same thus far and Mike Brown will inherently have an easier path in the Eastern Conference based off.

[A]

Of the season based.

[C]

Pacers. Pacers gone. Tatum gone. This should be in theory, in theory, an easier path to the finals with a.

[A]

With a Detroit team that has some.

[C]

Experience that's now a year better.

[A]

And they, they, they. They do believe. Yeah. 800 now and 9, 3, 7, 7, 6. Let's get right to calls and we'll go right to Gilberto in the truck. Gilberto, start us off.

[D]

Yo, Don. Don. Peter.

[E]

What's up, guys?

[D]

Yo, done. I did. I dropped my pants and I was doing show Angels in the snow, man. I was too happy, man. What up, Alvarado? I know what a pest he is also, and I don't mean to rain on your parade, Don. I don't. I don't. I mean, Han, I don't know if you're gonna see this as. Oh, well, Zing is going to Golden State. Okay, that's not come out.

[A]

Well. That's not what. That's not what.

[D]

Poison is going to Golden State, right?

[A]

I don't know what. Why is that. That's a good thing.

[D]

Is another feather in the cap. That means they're not going for Yanis.

[A]

Oh, oh, yes. Yeah. No, no, they made that clear once they knew Golden State was making offers, that the Bucks were like, are you serious? Like, I said this yesterday, right? They're getting offers and they're like, for Giannis. No, like, come on, it's Janis. And so that's when Golden State then realized, okay, let's go a different direction. We saw teams go in a different direction today, and that last night was one of them.

[D]

Don, one last question. Don, the guy that the Rangers just sent to the Kings for their run, draft pick and another player, he was a veteran if you're going to go young and you want to establish your team to be a younger team, a faster team, wouldn't you want the veteran presence there to teach them and guide them in the right direction? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks, guys.

[B]

Keep it up.

[E]

Peter, you're the best.

[B]

Thank you, my friend. It's circumstances of he's a free agent, and they weren't going to give him $11 million per year. He's going to be 35 years old, so he'd be still here if he had another year left on his contract. He was a free agent. They don't want to lose him for nothing.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And they weren't going to bring him back because, again, they're farther away than I think they're letting on this reimagination. It's a rebuild. They had to do what they had to do with the contract. I think, kind of dictated that more than anything else.

[A]

Yeah. And he. He kind of also had the hammer. Right. Because he chose where he wanted to go. Yeah. So you didn't really have much of an option there. Javier, in the. In Queens.

[B]

What's up, baby?

[A]

Javier.

[D]

What's up, boys? Thanks for taking the call. Shout out to all the animals in the chat.

[B]

Allen.

[D]

Finally, the NBA gods are shining upon the Knicks. Like, everything fell into place for them today. I think that we should just give Leon Rose Executive of the Year today solely for getting someone to take Yabu Seli off of the Knicks.

[F]

Who in their right mind would take that guy Chicago?

[D]

And just. Just to point out a couple of things. One, it's set up very nice for the Knicks. I like Alvarado because I think he replaces that toughness that we lost from DiVincenzo. He just doesn't shoot it like Divincenzo.

[A]

Right.

[D]

But also Allen biggest plus about Alvarado, blood in the ground.

[B]

Allen.

[D]

We got a. We got ourselves a native New Yorker who's ready to do it. And one last thing, I love the Golden State move for Porzingis, because I'm pretty sure Draymond Green is going to beat him up within the first month.

[A]

If he's on the court.

[F]

Let's go, Knicks.

[D]

I'm telling you. Let's go, Knicks. This. They're looking good. And in the off season, the Knicks are like a family business. Now. We got Brunson and his dad. Go get Giannis and his brother. Go get LeBron and his son. All these people are going to want to come to the Knicks.

[B]

I can see it.

[D]

I can see it, baby. Let's Go.

[A]

Yeah, exactly like Jake. Jake, I'm going to give you credit for that line. Go ahead, say that on the air, man, because that's funny. Go get Dale Curry in step two. Why not, why not, why not? All the way if you're going to do it. Blood in the ground if you're going to do it. Let's go to Dave and Elizabeth.

[D]

Dave, Hollywood, Han, them boys, Don Rosenberg, even my man Jacob Perry in the background. Gentlemen, gentlemen, It's a beautiful day today, and I'm gonna tell you gentlemen why Number one, Giannis didn't get moved. Number two, we just got better with my man Alvarado. And number three, Hollywood. Han. I think they're going to make a good run. And in the off season, you might not agree with me, but I would love for them to acquire Giannis. So you know that. That would be great. And real quick, before you gentlemen. Let me go. Hollywood, Han, what do you think of this? Bridges plays really good on the road, but when he's home, it's like he struggles. I don't get it. Like the home cooking. He should be cooking, but on the road, he definitely plays good defense and he definitely does his job. Appreciate you, gentlemen.

[A]

All right, I'm going to check his splits because I don't know if that's completely true, but he has had big games on the road, I have to admit that. Spike in St. Pete's spike. Spike, what's happening?

[E]

Hey, boys, I'm coming up. Flying out tomorrow morning, christening of my new granddaughter, who's a little younger than Maya, so God living there. God treats me well. Peter, we're gonna have the girls play ping pong at four years old.

[A]

I love it.

[E]

I'm really psyched up, and I get to watch the Pistons game with my youngest boy, so it's great. I feel great. I'm happy and got a lot of my mind. But one thing, I gotta give you your props, Alan. You've been so good, and I got no reason to single anyone out, but your coverage has been so spot on, and I miss you when you don't go on the road. And I understand you guys got a lot of jobs, a lot of commitments and families, and the show is great because you.

[D]

You.

[E]

You're so connected. You fight a little bit.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

But it's. It's a lot of fun. So Leon's done a great job. And I told you this once before, my dad did business with Zev Zebros. It's. It's a connection. Mitchell Robinson looked like a piranha last night, he what he does his size. They're small feet. So his, his was. His sliding of course causes such havoc and his offensive rebounding and, and Mike Brown, I was tough on him and I love tips, but he shuffled them in. And if I'm going to say it again and thank you guys and everybody, you always wishing me well and I love you for it, but Mike Brown played the offense, defense game perfectly. So if the Knicks are up by three or four possessions with two minutes to go, Mitchell's on the court, not Cat.

[A]

And thank you, Spike. And also I think what everybody's role is clear. Hey, Layton games. This is what we're going to do. Just be ready for it. So your head's already in that space. You're not going. Why you take me out? Why are you taking me? Like you already understand what's going on. That part's important. Did you guys like Robinson? Jokic had a 30 point triple double, which is pretty damn impressive. Right? And, and yet I thought Robinson defended him really well. Like two things can be true.

[C]

Totally. Especially with someone like Jokic.

[A]

I really thought like there were times when he matched up with him that Jokic struggled. I've never seen anyone block Jokic's three point shot straight on like Robinson did. It's pretty impressive stuff. Like he's. So I asked the guys this morning because I did go on with the morning show because I had.

[B]

I heard that it was a very.

[A]

Good job, my mayor culpa. And it was. I asked this question and Rick gave an answer that. That was an interesting answer. But Don, I'm gonna ask you, Peter, I'm asking you as well. Can you think of another player who doesn't play full time minutes because he can't but yet has such an impact on the team to where he's become invaluable even in limited minutes, like in a game where guys were playing 47, 48 minutes, he played 25.

[D]

Right.

[C]

Well in basketball that is, that's a role. That's why role players in. In the NBA is its own animal.

[B]

But it's a hell of a six man award.

[A]

So can you think of someone who has impacted a team, even just let's say local stay in New York. That where you're like, he's not a guy that plays a ton, but when he's out there, he just makes you better. He's just better. I mean like I think Rivera is probably the greatest of all time at that one inning, but it's just like the most dominant Inning like that.

[C]

Is that an unfair comp, though?

[A]

It's not a comp. I'm saying the best of the best ever limited use player is Mariano Rivera, I think in the history of New York sports.

[C]

Sure, sure.

[B]

But it is, it takes the fun out of it because closers are all their comp in other sports to a closer. Talk about a player that you probably would like to be, have more of a role, but where they are, they're kind of limited into only having a few minutes or a few plays.

[C]

It's basket. Basketball is the place to think about it. And you think about Robert Ori, right? You think about, want to go way back Vinnie Johnson on that Pistons team.

[A]

But that's again, that's a bench guy that could play 35 minutes if you needed him to on a certain night. Right, sure. Robinson just. They don't do that. He can't play in a back to back. Like you got to be careful because obviously of the fragility of his ankle, you don't want to, you don't want to risk it. But yet he played in a game that was. I have to look at the box score, how many actual minutes. The game was two overtimes plus 48, so it's 58 minutes. He had a huge impact on the game, yet played half the game. So it's remarkable. And then he was. I'm so glad I got to interview him on the court. I've never had a chance to do that with him. Never. He has, no. Because, you know, first of all, he's not. He was never comfortable doing that kind of an interview. And second of all, you know, there's other players always that seem to have bigger moments, but that felt like the right moment. And he was great. He was great. And in the locker room, him and Towns were even funnier. So.

[B]

Well, this is a reach for me. The name escapes me. I remember, you know, Rick's was a bit of a reach too.

[A]

Radek Martinek.

[B]

Radek Martinek.

[A]

Good defenseman. Yeah.

[B]

Old time Giant fans will remember the name Lee Russon.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Lee Russon was a special teams guy. He's a running back, but he hardly ever played running back, but.

[C]

Oh, thank you.

[A]

Beautiful.

[C]

Well done, sir.

[B]

He was the best special teams player on the 86 team and the 90 team.

[A]

There you go.

[B]

He went to a couple of pro bowls as a special teams player, but he's listed as a running back. But he never played. But he had a lot of impactful moments on special teams. Now I always think this is more of A basketball question. But guys, fullback, right?

[A]

Like, stuff like that.

[B]

Like.

[A]

Like. Yeah, but that's a pretty good one, too. A special teams guy.

[B]

Yeah. Like a blocking tight end. It doesn't have any catches, but he just. He comes up big but doesn't get noticed.

[A]

Like, Mitchell Robinson's what Ranger fans wanted Matt Rempe to be.

[C]

True.

[A]

A guy that, you know. You know, he's a fourth liner, but when he's out there, he can disrupt, change the impact and all that stuff. Right. You're never gonna put him on a power play, but, like, it's like that. I think that's something sort of like that. As you know, managing maintenance, repair and.

[B]

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[A]

And because Granger knows safety is always.

[B]

A priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by.

[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[C]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Jake knows where to go when I'm in a good mood. It's too easy not to name drop.

[C]

But Chuck D text you last night.

[A]

The man did text me last night.

[C]

Oh, I'm sure he did. He was hyped about that.

[A]

Absolutely.

[E]

Drop fraud.

[A]

What? Oh, you. That's right. Don doesn't like Chuck.

[B]

I didn't say I didn't like him.

[A]

No.

[B]

How many times have I said, Peter, that you could be a good guy, a good friend, a good father, and a fraud? He says he roots for the Celtics.

[C]

Wait, did he say when did he say he rooted for the Celtics?

[A]

I mean, roots strong.

[C]

Didn't he call last year and absolutely eviscerate the Celtics and say that they played cowardice basketball?

[B]

Yes, he did.

[A]

Yes, he did.

[C]

But at other times, he's rooted for them.

[B]

But we had him on one time when Alan was filling in for Michael and we had him on, he said something like, you know, he still.

[A]

There was a. The Knicks were bad. He liked the way the Celtics played. And at that moment, he takes them.

[B]

As they come, which is really. I think it's the slogan for the fraud. Right?

[A]

It's not a slogan I would ever Want to have associated with me slogan for the fraud. No, the slogan that Don said, you.

[B]

Take them as they come.

[A]

Yeah, I'm good.

[C]

It's a tough not.

[A]

Not a. We can. We can, we can probably. No, no. You're the one that did that. We are. That is, that is a phrase I'm.

[B]

Suggesting that is not at all remotely.

[A]

I think we can effort a much better motto than that one. Take me as I am.

[B]

No, that doesn't work at all.

[A]

You don't like that either.

[B]

No, because it's not with his situation. It's what's going on around him. Okay, it's the perfect phrase. But because you're a filth bag, you gotta go right there.

[A]

I'm not a filth bag. It's just you hear something, and if it, look, if it triggers that in my head, who's to say? Other people. And now we're distracted.

[B]

You think you're the only filth bag?

[A]

No, I don't think I am. But wait a minute. Now I'm admitting I am a filth bag.

[C]

You just, you stumbled right in.

[A]

You just twisted me into that. That's not right.

[B]

Yeah, baby.

[A]

Yeah. More calls. 800-919-3776. How about we go to Gill in Brooklyn? Hey, Gil.

[E]

Gentlemen, gentlemen. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Alan. I'm about to bite my words on this, this call Anthony Towns thing. I'm kind of glad they didn't do the move because I want to see what they can do. I didn't want to relive the Dante, what you call it, trade thing again. Let's see what they can do.

[D]

I'm gonna rock out with you in.

[E]

In Karl Anthony Towns for this moment right here. But my biggest reason, the calling is that Mitch, I mean, they cannot afford to let this guy get away when the season is over. I don't know exactly what's wrong with.

[D]

His ankle or why they hit the.

[E]

He's limited, but if you watch the.

[D]

Way he played that.

[E]

What's her name on that.

[D]

On the wing.

[E]

When he stripped him on the wing.

[D]

Yes, Murray, I saw how he was.

[E]

He vertically was moving. If, if he has an ankle problem.

[D]

I, I, I don't know what an ankle problem is.

[A]

I'll, I'll explain it. Gil. And, and I love your passion. Yeah, it is. It's not an ankle problem. It's a problem they're trying to avoid. He's had two surgeries on the same foot, and that usually means that there's something there. Now, that's compromise, wear and Tear during a regular season is not. It's something they try to avoid. That's why he's part of the. The curse word, of course, of load management. You have to. With him on back to backs because you just can't afford to have him take a misstep and it doesn't feel right. And now you got to shut him down until it feels right again. Right. Like that's what that's about, getting to the playoffs. There won't be that. But you want to get them through season, so you don't just. You just want to manage how much stress he puts on a foot that has been surgically repaired twice. So that. That's. That's what that's about. He even used to fight it. Now he said, I can't fight it. I got to go with it because it's working. Because he's in a good rhythm right now. Griffin in Connecticut. Hey, Griff. Griff.

[F]

Hey, guys. First off, that Don Peter that reminded I. For a minute, I thought that was Peter that reminded me of the one when you. When Don was in Washington with Gil from Bass and Hearse. When he's joking with Don.

[B]

Whenever I hear Gill, that's what I think of. I thought the same thing.

[F]

I was like, oh, God, Peter playing around.

[C]

No, not that Gil. You know.

[F]

Alan, I got some NBA questions here. The Bucks, the reason I think you're right, they didn't trade Giannis is because they were going to have a lot more teams that can be available for Giannis in the off season in the summer than they are now, because a lot more teams are going to have a lot more draft capital that they have that they don't have now.

[A]

Yes.

[F]

So that's why I think that's good for them, because they can wait and. And wait until they get a big offer for him so they can build towards the future. I also don't understand what the Bulls are doing, having a complete team full of guards. I don't understand if they have any.

[A]

Yeah.

[F]

If they have any clue what they're doing.

[A]

Well, it's. I think they're preparing for the summer, and I think they're going to make a run for Giannis and they did get a center. They traded for Nick Richards right before the death. So they did get somebody that can, you know, that's at least over 6 foot 8. Because the majority of their team at that, after they made those trades, especially moving on from Vucevich, they were very small, but they did get a center back before the deadline. So they have that. But, yeah, you can see that them and a lot of teams are setting themselves up for the summer and for next season, not for right now.

[F]

And my last point, I was surprised the Rockets didn't do anything. The west is very, to me, wide open. You don't know Denver right now, their injuries and stuff.

[E]

Okay.

[F]

He was dealing with a lot of injuries. I thought.

[E]

I thought the Rockets would go out.

[F]

And get some shooting around Kevin Durant and stuff. I'm surprised they didn't go out and make a trade at all. They kept the team just the way it is.

[A]

Yeah, well, there's really not much. They did. Their big move, you know, getting Durant, like, that's a big move. They have a good team. They've got to get healthy. They're a little banged up, but honestly, like, I think that they're a really good team. They're a tough team. You don't want to see them in the playoffs. They got. They got their score in kd, and that's another guy. Thank you, Griff. But I didn't. I didn't see something that was glaring. Like, all they desperately need to get this. That wasn't something that really jumped off the page for me. Merv in Queens. Hey, Merv.

[D]

What's up, fellas? Thanks for taking my call, man. A couple of good things that you guys are talking about. Alan and Don, I feel like Mitchell Mutumbo, I feel like he's thickened up. And I've never seen. I've seen, like, a defensive player, like, he kind of goes in a zone. Once he gets, like, a couple of these blocks and offensive rebounds, especially on a home court, I feel like he's, like, possessed, and he's. They're using him perfectly. And Alan, Don, also, I. I think Alvarado is. Is going to be a little tough guy for us. And another key thing that I wanted to stress is I love the fact of yesterday's win and the win streak coinciding with the trade deadline. I really feel like last night could have been a special moment that's going to push this team through, hopefully beat Detroit. And, like, I think there was nervousness, especially with Towns and this nap, but I think it. It shows a huge vote of confidence from ownership, from Leon Rose to say, you know what? We put this group together, let's let them rock. Let's see. This could be the year in the East. And I think. I think the players will appreciate that and gel even further. And I just hope they have health. Guys, what do you think?

[A]

Yeah, Health is going to be the main thing, Merv, you know, but it's definitely the vote of confidence in that locker room that you added a piece that can help you in. Jose Alvarado, who, by the way, New York is going to love him. Those who don't know him or know the name. When you watch him play, you're going to fall in love with him right away, and he's probably going to fall in love with playing here right away because he's been. He's been in an outpost. He's been at the Pelicans. I mean, they don't. They don't draw flies over there. I mean, that building, they just can't get anybody in. They have Zion, and they cannot really get a vibe going there. So for him, you talk about an escape and coming home, it's gonna be a nice pickup.

[B]

Wonder what that caller's problem was with Peter. He went out of his way twice to single myself and you out and leave Peter out.

[C]

It happened once yesterday. I've got. I've gotten to the point now where I'd. When this happens, I have to debate, do I feel like getting into it or do I feel like throwing it.

[A]

Out there and then seeing the acknowledge me thing?

[C]

Yeah, well, like. Well, why didn't you acknowledge me? Right? Because it's. It's. It can't be unintentional. Right?

[B]

Because if he had just said Alan and left me and you out, it's because he was specifically talking and Alan's the Nick guy, and then he left you out the first time, it's like, all right, maybe he just didn't get to you. But then it did it again. Yeah. So he was definitely making a point that I'm not going to include you in this conversation.

[A]

If he called back and wanted to talk wrestling and said to Don, can you ask Dave?

[C]

I had a question about the rumble. Don? Yeah. Can you check in with your brother? No, no. Anytime. I think someone is left out, specifically during the greetings, particularly twice. It's a statement. We have to decide whether.

[A]

I don't know.

[C]

It depends on the kind of day and whether I feel like, you know, turning up on someone.

[B]

I'm not against it. Just, like, make it known.

[A]

Wait, Peter, I don't like you. Did you intentionally leave Peter out?

[D]

I kind of didn't, but I have a bone to pick with him.

[A]

There we go.

[D]

I like. I like Peter, but I'm petty. A few years ago. I'm from Forest Hills, Queens. I'm the mayor of Forest Hills, and He called my neighborhood a bunch of soft Jewish kids. I'm not Jewish, but either way, I love the neighborhood. And he kind of picked on me. But we'll clear the air. We're good.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

He didn't say it on this show.

[C]

Yeah. What was. What was the context?

[D]

It was some hip hop thing on Hot 97 and he was talking about Forest Hills and whatever. But I love all three of you. I'll never forget to leave.

[C]

Well, thank you, Merv. I appreciate you. My guess would be, and this is. This is part of what radio is, right? Like people hear you and the way that they process what you're saying, if it has a personal effect on them, may be different than what your intention was. Yeah, my guess is I was making a joke about something and the punchline was, you know, I bet you're as tough as so and so from Forest Hills. And I use it being a good reference point for me because my brother and sister in law lived there for a long time and I spent a lot of time there.

[A]

You know what it's about.

[C]

So that was. And instead it's taken as. There's no way I would have. I like Force Hills.

[A]

You know what the good thing is though, huh? Is that you left that. That station. You don't have to worry about it anymore.

[C]

It's dead.

[A]

It's a good thing you left it. Put it right in your past, right.

[C]

Behind anything that was said over those 18 and a half years.

[A]

Doesn't count anymore.

[C]

Completely now, if you heard it this morning on a brand new episode of Ibra Laura and Rosenberg at 8am on YouTube.

[A]

Oh, yeah, like then it counts. Then it counts.

[C]

But if it was before, I don't even remember. Don't even remember up until December.

[A]

Not on the record anymore. No. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[C]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want.

[B]

Catch.

[A]

Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, Don, you're at the Rock. You have a game tonight. Yes. You Los Diablos. So I. Are you sitting down?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

All right. So Giannis went to Instagram the gram.

[B]

Yeah, I did see this.

[A]

Oh, damn.

[C]

I didn't see it.

[A]

I was hoping you wouldn't have seen it. What?

[B]

Peter will appreciate it.

[A]

And he posted one of, you know, the Wolf of Wall street video, of course, where I'm not going nowhere. You know, that whole scene. Right, right. And then another one of I'm not leaving.

[C]

Yeah, no, he posted, that's not our Chat is it? Oh, there it is.

[A]

And. Oh, it was in the chat. Somebody put it in the chat. And his caption, legends don't chase, they attract.

[C]

Oh, he is the one. What? I tell you, this guy's unbearable.

[B]

You know what?

[D]

Good day for it.

[B]

Save it for 430.

[C]

Oh, no. He is truly that guy.

[B]

He is definitely that. And you know what makes him that guy is. He's trying so hard not to be that guy. And he's nothing but such a fraud with it, though.

[A]

How does that make you feel? Like, make you want him even more or less?

[B]

Less.

[A]

Less.

[B]

Well, we. I guess we could talk about it now, because it's not. If it does happen, it won't happen until the off season. And Nick fans hoping maybe it doesn't happen because they go out there and win a championship without him. But there are things that could rub you the wrong way, that the whole. There's no failure in sports.

[A]

I love these things.

[B]

You know what I'm saying? Like, things that are just like, if he's a Knick and they get bounced into the first round and the first thing he says, there's no failure in sports. And we, you know, life is more important than these reindeer games. Like, people are not going to be happy with that. Not in New York.

[C]

He's.

[B]

He's.

[C]

I'm telling you, it's gotten worse and worse. I. And I know how good this guy is, but, man, he is. He's getting unbearable.

[A]

Like, just to be clear, legends don't chase, they attract. So is he not admitting that? I'm never going to say I want out because teams are going to come. They want to come get me. Right. I don't want to look like. Like, he doesn't want to say the words that we all know he should say, which is, I really want to play in New York. Yeah, but he all know that's what he wants. But he. He won't say it. He could have said it in August. He didn't. He could have said it here. He didn't. And the Knicks, like, all right, well, we're not paying a premium for you.

[B]

Well, that's why he's being that guy is because he doesn't want to be that guy, but he doesn't realize he's now that guy.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like, it's. This is kind of a way out there analogy, but I use it all the time, you know, like Pearl Jam didn't have a style. Right. Flannel shirts and ripped jeans, and then that became the style.

[A]

Good point.

[B]

You Know, and so. And that's kind of the way it is here. Like, I'm. I never said that I wanted to be a Nick, but. But here's where he's kind of being disingenuous because he also did say, and correct me if I'm wrong, well, now I'm going to go and try to do everything I can to have the Bucks make the playoffs.

[A]

Yeah, he did say he wants to come back and play, right?

[B]

He wants to come back and play. And now he wants to see if he can get the Bucks to the plays. Then he sends this out like, hey, legends don't chase championships. They attract. Meaning. So are you going to stay in Milwaukee, get them in the playoffs, trying to get players to come play here?

[A]

So you're reading it a different way.

[B]

Oh, how else would you read it, though?

[A]

Well, I was reading it like, I'm not saying I. I'm not ever saying I want to go there. They have to come and get me. You're saying, I'm not chasing a ring. I want players to want to come play with me. And the only thing I would say is the Bucs have been trying to get guys to come play with you. Nobody. They can't get anybody.

[B]

But. But I got Lillard.

[A]

It didn't work.

[B]

We know he's going.

[A]

And Lillard, by the way, didn't want to go to Memorial.

[B]

But doesn't it feel like he's just trying to send out a message like, hey, I'm here now, and why not try to see if he can win those fans back? Because he's going to go out there and try to play.

[A]

Oh, look.

[C]

Because you don't think there's a Buck.

[B]

Fan that sees that on Instagram?

[A]

Oh, they're all fired.

[B]

He's going to stay.

[A]

Told you he didn't want to leave. Yeah, that. There's. That. There's definitely that. And what else can you go. Look, it's almost like you wanted to ask somebody out, but you didn't want to do it because, like, you didn't want to do it in front of everybody. And then when she says that she doesn't want to go out with you, you're like, I didn't say I didn't. I didn't even want to ask her.

[C]

Not my type, bro.

[A]

You know what I mean? Like, I was really. I wasn't really into that.

[B]

I was just doing you the favor.

[A]

Yeah, like that. It's such a bizarre thing for him to do. But it's. It's almost like, what play does he have other than to rally the fans in Milwaukee around him? Once again, I think because Milwaukee has tore out of the play, they have told him they're trying to build a better team around him. The problem is they've sucked at it. They have been trying to build. Trading for Kyle Kuzma continues to be the most fakes palm move I've ever seen. Right.

[B]

So if he ends up getting traded to the Knicks in the off season, you don't think the message is going to be, well, hey, I tried to make it work in Milwaukee. I never demanded a trade. They didn't trade me last year. I stay with the team, try to make the playoffs. I, I sent down on Instagram. I want to attract people. They couldn't attract anybody.

[A]

LeBron couldn't attract. LeBron couldn't get people to come to Cleveland. You think Yanis is getting people to come to Milwaukee?

[C]

It's one of the best takes you've ever had in the history of the show.

[A]

That's the real thing. Yeah, but it was one of his reasons why he left there and then when he went back to Cleveland, he almost did this. Like, they had the trade for people and they made these moves and anybody that was there couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. Once he was gone, they were gone.

[B]

But Milwaukee's. Milwaukee's better than Cleveland as far as like, is it? I've never been.

[C]

I've been.

[A]

Then I can tell you it's a fine city.

[B]

Legit question.

[A]

It's a fine city.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I think they're in the exact singing songs about Milwaukee.

[C]

Well, that may be because it's not even on the radar.

[B]

I'm just saying. But the Cleveland, you know, come on down to Cleveland town.

[C]

That's a great video, but that just happened to be people who are from.

[A]

Did you see the video? The picture of the gentleman's club that had a sign up for James Harden already? Yeah. Welcome to Cleveland.

[C]

This is my first day using Gemini.

[A]

Gemini.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

What is? What is? What is?

[C]

I've moved on from chat GPT. Oh, I'm trying Gemini. The Google version.

[A]

The Disney AI is not good enough for you?

[C]

I haven't used that one yet.

[A]

We have a Disney.

[C]

We have our own app.

[A]

We do.

[C]

All right, well, here's Gemini. I wrote what's the better city, Cleveland or Milwaukee? Choosing between Cleveland and Milwaukee is a classic Rust belt debate.

[A]

Oh, is it? Say no more.

[C]

Is it?

[A]

All right.

[C]

It gives me all the reasons. But then the verdict. Choose Cleveland if you want World class museums, a powerhouse health care economy, and a big city cultural scene. Choose Milwaukee if you want a better festival life, a more accessible waterfront and slightly more laid back neighborhoody feel.

[B]

I don't think any of those feels like a draw. You know, any NBA player is looking for any of those things. Maybe the waterfront property.

[A]

Maybe waterfront in in January, which has I guess we could better Strippers that answer coming up next. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.