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

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.

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.

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).

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)

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).

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).

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)

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

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.

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.

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!