Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – “Hour 1: KAT’s Struggles”

ESPN New York | October 29, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Episode Overview

The hosts dive deep into the latest Knicks road loss—a game marked by tantalizing highs and frustrating lows—zeroing in on Karl-Anthony Towns’ (KAT) on-court struggles and the emerging chemistry issues in the team. The Giannis-to-New-York rumors provide further intrigue, as Hahn dissects the postgame soundbites and the plausible futures for both franchises. The hour also features classic tangents and playful banter, touching on everything from foot massages to New York sports culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recapping an Electric Devils Game

• Initial Banter and Recap:
  The opening segment features joking about the ESPN app followed by a recount of a wild Devils game. The hosts discuss improbable comebacks, the emotional rollercoaster, and Don’s memorable play-by-play calls.

• Notable Moment: Don’s animated call on the Devils’ surge from 5-0 down to 5-4, impressing both co-hosts.

  “Don’s call on the fourth goal, though, unreal. … I hope we do. It was incredible.”
  — Alan Hahn [01:55]

• Emotional Color: Discussion about how fans (including Hahn’s daughter) pick favorite players, and the fun of following a team through ups and downs.

2. A Sidetrack on Self-care: Foot Massages

• Peter’s Advocacy: Rosenberg champions the virtues of foot and neck massages, especially for road-weary broadcasters. Banter leads to jokes about Pulp Fiction, Thai massage parlors, and the challenge of trying something new.
• Relation to Sports: The conversation stands as witty interlude but subtly emphasizes athlete/broadcaster self-care.

3. Upcoming Show Structure

• Announcements:
  • Guests: Jeff Passan at 4pm, Booger McFarland at 4:30pm.
  • Live group “Jabroni Land” list segment, ranking stars in the “wrong” jerseys (a nod to Michael Jordan’s Wizard days).
• Listener Engagement: The hosts encourage call-ins and YouTube comments for the ongoing list and Knicks reactions.

4. Knicks vs. Bucks: Game Analysis

The Collapse:

• Knicks dropped a game after a promising 45-point second quarter, only to sputter offensively after halftime.
• The offense faltered, sparking internal frustration.

“The Knicks scored 45 points in the second quarter. Then they scored 40 in the second half. That’s all you need to know.”
— Alan Hahn [16:06]

Giannis Takes Over:

• Giannis dominated with 37/8/7, including a signature move that didn’t draw a travel call—“He was gathering at the three-point line; nobody does that.” [18:08]
• Notably, Hahn highlights Giannis’ visible extra motivation in MSG.

“He makes a layup, he turns and the crowd’s going crazy, Knicks call timeout. And he said, this is my city. You could read his lips.”
— Alan Hahn [18:43]

5. Giannis to NYC Rumors: Sifting Truth from Postgame Spin

• Report Recap: ESPN had implied Giannis’ preferred trade destination was New York.

• Giannis’ (Non-)Denial: In postgame remarks, Giannis claims ignorance about the rumors.

  “Who said that? I don't read that.”
  — Giannis Antetokounmpo (paraphrased by Hahn) [19:35]

• Media Savvy: Hahn peels back the PR veneer, calling Giannis’ remarks “well scripted … and none of it was really that true.”

• Decoding “Right Now”: Hahn stresses that Giannis repeatedly said “right now,” hinting at an open future.

  “They always leave you one little Easter egg … He added that, he kept the right now, and he said it twice … that's his little wink.”
  — Alan Hahn [21:38]

6. Karl-Anthony Towns: Struggles and Frustration

a) On-Court Observations

• KAT was functionally uninvolved early due to team offense, rebounded well, but forced shots in the third—possibly after pressure to “get his.”
• The offense collapsed after halftime.

“It looked like Towns, like someone got in his ear and said, ‘You got to get some shots up. You're not getting any shots.’”
— Alan Hahn [31:49]

b) Coach Mike Brown’s Public Critique

• Mike Brown calls out “offensive stagnancy,” stating that one player holding the ball stifled movement, letting Milwaukee’s defense lock in.
• Brown indirectly singles out Towns, stating he had to “have it out” with him postgame.

“Our offensive stagnancy hurt our defense because … The ball wasn’t moving. … They're setting their defense, they're now realizing, okay, this is easy. …”
— Mike Brown via Alan Hahn [33:09]

c) KAT’s Accountability

• Towns admits to pressing and trying to do too much, accepting full responsibility.

  "I pressed a little bit too much today. I had more experience than to do that, but … that's on me and I take full responsibility.”
  — Karl-Anthony Towns [34:33]

• Jalen Brunson, ever the leader, tries to shield Towns, taking some blame himself.

7. Bigger Picture: Knicks, Patience, and Pressure

• The hosts debate why there’s so much public and internal anxiety after only four games, given that the front office had tried to lower expectations due to a new coach and system.
• Hahn suggests the urgency is because the core has the talent “to be 4-0,” but the problem is visible resistance from a key star (Towns) in embracing the new structure.

“Your second best player has not bought in. … You hear the frustration from the coach thinking everything will be fine. Look at that second quarter... But it has to be for four quarters.”
— Alan Hahn [40:14]

• Don’s Insightful Theory: Don speculates that Towns, knowing he’d have to be involved in any Giannis trade, is unsettled both by the system shift and his uncertain future.

  “As he's adjusting to a new coach, there's still the possibility that he's not going to be here when it's all said and done. … You don’t think he knows that?”
  — Don LaGreca [45:17]

• Hahn agrees, noting rumors and internal uncertainty may impact KAT’s psyche and play.

• Callers echo this concern, bringing up KAT’s health and overall fit.

8. Rapid Takes & Other Sports

• Quick trade news: Jets swap Michael Carter for John Metchie, seeking wide receiver help.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Don’s call on the fourth goal, though, unreal.”
  Alan Hahn [01:55]
• On Giannis rumors: “There was a non denial denial in that answer, but there was also ‘right now I’m here’. … That’s his little wink … for now.”
  Alan Hahn [21:38]
• Mike Brown (via Alan) on stagnant offense: “The ball wasn’t moving … whoever has the ball, he gonna try to take a shot or he’s gonna hold on to it till five seconds on the shot clock.” [33:13]
• Towns accepting blame: "I pressed a little bit too much today … that’s on me and I take full responsibility.”
  KAT [34:33]
• Don on KAT's mind: “You don’t think … every time they talk about Giannis, he has to be thinking, alright, I’m probably the guy that's going in that deal, right?”
  Don LaGreca [45:17]
• Brunson’s leadership: "'I didn't do a good job of that … got to be a better leader …'"
  Alan Hahn, summarizing Brunson [35:05]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:00 – 05:20]: Devils’ wild comeback and Don’s broadcast prowess.
• [06:10 – 11:30]: Sidebar on foot spas and self-care.
• [12:00 – 14:40]: Introduction of the “Jabroni Land” jersey list segment.
• [15:15 – 18:45]: Knicks vs. Bucks breakdown; scoring drought.
• [18:43 – 22:30]: Giannis’ postgame demeanor and analysis of his “right now” phrasing.
• [31:45 – 35:04]: Towns’ second-half struggles, coach’s critique, and Towns’ accountability.
• [36:06 – 40:14]: Knicks’ early frustrations; why urgency?
• [45:17 – 46:36]: Don’s theory on KAT’s mindset amid trade rumors.
• [48:04 – 49:56]: Callers weigh in on Towns’ physical/mental state.
• [51:00 – End]: Light banter about music, hosts’ camaraderie, wrap-up.

Tone & Style

The show blends classic New York sports radio energy—direct, passionate, and witty—with in-depth basketball analysis. Hahn delivers analytical breakdowns, Don plays the affable skeptic and theorist, Rosenberg supplies pop-culture wit and self-deprecating humor. The hosts are quick to poke fun at themselves and each other, but also probe deeper emotional and structural issues affecting the New York sports scene.

Takeaway

This episode deftly unpacks the Knicks’ early-season growing pains, provides rare behind-the-scenes perspective on superstar trade rumors, and explores the subtle psychological effects of uncertainty on star players like Towns. All the while, it remains an entertaining listen for die-hard fans and casual sports radio followers alike.

For those who missed the episode, this summary captures both the substance and the spirit of Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg’s hour-one discussion.