Hour 1: Knicks Best Chance?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Knicks Best Chance?

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Host/Authors: Don LaGreca (ESPN New York), Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Episode: Hour 1: Knicks Best Chance?
• Release Date: June 23, 2025
• Description: Join ESPN New York and New Jersey's Don LaGreca, sports broadcaster Alan Hahn, and Hip Hop enthusiast Peter Rosenberg as they delve into New York sports and beyond.

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Introduction and WWE SummerSlam Kickoff

[01:00] Michael Kay shares his eventful weekend, highlighting his participation in the WWE SummerSlam Kickoff event at Fanatics Fest in Orlando. He recounts hosting the event, engaging with Triple H, and participating in Triple H's signature water-spitting act.

"And Triple H said, 'Do you guys want to do my thing?'... I nailed it." [02:58]

Peter Rosenberg praises Michael's performance, comparing Triple H's water spit to LeBron's signature moves.

"It's the water version of LeBron's." [01:51]

Interaction with Josh Harris and Jaden Daniels

Michael Kay narrates his encounter with Josh Harris, owner of the Washington Commanders, during the event. He describes introducing his newborn, Jaden Daniels, to Harris and the ensuing friendly conversation.

"Josh Harris was very friendly and normal... He didn't like, kind of just patronize the... He really gave you that sense that he cared." [07:33]

The hosts discuss the professionalism of sports executives like Harris and their interactions with fans and personalities.

NBA Finals Recap and Tyrese Halliburton's Injury

A significant portion of the episode centers on the recent NBA Finals, particularly focusing on Tyrese Halliburton's devastating calf injury during Game 7.

Michael Kay expresses disappointment over the injury's impact on the series outcome.

"The most interesting player in the series was hurt in the first quarter of Game 7." [45:26]

Don LaGreca and Peter Rosenberg delve into how Halliburton's injury not only altered the game's dynamics but also its implications for the Eastern Conference.

"During these playoffs we saw three stars blow out their Achilles. Dame Lillard, Jason Tatum, and now Tyrese Halliburton." [19:55]

Implications for the Eastern Conference and the New York Knicks

The injury of key players from top Eastern Conference teams has opened opportunities for the New York Knicks. The hosts analyze how the absence of stars like Damian Lillard, Jason Tatum, and Tyrese Halliburton could shift the balance of power.

Peter Rosenberg posits that with these injuries, the Knicks might ascend to become the premier team in the East.

"Now, the Knicks are pretty much the second-best team in the East, so that makes us the best team in the East now." [20:03]

The discussion touches upon the Knicks' coaching situation, debating whether the current coach, Tom Thibodeau, aligns with the team's future aspirations or if a change is imminent.

"I still think it's going to be Jason Kidd and that'll make it age a lot differently." [33:18]

Potential Acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo

The conversation explores the feasibility and implications of the Knicks acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo to bolster their championship prospects.

Don LaGreca questions the necessity and financial implications of such a move.

"Do I have to mortgage a lot to get it done?" [35:13]

Michael Kay emphasizes Giannis's impact on any team, suggesting that his presence alone makes a team a championship contender.

"He's a championship contender wherever he goes." [35:43]

Critique of NBA Finals Coverage and Celebrations

The hosts express dissatisfaction with the NBA Finals' post-game celebrations and media coverage, arguing that it lacks the genuine excitement seen in other sports like hockey and baseball.

Don LaGreca laments the rushed and commercialized nature of the celebrations.

"I wish there was a way that the NBA players can express the joy of a championship where they do in the NHL and Major League Baseball." [27:13]

Peter Rosenberg agrees, highlighting moments where genuine emotions were visible, contrasting them with staged celebrations.

"The celebration is everything because... I wanted to see them celebrate." [27:14]

Listener Calls and Host Interactions

The episode features interactive segments where listeners call in to share their thoughts on the NBA Finals and the Knicks' prospects.

Listener Joey defends the NBA Finals' quality, praising game dynamics and expressing skepticism over claims of the series being fixed.

"Anyone who thinks this wasn't a good NBA finals, they are out of their mind." [41:09]

Michael Kay and Don LaGreca engage in a spirited debate with Joey, balancing differing opinions on the series' memorability and competitiveness.

Conclusion: The Future of the Knicks and the Eastern Conference

In wrapping up, the hosts emphasize the newfound opportunities for the Knicks amidst the turbulence in the Eastern Conference. They discuss potential strategic moves, the urgency to capitalize on the current window of opportunity, and the broader implications for other teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets.

"There's no question. Giannis, no, Brunson and Giannis and whatever else." [35:26]

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Notable Quotes:

• "If there's a God up above, it'll be soon." — Don LaGreca [00:00]
• "It's the water version of LeBron's." — Peter Rosenberg [01:51]
• "The most interesting player in the series was hurt in the first quarter of Game 7." — Michael Kay [45:26]
• "Now, the Knicks are pretty much the second-best team in the East, so that makes us the best team in the East now." — Peter Rosenberg [20:03]
• "He’s a championship contender wherever he goes." — Michael Kay [35:43]
• "I wish there was a way that the NBA players can express the joy of a championship where they do in the NHL and Major League Baseball." — Don LaGreca [27:13]

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Conclusion: In this episode, Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg provide an in-depth analysis of the recent NBA Finals, emphasizing the critical injury to Tyrese Halliburton and its cascading effects on the Eastern Conference. The discussion extends to the New York Knicks' enhanced prospects, potential strategic acquisitions, and the broader landscape of NBA competition. Additionally, the hosts critique the commercialization of championship celebrations and engage with listener perspectives, offering a comprehensive overview for sports enthusiasts keen on understanding the shifting dynamics within basketball's premier league.

Transcript

[Don LaGreca]

Don, one day you're not gonna play football anymore. And if there's a God up above, it'll be soon.

[Alan Hahn]

Han.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Huge. No, but big. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And Rosenberg.

[Michael Kay]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

This isn't North Dakota.

[Michael Kay]

This is New York.

[Alan Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg on 880 ESPN. And the ESPN New York app 302.

[Don LaGreca]

The big city, the hot tip. Don on Rosenberg with you. Little 630. Then it's Mets, Braves. God. God help me. We'll get to the Mets in a second. We'll get to the Yankees in a second. Adam Schefter's gonna be joining us at 5:00.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

As we're gonna have a shift of the binge from 4:30 to 5. So Shefty's gonna be joining us at 5:00. But before we do anything, how's everybody doing? All right. Keeping cool.

[Michael Kay]

Peter, you know, listen, I'm.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You had a. You had a day on Saturday. I mean, come on.

[Michael Kay]

I had a day Saturday and Sunday. Well, but Saturday, it's. This was a week. I was outside. I've been, as DJ Juanito calls me. I have been mixy P. I am outside. I was outside this weekend. I went from Orlando. I did four tapings of Evolve Friday night in Orlando. Got up, got on the first thing smoking, came back, got my hair cut, got dressed, ran to Javits center, hosted the WWE SummerSlam Kickoff event at Fanatics Fest. Did you see the video of the. Of the spit?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes. I was very impressed.

[Michael Kay]

You don't understand it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I commented on that.

[Michael Kay]

You did? Yes, I. When Triple H came out and for anyone who likes wrestling, you know this, Triple H gets on the apron and for some reason, even though this sounds ridiculous, he does this thing where he spits water and it looks incredibly cool. I don't know why it shouldn't. It sounds ridiculous. But the way the light hits it and how good he is at doing it, it's awesome. It just. It's great. Everyone loves it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the water version of LeBron's.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Michael Kay]

And everyone loves it. So he came out and surprised me and Michael Cole on stage in front of several thousand people. And live on WWE's thing, Triple H comes out and once or twice with Cole and McAfee, Triple H said, let's do. He said, you guys want to do my thing? And when Michael Cole did it, he made a fool out of himself and basically just spit a gulp of water onto the ground. So Triple H is like, you guys want to see Michael Cole try this again. And I'm going, yes, absolutely. Please don't ask me to do it. And in my head, and he goes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Peter, And I got to do it.

[Michael Kay]

I have my wife in my ear going, you are not going to say no to Triple H asking you to do this thing. You got it? So I do it. So he hands us the water bottle. I take the water. Now, listen, I'm not going to lie to you guys. There's a certain time in my life I practiced this before. It's not like I've never done it. You know what I mean? I played basketball at the gym. I'm leaving the gym. I'm hot. I'm drinking water in the parking lot. I might have given it a little spit and given it a try, sure. But I'm in front of thousands of people. The man standing right next to me.

[Don LaGreca]

A lot of pressure.

[Michael Kay]

I nailed it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They did.

[Michael Kay]

It's on my Instagram right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's very good.

[Michael Kay]

I can't believe how well I did. It was fantastic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Very good.

[Michael Kay]

It was cold.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not so much. Second time around. Still good.

[Michael Kay]

Still not good. Well, Cole's a huge Mets fan, so he's there in the same place right now. You know what I mean? He's struggling. Cole is struggling emotionally right now, so that was amazing. And then. Yes. I got to introduce Maya to Jaden Daniels. It finally happened. A beautiful moment. I felt bad. Met Josh Harris, the owner of the Commanders.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay. And a few other teams.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why would you feel bad?

[Michael Kay]

Well, so, Josh. So shout out to Taylor Rooks, who was moderating the conversation with Josh Harris and Jayden Daniels. And she was like. I was like, I want to introduce the baby to Jayn Daniels. She was like, come with me. I'm doing the thing. I'll introduce you. No problem. Great. Go see him. And I see Jaden. And then Josh is standing right in front of him. So as I walk over, Josh Harris struck up a conversation. Very sweet. I said, hey, Mr. Harris, I'm a huge fan. By the way, do owners know when you say I'm a huge fan? I don't mean of you. Well, do they know that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think. I think initially you believe of the team.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes. You said it. I'm like, are you really a big fan?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, I say, no, he can't possibly.

[Don LaGreca]

But no, it depends on how narcissistic, I guess the guy.

[Michael Kay]

But he doesn't. He's a pretty low key.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I don't. I don't think Harris is going like, oh, are You.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, the most about.

[Michael Kay]

You were Mark Cuban in his heyday, you say, I'm a big fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cuban was a celebrity.

[Michael Kay]

He was a celebrity.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I still is, right?

[Michael Kay]

Still is. So. So. And then Harris points out the baby. What? Did Rich just say something? This is. This is the time on this holiest of days when I'm trying to get through something special.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, we're. We're. We're six minutes in.

[Michael Kay]

It's Alan cues. Alan tees me up like a friend. Let me see. Let me see it.

[Don LaGreca]

It's funny.

[Michael Kay]

That's very good. That wasn't even offensive.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's just.

[Michael Kay]

That's just really, really good. No, that's not even offensive. That's just very funny.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm just trying to decide if it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Terrible music, ran in to see it. And he's even cracking up.

[Michael Kay]

No, that was fantastic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rick.

[Michael Kay]

Rick, that was one of your best.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's readable.

[Don LaGreca]

Is it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think so.

[Don LaGreca]

Anthony. Is it readable?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's readable.

[Don LaGreca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don LaGreca]

I did not like it.

[Michael Kay]

How about you say it like this? You can say it like this. What Rick said was that he's sure that the behavior I was able to pull off so well with Triple H, I would have had no interest in doing that with Jaden Daniels. That's right.

[Don LaGreca]

That's a good way around it.

[Michael Kay]

That was how he said it, if that makes sense.

[Don LaGreca]

Thank you, Rick. You made my day. That was actually very.

[Michael Kay]

So Harris is talking to me and he says, oh, the baby's so cute. I said, oh, she's. Her middle name is Jaden. And as I'm talking to him, and he's being very friendly. Jaden Daniels. Taylor does the introduction. So. So I just completely ghost Harris mid conversation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, you just faced my Heisman.

[Michael Kay]

I turned away on him. It was a. And you guys understand. Isn't that the right sports thing to do, though? I'm sorry, Owner quarterbacks here, like.

[Don LaGreca]

It's like when I used to hang out with Michael and an ESPN executive would come over. I'm in mid conversation with said executive. And then Michael came and by the way, you disappeared. I didn't. But in their eyes, I did.

[Michael Kay]

Right? I treated Josh Harris the way many executives have treated Don McGregor. Turned right to Jaden mid sentence. Mid sentence.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not even an excuse me.

[Michael Kay]

I don't think so. I don't think so.

[Don LaGreca]

Now, when you. It was obvious that it was a commander's thing because Daniels, well, he does own the Sixers and the Devils. There would be no confusion. Like, I'M a big fan.

[Michael Kay]

I don't think so. I mean, he was hanging out with Commander's people. Like they had their PR people and Jayden Daniels there and the owners there. Jaden was very sweet at first. He was like a tiny bit distracted. There was a lot going on, but. But then he really focused in on the conversation. I said, she was born right before the Detroit game. He knew already, by the way, between the fact, like, he'd seen it on comments on Instagram. My friend Wale. Oh, hit the name.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can't miss.

[Michael Kay]

You cannot miss that. I didn't have it ready, but yeah, my friend. My good friend Wale.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good friend Wale.

[Michael Kay]

He told him about it, like, right when she was born. So I was like, yeah, she was born right before the Detroit game. And he was like, oh, good luck charm. At which point I wanted to stare deep into his brown eyes and say, no, no, Jaden, you're our good luck charm. But I didn't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would have been really creepy.

[Michael Kay]

I did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You just did that to me and.

[Michael Kay]

You didn't like it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got very uncomfortable, so I didn't do that.

[Michael Kay]

But he was very sweet. We post her some pictures. I just posted him on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The video was great and you could see very genuine. He was very genuine. He didn't like, kind of just patronize the oh, baby. I will say he really gave you that sense that he cared.

[Michael Kay]

I'll tell you, I did. I shouldn't speculate on this, but I'll just say this. I heard from someone I'm very close to who was around all day and was near lots of people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was talking about the baby.

[Michael Kay]

No, my friend did not. My friend did not echo the sentiments that we have right now about Jaden. He did not echo those sentiments about Joe. Cool. Joe Burrow. Okay, not impressed. My friend who was around was not impressed. Probably like borderline. Thought he was like, off. He was like. He, like, didn't know how to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Friendly to anyone, probably because it's just.

[Michael Kay]

It's a lot and maybe it is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you're probably there and you get there and you look around, you just go like, this is a lot, but.

[Michael Kay]

But I have to tell you, not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Every sports fans like you, but remember.

[Michael Kay]

A lot of their time isn't with the fans. You know, a lot of their time is in the VIP areas, which are generally pretty chill. Now, don't get me wrong, there are still friends of people coming up to these people and asking for pictures and. And stuff like that. But anyways, not highlight of the weekend, but sports highlight of the weekend that I wanted to share with you guys, but I didn't want to share it. In the group chat yesterday when Don, and particularly Don and Alan were both giving some. Some Fanatics Fest commentary, I said, let me wait till we're on the show. No, I just said, let's wait. It's not the right time. I didn't want to lose a good moment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Watch out for the bus.

[Michael Kay]

No, no, there's no bus.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Feels like there's a bus coming.

[Don LaGreca]

Some observations.

[Michael Kay]

I pulled up the bus and I stopped it and turned the keys off. That's it. So I. But I ended up hosting the closing ceremonies. You remember Ruben told us about the Fanatics games. They called me Saturday night and said, will you host the closing ceremonies? I went, you know what? That's my speed. I'm up for it. Sure. I went and did it. And right before it started, they called me over and they said, peter, talk to Michael Rubin and Tom Brady about what we're, you know, we're going to go over the plan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jake dropped.

[Michael Kay]

So I say, hello, nice to meet you, Tom.

[Don LaGreca]

I drive a dog strap.

[Michael Kay]

We start chatting. We're chatting it up. Ruben walks away. And I'm just standing there with Brady.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, you and TB12.

[Michael Kay]

Me and TB12. Me and the goat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You and the goat.

[Michael Kay]

Me and the goat. Just a couple of goats. Just a couple of goats.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You said Ruben walked away.

[Michael Kay]

No, no. So I say to him, this is. I just. I love this. I love when someone gives you exactly what you've been told they are. I said to him, both of us. I said, I still haven't forgiven you for beating the Redskins 52 to 7. Tom Brady, without any hesitation whatsoever, goes, if there'd been more time, it would have been 90 to 7. Not even a second. Not even. He just. And I went. I watched the game. You are, in fact, correct.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I hate to break it to you.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I guarantee you he's used that line on. Pretty much come up to him saying, I hate that you beat my team blank.

[Michael Kay]

He adds 40 to it. But I. But I did cross my mind, though, two things. One, as we've learned over the years, these athletes are insane. They remember every game, Particularly football players. Right. They don't play that.

[Don LaGreca]

True.

[Michael Kay]

Number two, for as great as Brady is, and I'm sure Anthony or Jacob could give us this stat. For as great as Brady is. How many 50 spots does he have? Probably a handful.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fair point. That's fine.

[Michael Kay]

He probably remembered enjoying that game quite.

[Don LaGreca]

A bit, but he's Never had a 90 spot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was open and he could have.

[Michael Kay]

And he was dreaming.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If only there was more time.

[Michael Kay]

Dude, they didn't. They didn't take out anyone. He stayed in the game till there was three minutes left. It was. It was a nightmare. But anyways, I got to tell you, Brady was very, as everyone says about him, very friendly and normal and dialed in. And I must say, looks really good in person. Like, you know, he's looked kind of gaunt recently. When you've seen him, he looked a little, like, off. He looked fantastic in person.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's taking care of himself and I.

[Michael Kay]

Don'T know what he's doing, but his face is getting better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The original diet was a little extreme and he realized it once it. Now he's got to be normal, like, get a little more normal into the diet. And he did.

[Michael Kay]

Jake Anthony says he sees that Brady was involved in 8,50 burgers over his career. That is an incredible number. But still, you remember. You'd remember those. Those were the fun ones. Those were great days.

[Don LaGreca]

How many games did he play? So.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So 8. 8. Is there still not that many?

[Michael Kay]

It's still not that many. When you think about was good. Yeah, it was a wacky. Wacky. By the way, it didn't end there. I ended up getting invited to go to Dave Chappelle at the stand last night.

[Don LaGreca]

Hung out with a lot going on.

[Michael Kay]

Ran into Mike Brownshire.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, we're not gonna drop. We're not dropping. No. John strapped.

[Don LaGreca]

He's no longer dropping.

[Michael Kay]

And I'm going to Paul Simon tonight to close it out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's. That's a weekend.

[Michael Kay]

That's a weekend. Can you believe it?

[Don LaGreca]

Weekend. Not a Monday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you know what else you get?

[Michael Kay]

Beach bash.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You get a beach bash Friday.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

Like you dream about. And it's not going to be 100 degrees.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, we can promise that it's not.

[Don LaGreca]

Going to be 90 or 80 either. We're hoping it's going to be 70. But listen, a lot can happen between now and Friday, but we got a big week ahead of us and we're getting to the baseball. But I guess the natural place to start is congratulations to Oklahoma City Thunder.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, yeah. Like you dream.

[Don LaGreca]

They win their first title in OKC seven consecutive years now in the NBA with a new champion. And no other league can say that.

[Michael Kay]

Wow.

[Don LaGreca]

So it's a wild parody. Has certainly hit the NBA. Although I would not be shocked at all if the Thunder are back. I mean, they look like a really good team, but Boy, they really just do reek of Spurs 2.0. Yeah, it would be. It will be a champion, a dynasty that will be a much appreciated. Like the spurs were appreciated of just kind of. Okay, nice team, but nothing to get overly excited about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, they are. What did Shanae said on get up this morning? That Shea Masters the mundane. And I immediately said that's not exactly what the league's looking for here.

[Don LaGreca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, like that's one thing to watch. But as a team though, compelling as because they're the second youngest team to win a championship in history. So you've got that and you've got a GM that you know and the ability and everything that they have cap space and draft picks to be able to make the moves around their core. They're going to sign the core this summer. They'll get to that. They'll lock them in. But because the west is so tough, it's hard to say, you know, the three in a row, dynasty, legit dynasty thing. What. That's why I say Spursy, because it feels like you got 14 years. They. Could you see them getting 3, 4, 5 titles in. Let's just say it does take 10 years. Could you see them getting 3 titles in 10 years? Sure you could. Because of what they're about. So that's what makes it interesting. But you know what though? This finals ended in disappointment.

[Michael Kay]

Oh yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know it did. This whole finals was a disappointment and it ended in disappointment. We were robbed of what should have been a classic.

[Don LaGreca]

And you would by the way it was starting, the way the Pacers hung in there. They were at a one point lead at the half.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean they lost Halliburton early.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Eight minutes ago, third quarter. It was a tie score.

[Don LaGreca]

Maybe if he doesn't get hurt. Maybe. Maybe they still win the game, the Thunder. But we might have had a classic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

The guy hit his first what Hit three threes and then bang, he gets hurt. And oh my God, you just. You knew it. You knew it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When he goes down and starts slapping the floor and you see his. Him mouthing no, no, no, so bad. That's not a guy in pain physically. That's a guy that knows what just happened and is realizing that it happened in the biggest moment of his career and how he must have been feeling right before that step he took about like you said, Don hit three threes, was feeling it was in a great rhythm. You know, at some point early on he's like, oh, I'm on it. And then the minute he Feels that pop, and he knows what that pop is. He knows the dream is gone. Right there.

[Michael Kay]

Devastating three, three wins into a final, right? Like how? In all likelihood, guys, respectfully, in all likelihood, Tyrese Halliburton will never be in that spot again. Most players, no, most players won't.

[Don LaGreca]

Most of them won't be.

[Michael Kay]

T.J. mcConnell probably won't be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know.

[Michael Kay]

Siakam. You feel like he could end up on another championship contender at some point. He's already been there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How many finals do you have to be in to see a guy popping Achilles, by the way?

[Michael Kay]

Oh, my God.

[Don LaGreca]

But you know, to extrapolate on what you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

I also think that what he's experiencing in that moment is when he, as he's smacking the floor is not the Achilles blue. Because I think he knew that was on the table when that calf injury happened. I think every athlete knows it's going to go. He's just hoping, let it be in the off season, let it be next year. Don't let it happen here early in game seven. Because I think he knew. I think they all know it's on the table. Michael was talking about earlier today, he shouldn't have played game six and seven. I look at the other way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I disagree with that.

[Don LaGreca]

He knows it's going to go, so. But he's in the finals and he's just hoping let it go next year. Let it go in the fourth quarter, up us 10 with 30 seconds to play and let me try to win my championship. He knows it's happened. That's not the shock of, oh, my God, my Achilles went. It's, oh, my God. It happened in the first quarter. It happened too early. I knew this was going to happen. It just didn't hold long enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's exactly what it is. We are not promised tomorrow no matter what we do in life. And so when you are on a team like this and you go on a run like this and you get to a point where he was, there's no way he is sitting out. He's got three years left with a ton of money on it. So he's not costing himself. It's different. KD was going into free agency. He didn't have a contract. So there's risk there for sure. If he's a rookie or in his rookie deal, there's risk for sure. He's in the middle right now of a max contract that has three more guaranteed years on it. And I promise you, at the end of those three years, by the time he's back on the court, he's gonna get another contract. This is not a death sentence, but you don't know if you're ever gonna be back there again. There's no promise. It's the Pacers. They're a mid major market. They are not a team that's going to spend a ton of money. They don't spend the luxury tax. They already have decisions to make. You go for it now. I tip my cap to the kid. I do. Because he was considered overrated by players in a poll. He showed underrated heart. It's the Spartan way. You come back with your shield or on it. That's exactly the mentality he had. That's an athlete mentality. And you respect it.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. Because what are you waiting on? See that? See, ultimately, that's what's selfish about sometimes sports, where it's like, all right, you know what? The Achilles is going to go, I'm not going to play because I don't want it to blow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He would never recovered from that.

[Don LaGreca]

And I don't think anybody on the court is thinking, yeah, let's keep him fresh for next year. Because like Peter said, Neil, you don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Don LaGreca]

You don't know if you're ever going to be back. All right? This is. This is not, you know, the dynasty, Cavs or Heat or Bulls. Like hell, we'll get it next year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ask.

[Don LaGreca]

Ask Dan Marino how many times he went to the super bowl after.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So we're all agreeing sophomore year, we all agree it's right that he played. We have no problem with it. The team can't. Can't tell him to sit. He can't do that to his teammates. Right. You can't do that to your team. Okay, we're all in agreement because I haven't seen too many people push back on this. Most people just acknowledge, like, you had to play.

[Don LaGreca]

No, you got to play the only one. Again, Michael said it, the reason I brought it up when I was driving in, but I. But I think he was just coming from the perspective of, hey, you're going to be out all next season. But I get that. Even if you know that once that calf starts to bother you, Listen, I'm no doctor, but I don't know if you're able to kind of reverse it. Are you able to reverse it and all rest during the off season that way?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, rest is what heals.

[Don LaGreca]

But at some point it's probably going to happen. You hope that it's going to happen later than you know when it did, you got to commend them, you got to applaud them. Now, we spin this locally because this ties in to, I believe, the New York Knicks, because think of the irony here and how coincidental it is that during these playoffs we saw three stars blow out their Achilles.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dame Lillard, Jason Tatum, and now Tyrese Halliburton.

[Don LaGreca]

All three were the number zero, which is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's bizarre.

[Michael Kay]

No, no, no. That's insane.

[Don LaGreca]

It's insane.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's bizarre.

[Don LaGreca]

And to what could end up being the Knicks benefit, all reside in the Eastern Conference.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And we're top, what? Top five teams in the East.

[Don LaGreca]

Right. So with no Lillard next year, no Tatum next year, and now no Halliburton next year, those teams are going to be compromised. There's still good teams in the east for sure. I think Orlando is going to be better, Detroit's going to be better. And I know Cleveland had a tough run in the postseason, but Cleveland right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, Cleveland right now. Second highest odds to win a championship next year. Tied now with the Houston Rockets, who just made a bit of a big trade.

[Don LaGreca]

But it is kind of open for the Knicks. We're going to discuss that as well. Plus, I got a question for you guys.

[Michael Kay]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

About the NBA champions, not just this year, but even in years past. Okay, we'll get into all of that. We've got our NFL binge, which is going to shift to 5 because Adam.

[Michael Kay]

Schefter is going to special guest. Adam Schefter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Adam Schefter, that's right.

[Don LaGreca]

We're going to have an ENN at 6.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

And then of course, it's going to be Mets baseball. Mets of the Braves. Don't worry, Mets and Yankee fans. We'll get to your teams as well. It's all happening here on Don Han and Rosenberg hanging out with you little 6:30 here on ESPN New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Michael Kay]

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 month at betterhelp.com timeout that's better h lp.com.

[Alan Hahn]

Timeout thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Michael Kay]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don LaGreca]

Just a quick observation before we get to the next angle of this whole thing, which is plainly obvious how things have opened up for the Knicks in the Eastern Conference. And this was going around social media a bit last night, but I thought it at the time is it because the field of play, which in the NBA is the court, is so small, why is there really no championship celebration from a team standpoint? When the NBA team wins a title like you saw the Panthers win, they all dive onto the ice, they jump on each other. You all swarm over the pitcher in Baseball, even in football, they all kind of get together. There's a celebration. Although I think it's a little bit different because there's so many players.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's done on the sideline more in football, as the game's ending kind of thing, they run out on the field.

[Don LaGreca]

But I do think the reason that football and basketball are kind of similar is that there are so many people that are on the sidelines that have access to the court and the field. In the NFL and the NBA, they're all around there. I was on the court when the Lakers beat the Nets. It was at the medal.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, I remember.

[Don LaGreca]

So I had the credential. I actually got a championship hat because I followed the Lakers into the locker room.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And someone handed you.

[Don LaGreca]

Somebody just handed me a hat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nice.

[Don LaGreca]

So I gave it to somebody that was a Laker fan, Ty Butler. They do rope it off.

[Michael Kay]

Ty Butler was three.

[Don LaGreca]

But there's so many photographers and there's so many agents and so many people that have access to the court. There's, like, no room to move around. And it's by far the smallest area in professional sports is the court compared to a baseball field and a hockey rink. But football is kind of the same thing. You have hundreds of people on the sidelines that then come onto the field. They get in the way of the celebration. I wish there was a way that the NBA players can express the joy of a championship where they do in the NHL and Major League Baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm glad you said this, because it's, you know, funny, Stephanie. It was her first reaction. Why do they set the stage up right away? The players never got a chance to celebrate. And then, of course, there's the owner there, and then there's the GM is there, and the coaches. You know, everybody's up front. It's the thing you love about hockey's championship is that the commissioner gives the trophy to the team captain.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not to anybody else. And we don't even hear from an owner. We don't hear from anybody. The first thing you do is just watch them celebrate. What is the rush to build the stage and hurry up and get these, like the interview. I love Lisa Salters. It's not about Lisa. She had very good questions. She was well prepared. But I really, to be honest with you, I didn't want to hear from anybody. I wanted to see them. I wanted to see the joy and celebrations and see that part of it just come out, give them the trophy and keep it moving. If you want to do the MVP first, then you do the trophy and let them have the trophy, let them hold it up, let them pass it to each other. It never happened. We don't get that. Instead we get can interviews, we get an owner, we get all that stuff.

[Michael Kay]

Nothing worse than the owner.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's all forced onto this tiny little stage and in this tiny little area. And then I don't think you get the same type of euphoria that you should get.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't, but I'm not even talking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I agree with you.

[Don LaGreca]

But, but even beyond the or the handing off of the cup, I'm just talking about that immediacy. The coolest thing for me watching in the MLB and the NHL, when a champion is from that clock zeros out, when that final out is made, they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Run out the play.

[Don LaGreca]

Players all gather together, they jump on top of each other, they celebrate, they have their moment. Then eventually they wheel out the stage or eventually, you know, the commissioner will come out with a cup. And then I like the NHL with the handing off the cup. I'm not even talking about that. I'm just talking about just having that 30 seconds of all of the players just having the time of their life, embracing each other, jumping up and down. You can't tell me that you just can't section off the. Just for a minute.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, they bring the ropes out and just.

[Don LaGreca]

But, but I'm saying nobody, just, just the players on the bench and the players on the court, let them celebrate and eventually they'll disperse after a minute or two. And then you could do all of the ancillary things that you need to do in crowning a champion. Can't you give them that one moment of just the jubilation of it's over. You celebrate with each other.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You saw Jalen Williams in tears as the clock was counting down because eventually he took out his starters and the stars were on the bench and they were standing there letting the final seconds countdown. And to see Jalen Williams, his eyes were tearing up and then he grabbed his jersey and started covering his face to wipe his tears away. That's to me the most we got to see of a true celebration where they let like Shay Gilgis Alexander already had gold sneakers wrapped around his neck. How long did that take? Who ran that out to him and put it around his neck? Because his Converse deal, his sneaker company.

[Don LaGreca]

Like too many non central personnel are allowed on the court in that amazing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Built the stage like within five seconds. It's like, I know, I get it. We got to hurry up and get to whatever's going to be on ABC next. I know that the news has to come out, whatever it is.

[Don LaGreca]

No, but that's got to see his weather report.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no.

[Don LaGreca]

But that's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But the celebration is everything because.

[Don LaGreca]

Because they didn't go to the. The game ended about I guess what, 10 to 11.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it wasn't that late and they.

[Don LaGreca]

Were still in coverage at like 11:30. So it wasn't a rush to get to the news. I'm sure they want to get to the news or the local affiliates, whatever they're getting to at that time. But we're still talking about 40 minutes after the fact. They're still in cover.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm glad you brought this up because it's literally what we were. My wife and I were talking about while we were watching it.

[Michael Kay]

Because he has the. He's the pulse of the people. And this is.

[Don LaGreca]

It bothers me. Didn't I say on Friday listen, I'm not going to be completely engaged in the game. And certainly Halliburton getting hurt kind of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hurt made you lean forward. Major was.

[Don LaGreca]

At first you're thinking it's going to hurt it. But then they got a one point lead at the half. It's a competitive game, you know, pretty decent amount of time into the third you're in. But I had said to you on Friday I'm going to want to be there for the celebration and the preseason. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You like that?

[Don LaGreca]

Everybody likes. But I got to tell you, the NBA just leaves me flat because I don't get a sense that the there's really any celebration. He's like agents, people in suits, photographers, million people getting in the way of the players. What was the last year to begin with?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I don't like the commercialization. Like again, the gold sneakers around Shay's neck. I didn't need that. You know what else? Like last year reminded you of me? Of Jason Tatum trying to redo the Kevin Garnett thing. You know, anything's possible.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. When he did that thing and you know that was staged for a commercial. Like, come on. Like it just didn't feel genuine. But the Thunder aren't disingenuous. It's just the moment didn't really seem like it happened. Now. Can I ask another criticism?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That I saw a lot of last night.

[Michael Kay]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Halliburton injury happened early in the game. We might have seen it if you could count eight to 10 more times throughout the broadcast of the game. Nevermind. After they kept showing it to you. Did you need to Keep seeing it.

[Don LaGreca]

I think they're doing it and they got a pretty decent rating, right? Over 16 million people watched Game 7.

[Michael Kay]

Game 7.

[Don LaGreca]

But they have to realize is that, you know, it happened in the first quarter. So they must realize that you're getting new. New audience that want to see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I wanted to explain that to people because I don't think people got. There was so much criticism of abc, ESPN showing it over and over. You're shoving it down our throats. And I said it was a no.

[Michael Kay]

It was the story of the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was absolutely the story of the game.

[Michael Kay]

The game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And there's always a new audience and you got to. And if you say, well, Halliburton got hurt early in the game, what happened? What happened? You want to show it. That's your job.

[Don LaGreca]

First of all, it's starting a half hour earlier than all the other games because it was Sunday, so It started at 8:00. So a lot of people are going to get in a little bit later. Didn't see it. Now you could say, well, in the era of social media, I can go to YouTube.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want you going there.

[Don LaGreca]

But ABC is like, no, I want you staying here. So you. I like the fact that they at least acknowledge that, hey, we didn't have everybody at the jump. People are going to be coming into the half. People are going to come into the third quarter. So a lot of people that just say, I'm going to watch the fourth quarter. That's how most of these games end up being decided anyway. I think you have to do it. If I'm the director, if I'm the producer, I'm making sure that that new audience gets a chance to see that. So we all agree the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So it's another thing we all agree on. All agree we're in some.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, I think we're all into this.

[Don LaGreca]

But the one. And I want to hear from people at 1-800-919-3776 about everything that we're talking about, but also the fact that if you're a Nick fan, you had to raise an eyebrow and go, God, you know, the Pacers are compromised. Loose Halliburton all of next year. No Tatum all next year. Lillard, you know, I'm not going to put him at the same level of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it does affect the Bucks.

[Don LaGreca]

But it does affect the Bucks and the other team that's in the way. And you know, as Cleveland, they had a ton of injuries at the end of the year. Were they a fugazi? One seed that went out in the second round or are they legitimate?

[Peter Rosenberg]

They have mental.

[Don LaGreca]

We'll see. But on the one hand, you're like, boy, it really is opened up for the Knicks. But on the other hand, we were sitting here on June 23rd and there's no coach who's the coach to take advantage of this. And I'm sorry, guys, if Thibodeau is the coach of this team, I feel like their chances are just as good to be able to take that next step and go to the finals and see who they can dance with in the West. It just further accentuates the fact that had nothing to do with that. It had everything to do with these players. Just didn't want Tibbs to be their coach anymore. I still think it's going to be Jason Kidd and that'll make it age a lot differently. But does it take some of the surge out of a Knick fans excitement for how the east has opened up? Because on the other hand, you don't even have a coach right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that'll get solved. And then you. Then we can see how we feel about whoever it is that is hired. And I'm with you, too. I'm not quite ready to give up on Kid, but I kind of feel like this has a little bit of a feel of the summer of 93 when all of a sudden Michael Jordan decided he was going to play baseball.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And if you're the Knicks in the east and you just lost to them in heartbreaking fashion, as everybody remembers, that felt like the door just opened. Right. Wait, wait, wait. The best player in the. In the world is not playing and he's in the east and he's gone. And we're pretty much the second best team in the east, so that makes us the best team in the east now. And so I do think that whatever expectations were already there for the Knicks going into next season, regardless, I think it's heightened even more. I, in fact, almost feel like there's a greater sense of urgency even now more than ever because of the fact of Tatum's injury and now Halliburton's injury do leave you in a place that you gotta believe if you're gonna break through, it's now. And that makes me wonder, how big of a swing are they going to make now this off season? Durant is no longer on the table, but for a minute there, you're like, whoa, if you can get Durant, maybe you do got to get Durant here because of the window. But okay, he's off the table. But, you know, do you call the Bucks about Giannis? Do you see if Giannis can try to get himself out of there? Do you do whatever it takes to get kid out of Dallas? What do you do? Because you got to feel like next year, right, is your best chance to win a championship in maybe 30 years.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, you got. You need a coach, right? So you might as well go out to get the coach that you want. But as far as getting Giannis right away, does that make you want to get Giannis right away? Or do you say, hey, listen, I think we have what it takes right now without having to make a big splash with personnel, to take advantage of how it's opened up and not have to mortgage any of our future to get it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't know.

[Michael Kay]

I don't know either.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Knicks without Giannis, Knicks with Giannis. Which team scares you? Like, let's say Brunson.

[Michael Kay]

There's no question.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Giannis and whatever else. Or Brunson and what you got no.

[Michael Kay]

Giannis, no Brunson and Giannis and whatever else.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what I'm saying.

[Michael Kay]

Giannis to me, and again, I've said this many times, he's not my all time favorite player to watch. But Giannis immediately, by himself, trade him to any team in the league, they're at 48 to 52 wins with just him. He's that kind of player. That's how dynamic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're a championship contender wherever he goes.

[Michael Kay]

And then you have him and Brunson on a team, they're at the top of the conference, guaranteed the right pieces, the right coach. I.

[Don LaGreca]

You're gonna want to do that anyway, right? Like, no matter what the circumstances are, you get a chance to get Giannis, you get them.

[Michael Kay]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

But I'm asking, now that it's opened up as much as it has, do I, am I as quick to do it? I want to do it, but do I have to mortgage a lot to get it done? If I think I might be able to get this done without having.

[Michael Kay]

Well, so Boston, Boston's now a wrap. Indiana's now a wrap, at least in terms of winning the conference.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And by the way, both teams, keep in mind Indiana, this is something Wendy said today. Indiana hasn't paid luxury tax in like 30, 25 years. They might have done it this year if Halliburton's healthy and you know what I mean. And they feel like, you know, we can get back there. But now they've got to make some decisions. On payroll because they, if they're going to eat a year, same thing as Boston.

[Michael Kay]

If you're going to eat a year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Boston now can just kind of gap year it and reset some things and get themselves back under so that the repeater tax goes away. That's a huge. You're talking about hundreds of millions of dollars difference now. So there's two teams that would have easily been in your way, that have been a thorn in your side out.

[Michael Kay]

Of the way, that are probably going to choose to be out of your way right now. Listen, I think, by the way, in the case of both of those teams, particularly Boston, but I think in both cases, they'll both be good teams next year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Boston will certain they can still be a playoff team.

[Michael Kay]

Boston will certainly be a playoff team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Absolutely.

[Michael Kay]

My guess is Boston could be still hovering around third or fourth conference.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Bulls without Jordan were still a pain in the ass and a hard out.

[Michael Kay]

Jalen Brown and Drew Holiday. It's still a very good. Depending on what happens with Kirstaps and Drew Holiday, et cetera.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Michael Kay]

But it's still an opportunity for the Knicks. But this is where I end up circling around to going, okay, who's the coach, though? Because we made a decision that the coach wasn't enough. There was another coach out there that could get this group to the promised land.

[Don LaGreca]

But see, I think that's the lie. That's the spin. The truth is these players didn't want to play for Tibbs. They'll take anybody but him. That's why I think they cast such a wide net, because it didn't matter as long as it's not him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can I ask a question? That's great. Do you guys, would you guys buy this at all? From what I've heard, there was concern because, you know, you got to build out the bench. It's pretty clear, right? They, they had some maneuverability financially to build out the bench, bring in more talented, upgrade veteran type players to help give you a solid bench that could compete for a championship. What if there were guys that you were targeting that were like, why would I go there? Tibbs doesn't play guys off the bench. Why would I go there if I'm gonna play 18 minutes?

[Don LaGreca]

It might not be as harsh as I hate Tibbs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's.

[Don LaGreca]

I think we need somebody.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm gonna go to this other team because I know I'm gonna play there. Like, would you, would you buy that?

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

As something that in the front office they went, all right, now we're gonna.

[Don LaGreca]

Have a problem because you can't sell me. We think we can do better and not have anybody. Like if you would, if you immediately pivoted to somebody else, you say, all right, this is the guy that we wanted, but we don't know who it's going to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And it could be, it could be somebody with experience like Jason Kidd. It could be somebody that's like Taylor Jenkins. It's all over the place. And it just has that feel of like anybody but Tibbs, or at least somebody that is going to be able to use the bench, utilize things a little bit more because we just couldn't have him come back. 1-800-919-3776 tons of people want to talk about this, so we'll hear from you. Schefter coming up at 5 enn at 6. Don Ana Rosenberg on ESPN New York.

[Michael Kay]

All right, guys, I have 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 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 online therapy provider with, I'm sorry, with an online app store rating, I should say of 4.9 out of 5 based on 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 better help our listeners get 10% off their first [e-mail] timeout. That's betterhelp.com timeout.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Michael Kay]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don LaGreca]

Game Time is brought to you by Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey because when it's game time, guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh boy.

[Don LaGreca]

The Mets welcome in the Braves with coverage immediately following us on 880 at 6:30 in the Yankee time are in Cincinnati to face the Red 7 10. Oh Cincinnati, little Cincinnati. Tullamore Dew. The original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. Let's get to the busy phones. A lot of people want to chat with us. Hopefully they had a great weekend. Let's go to Joey on Staten Island. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Joey? Joey.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[E]

How's it going guys?

[Don LaGreca]

Good.

[E]

I just want to say anyone who thinks this wasn't a good NBA finals, they are out of their mind. You had a 15 point comeback in the first game buzzer beater. And. And it went seven. And I just want to let you know I've called plenty of times. I just want my flowers. I've been saying all season no one was beating okc.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, it came close. I mean if Halliburton doesn't get hurt.

[E]

You'Re call anything in game six. They wanted a game seven just like they rigged the draft. Come on, NBA six.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, if it's fixed then why was it a great final? If they had to fix it and why.

[Michael Kay]

And hold on. And why do you.

[Don LaGreca]

It was not a great final.

[Michael Kay]

Why do you.

[Don LaGreca]

Amazing. Really.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His team won. That's why it was great.

[E]

Jdub going for 40.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His team won. That's why it's great.

[Michael Kay]

It was. It was. Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. What's his name?

[Don LaGreca]

Joey.

[Michael Kay]

Joey. It was one of the most forgettable finals in recent memory.

[Don LaGreca]

Now your team won. You should be very happy.

[E]

You are a casual.

[Don LaGreca]

Stop it.

[Michael Kay]

Joey. Joey.

[Don LaGreca]

You just said they fixed it the four course of game seven. So if it was that great a series, they wouldn't have to fix it. But it wasn't.

[E]

Listen, the first five games were wonderful. The first five games were wonderful.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, there was.

[Don LaGreca]

There were blowouts.

[Michael Kay]

What are you saying?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Game two was bad.

[Don LaGreca]

Your team won. You should be happy.

[Michael Kay]

Just take your flowers.

[Don LaGreca]

You won.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's awesome.

[E]

Yeah, that's why I want my flowers.

[Don LaGreca]

You are going to sit here and go, oh, you don't know what you're seeing.

[Michael Kay]

It was a great.

[Don LaGreca]

It was not a great final.

[Michael Kay]

If you want your flowers, go into the flower shop, buy the flowers and leave. Don't go to the flower shop, say I have the flowers. And by the way, I want a bacon cheeseburger to leather couch. You got the flowers, you got the team that everything else you said was pure hot garbage.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's his team. He has been on it all year. Good job. I never argued with Him.

[Don LaGreca]

I will give him his flowers. He was right about okc. All right. But. But OKC had to go to seven with Denver.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

And they had to go seven in the finals. And Hall Vernon gets hurt. Maybe that changed. I think they're probably going to win the game anyway.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, Aaron Gordon has a catastrophic injury to his hamstring. That changed that series. All right. The Denver series. Also, John Moran gets hurt in the first round. Now they were already blowing him out, but still another injury. And they never had to see Steph Curry because he got hurt. They never got to play him. They ended up playing a Minnesota team and that they had seen before, matched up well with and beat them. So things broke your way. You do what you're supposed to do and win it. But don't tell me that they ran away with this championship. They beat a Pacer team that they were the heavy favorites to beat and.

[Don LaGreca]

You know how many times. And I'm not going to get on him because he's. He's the hall of Famer. But you could tell during the celebration how many times Breen said, if you love team basketball, when they say team basketball, they're like, she's got a nice personality like you're trying to find. Because he knew. And even Doris mentioned. Talk about small markets. Talk about small. These were all on the table.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Now it was competitive. It went seven games. But I don't.

[Michael Kay]

It could have been.

[Don LaGreca]

And by the way, we're not a casual.

[Michael Kay]

I've enjoyed every NBA final.

[Don LaGreca]

You supported it more than we did.

[Michael Kay]

As far as I fought for it.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Michael Kay]

And then up until. See late in the. What. When did the injury happen?

[Peter Rosenberg]

First quarter, midway through fifth Game five is when he.

[Michael Kay]

Well, no, when he. No, no, that's when he. And he. When he tweaked it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When he tweaked the calf.

[Michael Kay]

And then yesterday it was. What was the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, it was close game early in the first.

[Michael Kay]

It's a close game in the first quarter. And then, in fact, it stayed close. You get into the third quarter maybe, and then all of a sudden it became like the other games, but again. And it was a nothing burger.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We. The drama was great, but when the score is under 50 for both teams at the half, that second quarter was not good. You had two teams that were distracted by an injury. You could tell that neither team really was ready to throw the heavy punch. Second half even started a little slow, but then all of a sudden the Thunder hit a couple of threes. Crowd got into it. And then they had that. Okay, let's take this thing. That's what happened. Good for them. But let's not paint this into a classic. It wasn't. It could have been.

[Michael Kay]

If Halliburton plays and the Pacers or OKC wins in dramatic fashion, I think we go. You know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was pretty good.

[Michael Kay]

It wasn't pretty, but it turned out to be a pretty good series. Instead, the most enigmatic player, the most interesting player in the series. Not the best player, clearly. No, the most interesting player in the series was hurt in the first quarter of Game 7. If that doesn't sum up what the womp. Womp of that series, I don't know what does.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And when Shanae said about Shea, oh, he's a master of the mundane. Mundane. Say no more.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, that's it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's just really. That's a real thing.

[Don LaGreca]

If you listen, I love hockey, you love basketball, and if you're a fan of okc, right, you're going to think it's tremendous. But you can't make it into something that wasn't. Javier and Queens. You're on. Don Hannah, Rosenberg.

[F]

Hey, what's up, fellas? Thanks for taking my call. Before I get into the NBA Finals, I just want to talk a little Knicks. You know, I. I think the thing that needs to happen. I don't know who the coach should be, and there's so many suggestions about what needs to change, but for me, I watch all the games. I don't know if you agree with this, Alan. To me, two seasons in a row, the Knicks, like, peaked in January. They were the absolute best in January. And I think the key to the Pacers run was they were like. They were a really good team from the second half on. Right. So I think if the Knicks are able to capture that with a new coach, like, not peak so early and kind of peak going into the playoffs, I think they'll be fine. Based on the path that, you know, it seems like what's before them. But I got to say, I hate the talk of, you know, all you got to do is be Cleveland now. Or like, you know, all you got to worry about is Cleveland and Orlando. That was the same talk last year. All it was was, you know, make sure you beat Boston and then everything will be okay. And they beat Boston and not. And everything was not okay. All right. When it comes to the Finals, like, I thought it was a good season. I think we're just disappointed that the Finals, it wasn't who we necessarily wanted, and it really wasn't Like, a great finish. My question is, like, with sga, and, you know, if you guys all want to jump in, you know, he did something really historical, I think, like, the fourth guy to, you know, lead the league in point. MVP and the finals mvp. But, like, out of. Out of those four guys, like, a lot of people are like, he's the worst out of the four. Like, in the modern NBA, like, if there was a draft today, because it's crazy. Top two guys. He a top five guy. I don't even think SJ is a top five guy. I don'T know if I'm just kind of hating on him because of the small market and how he won the mvp.

[Don LaGreca]

He's.

[Michael Kay]

He's right there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He won the mvp. He's. He's.

[Michael Kay]

Start well. You can play a game, name the players better than him, and we'll stop you when you're wrong.

[F]

So personally. All right, so I. All right. And we're just taking a guy for next season, right? Not for, like, the rest of their career.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah. So just next. Next year.

[F]

All right. I think Jokic is better than him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure.

[Michael Kay]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he finished second in the vote. Yeah.

[F]

He might think he should have won it.

[Michael Kay]

Okay.

[F]

I think Giannis and I think Luca and I think Anthony Edwards are all guys that I would pick over him. And then of the older guard, like, you know, it's hard to disrespect Steph and LeBron. Like, they're still. And I'm not even fans of theirs. Like, they're just that good. It's just like. I think SGA was, like, a perfect storm for this team. They faced two teams that had interim coaches. Right. Like. Like, it was a perfect storm for them to win this title. It was more like.

[Michael Kay]

I may. I probably don't agree at this moment with Anthony Edwards, though I can understand the argument either way. Dude, you named, like, four players. I mean, he's. That's a really, really good player.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You name six.

[Michael Kay]

No, if you include LeBron and Stephen and Steph. But, like, they're not better than him next year. They're.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're just Jokic, Giannis, Luca, and Anthony Edwards. There's four there and then two more. So he named six. So he's got sga seven still top.

[Michael Kay]

He averages. Just just to remind everyone, in the regular season, 33. Alan, 32.75 rebounds, 6.4 assists. He shoots 52% from the floor, 89.8 from the line, and nearly 38% from three.

[Don LaGreca]

He's a really, really great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He had one of the all time great seasons.

[Don LaGreca]

And it's a really good team too. I mean, 68 wins ain't nothing. 73. I mean, so that's, that's pretty, pretty good stuff. But they did face elimination twice, but they won in blowouts in both game Sevens. Although Halliburton certainly contributed to being a blowout last night.

[Alan Hahn]

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.

[Alan Hahn]

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