Don Hahn (2:43)

first responders who had no choice but to get to work during this storm. Hospital workers and police officers that, you know, just can't work remotely, can't work from home, that had to brave that. So good job out of them. Look like we survived it and still, you know, trying to dig out from under it. We got a huge show. 3:45. We're going to talk to the man, Kenny Albert, who nailed every call that he had to at the Olympics. He's finally home, all the travel coming back from Italy. So we'll talk to him about just that moment. Knowing that many people are watching that big a thing and for him and Eddie to call the games the way that they did. Tremendous job. Brian Boucher as well. So thought NBC nailed it. And Kenny was definitely a part of that. Proud to call him a friend. I know he's been a friend of this show and Alan and I have gotten to know him very well over the last few years and Peter as well. So we couldn't be happier for him. And he's going to join us at 3:45. Talk about a Tuesday at 4:30 enn at 6. We had lots to get to. We never got to that Yankee story about with Guidry. We're going to get to that sound from both football teams as we're getting closer and closer to the combine. But the place to start is just another day, another big game for the Knicks and they have responded well. After that loss to the Pistons that come from behind victory against the Rockets and then winning in a second to back to backs against Chicago. But the gauntlet continues against the Caps and that's another great team. And in a team that's kind of creeping up. So I know Detroit lost yesterday and they were having some fun with it in the morning. Like, hey, good news, the Knicks can gain a game. It's not about trying to, you know, catch Detroit to try and make sure that you finish in that top three, if not the top two. So right now I think you're a little bit more concerned about what the Cavs and the Celtics do more so than the Pistons. And a team that you couldn't beat in a big spot last year never had a chance to play them in the postseason. But you know, a really Important game for no other reason but to try to make sure you don't drop to a four seed. And Cleveland certainly has the power to pass the Knicks.

Alan Hahn (4:41)

Yeah. And also, Don, if you think about it, they've already played them twice this season, but they look a lot different now than they did then. Come back, win on Christmas Day. That was a fun game at the Garden on Christmas Day. And early in the season they played him as well and beat them then. But they're much different now with James Harden. They also made some additions to their bench. They really did change out their roster at the trade deadline because they didn't like where they were headed. And they're a different team. 5 and 1 since they got Harden. The one loss I think was to the Thunder. So you can, you know, imagine that wasn't like a bad loss or anything. And they just play a lot different. And so for the Knicks, another challenge, you know, that, that bad loss to the Pistons, you want to keep pushing that further and further into the past with quality wins. And you know, as I've tried to point out, for the most part, the Knicks have played well. The Cavs and the Knicks are the two teams since January 21st. The only teams in the league that won 12 games. The Cavs are 12 and two. Knicks are 12 and three.

Kenny Albert (5:40)

The.

Alan Hahn (5:40)

Let me say that again, the Knicks are 12 and three in their last 15 games. Yeah, like you got to keep now the three losses, what everybody gets frustrated about. And I understand it, one of them was a bad one to the Pacers. But you know, this is another game in this stretch out of the All Star break that the tough games you're going to play against a team that you know is nipping at your heels, that you have to show up and you have to, you know, show not just, you know, your fans, but this is another nationally televised game is also going to be on Amazon that you have to let the league know, like, no, no, this is a team that, that can be formidable. And I think the loss to the Pistons made a lot of people nationally skeptical if the Knicks really have that kind of championship DNA. So another chance to, you know, reestablish that and push that Pistons loss into the past.

Don Hahn (6:29)

And you know, it's interesting, Peter, is that we go back to last Wednesday when Monica was on and she comes on every Wednesday at 4:00 here on Don Han and Rosenberg. She said she would take five and five in this 10 game Gauntlet. Well, if they win tonight, they're three and one. I think you'd throw five and five away if they win three of their first four.

Peter Rosenberg (6:47)

Now you got to get to at least six and four.

Don Hahn (6:49)

Yeah, I would think so.

Alan Hahn (6:50)

I agree.

Don Hahn (6:51)

But let me ask you this. If they were to win tonight and be three and one, six and one, would you. Would you be cool with that? Or what if you beat Detroit but then lost the next three, Remember, they could have very easily and should have lost to Houston. Right. They were down big going to the fourth quarter, huge comeback to win that game. And then the Bulls, what was that final 105, 99 Allen.

Alan Hahn (7:14)

Yep.

Don Hahn (7:14)

Second of back to back. Could have very easily lost both of those games and didn't. And then you lose tonight, like, as much as we make the Detroit game out to be a big deal because they're the one seed. I mean, being three and one is three and one. And you just said that then they would go to what, 13 and 2 in that span of time. So. I know we get caught up, Peter, in certain games and cosmetically they look great, but overall, the package looks like it's where you want it to be.

Peter Rosenberg (7:40)

Listen, here's the deal. We cannot escape now that the Detroit thing is a thing.

Alan Hahn (7:45)

It's a thing.

Peter Rosenberg (7:46)

It's over, and now it's a thing. Until they play them in the playoffs, that will continue to be a thing. You can't. The milk is out of the udder in that regard. But I think now it's about everything else at least looking really good, you know, like, at least you could maybe accept there was something wrong with our approach against Detroit. But don't worry, we figured out in the playoffs last year and we'll figure it out the playoffs this year. So I think it's important to move on from that and show this isn't an overall Nick problem. But there is a bit of Detroit, a Detroit issue they're working through, and

Don Hahn (8:20)

Alan's been banging this drum forever, is that you still want the other wins, all right? Detroit's better than you right now. And you can't answer those questions again until the postseason because you're done playing with them. That's it. But right now you want to make sure you don't drop to the four seed and maybe have to play Detroit in the second round.

Alan Hahn (8:37)

Right.

Don Hahn (8:37)

So all the more reason to start winning the other games because the Detroit is going to continue to be an issue. Have it be a conference final issue, not a second round issue.

Alan Hahn (8:45)

Right. Yeah, I completely agree. And you can't fix the Detroit thing. It is what it is. At that point, you can make the excuses all you want coming out of the All Star break, maybe not ready. Whatever it is, it's over. And what you want to make sure is you don't see them until May, not April, right? May, when it's deep into the playoffs. That's what you. So that's why tonight, as much as we all like to do this thing, and I agree, because there's still 20 something games left in the season, is to just, you know, you can't overreact to a regular season, win or loss. But this is too important. When you look at the standings, one game separates them in a loss column right now. And as I said, that fourth seed is not something you want because you want two or three because you don't want to play a team like Detroit, the only team in the east that I would worry about. Honestly, you should not worry about any other team other than Detroit in the East. So you want to wait till the very end to see them. That's what makes tonight's game. Now you have the head to head already with Cleveland because you won the first two. This is the last meeting. So even if you lose tonight, you still have the tiebreaker. But that doesn't matter. It's a win. It's to me, the win and loss column thing that's so important to avoid that fourth seed tonight feels like one of those, we got to get this. You get two days off and then you play a bad Milwaukee team. And then you play Sunday at home in the afternoon against Wemby and the spurs, who just took on the Pistons and dominated them. But they're on a long road trip. And you've played well against the spurs, by the way. You beat them in the Cup Final. And you had an unbelievable game in San Antonio, a wild one that you were you really. I keep going back to that. They should have won that game. Now to finish the 10. Don, you tell me this tonight feels like this is the most important of the ones remaining. Here's why. Because the spurs is a Western Conference team now. It's an important game because you want to see how you measure up. But you already know you can beat them. You already did in the most important game, the Cup Final. After that, Toronto, who you've handled this year. Yes, OKC at home, it's the Thunder.

Don Hahn (10:48)

All right.

Alan Hahn (10:49)

Then you go on a road at Denver, at lakers, there's your 10. Like the one that matters the most is this one right now because of where it is in the standings and who they are right behind you.

Don Hahn (10:59)

So you're two and one in the first three. Yeah. Win tonight, you're three and one. You should be able to beat Milwaukee. That's four and one. All right, Give them losses to the spurs and okc.

Alan Hahn (11:11)

So you give them the Raptors one. So that's. So you got five and three.

Don Hahn (11:14)

There's five and three right there.

Alan Hahn (11:16)

And then it's Denver and Lakers.

Don Hahn (11:18)

Split those, you're six and four. And I think you take that.

Alan Hahn (11:20)

I think you take that. I think you take it. Yeah.

Don Hahn (11:24)

Now, there's no reason why they can't win the games that I. That I allotted as losses. They. They've beaten Denver already this year. They killed the Lakers, the Garden, you know, so they could very easily. The only games you say that you can live with losing, not that you hate, not that you like losing, but, you know, if you lost to the spurs and the Thunder. Listen, the Pistons, the best team in the NBA, just lost by 10 at home to Wemby and the Spurs. That. Now you're talking about finishing, what, 8 and 2, right. I mean, or 8 and 3. 7 and 3, I guess, would be the record because you already got the loss to Detroit, like, so they could definitely beat Denver. They could definitely beat the Lakers. But I'm just saying that if they end up going six and four and one of those six wins is against the Cavaliers, would then give you the tiebreaker against them.

Alan Hahn (12:13)

Yeah, they have the tiebreaker.

Don Hahn (12:14)

Well, they have it. It's in hand, so it doesn't matter. That doesn't matter.

Alan Hahn (12:17)

All it does, though, is just. It just keeps them at an arm's length.

Don Hahn (12:21)

Yeah, I think the Knicks are. Listen, you got a Detroit problem like everybody else does in the conference. And I. And I understand what was said yesterday with Perkins about Boston is. Could be really scary. But you can't worry about that right now because they haven't got Tatum back yet. That's. That's. Don't. Don't create problems until they actually exist. Right now, the only problem they have right now is the Pistons.

Alan Hahn (12:47)

Yeah.

Don Hahn (12:47)

The only thing you can control is making sure you don't face them until the third round.

Peter Rosenberg (12:53)

Although, listen, as big a deal as that is, they're going to have to deal with that one way or the other. I do know. It's funny. As a fan, I have mixed feelings, and I guess the smartest thought is you want them last. Right. They get beat up by the time you get to the conference finals. You never know. Maybe Cade Cunningham is dealing with something by Then, like, I get it at the same time, if they end up with him in the second round, they.

Don Hahn (13:19)

You feel good.

Peter Rosenberg (13:19)

You win the second round. You feel like now we got a real shot to go all the way.

Don Hahn (13:22)

Well, that's. That's what you felt last year, right. The whole idea was facing the Celtics in the conference final. You face them in the second round.

Alan Hahn (13:30)

That's it right there. Don't.

Don Hahn (13:32)

But unfortunately, then you thought, all right, we're on our way to the finals. And then who thought that you'd lose to the Pacers?

Alan Hahn (13:37)

Right.

Don Hahn (13:38)

You don't know, but. Right. But the one thing I do disagree with vehemently, is the whole idea we got to face him at some point. Now, there's a big difference between being bounced in the second round or being bounced in the conference final. Either one would stink. But after going to the conference final last year, if you don't make it at least to the conference final, then that's. That's the. That's going to look. But no matter who you. Who you have to face.

Alan Hahn (14:00)

Yeah.

Don Hahn (14:01)

So I don't. I do think real estate matters to the Knicks, like, how far you go. And losing the eventual Eastern Conference champions maybe hurts a little less, but. Right. Peter, I'm sorry, after. With everybody talking about you, you're going to the finals now. No Halliburton in Indiana, no Tatum in Boston. It'd be bad enough losing in the third round, losing in the second round, Forget it.

Alan Hahn (14:25)

I just feel like if you want to get them, you want to get them as late as possible. Not only because of the palpability of. Well, if you lose, at least it's the conference finals where you got last year. I don't see it. That I think it's more of. Because I really want to know what that team's about. I want to know. And I said this to Perk yesterday. The air gets thinner, man. It gets thinner the deeper you go in the playoffs. Like, it's like going, you know, scuba diving. The pressure just gets harder. And the deeper you go into the ocean, the more pressure you feel. And that's where you can really test it, because at least the one thing the Knicks team could say is, we've been there. Like, we know what that feels like. We've been on that. On that front. These guys have it. So let's see if you still make those same shots you were making against us in that. In that environment and through two rounds of, you know, being physical. So that's. There's a lot of reasons why you want to make sure that you're in the two or three seed and not worry so much about trying to catch the Pistons. And I'm not saying concede it, but just, you know, see what they're about. I'll also point out, as I've mentioned, Detroit's got a tough schedule to finish the season. When the Knicks get through this run, it's cakewalk. And Boston has a tough schedule to finish the season as well. So two seeds still very much, in my opinion, on the table. And then we'll see how Detroit navigates the rest of this season and stays healthy and whether or not one becomes even anything that is in. In your windshield as you're driving along.

Don Hahn (15:58)

Well, what is it now? 5 and a half the.

Alan Hahn (16:03)

Yeah, but you got to also go tiebreaker. So you add that one more. Right, right.

Don Hahn (16:07)

So, I mean, listen, it doesn't seem like it's going to happen, but you can gain a game because they lost last night. You win tonight, you gain. And then after, after the 10.

Alan Hahn (16:17)

Yeah. There's seven in the loss column, Don.

Don Hahn (16:19)

Yes, that's probably. So where we. So after the gauntlet, after the Laker game, you still have a couple of games out west, but they should be easy games, right?

Alan Hahn (16:29)

Yeah, it's. Well, Clippers not easy. But Utah's not trying to win.

Don Hahn (16:34)

Utah's trying to win.

Alan Hahn (16:34)

And then you're playing Indiana at the end of that on the way back.

Don Hahn (16:37)

Right. And they're cooked. So. So after the gauntlet, how many games left?

Alan Hahn (16:41)

It's a great question.

Don Hahn (16:42)

After the Laker game, how many games are left?

Alan Hahn (16:44)

So that'd be game 65 is the Laker game.

Peter Rosenberg (16:46)

That's 17 left.

Alan Hahn (16:48)

Right. So here, let me give you a smattering, all right? After the. That road trip ends, it's ridiculous. I saw Pacers, Nets, Wizards, Pelicans, Grizzlies, another Bulls. They're not trying. Right. Like it. You know, it's. There's a lot of W's in there.

Don Hahn (17:05)

No, it's a lot. So that you gotta get so honestly, seven back in the loss right now.

Alan Hahn (17:09)

Yes.

Don Hahn (17:10)

What would they have to be back in the loss in the final 17 to think it's realistic? They can get the catch.

Alan Hahn (17:16)

The four, I would think four.

Don Hahn (17:18)

So it's not crazy to think that they can gain three games in the next. Well, that's a lot because.

Alan Hahn (17:27)

Well, it's a. Detroit's got to lose. Like, that's. You know what I mean? Like, Detroit's got to lose.

Don Hahn (17:32)

You need some men and you don't play them, so you can't do anything about it there. That's going to be tough.

Alan Hahn (17:37)

Yeah.

Don Hahn (17:38)

Seven. That's, that's a lot that they would have to really be collapsing at that.

Alan Hahn (17:43)

So let's look at, let's look at Detroit right after tonight. After tonight they play the Thunder tomorrow.

Don Hahn (17:50)

Okay.

Alan Hahn (17:52)

Then they play the Cavs. Got him twice. That'll be interesting too, right? Like to see what, what happens there. They got the spurs again in San Antonio. They've got some softies at that point. I mean, oh my God. Like, then it gets easy. Nets twice, Grizzlies, Wizards twice.

Don Hahn (18:14)

Wow.

Alan Hahn (18:15)

Up until March 19th. It could be a wrap by then.

Don Hahn (18:17)

Let's see. This is also the, the part of tanking that sucks is the fact, the fact that like teams from a position standpoint are. Are taking advantage of getting these easy layups literally and figuratively, you know, down the stretch of the season.

Alan Hahn (18:32)

So this right here, they're in now the toughest part of their schedule. Spurs, Thunder, Cavs, Magic, Cavs, Spurs. That right there. So where are they next Thursday? Then we can, then you can decide whether or not you have a shot.

Don Hahn (18:47)

But, and listen, I don't. I, I didn't look at this. Alan would know better than any of us. Like, who knew that the spurs and okc, like years ago when OKC moved there. Right When Seattle moved to okc. That eventually the Thunder and the spurs be the two best teams in the NBA and the majority of teams will have to play them back to back. I'm sure what the Pistons are doing is normal because of the proximity of San Antonio and Oklahoma City. You probably either are playing them back to back or twice in three games because you might have like a Houston, San Antonio, okc. So just think of having those two beasts to have to play and a lot of times back to back. Yeah, like the Pistons are good.

Alan Hahn (19:37)

It's like playing when the Lakers and Clippers are both good and having to go to LA and play them both. Because that's normally what the east coast does. Yeah, you go into LA and you play both teams.

Don Hahn (19:47)

But this time. What?

Alan Hahn (19:48)

But, but Thunder, Thunder, Spurs. Yeah.

Don Hahn (19:51)

In this situation, Detroit's playing a bolt at home, right?

Alan Hahn (19:55)

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. They Monday and then Wednesday, Monday losses, first Wednesday against the Thunder and then they go to the. So again, like I said, this stretch right here, this is, this is a little bit of a meaty, tough stretch for them. And then they've just got again, Brooklyn. They're not trying to. Against Brooklyn. Right Memphis is not trying. Wizards 2 against them, they're not trying to all by March 19th.

Don Hahn (20:16)

But forget about style points. Forget about measuring stick, all the cliches. It's just about making sure you keep distance between three and four.

Alan Hahn (20:25)

Right.

Don Hahn (20:26)

Keeping the cabs in your rearview mirror. And then you deal with the Celtics when you have to deal with them. But like you said, ideally, you'd like to be the 2 seed, but you want to stay out of 4 at all costs. So forget about what it means and everything. Style points wise, you need to get a win. Need to get a win and just keep that cavalier team in your rearview mirror.

Alan Hahn (20:47)

And I, like I said, I'm watching Boston. You know, there's a lot of questions about Tatum and what he can do, but I'm also looking at, like, what, what are they going to do down the stretch, you know, with, with. They're on a long road trip right now. I don't think Brown's playing tonight against the Suns, so that could hurt them. They are coming off a good, a good win over the Lakers, but you know they're going to have their own little stretch in March. Cavs at. Cavs at spurs at Thunder in one week.

Don Hahn (21:18)

Yeah.

Alan Hahn (21:19)

Like, what do they look like after that week? Right. So I also. Watching time is starting to come around, fellas.

Don Hahn (21:26)

Yeah, it is.

Peter Rosenberg (21:27)

I also would caution people to, to only think about the Celtics in terms of Tatum's return. They are officially at this point, not going to be an easy out even if Tatum doesn't return. Like, they've kind of made it clear this is not the version that some people expected of. Like, this is not Indiana.

Kenny Albert (21:47)

They're.

Peter Rosenberg (21:48)

They're going for it. Jalen Brown is trying to prove something.

Alan Hahn (21:51)

Yep.

Peter Rosenberg (21:52)

And like, you're not going to. They're not getting swept out of the play.

Alan Hahn (21:55)

No.

Peter Rosenberg (21:55)

They're going to be hard out by anyone.

Alan Hahn (21:56)

I have a healthy respect for how competitive they're going to be in the first round and in the second round for whoever it is, two seed, three seed, you know how it works. Whoever is in that second round matchup with them, get ready for a war.

Don Hahn (22:11)

Yeah.

Alan Hahn (22:12)

And Joe Missoula. Like I said, I'd give him coach of the year. What he's done this year, though.

Don Hahn (22:16)

And, and I didn't agree with a lot of what Kendrick Perkins said yesterday, but the one thing I do agree with is that there's like zero pressure on the Celtics. Nobody expected anything from them. Now, there's always, there's always a healthy pressure when you're Playing in big games. But just like no one is going to fault them if they get bounced in the first round. Well, second players, I actually think that.

Alan Hahn (22:37)

Because if you look at who they'd play in the, in the first round, you're like, I mean how you losing to the Raptors or, or a Sixers team that has a banged up mb.

Don Hahn (22:45)

Let's see what it looks like by the time we get to the end of the season.

Alan Hahn (22:47)

Yep, there you go. Completely agree.

Don Hahn (22:49)

Right? Right now I would agree with you.

Alan Hahn (22:51)

Yeah.

Don Hahn (22:52)

But they might be on fumes by the time they get to the end of the season. And with no Tatum, maybe they can be beaten by the Raptors.

Alan Hahn (22:57)

I just to put a, to put a bow on this. I just. It's so funny how we are emotional day after day, especially after losses. We, I mean like collectively in New York about the Knicks because the expectations are through the roof. At least starting the season. They were supposed to be this. You got to live up to this. And it's like other than that 11 game stretch, you know, they are now on a run of, you know, 12 and three, you know, 12 out of 15. But we just keep focusing on when they don't look. Right, right, right. Because are they a championship team? Yeah.

Don Hahn (23:31)

They are being graded on a curve here of what is expected of them.

Alan Hahn (23:36)

Right.

Don Hahn (23:36)

So losing to the Pistons in the way they lost to the Pistons is not going to be made up by, you know, winning three, four games in a row after. But still you need those games to make sure that at least you stay in the top three in the conference.

Alan Hahn (23:51)

From 30 for 30 podcasts.

Kenny Albert (23:59)

Did you say someone got shot?

Don Hahn (24:01)

Brian Pata, senior defensive lineman from Miami gunned down.

Alan Hahn (24:05)

The key to this case, it's Brian. An hour before he died, he was

Kenny Albert (24:11)

on the phone arguing with somebody.

Alan Hahn (24:12)

This might be a hit. You want the truth.

Kenny Albert (24:14)

They just want a conviction. Being placed under arrest.

Don Hahn (24:17)

We had a killer amongst us.

Peter Rosenberg (24:19)

Murder at the UT Listen now.

Alan Hahn (24:22)

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

Peter Rosenberg (24:26)

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

Alan Hahn (24:27)

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

Don Hahn (24:35)

There are a lot of reasons why people buy at Ramsey Mazda. It's their selection, it's their customer service and it's their savings. Lisa Do 2026 Mazda CX 32.5s select sport all wheel drive for 209 for 33 months. Start shopping now at ramseymazda.com choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Vin TM 105852 MSRP $29,530 0 secured deposit ends 3, 2, 20.

Alan Hahn (25:03)

Don gives good Vin. Ah, definitely.

Don Hahn (25:07)

I don't know if that was a drop or live. I think it was.

Alan Hahn (25:09)

No, it was. It was a drop.

Don Hahn (25:11)

1-800-919-3776. We started all off with Anthony and Dobbs. Ferry, your first up on Don Juan Rosenberg. What's up, man? Sure. Hello, Anthony. Hello.

Peter Rosenberg (25:26)

Fix it up. Clean it up. Here.

Kenny Albert (25:28)

It's in the name for you.

Don Hahn (25:29)

He's like, why bother when Brunson is a small? So I'm glad we didn't take it. Let's go to test. Yeah. You know what?

Peter Rosenberg (25:35)

That's on you, Don. That's on you.

Alan Hahn (25:37)

Wow. Well, he hasn't done enough yet.

Don Hahn (25:40)

Yeah, that's it.

Alan Hahn (25:41)

Oh, my God.

Don Hahn (25:43)

Hi, Tessa.

Alan Hahn (25:44)

Hi, guys.

Tessa (25:45)

Thank you so much for taking my call. I appreciate it always. Last week, last week. I appreciate you guys. Last week was rough and I had to hang up because work was crazy, but I just wanted to make one comment, and then I make a comment on Nick. So last week, Allen, I saw you and Wally on tv. And of course, number one, Don will always have the best glorious mane in the world. His hair is just flawless. He's number one. He's king. But you and Wally, y' all are strong. Second, y' all really have nice hair. You know, my friends be texting me, like, but they all know Don is number one, though. They know Don is number one. They know.

Alan Hahn (26:16)

You didn't have to add the part about Don. You could have just left it at that.

Tessa (26:20)

100. Don. No, Don, no. He is number one. Glorious, main, flawless locks.

Don Hahn (26:25)

I have so little, guys. You just can't give me that. Thank you, Tessa. Thank you for noticing.

Tessa (26:31)

You know I love you. I love you.

Alan Hahn (26:34)

Now I'm self conscious. I gotta fix it today. Now I gotta.

Tessa (26:36)

I gotta make sure it was, like, perfect. Don. I'm like, damn, their hair is, like, perfect. My friend's like, their hair is amazing. But they like. But Don is still number one. I was like, of course, you know, the right. Be honest. But I just wanted to make a comment about the. Of course. You know, I'm not gonna even bring Olympics up because I missed calling Friday. I had to work. But, you know, the Olympics just made me feel real good, and I'm just, like, supportive. But one thing I do want to say was you guys saying yesterday, I hate when people take it less and stuff like that. Let's just focus on the good thing. That's what bring us all together. You know what I mean? I feel like we're all like family when it comes to the Olympics. Like, all we want is our team to beat usa. So, you know, that's how I took it. I didn't take nothing left. I didn't think left. I wanted to focus on, you know, to win and just how amazing that was, you know what I mean?

Kenny Albert (27:20)

So, I don't know.

Tessa (27:21)

Some people are just bored. But anyway, yesterday, listening to Perkins. Excuse me, listening to Perk, which I do. I really like Perk a lot. You know, I had to disagree. Like, I was so blown away when he said that if Jalen get a championship, that, you know, he would be the number one. Nick, like, are you okay, sir? It's his opinion, but in my opinion, it's like, three way ahead of him. You got Ewing, you got Clyde, then you got Willis Reed. It's like a billion people, like, ahead of him. And I understand his story is great, but to me, they all have great stories. You know what I mean? So I just couldn't understand that. Yes, he is the engine right now. They can't run without him, but they also can't. They can't just win with them either. That's why I don't think he should be the number one Knick, because if Kat does not get it together and consistently be great, we're not saying he got to be phenomenal, not saying every day he has to be dominant, but he has to be great in whatever he does, whether that's just defense, whether that's offense, or whether he piece it all together. But if he's not great, then Jalen not winning nothing. So at the end of the day, like, how could you be the number one Knick when you can't even carry the team on your shoulders? You need Cat, you know what I'm saying? He carries the team. But in the finals, Eastern Conference or just the finals, Jalen's gonna need him. You know what I'm saying? He's gonna need him. So that right there, he can't be number one.

Alan Hahn (28:37)

What you got for every. But every great player? You know, Kobe needed Shaq. Shaq needed Kobe.

Tessa (28:42)

Yeah. Scott

Alan Hahn (28:45)

Robin, like, Larry Bird needed Mikhail. Everybody needed somebody, you know, like, to help them win a championship. But there's always going to be the guy that's, like, the main guy and look as great as Clyde is, and as much as I love Clyde and Willis Reed, you know, he had Dave Debusscher he had great players around him. That's what makes great teams. And so that's why he doesn't. Nobody carries a team to a championship by themselves anymore. That doesn't happen. But that's what makes. Why when we talk about Cat getting him right and maybe this weekend was that get right time for him. It's so critical to the potential of this team.

Don Hahn (29:26)

There were two things that kind of took the steam out of arguing with Perk yesterday. The fact that he kind of just acknowledged, listen, I wasn't alive for the 70 and 73 team. So. So he admitted that he's talking more in his lifetime, which obviously is more of a conversation outside of Patrick Ewing. And also the perception that would be around Brunson if they won, because you were just talking about everybody needs somebody. Heck, Messier didn't slay the dragon by himself. Brian Leach won the Conn Smythe Trophy that year as the playoff MVP. They lose to the Devils in Game 6. If Kovalev doesn't score at the end of the second period, they're done. Devils are up two. Nothing going to the third period. They would have clamped down. They would have won that game, and there would have been no cup. But as it ages, he was the captain. He slayed the dragon. So it becomes his championship when he couldn't have done that without Richter and Leech and Graves and everybody else that was on that team. So Brunson will be the man, but he's not winning this without having some help.

Peter Rosenberg (30:30)

Well, and it's funny that you mentioned. You mentioned Messier, because, I mean, the Gretzky Oilers were stacked. Messier, Yari Curry, Grant Fiore, this isn't a team. It wasn't just Gretzky's Oilers. Every one of them.

Alan Hahn (30:41)

Yeah. It's literally how this has gone. Steph Curry's a great player, but he. Did he. Did he win championships without Kevin Durant or Klay Thompson or Draymond? Yeah, I mean, like, there's. That's why to me, there's always a great player. But what you do to build around that great player, that accentuates that player as the obvious. Obvious leader, but also the most important player. That's. That's the beauty of watching it all come together.

Don Hahn (31:10)

I know, but we.

Alan Hahn (31:11)

Seeing how well they play as a team.

Don Hahn (31:13)

But it feels like in New York, we like to put a face to the championship.

Alan Hahn (31:17)

Yep.

Don Hahn (31:18)

Right. So it's Messier's championship, it's Eli's championship. You know, we try to find, you know, Put a face. Face to the. To the ring. But it takes. It takes a village to do all that stuff, man. Clearly, you know, there are many people that believe that at least one of those MVP should have gone to, like, the defensive line for the Giants in the Super Bowl. Yes. And not to Eli Manning. Right.

Alan Hahn (31:41)

Yeah.

Don Hahn (31:42)

So. But we. But there's always the biggest name gets all the accolades when it's all over and it becomes their championship. And I think if they ever did win, even if Brunson didn't play particularly well, it would become Brunson's championship. Right. And yeah. Yeah, everybody.

Alan Hahn (31:59)

Because he's the captain, he's the leader, he's the face of the franchise, the story behind and all that stuff. But we got to get there. Like, I can't. Like, I'm noticing that. Is that all of a sudden now this has been also part of the conversation about Brunson. You know, you had a call that was going to say he's too small, you know, and use history against him. Doesn't that make it more compelling to see if it can happen? And if anybody can do it, wouldn't it be the guy that's been literally overlooked since draft night after having a stellar college career? I mean, come on. Like, that's what makes these stories so great. And maybe it won't happen. But you can't deny the fact that he's brought the Knicks closer to the chance of winning a title than we've seen in 25 years.

Don Hahn (32:47)

Yeah.

Alan Hahn (32:48)

Can't deny that. And he joins Ewing as the only players who have been the centerpiece of teams that have brought the Knicks as close to winning a championship as anyone since 73. It's undeniable. So that's what he's done. That's pretty damn significant, man, for a guy who's considered too small.

Don Hahn (33:10)

And you know how it turns here in New York, is that the longer he goes without winning.

Alan Hahn (33:16)

Yep.

Don Hahn (33:16)

Then that narrative of being too small.

Alan Hahn (33:18)

Correct.

Don Hahn (33:19)

And he's not the guy. Because now we've. We were having conversations, not just us, not just fans, but, like, people in the media, significant people talking about Brunson, leading them to the promised land, building him up, and then they'll be the first to chop him down if he

Alan Hahn (33:35)

doesn't do it right. Exactly. And I wonder, when does that clock begin to tick this year, you think? If they don't get it this year,

Don Hahn (33:43)

I say if don't get to the final this year, you'll start to hear conversation that he can't do it.

Alan Hahn (33:49)

Yeah.

Don Hahn (33:50)

Now, if they go to the final and lose to the spurs or to okc, hey, those teams are going to be the favorite. But going into this year where it looked like they had the fast track to the final, not getting to the final, that'll. It'll be on Brunson. Fairly or unfairly, it'll be on him.

Alan Hahn (34:07)

Yeah, yeah.

Peter Rosenberg (34:08)

I mean, I mean, Heather wears the crown, right?

Don Hahn (34:11)

No, sin, you're right, Peter. You know, you are absolutely right. And he's become the face of it, which is all the positive and all the negative at the same time. And that's what's scary about all that.

Alan Hahn (34:23)

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

Peter Rosenberg (34:26)

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

Alan Hahn (34:28)

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

Don Hahn (34:35)

Get ready for wreckleball madness. Friday, March 20th. ESPN New York is taking over Pickleball Heaven in Medford, New York. Catch a live broadcast of DP and Rothenberg starting at 6am Then stick around for our social ladder Pickleball tournament will crown our champion. Then roll right into a college hoops watch party to cap off the day. Sign up now on the ESPN New York app. Spots are limited. Rickleball Madness, brought to you by Pickleball Heaven, the new standard of indoor pickleball. I'm proud to call him a friend. I'm proud to say that he did an amazing job at the Olympics. He's Kenny Albert, voice of the New York Rangers, and he joins us here on Don Hahn and Rosenberg on ESPN New York. Congratulations, Kenny, on an amazing tournament.

Kenny Albert (35:20)

Thanks Don. Really appreciate it. Great to be with you guys and back in the United States.

Alan Hahn (35:26)

So Kenny, did you, did you go, did you go also to Miami and you know, have a little celebration. You'd certainly deserved it.

Kenny Albert (35:35)

I did not go to Miami, Allen. I actually went to Atlanta, believe it or not. Okay, we were all, many of us were supposed to fly back to New York yesterday, right from Milan. That was the scheduled plan. And then due to the snow, the flights that were arranged for us to New York were postponed until Tuesday. Today I have to be back, Eddie, old check and I have a, believe it or not a game in Los Angeles tomorrow for tnt. So the plan was for months that I would fly back home Monday and then fly to LA Tuesday. But those plans were derailed due to the snow. But fortunately there was a flight to Atlanta yesterday. So Eddie and I both jumped on that 10 hours Milan to Atlanta. I stayed over in Atlanta and then flew to la this morning.

Don Hahn (36:23)

You know, I was dying to ask you, Kenny, as I'm watching this, if. If you're calling a game, I guess now would be tnt, Stanley Cup Final. You're a national broadcaster. You don't have a dog in the fight. You know, you're supposed to be down the middle. You're supposed to be neutral. I like going, don, you're calling a Ranger game. Everybody knows that you're the Ranger announcer. So you can skew more towards the audience. How do you deal with a national broadcast? But you do have a dog in the fight, and you can maybe be a little bit more partisan to the US Being an American. Like, how. How different is that kind of a broadcast?

Kenny Albert (37:01)

You know, it didn't really feel different. It almost. That's a great question. And it almost felt like a national game because all of these players are in the NHL, right? So it's guys that we watch every night, you know, during the season, night in, night out. So even though it was our country and we're doing the broadcast for NBC in the United States, it kind of felt like we were doing a national game. Believe it or not, we spoke to both head coaches before the game, Mike Sullivan and John Cooper, just like we normally would. And I didn't really feel that during the game that it was the United States against Canada and we were the network, you know, on the side of one of the countries. But, you know, after the. We do sort of braiding when they play the national anthem and when they raise the flag for the gold medalists, in this case the United States. But during the game, I wasn't really thinking about that, to be honest.

Peter Rosenberg (37:54)

Did. Did you feel more. And obviously this is not your first rodeo at the Olympics, but did you feel any different level of excitement? Because I really felt like as we were heading down the stretch of the third period, you hit another gear and I could just. You really brought an impactful sort of energy to that point in the game. Did it feel any different than other big games that you've called?

Kenny Albert (38:19)

It did because I knew the magnitude of it. I've been so fortunate to be involved in seven Winter Olympics now, starting in 2002 in Salt Lake and called the last two men's gold medal games in 2018 in Pyeongchang, and then 2022 was off a monitor in Stanford, Connecticut. But the difference is those two years, the NHL didn't go. So not to take anything away from the players who are there, but this year it just felt different because the NHL players were back and not only the US and Canada, but Sweden had all NHL players. Finland, it was 24 out of 25. The Czech Republic and Slovakia had several NHL players. You know, some of the other teams didn't have that many. You know, Latvia, Denmark, Germany obviously had Dry Seidel and Stuzler, two all stars. But, you know, the morning of the game, someone asked me the day before we did the bronze medal game on Saturday, and somebody asked me that day, are you nervous? You know, what are you thinking about for tomorrow? And I said, not really because that was game number 24 for me, believe it or not, in Milan on Sunday. Wow, 24 games in, in 18 days, it was 14 men's games, 10 women's games. Starting with the preliminary round back on February 5th, there were seven double headers, one day off once it started, which was the second day, February 6th. After that, it was either one or two games every day. Now, the good, the positive is you're not traveling. You know, Don, you know how it is on an NHL road trip. You might be in, you know, five cities in seven days. And early morning flights or late night arrivals in a city. We were in one hotel room for the three weeks. So you're not traveling. But all of the games. For a 14 day stretch, I worked a 910 face off every night. And many of those days we had a 4:40 game. So it was like Groundhog Day. You probably wake, I probably wake up at 9 or 9:30. We'd go to breakfast and then we'd leave at 1 or 1:30. You know, you'd prep in the morning, prep for those teams because you didn't have much time the day before because you had four other teams. I had 17 teams during the course of the Olympics. 11 out of the 12 on the men's side, six on the women's side. Now, I did have every USA game, so I had seven women's games, six men's games, USA. So, you know, that was more than half the games. We had Canada three times on the men's side and I think three times on the women's side. But we did have some games involving, you know, let's say Italy and Finland or Latvia and Slovakia, for example. The games involving the US And Canada and Sweden and Finland are easier because again, you're so familiar with all the players. But it's tough when you do a game with two NHL players and the names aren't as familiar and you had four teams the day before and the numbers are getting stuck in your head. You know, Don, you Know how it is with teams you don't see very often?

Don Hahn (41:15)

Oh, yeah.

Kenny Albert (41:16)

So I know it's a long answer to the, you know, original question, but my answer on Saturday was it doesn't really feel any different because we've been doing the two games every day. Or, you know, some. Some days, one game and you're in the same routine. Do the 4:40 game, meet with Mike Sullivan, for example, in between at 7:45. Grab a quick. You know, I didn't have dinner in a restaurant for two weeks. Dinner on Friday when we had the two men's semifinals. The Canada game ended at 7:10, and we had a meeting with Mike Sullivan at 7:45 prior to the US game. So dinner was literally eating pasta out of a takeout tray with a wooden fork standing up against the wall for like five minutes before we had to get to the meeting. So we do the night game, get back about 12:30, 12:45. I would always do an hour of work for the next day just to get ahead. Going to sleep at 2 or 2:30 and then waking up and doing the same thing the next day. But as far as the game that morning, I was thinking about it and obviously there have only been two U.S. gold medals in 1960 and 80 prior on the men's side. And we had just come off some unbelievable games. Thursday was the women's gold medal game. Wednesday was the US and overtime. You know, you think how. How close both the US And Canada were to losing in the quarterfinals.

Alan Hahn (42:34)

Mm.

Kenny Albert (42:35)

But Canada had a comeback. They were trailing with four minutes left against Czechia and Suzuki tied it. And then Marner wanted overtime. That same day, Mika Zabanejad ties the game for Sweden with a minute and a half left. And then Quinn Hughes scores it overtime. So if those two games, if there's a crazy bounce that goes the other way, the US And Canada are both eliminated in the quarterfinals. And then we had the women's gold medal game on Thursday, which is incredible. And then Sunday, you know, once we.

Alan Hahn (43:06)

I hope we didn't lose them.

Kenny Albert (43:08)

You guys might not even realize not having been there. The crowd was about 75% people from North America. There were so many people that traveled over there to see these games, who, who made it into a vacation, who had kids studying abroad, for example. It wasn't like it was all Italians in the crowd. It was about 75% North American people. And I would say it was 60% Canada, 40% U.S. at the men's game. So they were loud back and forth. You know, when the players first hit the ice, and once the game started, you could just feel, you know, it's not a best of seven series. It was one game. It was one game to win the gold medal. And the first period, the US Takes the lead early. And then the second period, Canada controlled the play and 19 shots on goal. And Hellebuck was amazing. He won the game. You know, everybody's talking about, obviously, Jack Hughes scored a great goal to win it, and he was the hero at overtime. But if not for Connor, hell about Canada wins that game, probably three or four to one. But in the third term, you know, certainly felt the magnitude. Hughes gets high stick, loses teeth, but the US can't capitalize on the power play. Then he takes a penalty, and he's in the box. And then even between the third and overtime, you know, we were talking amongst ourselves. You know, we just couldn't believe that we were lucky enough to be in the building for a game in which, you know, the next goal wins the gold medal and to have Michael Ruzioni in the building and Wayne Gretzky and so many other dignitaries. It was really a once in a lifetime feeling.

Alan Hahn (44:39)

Well, Kenny, what we already know about you is you're a machine, right? The ability to call as many sports that you call and sometimes all in the same weekend, sometimes is. Is something that isn't lost on a lot of us in this business. But what you just described, of course, is that you were in the moment like you couldn't. You were so clearly in a rhythm and a routine that you probably. It probably seemed a lot smaller than the rest of us, which is the magnitude of what the games were and what they meant. And that's why I'm curious if you could just for a moment, because you rarely do this, just peel back a little bit and go back to the kid who sat in his bedroom calling games into a tape recorder, right? Like this was your dream and especially how much you loved hockey. Like, there had to have been a moment when the game ended, when you exhaled, when you finally got out of the routine that you said, like. Like. I'm curious if this was the greatest thing you've ever been part of as a broadcaster.

Kenny Albert (45:36)

I actually thought about that Sunday morning when I was in my hotel room getting ready. I know people talk about having flashbacks to certain events in their lives, and some of those moments popped into my mind sitting there as a youngster calling games and playing street hockey and watching the miracle team in 1980 and some of the games early in my career that actually did cross My mind that morning and I did let myself think about it for a little while. And then once we got to the game it did feel, you know, as far as the prep and, and the, the rehearsals before the game and everything else that we normally do throughout the game day routine, you know, meeting with the coaches. Like I said, you know, that once we got there it was, I don't want to say just another game but. Yeah, but the mechanics of it to work. Yeah, we're just another game. And the thing that over the last few days I barely slept since, since Sunday and I don't feel tired. It's. It's amazing. The game was at 2:10 in the afternoon Sunday, Milan time, which is 8:10 in the morning Eastern. I woke up at 8 that morning, which was 2am Eastern time. Sat on Saturday going into Sunday. That night though, we had our first dinner in about two weeks, like I said, and we're out until about 11. And then a lot of us congregated in the hotel, the hotel restaurant, bar area that, that was like a college dorm or a sleepaway summer camp every morning because you'd go down and eat breakfast around 9:30 or 10:00 clock. And there was our whole hockey crew and you know, and all of a sudden there's Scott Hamilton every day and there's Tara Lepinski and Johnny Weir and there's Mary Carrillo and Andrea Joyce and the Kelsey's were at the table next to me I think three consecutive days. And we were talking about women's hockey and you know, a lot of those folks were there at the hotel Sunday night. So we wound up staying until about one in the morning and then I hadn't packed yet. So by the time I got to bed it was 4am we got up at 6 to leave for the flight. And on the 10 hour flight yesterday, I slept about an hour. Wow. And partially because I took the first three hours in the flight to answer the four to 500 texts that email, I was sort of overwhelmed by the amount of people who checked in.

Don Hahn (48:06)

Wow.

Kenny Albert (48:07)

Normally during the game and Don and Alan, you know, you guys know this, we've worked together for so many years and you know, during a game in the regular season, you look at the phone between commercials and between periods and you don't have that many texts. You try to answer them and get back to people, but it was impossible. I didn't want to really be distracted during the game on Sunday. And when the game ended I think the number was 483. Now some of them Were group. Some of them were group chats. So there might have been 20 texts on one group chat, but it took me three to four hours yesterday just to answer all of them. And I didn't want to be rude. I wanted to get back.

Don Hahn (48:42)

I'm proud that you, I was one of the ones that you answered, so I do.

Kenny Albert (48:47)

You both were. And you know, a lot of them were from people that didn't even have my number, that obviously asked somebody else for the number. And just between the texts and emails and the tweets and some of the articles that have been written, it's really overwhelming the last couple of days.

Don Hahn (49:03)

It's well deserved, but I mean, you

Kenny Albert (49:04)

know, I'm still kind of taking the time and I, by the way, you know my partners Eddie Olczyk and Brian Boucher, who are tremendous broadcasters. Eddie's done about 15 Stanley cup finals, you know, Boosh is one of the best in the business between the Glass and Katherine Tappan, who was great with, with interviews and storytelling. They were tremendous on Sunday. And Mike Tirico hosting with us. Everybody, really and all, everybody behind the scenes rose to the occasion and I think had, you know, among the best games they've ever had. It was just, it felt so good. And no matter who won, you know, even, even if it went the other way, it was still a gold medal game. And, and I just thought about this about 10 minutes ago. It dawned on me that the US has won six gold medals in hockey. Three on and now three on the men's side. And I've been lucky enough to be at the mic for three of those six, the women in 2018 and again this year. You know, the other thing I've been thinking about a lot is Don, you know, this. A lot of times you get praise, you know, for an overtime goal, a game winning goal, a big moment late in the game. And hockey, you know, the call just sounds more exciting because of the pace of the game, the speed, you know, the fact that the puck's in action for 60 minutes. It's a lot different than a basketball broadcast or a baseball broadcaster. Football, where there's one play every 30 seconds and then the analyst comes in and there's another play. There's just something different about hockey, whether it's radio or TV agreement and personal. I was so lucky that those games went to overtime because if Mika's a Vanderjad, doesn't score that late goal, there's no Queen Hughes overtime goal and it's a one or two nothing win. And the final call just doesn't sound the same. It's not as exciting. Hillary Knight ties the women's game with 204 left and then Megan Keller's goal in overtime. And then this game goes to overtime, you know, if the United States won 4 to 1, let's say on Sunday, yeah, you have your final call at the end, but if it wasn't an overtime, if the game doesn't end on a goal, it's just a lot different from a broadcast standpoint.

Don Hahn (51:11)

Well, you nailed it. I really appreciate you giving us a couple of minutes. Really busy. And I say this with all sincerity, get back to work.

Kenny Albert (51:21)

You know, it's funny. We have this game in la. We have Artemi Panarin's first game with the Kings, ironically against Vegas tomorrow. But the Rangers next two games are national games, ESPN and abc. So I'm off Thursday. I'll fly home and then I have a whole weekend off Friday, Saturday, you

Don Hahn (51:39)

don't even know what to do with yourself.

Peter Rosenberg (51:40)

You got to play some ping pong.

Kenny Albert (51:42)

You know, back in the radio days, Don, I would be working those games.

Don Hahn (51:45)

But this year, not this year, you got that. And I'll finally. I don't even know if I'll get a chance to see it. Only one Ranger Devil game on MSG and it's not till the end of March. So hopefully I will see you then.

Kenny Albert (51:56)

You know, we used to see each other 40 or 50 times a year. I miss you. Now it's only.

Alan Hahn (51:59)

I miss.

Kenny Albert (52:00)

You know, you'll have some fun this week though, once Jack is back and all of the accolades that he gets, well deserved. So I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun on those Devils broadcast.

Don Hahn (52:09)

No, it's going to be. There's already more media practice today than you normally do see on a, you know, getting ready for a game in February. But Kenny, rest up and we'll see you down the road, man.

Alan Hahn (52:18)

Appreciate you.

Kenny Albert (52:19)

Thanks, Josh. Thanks for having me on.

Alan Hahn (52:21)

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podc. 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.