Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Knicks-Cavs & Kenny Albert (February 24, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this jam-packed hour, Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg dig into a pivotal New York Knicks matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, explore the playoff landscape, and debate championship narratives. The show also features a lively interview with renowned broadcaster Kenny Albert, who shares behind-the-scenes insights from his Olympic hockey coverage and quirky travel misadventures. The trio banter through listener calls, blizzard recovery, and the evolving stakes for the Knicks’ playoff run, all in their signature mix of New York sports obsession, humor, and candid debate.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. New York Blizzard & City Response

Timestamps: 00:46–02:43

• The hosts open by recapping the aftermath of a historic blizzard in New York, including how well the city has rebounded.
• Alan Hahn praises city services:
  “Kudos to everybody again. Department of Traffic, Highways, everybody that had to do what they had to do. Sanitation, a big part of it. Shout out to all them putting in that extra work.” (02:03)
• Peter Rosenberg highlights the improved snow removal this storm, and Don shouts out first responders.

2. Knicks Playoff Stakes & Cavaliers Preview

Timestamps: 02:43–14:25

• The main focus is the critical Knicks-Cavs matchup, important for playoff seeding.
• Alan details the recent form: Knicks and Cavs are both on hot streaks since January, each winning 12 of their last 15 games.
  “Let me say that again, the Knicks are 12 and three in their last 15 games.” (05:40, Alan Hahn)
• Discussion of the Pistons “problem” and why the Knicks must avoid them in early playoff rounds.
• On the path forward:
  • Hosts debate acceptable records for the Knicks’ tough 10-game stretch (“gauntlet”).
  • Stress on securing the 2nd or 3rd seed to avoid facing Detroit early; “keep the Cavs in your rearview.”
• The hosts dissect how nationality media perceptions hinge on single losses, such as the Pistons defeat.

Notable Quotes

• Alan Hahn:
  “I think the loss to the Pistons made a lot of people nationally skeptical if the Knicks really have that kind of championship DNA.” (05:40)

• Don Hahn:
  “You want to make sure you don’t see them [Detroit] until May, not April, right?” (08:45)

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “The milk is out of the udder in that regard.”—on the inescapable narrative of the Pistons loss (07:46)

3. Eastern Conference Landscape & Celtics Outlook

Timestamps: 14:25–22:52

• In-depth playoff speculation: Can the Knicks catch Detroit? How tough is Boston’s path without Tatum?
• Alan notes Detroit’s and Boston’s upcoming tough schedules, suggesting the second seed is still up for grabs.
• The hosts caution not to overlook Boston, even if Tatum is injured; Joe Mazzulla is praised as coach of the year material.
• The health of other contenders (e.g., the Sixers and Raptors) discussed in terms of potential threats.

4. Listener Calls: Knicks Legacies & Leadership Debates

Timestamps: 25:11–34:08

• Memorable Call: Tessa on Knicks’ Hair Rankings and Brunson’s Legacy
  • Tessa, a recurring caller, delivers a lighthearted review of the hosts’ hair (“Don is number one. Glorious, mane, flawless locks” 26:25) before pivoting to Knicks analysis.
  • Debates Kendrick Perkins’ assertion that if Jalen Brunson wins a championship, he’d be the greatest Knick ever. Tessa and the hosts agree this oversimplifies history—team success always has many contributors.
• Discussion on ‘The Face’ of Championships:
  • Don: “It takes a village ... Clearly, many believe at least one of those MVPs should have gone to the defensive line, not to Eli Manning.” (31:18)
  • Alan: “But there’s always the biggest name gets all the accolades when it’s all over and it becomes their championship.” (31:42)
• Talk of how New York media and fans first “build up” and then “chop down” stars if they don’t deliver a title.

5. Kenny Albert: Olympic Hockey, Broadcasting Grind, and Travel Challenges

Timestamps: 35:20–52:19

Kenny Albert Interview Highlights

• Travel Ordeal:

  • Couldn’t fly home to NYC due to the blizzard, rerouted via Atlanta en route to LA for another broadcast.
    “Due to the snow, the flights that were arranged for us to New York were postponed ... Fortunately there was a flight to Atlanta yesterday, so Eddie and I both jumped on that. Ten hours Milan to Atlanta...” (35:35, Kenny Albert)

• Calling the Olympic Gold Medal Game (USA vs. Canada):

  • Kenny describes staying neutral as a broadcaster despite Team USA involvement.
    “It almost felt like a national game because all these players are in the NHL ... I didn’t really feel during the game that it was the USA against Canada and we were the network, you know, on the side of one of the countries.” (37:01)
  • Shares the magnitude and uniqueness of calling these Olympics with full NHL participation, unlike previous Games.
  • The grind: 24 games in 18 days; hotel routines with other broadcast talent.
  • He reflects emotionally on living out his childhood dream:
    “Some of those moments popped into my mind sitting there as a youngster calling games and playing street hockey ... I did let myself think about it for a little while.” (45:36)
  • On the perfect timing in sports broadcasting:
    “A lot of times you get praise for an overtime goal ... the call just sounds more exciting because of the pace ... If the United States won 4–1 on Sunday ... if it wasn’t in overtime, if the game doesn’t end on a goal, it’s just a lot different from a broadcast standpoint.” (50:24)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “The milk is out of the udder in that regard.” (07:46, on escaping the Pistons narrative)
• Don Hahn:
  “If they ever did win, even if Brunson didn’t play particularly well, it would become Brunson’s championship.” (31:59)
• Kenny Albert:
  “We wound up staying until about 1 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 ... I was overwhelmed by the amount of people who checked in.” (47:51)

Important Timestamps

• 00:46 — Post-blizzard New York reflections
• 02:43 — Importance of Knicks-Cavs matchup; standing implications
• 04:41 — Knicks recent performances and playoff stretches analyzed
• 07:40 — Ongoing saga: Knicks’ “Detroit problem”
• 14:25 — Conversation pivots to Celtics’ chances, schedule breakdowns
• 25:11 — Listener call: Tessa’s “hair” rating and Knicks championship legacy debate
• 35:20 — Kenny Albert joins for Olympic hockey deep-dive and behind-the-scenes
• 45:36 — Kenny’s reflections on realizing a childhood dream in broadcasting
• 50:24 — The golden moments for play-by-play broadcasters
• 52:19 — Closing thanks and sign-off

Episode Summary

This episode is a quintessential slice of New York sports radio: sharp, passionate Knicks analysis; playoff anxieties and hopes; listener banter; and deep appreciation for broadcasting excellence. The hosts emphasize the importance of playoff seeding, the inescapable headlines from tough losses, the realities of sports hero narratives, and the unique pressures of being an athlete—or broadcaster—at the top of your field. Kenny Albert’s Olympic stories brilliantly connect the world stage to New York’s sports heart. If you want an informed, fast-paced, and heartfelt look at the Knicks, the NBA playoff race, and what it means to chase greatness in sports, this hour delivers.