Hour 1: Knicks-Celtics & Damian Priest

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Knicks-Celtics & Damian Priest

Release Date: May 5, 2025

In this episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, hosts Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the NBA playoffs, specifically focusing on the New York Knicks' second-round matchup against the Boston Celtics. Additionally, the podcast features a special guest appearance by WWE personality Damian Priest, who brings a fresh perspective to the discussion. The conversation is enriched with insightful analyses, historical context, and lively debates, making it a must-listen for basketball enthusiasts and sports fans alike.

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1. Knicks-Celtics Second Round Showdown

Setting the Stage: The episode kicks off with the excitement surrounding Game 1 of the Knicks-Celtics series. Don LaGreca [00:29] emphasizes the significance of the matchup, highlighting the season's buildup and the expectations pinned on the Knicks.

Identifying the Dominant Teams: Peter Rosenberg [01:15] engages Don LaGreca in a trivia segment, discussing the three NBA teams that have advanced to the second round in each of the past three seasons: the Knicks, Celtics, and Nuggets. Don identifies the Knicks and Celtics correctly [01:34], while the Nuggets complete the trio [02:16].

Optimism vs. Reality: Don LaGreca [02:29] reflects on the Knicks' journey, expressing cautious optimism. He states, “To knock off the Pistons. Yeah. But can we find some place between reality and optimism and just find a safe place where we can all kind of agree?” This sentiment underscores the importance of balancing fan enthusiasm with realistic expectations.

Historical Rivalries and Expectations: Alan Hahn [04:36] brings up the historic rivalry between the Knicks and Celtics, noting, “They’re the two original franchises. The last time we played you, we kicked your ass,” highlighting past confrontations and the intensity that comes with such storied matchups.

Analyzing Team Dynamics: Don LaGreca [12:33] and Alan Hahn [17:35] engage in a detailed analysis of the Knicks' performance against the Celtics. They discuss key players like Porzingis and Tatum, emphasizing the need for the Knicks to elevate their game beyond regular-season performances. Don remarks, “I think this series is more about what the Knicks do in game one than the Celtics,” indicating that the opening game will set the tone for the entire series.

2. Damian Priest Joins the Conversation

Introduction of the Guest: The hosts introduce Damian Priest [07:00], a WWE personality known for his passion for sports, particularly his support for the Yankees. Alan Hahn [07:05] highlights Priest's authentic approach, praising his insightful analysis during the discussion.

Judge vs. Jeter Debate: A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Yankees' slugger Aaron Judge. Damian Priest [22:46] lauds Judge's performance, asserting, “He's a freak as an individual, not as a team player... he's going to go down as one of the greatest.” Don LaGreca [23:16] challenges fans to acknowledge Judge's prowess, asking, “So can you be a Yankee fan that would admit that he's better than Jeter?”

Comparisons to Baseball Legends: Priest draws parallels between Judge and MLB legends like Babe Ruth, emphasizing Judge's impact on the sport. “It's like looking back in time, the way we look at Babe Ruth,” Priest states [22:46], underscoring Judge's potential legacy.

3. Knicks' Strategic Imperatives

Defensive Strategies: Don LaGreca [15:55] discusses the necessity for the Knicks to enhance their defensive game, especially against a formidable Celtics offense. He emphasizes the importance of guarding key players and minimizing mistakes, stating, “They can't fail at those little things that you gotta do to make you extra special.”

Pressure and Expectations: Peter Rosenberg [12:05] touches upon the pressure the Celtics face as favorites, suggesting that the Knicks need to capitalize on any slip-ups from Boston. “They have to protect their home court... this could set the tone completely,” he explains, highlighting the strategic advantages for the Knicks.

Player Performances and Injuries: The discussion delves into the health and performance of crucial players like Tatum and Porzingis. Don LaGreca [15:08] notes the improvement in defense with Mitchell Robinson's presence, while also acknowledging potential challenges with player injuries impacting the series' outcome.

4. Broader Sports Insights and Anecdotes

Shared Sports Experiences: The hosts reminisce about memorable sports moments, including discussions about historical game sevens in hockey and basketball [45:10]. These anecdotes provide a nostalgic backdrop, connecting personal experiences with broader sports narratives.

Fan Perspectives: Don LaGreca [32:52] addresses fan sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the playoffs as a "measuring stick" for the Knicks' roster and performance. He encourages fans to view the series as an opportunity for growth, regardless of the outcome.

Future Outlook: The conversation concludes with reflections on the Knicks' future and the potential need for strategic adjustments. Don LaGreca [35:18] suggests possible tweaks to the team's lineup and strategies to better compete against top-tier teams like the Celtics.

5. Notable Quotes

• Don LaGreca at [02:29]: “I don't think it's right to say, oh, we're gonna get swept. Why did we even bother beating the Pistons? We're gonna be humiliated. Ridiculous.”

• Alan Hahn at [04:36]: “The last time we played you, we kicked your ass.”

• Damian Priest at [22:46]: “He's a freak as an individual, not as a team player. None of that... he's going to go down as one of the greatest.”

• Don LaGreca at [32:55]: “Failure is a part of success. It just is. It's all part of what you're trying to grow into.”

6. Closing Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts encourage listeners to stay engaged with the playoff series, offering final thoughts on the Knicks' strategies and the Celtics' resilience. The presence of Damian Priest adds a unique flavor, bridging the worlds of basketball and professional wrestling with insightful commentary.

Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the Knicks-Celtics playoff series, enriched by guest insights and a blend of historical context and forward-looking strategies. Whether you're a die-hard Knicks fan or a casual sports enthusiast, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg deliver a captivating and informative discussion that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Transcript

[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Don.

[Don LaGreca]

She fell in love with the sex.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don. Sauce was everywhere. And Rosenberg, if you want to stay.

[Alan Hahn]

Up, he's got the energy that matters. This isn't North Dakota.

[Don LaGreca]

This is New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Don Han and Rosenberg. John Frenchy Fuqua on 8 80, ESPN and the ESPN New York app. Oh, here we go. What a gorgeous Monday in New York City, isn't it, boys? Beautiful, balmy weather here in New. This is May. This is May. This is. What? We can't have anything? Lagrega and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan. Hot. Welcome to the second round, boys.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, should I welcome you guys in the second round?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, very funny.

[Alan Hahn]

Welcome to the second round.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Little nugget. Little nugget. Let's see if A little trivia. Don, you like trivia?

[Don LaGreca]

I do like trivia.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Only three NBA teams over the last three seasons. In each of the last three seasons, only three NBA teams have advanced to the second round in each of the last three seasons. Can you name them? One is obvious.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, one. One is obvious.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Name it.

[Don LaGreca]

The Knicks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, that's one. Can you name the other two?

[Don LaGreca]

Celtics.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Correct.

[Alan Hahn]

This would be the third one would be the interesting one. But you know what?

[Don LaGreca]

I might. I might go Cavs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Think about Nick's playoff history recently. And the Cavaliers.

[Alan Hahn]

That makes sense.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You wouldn't want to choose the Cavs.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. Because.

[Alan Hahn]

Because they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Look, they're the ones that lost to them two years ago. Yeah. Think Western Conference.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, There you go. Keep going. I think I know where you're going now.

[Don LaGreca]

It's kind of the Warriors. No, no.

[Alan Hahn]

Staring you in the face, though.

[Don LaGreca]

It's staring me in the face.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right in the. Right in the mud.

[Alan Hahn]

They just got there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, I'll tell you this. Another hint.

[Don LaGreca]

But the Nuggets.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, there you go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Celtics and the Nuggets. And they're the two champions out of that group. So, I mean, you know, it's not nothing. Well, it's the best I got.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's I mean, you know, we're talking about a little run. I think it's all I got.

[Don LaGreca]

I think with the Knicks, because I've been thinking about this a lot because we knew this was going to happen, that the Knicks were going to win and this was going to be the matchup. I didn't think it was going to take as long as it did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

To knock off the Pistons. Yeah. But can we find some place between reality and optimism and just find a safe place where we can all kind of agree? Because I think some fans are just doubling down on the positivity. Like, we're winning this thing. I don't care. We're winning. And I think that's a little too close to delusional. The reality is you're here, you're in the second round. Let's have fun, let's enjoy it. Let's see what happens. Okay. I don't think it's right to say, oh, we're gonna get swept. Why. Why did we even bother beating the Pistons? We're gonna be humiliated. Ridiculous. Oh, we're gonna. We're winning. Pump the brakes. Can't you just find the medium reality of, hey, we're here, and let's see what happens.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that's what this is. This is that relationship where you meet someone, you're not so sure.

[Don LaGreca]

So let's see where it goes. That's a great analogy, because you got those guys that are looking for a bride, right. They want to get married, they hit the bars looking for their wife. That's not how it works.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, she's not wife material. I'm not going to waste my time.

[Don LaGreca]

On something into it that it's not right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's supposed to be.

[Don LaGreca]

It's supposed to just happen. You meet somebody, you see where it goes. You fall in love and you get married. Not I see you, I drag you by hair, and I marry you. So can we stop with that? You're in. You're. You're in the dating process. We'll see if there is going to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Be a third party. How heel are you right now, Peter? Is this full. Full on heel now for the rest of the week, are you going to be like you're.

[Don LaGreca]

You're.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you want me to be. I mean, I'm not going to be performative. No.

[Don LaGreca]

Played that role. The Piston guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was.

[Don LaGreca]

Leaned in be the Celtic guy. No, no, no, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why not?

[Alan Hahn]

If. If the Giants.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, this sucks them. Because Nick.

[Don LaGreca]

Celtics.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nick Celtics is a historic rivalry. They made 16th meeting not for us. Though in the league. For the league it is.

[Alan Hahn]

I know, but like you guys, a big deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Two of the original franchises.

[Alan Hahn]

Glad to hand this right. By the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The last time we played you, we kicked your ass.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm sure you did. What, what month was that? November. Here, let me say this. I'm happy to give this one back to New Yorkers because people love to throw in my face. The Redskins are our last rival in the division. We don't even care about you guys. When we play where it's Eagles and Cowboys. Do you guys even play?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not, I'm not buying any.

[Alan Hahn]

So I'm happy to give you back this. As a Celtics fan, we don't think about the Knicks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We don't really. 2013 got knocked out.

[Alan Hahn]

2013. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the last time they met in the playoffs.

[Alan Hahn]

That was between our team. That was last. That was between the last championship team and the new championship team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Last time they met in the second round.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, Jason Tatum was in middle school.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, okay, different time history. Last time you met outside the first round. 84 Bernard Kings put a little scare in you.

[Alan Hahn]

And then Celtics won the championship.

[Don LaGreca]

Is that right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you had to get past the Knicks though.

[Don LaGreca]

But just saying there's some history and you've owned this, so I'm not going to pick on you too much.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you.

[Don LaGreca]

But if this were the Commander's Giants.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Divisional round of the playoffs, you wouldn't be like, well, you know, I like Victor Cruz, you know, and the Giants have always been good to me. No, you'd be all over the Commanders. You'd be talking all kinds of smack being the guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I need better energy.

[Don LaGreca]

If I'm not a Celtics guy, I'm a Nick guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, listen.

[Don LaGreca]

I like the Knicks. The Garden treats me well.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no. But the Garden doesn't treat me particularly well. But let me. Let me just say this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They don't give up.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll give them an opportunity later if they want to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They ain't treating you well this week.

[Alan Hahn]

Put us on MSG and then I'll have a great relationship with the Garden, you know, hurting. I love the Yankees, but let me just say this. It's all about how the series goes, right? Like the tone that is going to exist will get dictated tonight. I'm not going to make up that there's some intense Celtic fan hate towards the Knicks right now. Let's play it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe not hate.

[Don LaGreca]

See what happens is a better word.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe like sort of disdain. Like because there's so Much. If you heard the players talk. That's what they're saying.

[Alan Hahn]

They're spicy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my God. Porzingis. Do we have the Porzingis?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, Porzingis has his own.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but a lot of them are like, you know, they're hyped up in New York about what they do is hype more, hype up and all that stuff. Like, it was very interesting to hear the Celtics, sort of. You could tell it bothers them. So I think there is a personal thing here. They dial it up a little more when they play the Knicks. Like, they want to let them know, you're not in our. You're not in our class.

[Don LaGreca]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm trying to. Peter, I need this.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, Listen, I need. I'm happy to give it to you if that's what you want.

[Don LaGreca]

As she said.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what I mean? I think we're going to smoke you guys, because if it makes you feel better, I need you to say that I'm trying not. Well, I'm not going to be like everyone else who's overstating it and going, the nukes suck. They have no choice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not feeling this. Damian Priest is here in the studio. Can we bring him onto the microphone?

[Alan Hahn]

Maybe Damien Priest, He's a New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Guy who understands stuff.

[Don LaGreca]

I want to know what happened.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, somebody that understands how this is supposed to work.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When we're trying to, like, I don't fake things.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. It's why I'm a hack. This is why I'm still here. I would be out of here and be a huge star already if I.

[Don LaGreca]

Faked it with us. Is hackadoodle do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is why I'm only here.

[Alan Hahn]

He said, hold on, Don, do you disagree? If Don, if you were willing to fake things and make things up, you would be much further. You'd be gone. We wouldn't be seeing Don every day. Unfortunately, we're authentic people. We tell our truth, so we make sense for this format. That's what we are.

[Don LaGreca]

But I do think you'd own it a little bit more if this were the commanders probably admitted that you're more of a commander's fan than the Celtics folks.

[Alan Hahn]

Sure. And I'm from D.C. the Celtics are my team. I'm not from Boston. I'm a Celtics fan. But with that, we bring in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can we bring in some wrestling attitude.

[Alan Hahn]

We bring in the Bronx zone. I'm going to go ahead. Even though it's his first time on this show, calling a friend of the Show, Damian Priest. SummerSlam tickets are on sale today. MetLife Stadium. I think it's what you said. It's the two day packages that are up now.

[Damian Priest]

Right now. That's what's going on. Yeah, they're selling for both days.

[Alan Hahn]

And so those are available right now. And actually we looked them up. I got to tell you, considering the ticketing in the world these days, as someone. I'm going to Kendrick this week. I'm going to Beyonce at MetLife in a couple weeks. I was surprised by the ticket prices. Not pretty nice deal there for the two day drop. What was that for? I didn't say I'm going with Beyonce.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm going to some shows.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you had to be specific. Very, very specific.

[Don LaGreca]

I drive a dog. Strat.

[Alan Hahn]

Anyways, so we're celebrating SummerSlam tickets being available now for the people. So Priest came by to hang out. How are you, buddy?

[Damian Priest]

I'm good, man. And by the way, I mean, the Garden treats me pretty good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There you go. See?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, listen, he was a champion. You know, when you had that title.

[Don LaGreca]

You were a champion.

[Alan Hahn]

I was. He was the world champion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But how. All right, so this. Because, you know, New York, Boston, no matter what the sport.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. I mean, you're a Yankees fan, right?

[Damian Priest]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So we all. We do understand what that's about. Like when, when. When these two markets play each other, Bruins, Rangers, it doesn't matter. It's. There's something a little extra to it for him to say. It doesn't mean as much to him. That does not feel authentic.

[Damian Priest]

That's wild talk, and I don't even believe him. I think he's making that up. And I think you're downplaying it on purpose to make yourself and your. And your team that you're a fan of seem more important.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm going to ask.

[Damian Priest]

That's definitely not the case.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm going to ask some other Celtics fans how they feel. I'm curious right now.

[Don LaGreca]

He's trying to pull.

[Damian Priest]

It's a rivalry. I mean, in New York, it is what it is. That's why they play a little bit more physical and a little harder. Like, the games have a different vibe to them.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm sure as a Yankee fan, you saw the Jeter documentary.

[Damian Priest]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

So you probably remember the part where Jeter's like, it was. It was the Mets. Like when he talked about, like, they're. They're just the Mets. He's trying to do that with the Knicks. Like, yeah, right.

[Damian Priest]

But he's not Jeter.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm Peter. Wait, all this Time. All this time he thought it was Jeter. Peter Rosenberg. It was Jeter Rosenberg this whole time.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah. I think Jeter as a player had a mindset and that's why he was so successful. And I think that's where that resonates from. This is a fandom. You're just. Yeah, man.

[Alan Hahn]

I just think that in the recent. In recent years, the Celtics, Knicks. I've never felt like. Just like Don used to say about the Redskins and the Giants. The Knicks haven't been in our way of glory in recent years. So I just don't think it has the same. I don't even know who. Can I tell you the truth, though? The Celtics don't have like a major. Everyone hates the Sixers. Right. And they make it easy to hate them. So maybe the Sixers some, but like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not in the east, you mean.

[Don LaGreca]

But yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Who's the Celtics? It's the Lakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Lakers.

[Alan Hahn]

It's really the Celtics and the Lakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It used to be Miami recently because of LeBron. That whole thing, that was real. And then there were. There were times before that you could go to Detroit in the bad boys era.

[Alan Hahn]

They put in my mind first of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

An Eastern Conference, but you can't, you know. And the Knick thing is more historic because it does go back to the 60s when the Knicks kept running into the Boston couldn't beat them, then finally did. And the two years they won their championships, they had to beat the Celtics on their way to it. And then 84 was sort of a, you know, a really interesting that. How did that go to seven when you consider the rosters. But one guy was just superhuman. That's Bernard King. But it's. You're right, there's not enough playoff history between them. Like the Yankees and the Red Sox. They've had tons of playoff history between them. This is usually dominated until recently, which has really tipped the scale.

[Alan Hahn]

This would be the year where it could start to turn into something now if this Knicks team were to show up in a way that no one seems to be expecting. And Priest, I was saying on Friday when Alan and I were doing the show after the Knicks advanced, you know, people are really, I think, down talking the Knicks a lot. I'm not going to do that. This is a team with the most clutch player in basketball at the moment who on any given night will throw up 45 points. So I'm not sleeping on the Knicks at all. I just think this would be the year if this rivalry is going to get some judge. Let the Knicks come out and steal game one tonight. Then let's have a conversation about what.

[Don LaGreca]

This series like with the pace yesterday.

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly. Now, Priest, what are your expectations for this Knicks team?

[Damian Priest]

I think they're going to come out on fire like they have to, to your point. And I get what you're saying as far as, like the, the rivalry, having that extra mustard. Right. If the Knicks come out and play, they outplay expectations, then I understand that, that, that feeling of that, that war. It's there because obviously any team could lose to any team. If Boston lose to any other team, you know, it sucks for you, for their fans, but you lose to New.

[Alan Hahn]

York, oh, no, then it would be true.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what I'm talking about.

[Damian Priest]

That's the thing. You really don't want to lose to New York. You don't want to lose to anybody, but you don't. You really don't want to lose to New York and vice versa. You know what I mean? So I think that's where that stands. And, but I do think this series, for the sake of the Knicks pride and New York pride, they have to, they have to play way better than did in the first round.

[Don LaGreca]

I agree.

[Alan Hahn]

They need to be at a whole.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Different level than they were against Punch first, though, is what you're saying.

[Damian Priest]

They have to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, that feels like that does. Everybody seems to be saying it going into this game tonight. Let me see what Game 1 looks like, because the regular season, you know, they lost by six, an average of 16 points a game in these games. Now, the last two are a little more competitive, but still, that's embarrassing. And you know, you're hearing that like, as an athlete, you're hearing that. All the Knicks are hearing is that you're not on the same floor as this team. They, they murdered you all season long. You have no shot in this series. This does feel like a first quarter. Punch him in the mouth and let them know this is going to be a series type performance, not a, hey, let's feel each other out and see how this is going to go. You almost right. Like, would you agree as an athlete you have to walk into something like that, especially on the road, facing a team that everybody tells you can't beat, that dominated you all season. Punch first has to be everybody's mentality.

[Damian Priest]

Come in with a chip on your shoulder. They have to, they have to come out that way. And if anything, I also think Boston actually has more pressure on them because they're expected to win. They're expected to blow them out. That doesn't happen, you know, that momentum and morale is going to go down real quick, but that's on the Knicks to perform.

[Don LaGreca]

Now. It sounds convenient to say, throw away the regular season, especially the first three meetings, but let's, let's go back to the last meeting now. It didn't mean anything for Boston, but they had, they were healthy. I think everybody played. Brown didn't play a ton of minutes in that game. Porzingis played a lot. Tatum played a lot. Mitchell Robinson was in the game. He wasn't in the previous three. And you saw that they defended the three a lot better. I think the previous game before that, it was like 27 threes and like 24 threes. It was down to 19 threes. I think they were 19 for 49 for three. Like Boston threw a ton of threes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

But the Knicks defended it better. You know, Mitchell Robinson was a guy that had had them. I think they moved up to like 8th defensively once he joined the team. So I, I think there's a little bit more value to the last game than the previous three. But the question is, how much did the Celtics really want it? They had the bodies on the floor.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, here's how you know they wanted. Here's how you know they wanted it is that when it was time to win in the fourth quarter, they dialed it up. They ended up winning the game the Knicks were in. The Knicks felt like they were going to get that one. That was that week. Remember? They played the three teams. They played the Cavs, the Celtics, and then the Pistons.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they lost all three.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And each game they were in control and then couldn't close the deal. I'll never forget the Cavs game because where I'm located in the garden is right by the visitors bench. Kenny Axiom was going to take his starters out because they didn't need the game. And those guys sort of. He gave them the ultimatum of make it a game in the next five minutes or I'm going to sit everybody. And they decided, we're beating this team. We don't want to give them any confidence whatsoever. Celtics had that same attitude. We don't want to give them any confidence. We don't want them to think they can beat us. That was the whole mentality. That's why, like, while Peter says, maybe from a fan perspective, I'm telling you from a player's perspective, those guys, they don't want to give the Knicks any reason to believe that they're at that level. And so that's what makes This I feel for the Knicks. It's more about what the Knicks do in game one than the Celtics. And I agree with the punch, punch first mentality of not, not walking into the building and being timid. Walking into the steal one to take one and let them know we're going to scratch and claw. This is not the regular season where we're just going to kind of ease our way through again.

[Alan Hahn]

You have to. For the Knicks to win the series, obviously it requires at minimum stealing one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At least one in Boston.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. And then protecting your home court the whole time. So if you're going to get one in Boston, wouldn't you really much prefer it be in these first two? Then you already get to a point when you need it in Boston later in the series. This could set the tone completely and take the. You've already stolen home court advantage. Like that is such a win and it's a great opportunity because the Celtics have been resting. So do you come out now feeling hot, ready? I mean, granted the Knicks had the whole weekend, but they still played more recently then and won in the fashion in which they won.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, this is a great opportunity for them to come out and do.

[Don LaGreca]

Something, but they got to put together a 48 minute effort. Now you go back to that last meeting, they had a six point lead at the half and were blown out in the third quarter by 11 and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Crazy in that third quarter.

[Don LaGreca]

But that's been their problem is coming out of the half, they don't seem to adjust and they have a bad third quarter. You can't play the way you played against the Pistons. This team's not going to wet down their leg in the fourth quarter in a tough spot. That's where they're going to rise to the occasion. And but here's the problem with the home, you know, stealing home court. This team's better on the road than they are at home. The Celtics are fool's gold. Right? Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

With the Celtics 33 wins. Right.

[Don LaGreca]

So is that kind of fool's goal? Like Peter, you're right. In a standard best seven series grab home court. The Knicks haven't exactly taken advantage of their home court. They weren't that great in the regular season. They certainly weren't great against the Pistons at home. And the Celtics are amazing on the road. So I, yeah, I think to set the tone. But a one one series I don't think is going to scare the Celtics.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't scare them. No. But it will make the Knicks believe.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, that's what I'm going to say. I don't think it scares the Celtics at all, but the Knicks will have that extra confidence now. And let's say, oh, we can do this, you know, and. But to your point, they haven't been able to play a full 48. You know, it doesn't feel that way. At least they haven't been able to really close out or they've. They struggled, you know, so that can't be a thing. Those. Those little things that you gotta do to make you extra special. They can't fail at those little things that they have to be firing on all cylinders this whole series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now you're six five. How much you weigh?

[Damian Priest]

About 240.

[Peter Rosenberg]

240. All right. Like, how long you been 240?

[Damian Priest]

I fluctuate, but better part over the last couple years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's like your. Your basic weight, right? All right, so you're like, that's. That's. That's like power forward. That's power forward science. And you like physicality, clearly, for what you do for a living. What did you think of the Knicks Pistons series and how, like, because you talk about challenging manhood, that's literally what Detroit did. Oh, yeah, they wanted it. There was this reputation of the Knicks being soft, and so they tried to play that a little extra physical. What did you. What did you get out of that? To see what Detroit was doing and what the Knicks did to respond.

[Damian Priest]

I like the answer, you know, because they didn't just lay down. So it felt nice to see that grit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Damian Priest]

You know, and it just kind of brought me back a little bit from before times. You know, basketball has, over time, changed, so it was kind of nice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Play high school basketball, New York City. You kind of know what that's like.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, it was kind of cool. But even still, I still, like, they still got to improve a lot more for this series against Boston, but. But at least it showed a sign of improvement, which is what they've been desperately needed. Like, where can you move forward again and again and improve and fix all the little things and adjust? I felt that we did see a lot of signs of that against the Pistons, but, you know, different animals. Yeah, it's a different team, but at.

[Alan Hahn]

Least you survive that. And. And with the Celtics, you don't have to worry about the. It's gonna be a physical series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In fact, maybe not from them, but it should be from you.

[Don LaGreca]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what Orlando did to them.

[Alan Hahn]

You have the opportunity, if you're the Knicks, to say, hey, why don't we just. Whatever physicality we tried to bring against Detroit, bring that to Boston.

[Damian Priest]

That's what I'm saying. Yeah. And turn up the volume, if anything.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, exactly. To another level. Because the Celtics aren't a super physical.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Team, then they don't want to play that way. Like you can. The Orlando series showed you a lot. Orlando. Think about this. Game four in Orlando. They were winning the game in the fourth quarter. That game, that series could have been two, two if they could have made some shots. Young team couldn't make shots late. They ended up losing that game. Go down three, one, then went to game five, had no chance. But that whole series was nothing but physicality. That's what Orlando wanted to do. And it's, it's again, though, you, you can't ask a tiger to change his stripes. Like, oh, now all of a sudden the Knicks have to become the 90s Knicks. They're not going to play that way, but it kind of is the only formula you can think of if you want to level the playing field.

[Alan Hahn]

It would be. And by the way, it would be genius. And it, and it should be what Tibbs does. I mean, let's be honest. Tibbs ain't going to out offense the Celtics. That's not how this is going to go. So can they come up with a defensive plan to slow them down? Now, Priest, before you get back on the road and go do Damian Priest things, I'd be remiss.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I need to know what Damian Priest sounds. I can tell you actually sounds like real interesting.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, he beats people up. He goes to the bar and has a nice drink afterwards. It's a good life.

[Damian Priest]

Yeah, I like to have a good time.

[Alan Hahn]

And I'm going to tell everybody out there right now, when this man was the champion. And not even when he's not the champion, but particularly when he was the champion. He was the champion in the bar as well. The tabs went through him. He did it old school like. Like the parties on the champ, you know what I mean? And I loved how seriously you took that.

[Damian Priest]

Oh, yeah, that's. That's the serious side.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the serious. That was the part that he was like, no, I'm gonna do it old school.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Probably serious. When the bill comes, he's like, damn, definitely really serious.

[Alan Hahn]

No, he has some of those, too. No, but we'd be remiss. Judge is batting 4.

[Damian Priest]

23 insane.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, you're such a huge Yankee fan and you've gotten to watch this guy's entire career Are even you blown away that he's playing this well right now, or does not surprise you?

[Damian Priest]

Of course it's surprised. I mean, that's. It's. It's crazy. Like, nobody sees this. I mean, Bonds in our. My lifetime, you know, put up crazy numbers. But realistically, this is something that is. It's kind of cool that, you know, this is our lifetime, that we're seeing this firsthand, because it's. This is gonna be 50 years from now, just like looking back in time, the way we look at Babe Ruth and the way we think the world of him and what he meant to baseball. This is what Judge is gonna be down the line when we're long gone. It's kind of. It's awesome that we're alive for this.

[Don LaGreca]

So can you be a Yankee fan that would admit that he's better than Jeter?

[Damian Priest]

He's way better than Jeter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay?

[Don LaGreca]

I get beat up on the air for that.

[Damian Priest]

I love Jeter. Jeter is his. What? Jigger's legacy as a Yankee is untouchable.

[Don LaGreca]

Right?

[Damian Priest]

But that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about actual.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Do you hear that, Yankee fans? Do you hear what he's saying? This is just a smart, rational fan. You can be both. We get lost in this disconnect because they're like, no. The championships and the clutch and we know. But when you're talking about the physical man, Judge is on a different level.

[Damian Priest]

He's a freak as an individual, not as a team player. None of that. Because then you start looking at different numbers, and that's where the argument starts. If you just look as a individual player, I mean, he's going to go down as one of the greatest, if not D, by the. When it's done.

[Alan Hahn]

You think he could be the greatest Yankee of all time when it's all said and done?

[Damian Priest]

I mean, if he.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he needs a ring, though, he's still. That. That's still part of it, right?

[Damian Priest]

Oh, I agree.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, Monument Park's got some unbelievable legends in it, and they all have rings. I am. He's got to have rings.

[Damian Priest]

I am hopeful that he's going to win more than. More than one ring.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm with you.

[Damian Priest]

So I'm not so worried about the ring part because those are coming.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you think that's going to come at some point? It's going to happen.

[Damian Priest]

It has to happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We thought about Dom Manning, too.

[Damian Priest]

Down. Manningly wasn't batting.420.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a fair point.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, 320, not 420.

[Damian Priest]

What what Judge is doing now, it's, I mean it's good for the, for the sport too. Like it's just exciting that to see somebody just playing out of his mind that if you're a fan of the sport, doesn't matter what team you like, it's just you're in awe.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His at bats are must watch. Right. Him Shohei Ohtani, like there's very few players in that sport that you don't get up if he's up to bat.

[Don LaGreca]

He said it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bonds is a great example.

[Don LaGreca]

There's always going to be the stigma of the. And Alex Rodriguez too same. And that just comes with it. You don't want to take anything away from those guys. But that's something that's going to pop into mind and that's when we get into the clean aspect. And up until judge recently, the one guy was always Ken Griffey Jr. But Ken Griffey Jr. Didn't bat for average the way judge. No judge. 280, 290. I think he's like a.286 career hitter. This is a guy that's going to have what is his lifetime batting average. It's gonna. If he continues at this pace, it's gonna be way over.300. That doesn't happen for power hitter.

[Damian Priest]

No, exactly. Not for power hitters. And again, we don't know the future but right as it stands right now, it's like he's getting better every year. So. Which is insane that he's one MVPs. He probably should have won a head of an extra MVP on his pocket but. And he's getting better. This is I, I, Yeah. It's exciting to watch because it's, you can't even explain it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nothing better than having one of the best players in the sport on your team in the biggest market. It's the best. You want to shout out more of the tickets one more time?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, one more time, guys. SummerSlam tickets MetLife Stadium. What's the exact date? Greg Domino August 2nd and 3rd. August 2nd and 3rd. Yes. One night's not enough. So August 2nd and 3rd, it's going to be the way that things are shaping up right now. And by the way, you have a championship match this weekend. Yeah, US Championship Fatal Four Ways.

[Damian Priest]

So hopefully I'm bringing that title to MetLife.

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly. Cardi B is going to be there. The matches that are potential. John Cena will be there. Will John Cena have the title when we get to SummerSlam all things we don't know yet, but it's going to be a great time this summer. MetLife Stadium all right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good stuff. Good to see you. All right. Keep the faith on the Knicks and especially on the Yankees as well. All right. We have your calls coming up. 800 now. 193776. We'll continue. More on the Knicks and the Celtics getting you ready for tonight's game one. But hey everybody, I don't need to remind you about defense, right? A great defense this time of year can help you win a championship. And your business needs a good defense too. Truth is, 1/3 of businesses will unwittingly turn over their sensitive company data to thieves this year in an instant. Your customer files, bank accounts, everything is compromised and you won't know until the million dollar ransom demand hits your email. Preventing data turnovers is why your business needs Thrive, the leading managed security services provider in the US it all starts with a comprehensive Thrive Cyber risk assessment. Thrive security analysts identify security gaps and deliver proactive solutions to help keep your network healthy and protected. It's not a matter of if everybody, it's when. Are you ready? Get your no obligation security recommendations and consultation. Your business relies on it. Visit thrive nextgen.com espn that's thrivenextgen.com espn.

[Don LaGreca]

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[Alan Hahn]

Copyright 2025 bank of America Corporation thanks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

For listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you to Damian Priest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Talk about a guy that knows Archer Infinite. I was just, I was telling him like the analysis was so on point, you know, this is not giving me shallow analysis. Like he was in debt and even off, off, off air talking about two things that he's watching is defensive rebounding and then the mistakes. Don't missing free throws. Don't miss free throws, don't make mistakes. I'm looking like, all right, you definitely pay attention.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh no, he's, he is the, he is the real deal. Like he takes his New York sports very seriously. And by the way, I mean if you're in a situation where you're as big a dog as the Knicks are, and even though I think it's being slightly overstated, we will not argue about the fact that they're a big dog. When you look at numbers like this series winner, Celtics minus 900.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's crazy.

[Alan Hahn]

Knicks plus 500. The Celtics are minus 290 at one and a half or more. So people are expecting them to win minimum 4, 2. That means you need to not make mistakes. If you're the New York Knicks, it is going to have to be basically mistake free basketball to win the series.

[Don LaGreca]

And that's hard to do four times out of seven. Right. Very difficult to do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You got to be so on point as a team. But they have to be off. And the one area that we're looking at is to see Drew Holiday who missed what he missed almost the whole series, right. Against Orlando with the hamstring, which you know, hamstrings, they're not something that you go a week later, hey, what happened ever happened that a hamstring injury you had. Right. They don't go away that easily.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he's got a guard, your best player. How does he look? Brown. And that knee that was bulky at the end of the season, a little messed up. Like how does that knee. As more wear and tear goes on. And then of course there's Tatum in that Wrist that seemed to look fine in game six, but game five, I mean, but it doesn't mean that another hit or two on that wrist and now we got a problem.

[Don LaGreca]

You're going to need some help.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

From the Celtics to win this series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. I will agree with that.

[Don LaGreca]

Does happen, of course. Right. Somebody gets hurt. Somebody doesn't play to the best of their abilities. Maybe all of a sudden they start to feel some pressure. Although again, they've been down this road. I can't imagine pressure being something they succumb to. But you're going to need some help. But you have to take advantage when that happens.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

Because you're not going to get a, you know, wet down your leg. Pistons team of the fourth quarter that doesn't know how to finish. They know how to finish. You don't win a championship otherwise. But put yourself in a position to win the game. If they make a mistake, you pounce and just take it one game at a time and see what happens. That's, that's where you're at. I mean, any other analysis I think is you're, you're grasping at straws. They're not the better team. That's been proven in the regular season. That's been proven by the record. That's been proven by the history. You're not the Celtics, but we've seen crazier things happen. You saw what the Pacers did last night. The Lakers were a heavy favorite against the Minnesota. Right. What happened? So just go out and nobody thought the Pistons were going to play the Knicks as hard as they did. So just play the best basketball you can and see what happens.

[Peter Rosenberg]

800 now. 193776. What do you think is going to happen? Let's get the calls going here. Matt is in Westchester. You start us off, Matt.

[Don LaGreca]

Hey, guys, listen, big fan of the show. I love everybody here. So great job, guys. I really appreciate your talk and everything. So I just wanted to be able to just say, you know, as a, as a Knick fan, you know, I think I'm going into this, I think.

[Alan Hahn]

About as even keeled as you can be.

[Don LaGreca]

To me, this is the epitome of.

[Alan Hahn]

What we had the offseason to do.

[Don LaGreca]

What we've tried to build throughout the regular season. It's a culmination of kind of, where are we as a team? What are we going to be? Who are we? This is the opportunity. This is the measuring stick that we talk about. Nothing. Not the in season stuff. I mean, I don't mean to marginalize it. But now here you are, the end. Everything is marinating, the soup is cooking. You know, we're ready to go. It's either serve or we have to start thinking about things we need to do after the season. And I think this is an opportunity to see where we're really at. So I think it's a. It's a. It's a win. No matter what happens, it's the opportunity where we need to go from here.

[Alan Hahn]

So I really appreciate it, guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Measuring stick. He's saying, yeah, what a great call.

[Don LaGreca]

You know, Jeter was taught. I don't know where and when Jeter said this, but I was scrolling around social media over the weekend, and they just had a video where Derek Jeter says that failure is a part of success. It just is. And it's all part of what you're trying to grow into. So, hey, have fun. See what you do in the second round from a fan standpoint, but analyze this, dissect what needs to be done, because if you do come up short. What can you learn from this to make sure that it doesn't happen again? To take that next step, the way Cleveland took the next step, the way Boston at one time took the step when they couldn't get over the hump. So just try to learn from this because again, we're still. I know every. Forget last year. This current roster is still in year one. You don't want to embarrass yourself to realize, God, we're going to have to really overhaul this whole thing to be able to compete with them. Let's look at it and say maybe this little here, a little there, a little tweak here, a little tweak there, maybe we can get there. That's why playing well is so important. Even if you don't win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Didn't you build this to beat the Celtics like you got two wings because you thought, there's our matchup. Anunoby on Tatum, which, by the way, straight up matchup. Tatum shoots poorly when Anunobi's guarding him. That. That was this season. It was that. They always find a way to get and it'll be off them Bridges you get as another wing defender, whether it's Jalen Brown or Derek White, somebody you always have to worry about. Yeah, like you got towns because of the Porzingis factor, and that's supposed to also be a neutralizer. These guys are drafted in the same draft and one went one and one went four. The guy went one is on your team.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, two things.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What they don't have is Brunson two closer number one.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't know if was it to beat the Celtics immediately or was it to eventually beat the Celtics?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, that's a good point you make because the benches it to me is the biggest story. They have a real bench. The Knicks don't. It's fair to say.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, that's fair to say. And also when you built this, you thought you were going to get a better bridges than you've gotten so far, then maybe that's one of the tweaks you have to make. Right. All right. We thought Bridges would be the guy. Maybe he's not. Maybe we need to go in a different direction or something else. So yeah, it was built to eventually beat the Celtics. I don't know if it was immediately. And some things happen. Mitch Robinson makes them so much better. He's played 17 regular seasons.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He only played once against the Celtics.

[Don LaGreca]

You know, but still, it's not like he played a full season. There's a lot of things that worked against the Knicks here. I don't think any trade, especially with guys that have years on their contract. Same thing I always analyze with Soto. Oh, that's better win. Does it have to be in 25? He's got 14 years left on his contract. Did it have to be beating the Celtics now? All right, maybe to some fans.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, for fans. Come on, you know, it's. The answer to that is yes.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, let me ask you was it was for now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was built not. Not for a couple of years from now. It was. This is all part of the build. But that's why I keep warning people that this still isn't the year yet. Because the next step is to get one or two guys that come off the bench, that are legit come in and impact the game players and they, you know, again, to be fair, you know, McBride is a nice player, but he's like, that's not going to get you there. He's six one, you know, campaign is a journeyman. He's very good, but that's not going to make a difference. Robinson can make an impact, but he doesn't make free throws. And teams purposely foul him in playoff games to get him off the floor. There's reality here that you have to face. When you look at, look at the teams that are still playing in the postseason, where would you rank the Knicks among those teams?

[Don LaGreca]

Well, if you go by based on they were like in the top five all year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but that's.

[Don LaGreca]

But now record wise or just what.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You Got if you're going to power rank right now or you get a.

[Don LaGreca]

Power rank right now, it's probably to me anyway. OkC's 1.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep. Boston 2.

[Don LaGreca]

I probably put Boston 2.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Then you would say Cleveland.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Despite the loss, I might put Minnesota three.

[Don LaGreca]

Minnesota.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cleveland.

[Don LaGreca]

You're still probably only putting the Knicks fifth, right? Four or five.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Either way, Cleveland's if.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Cleveland's got to be above them. The Golden State is the one kind of iffy one. Right. Like that's the one. Which way would you go?

[Don LaGreca]

Unfortunately, this isn't pre playoffs national championship in college football. You know, they're going to have to take on the number two team in the second round here. Now you build to beat, but it also depends on what it looks like too. Right? Like degrees of failure. You lose this series in six or seven games. Every game's tight, just not good enough. Okay, let's retool. They wipe the floor with you in a sweep and every game is by 20 points. You know what? You colossally failed and you are not in the conversation. Can we agree that those are two different things? You lost. In both cases, you lost the series. Yes, but one of them looks a lot different than the other. One of them looks like, hey, maybe we can figure it out by next year. The other one is we're going to have to scrap this and try.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, this is. This clearly isn't working. Right. It's absolutely true. More calls to come. 800-919-3776. Just starting to preview Knicks and the Celtics and what we expect out of this series, your level of anxiousness. I'll tell you what Josh Hart said. All the pressure's on them. He said we should play free. No one thinks we're going to win. Is that. Is that how you feel as a fan?

[Alan Hahn]

Free.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Speed up, lay back. We're not supposed to win anyway. Let's see what happens. Or are you edge of your seat? No, we have to beat them. It's the Celtics.

[Don LaGreca]

At New Balance. We believe if you run, you're a runner however you choose to do it. Because when you're not worried about doing things the right way, you're free to discover your way. And that's what running is all about. Run your [e-mail] Running Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But anyone can get the same Premium.

[Don LaGreca]

Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have.

[Alan Hahn]

One of your assistant's assistants.

[Don LaGreca]

Switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Month equivalent to 15 per month required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan options available. Taxes and fees, extra fee full [e-mail] thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Let's give you a game time brought to you by Telemardu Irish Whiskey because Don legreco when it's game time.

[Alan Hahn]

Not the close I expected.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was fantastic.

[Alan Hahn]

That was very.

[Don LaGreca]

I think I could have gone longer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You could have, yeah. But your face is red now, so take a breath. The Knicks open their second round series with the Celtics. An hour long pregame coverage show we have going on here. How about that Pat O'Keefe, 6 o'clock but go over to 10:50am for that. Why? Well, you know why. Because the Mets start a series in Arizona with the ice teas and the Diamondbacks, they could be. Coverage immediately follows Dan Grassa. We get a Dan Grasse vehicle tonight right here on 880 at 9pm Yankees. They're supposed to play. This says Pirates.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, that would be incorrect. Yeah, it's a P. Yeah, it's a P. It's close the way I saw it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What other. What other P. Name team do we have coming into town?

[Don LaGreca]

We got the. The Padre.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that would probably be the one.

[Don LaGreca]

I think you'd rather play the Pirates. Although The Yankees lost two out of three to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't like that either. 705 is the scheduled first pitch. No update yet though, right? We have not received anything about.

[Don LaGreca]

Because the gates haven't opened yet. The gates open and people start filling.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Up on food and pay for parking. Then we'll make a decision.

[Don LaGreca]

Call it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, well we'll. We'll try to help you out there everybody. If you're heading to the stadium, if we hear something, the minute we hear it, we will tell you. Tell them or do the original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast, mature, diverse whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemurdo or try the new Telemurdo. Honey. During tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore due responsibly.

[Don LaGreca]

I think both baseball teams kind of happy the Knicks are playing today. Take a little heat off of both of them losing weekends here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not a Great weekend. Not a great weekend.

[Don LaGreca]

And you know what? Maybe I'm the only person, because I do consider myself a little cultured, even though I think on this show I'm the least of the three.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know if that's true.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, but baseball, to me, just. They don't get it. They live in their own little world and they don't. They don't want to talk to anybody. Mets lost two out of three to the Cardinals. But the game they won, the Cardinals. I don't know if it was their City Connect jerseys or some sort of alternative jersey. I guess it's a nickname for St. Louis, but their jersey said the loo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ah, yes, the bathroom.

[Don LaGreca]

And that's the first thing I thought of. So I know we don't call it the loo here, but people do know that in Europe they call it the loo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Why would you want to put on your jersey something that refers to a bathroom anywhere on the planet? Like Peter did anybody during the set? That's a nice looking jersey. Nice throwback.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. Was it spelled L? I'm sure it was spelled L, O.

[Don LaGreca]

U. Yeah, it was spelled L, O, U. I get it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is L O, O. I get it.

[Don LaGreca]

All right. But you're still saying. It still says the loo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Where are you going? The loo.

[Don LaGreca]

Maybe I'm Peter. Am I? Am I? No. I had unfair.

[Alan Hahn]

Didn't I do. Was it here that we had this conversation? I just had this conversation. Cause I said, I'm going to the loo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thought we did.

[Alan Hahn]

Because I'm going to Louis this weekend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And you said the loo.

[Alan Hahn]

And I said the loo.

[Don LaGreca]

You got a job at Major League Baseball?

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's. By the way, it's not a big thing. The reason I'd say I only know it is because on a famous Nelly song, who's the most famous artist from St. Louis? He says, I'm from the loo and I'm proud.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And so for those of us who had never thought about St. Louis at that moment longer than you could say Isaac Bruce, it meant that you were like, oh, the loo.

[Don LaGreca]

You could have went anywhere in St. Louis. He could have went Mark McGuire. He could have went Lou Brock. I like where you went.

[Alan Hahn]

Why wouldn't I?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why not?

[Don LaGreca]

Is not the first.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but it's a good one.

[Alan Hahn]

In fact, he might not even be the first of the two that you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would choose from, of course. But the first, the best part is that they don't have football there Anymore.

[Don LaGreca]

Mets lost two out of three. Meanwhile, update position in the Yankees.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you have a Yankee update?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, please.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a player update, though. Anthony Volpe. It will be in the lineup.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, if they play so not.

[Don LaGreca]

Not good for him. But it's, it's the start to the season, the injury. But the fact that he's in lineup.

[Damian Priest]

Is a good thing.

[Don LaGreca]

But they lost two out of three to the Rays. Yankee Mets lost two out of three to Cardinals. So. So they're probably happy the Knicks are playing today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This was a fun. I remember as a kid in the 90s, being at whether. I think I went to a game with my mom at Shea.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Knicks were playing in the playoffs. I don't remember who. And this is of course in the 90s. So there's no phone that you're keeping up on the score. Someone in the section we were sitting in had a transistor radio. Yes, Peter. Yes, a transistor radio.

[Alan Hahn]

An actual transistor radio.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like a handheld little like AM radio.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listening to the Nick game call and would update the section of what's going on in this game. And there was, I think like a big shot by Starks or something. And he yelled it out and the whole section went nuts. I do remember it was a. It was chilly. It was not a warm night and the Mets were not playing well. But all of a sudden there's a loud roar from our section and then it kind of picked up and then they put the score on the scoreboard and everybody went nuts in the stadium. And I thought that was kind of cool. And that's always like the fun time. Like again in, in October when there's baseball playoffs at the Garden. You'll get that during a Rangers or a Knicks game where they'll put up the score of the Mets or the Yankees and the whole place goes crazy. That's that. That again. That's the fun part of all this.

[Don LaGreca]

I think it's. It, it's. It's a great topic of conversation because of course, the first one I remember in 86, Giants, Redskins, Monday Night Football because game seven of Mets and the Red Sox was postponed because of rain on Sunday. They had to play it on game seven on Monday. And the roars at Giants Stadium during timeouts because everybody was watching or listen on the watchman or listening to the game. I thought this weekend was awesome when the Nuggets were playing at home in their game seven. That's why they were showing on the Jumbotron the Avalanche game. Seven in Dallas, which I thought was really cool.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Two game seven, same market in the two sports from the winter. It's phenomenal.

[Alan Hahn]

And if you just guessed right, you knew they couldn't both go that way. You had to split, right? Had to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At one point though it felt like, I mean Don, I will say this too. Hockey game sevens are way better than NBA games.

[Alan Hahn]

Well it depends on the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on. But this weekend those two game sevens were horrible. The one thing, those two game seven hockey were phenomenal.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Don LaGreca]

But Peter's right, it could have worked out differently. They both could have been five nothing scores and both the NBA games could have gone to overtime. But and this is not me being a shill because people can correct me if or just jump me. Yeah, but they can't. There's nothing better in sports than overtime hockey. There's no timeouts. You can't, you can't look away because it could end at any moment, even you know, over time. Football, yeah, there could be a pick six. You see the drive. They're getting into field goal range.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is stopping inevitable to catch your breath.

[Don LaGreca]

Bases loaded, nobody out. You know they're going to score in extra innings, right? You know basketball, they've got either the overtime but you could see it coming. Yeah, they could be a game winning shot but in overtime you know it's going to end on a game winning shot. They all end on game winning shots and it could be forever. Another good one. Giants Cowboys 1920082007 season Giants beat the Cowboys to advance the championship game. The Knicks are home. They put the football game on the jumbotron during halftime and they're starting the third quarter and on the air Gus Johnson was doing radio at the time. Did play by play of the interception to end the game and we, I don't know if we still have it in the archives or whatever because we were rolling on it but that was a long time ago. I love when the sports get there. Who was the owner of the Lightning and the Pistons? I can't think of his name but he owned both teams and so he's, he's at, he's in Detroit Pistons are home and they put up a little like television next to his seat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The current order.

[Don LaGreca]

No, no, no. This is going back to when the Lightning were in the Stanley cup final in 04 and he owned the pistol. Pistons were in the finals in 04, the Lightning and he owned both teams. I forget who it was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I forget not. I don't want to say I'm probably going to get it wrong so I'm not going to blurt out any name that just comes to mind.

[Don LaGreca]

But it wasn't before Oren Coolis.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

The TV producer on the Lightning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Well, yeah. I mean I covered those finals before. You think I'd know? Think I'd remember? It's the last Stanley cup final I covered.

[Don LaGreca]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that went seven. I was Calgary to Tampa. How's that flight? And it went seven.

[Don LaGreca]

We were just like, how about the one I cover the next year? Edmonton, Carolina.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Yeah. There was not great.

[Don LaGreca]

I was at game seven in oh four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like in Tampa.

[Don LaGreca]

In Tampa.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was special that we were just happy it was over. Like we didn't, you know, like you get to a point you don't get. It's so funny when you cover stuff like that. It's like whoever has a series lead, that's what you're rooting for. And when you're a national media like you don't really have a rooting interest in anything.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're rooting interest in. Let's. Let's just get this over with.

[Don LaGreca]

But once you get to game seven, you can kind of kick back and just, you know, want to see a great game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you are. You were in Edmonton for a final but Calgary that year, the Red Mile they called it. Oh my God. I can tell you stories that I can't tell you on the air about that. What? Just things you saw. Talk about in the wild.

[Alan Hahn]

What kind of things we see just this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lots of things that you don't normally see in public that were being on display publicly.

[Don LaGreca]

Michael likes to celebrate great sporting moments in the nude.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

There are places Calgary did that. While we're new.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There were chance encouraging it and, and people were. And people were responding to the encouragement.

[Don LaGreca]

Right. It was like you were like in the French Quarter, but it was. Calgary couldn't be farther away from.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And there were no beads.

[Don LaGreca]

They had a Blue Mile in Edmonton. But I don't think the. The higher up north you go, the less they're just looking to survive because even in June it's like 30. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But the sun's out 12 hours a day.

[Don LaGreca]

It was unbelievable. It's Peter. It's 9:50, 22 hours.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I.

[Don LaGreca]

The game's over because it's starting at 8:00 Eastern. So the game's at 6. Like it's almost 10:00. I'm walking back to the hotel. The sun's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, no, no, we would. Again that's wild. The game's over. We are leaving the arena. You know, you always want to get by. A bunch of us riders and you're walking around town and it's like you thought it was an afternoon game. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. 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.