Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg - Hour 1: Knicks Collapse
Release Date: May 22, 2025
In the inaugural episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the dramatic collapse of the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. This comprehensive analysis captures every critical moment, strategic decision, and emotional reaction surrounding the game, providing listeners with an engaging and informative breakdown even if they missed the live action.
1. The Unbelievable Collapse
Don La Greca sets the stage by expressing his disbelief over the Knicks' unexpected downfall. He reminisces about the unpredictability of sports, stating:
"You couldn't have scripted that. If you had scripted that, they would say, no. Just. It's not real. This is fake. This can't possibly happen." [00:55]
This sentiment captures the shock felt by fans as the Knicks, who led by nine points with under a minute remaining, succumbed to a rapid penalty-ridden collapse orchestrated by the Pacers.
2. Coaching Decisions Under Scrutiny
A significant portion of the discussion centers around the Knicks' coaching decisions, particularly the return of Jalen Brunson into the game despite having five fouls. Peter Rosenberg voices his concerns:
"I wasn't comfortable with Brunson. And he rested the whole fourth quarter. What the hell was going on?" [05:37]
Contrastingly, Alan Hahn defends the decision, highlighting the complexities of coaching in high-stakes moments:
"As a coach, I'm not telling you you're wrong in suggesting it as a Monday morning quarterback. What I was saying is, in the Eastern Conference finals, game one at Madison Square Garden, when my All-NBA three-time point guard, he's coming back in the game. I'm not leaving him on the bench." [18:15]
Despite the defense, the consensus among the hosts is that Brunson's return was a pivotal mistake that contributed to the Knicks needing to win four additional games instead of the usual three to advance.
3. Breakdown of Key Plays
The trio meticulously dissects the final minutes of the game, highlighting how strategic missteps and player fatigue led to the Knicks' downfall. Don elaborates on the statistical improbability of such a collapse:
"Since 1998, teams are 4 and 165 when trailing by seven plus in the final minute of the fourth or overtime... That was like oh for what, 1400. And so like it just doesn't happen." [12:22]
They discuss specific moments, such as Halliburton's critical three-point attempts and Brunson's missed shots, which turned the tide in favor of the Pacers.
4. Historical Context and the "Madison Curse"
The conversation naturally shifts to a broader historical perspective, examining past instances where the Knicks faltered in high-pressure situations. Peter Rosenberg introduces the idea of a "curse" plaguing Madison Square Garden:
"I call it the Penn Station curse, man. Nate Smith, six straight threes... It's just horror stories after horror stories." [45:25]
Alan Hahn counters, arguing that the so-called curse is more a series of unfortunate events rather than a supernatural phenomenon:
"They won their only two championships in that building above that Penn Station. Right, Patrick Ewing had a put-back dunk in '94 to win and take you to the finals." [47:04]
5. Statistical Insights
To emphasize the rarity of the Knicks' collapse, Don shares compelling statistics:
"Teams are 0 and 14 when trailing by nine or more points in the final minute of the fourth quarter in overtime since 1998 until last night." [13:01]
These numbers underscore the improbability of the Knicks' loss, reinforcing the severity of their late-game struggles.
6. Listener Calls and Fan Perspectives
Engaging with their audience, the hosts take calls from listeners who share their frustrations and theories. One caller, Mike from Texas, criticizes Brunson's in-game decisions:
"He has to do a better job at reading the game... he took the next four shots, and he missed them." [33:17]
Another caller, Geron from ESPN New York, muses about the potential "curse" affecting the Knicks, listing historical misses and blunders that have defined the team's legacy.
7. Final Thoughts and Future Implications
As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the import of Game 1’s collapse for the series ahead. Alan Hahn remains optimistic, pointing to the team's overall resilience despite the setback:
"They are not the kind of team that will get mentally defeated by this. So if that is the case and they can be ready and feel great by tomorrow night, you know you lost by the hair of your chinny chin chin to a team that needed to be perfect to start the game and perfect to end the game." [11:34]
In conclusion, while acknowledging the pain of the Knicks' near-miss, Hahn and Rosenberg express confidence in the team's ability to bounce back in subsequent games, emphasizing that Game 1 serves as both a cautionary tale and a motivational stepping stone.
Notable Quotes:
-
"You couldn't have scripted that. If you had scripted that, they would say, no. Just. It's not real. This is fake. This can't possibly happen."
– Don La Greca [00:55] -
"I wasn't comfortable with Brunson. And he rested the whole fourth quarter. What the hell was going on?"
– Peter Rosenberg [05:37] -
"Since 1998, teams are 4 and 165 when trailing by seven plus in the final minute of the fourth or overtime..."
– Don La Greca [12:22] -
"I call it the Penn Station curse, man. Nate Smith, six straight threes... It's just horror stories after horror stories."
– Peter Rosenberg [45:25]
This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" offers a thorough examination of the Knicks' early-round struggles, blending statistical analysis, strategic critique, and passionate fan perspectives. Hosts provide a balanced view, acknowledging mistakes while maintaining faith in the team's potential to overcome adversity in the fiercely competitive Eastern Conference Finals.