Hour 1: Knicks Contenders?

Summary

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

Introduction In the January 28, 2025 episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg titled "Knicks Contenders?", ESPN New York legends Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the current state of the New York Knicks. Balancing insights from La Greca’s extensive broadcasting experience, Hahn’s sharp sportswriting perspective, and Rosenberg’s passionate fandom, the trio offers a comprehensive analysis of the Knicks' performance, their potential as contenders, and the broader NBA landscape.

1. Knicks' Offensive Prowess The conversation kicks off with an enthusiastic analysis of the Knicks' explosive offense. Don highlights the team's unprecedented scoring run, noting, "They’ve never averaged that many points in a game in a season" (07:58). Peter adds context by comparing current performances to historical benchmarks, stating, "When was the last time they scored north of 280 in two combined? 1959-60."

• Historical Comparisons: The team’s offensive output is compared to legendary seasons, emphasizing the rarity and significance of their current scoring spree.
• Scoring Metrics: The Knicks are currently averaging 117.6 points per game, positioning them as the third-best in the NBA and the number one scoring team.

2. Defensive Improvements and Challenges While the offense has been stellar, the trio acknowledges the Knicks' defensive vulnerabilities. Alan points out, “They have to get to what you would expect from a Tom Thibodeau team, which is a top 10 defense.” Currently ranked 12th in defensive rating, the Knicks are inching closer to securing a top-tier defense.

• Recent Defensive Strategies: Peter emphasizes the importance of recent games where the Knicks have "put the clamps down" on opponents, highlighting a top-five performance off turnovers.
• Coach Tom Thibodeau's Influence: The impact of Thibodeau’s coaching philosophy on both offensive and defensive plays is discussed, with Don remarking, "This wasn't just, oh, they were hot and they were. They had 20 steals."

3. Playoff Implications and Standings The Knicks are on the brink, being one game back of the Celtics in the Eastern Conference. Don underscores the urgency, “If you don’t wake up, the Knicks can pass you.” Alan reminisces about past Knicks seasons, noting that the current offensive success is "different" and potentially a game-changer for their playoff prospects.

• Celtics vs. Knicks Rivalry: The interplay between the Knicks and Celtics is a focal point, with discussions about recent Celtics performances and their impact on the Knicks' standings.
• Momentum and Team Morale: Peter shares his optimism, “They are good enough to beat anybody in the league when you see them at their best,” reinforcing the Knicks' potential to climb higher.

4. Trade Deadline Considerations As the trade deadline approaches, the conversation shifts to the Knicks' strategic options. Peter outlines the constraints imposed by the new "second apron" hard cap, limiting the team's ability to make aggressive trades without jeopardizing future flexibility.

• Salary Cap Restrictions: Don and Peter discuss how the Knicks are "close to the second apron," a hard cap-like rule that restricts additional trades and signings.
• Potential Acquisitions: The possibility of trading for players like Victor Oladipo or Jordan Clarkson is debated. Don questions the feasibility, “You couldn't make another trade that will put them over when it comes to salary and payroll.”
• Mitchell Robinson's Health: The uncertainty surrounding Robinson’s return from ankle surgeries adds another layer of complexity to the Knicks' immediate strategy.

5. Audience Engagement and Calls The episode features several listener calls that reflect the fanbase's concerns and suggestions. Key topics include:

• Bench Depth and Player Trades: Callers discuss the need for stronger bench players to support the Knicks' high-scoring starters.

  • Caller Joe (34:36): Suggests acquiring players like Victor Oladipo or Jordan Clarkson to bolster the bench.
  • Peter’s Response: Highlights the challenges of acquiring significant players without compromising team depth.

• Buyout Market Opportunities: Listeners inquire about potential buyouts and free-agent acquisitions that could instantly impact the Knicks' roster.

  • Caller Dave (39:09): Proposes the possibility of adding centers like Nikola Vučević to strengthen the team.

6. Key Insights and Expert Opinions Throughout the episode, the hosts provide valuable insights into what it takes for the Knicks to transition from being high-performing to true contenders.

• Balancing Offense and Defense: The necessity of maintaining offensive momentum while shoring up defensive capabilities is stressed as crucial for playoff success.
• Long-Term vs. Short-Term Goals: The challenge of making immediate roster changes without undermining future flexibility under the salary cap is a recurring theme.
• Historical Context: Alan draws parallels between the current season and past Knicks eras, emphasizing the significance of their current offensive success in historical terms.

Notable Quotes

• Don La Greca (07:58): "They’ve never averaged that many points in a game in a season."
• Peter Rosenberg (08:22): "This is one of the best offenses in the league. If they can get a top 10 defense, then you're talking about, okay, that's what contenders are."
• Alan Hahn (10:01): "They are top five enforcing turnovers."

Conclusion The episode wraps up with a consensus that the Knicks are on the cusp of becoming serious contenders. Their exceptional offensive capabilities, coupled with improving defensive strategies, position them favorably within the NBA. However, challenges such as roster depth, salary cap restrictions, and player health remain pivotal factors that will determine their ultimate success in the playoffs.

Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg conclude with a call for patience and strategic planning, emphasizing that while the Knicks are not yet champions, they are "closer than they've ever been in a long time" to achieving that status.

Timestamp Reference:

• Timestamps correspond to specific points in the transcript where notable discussions occur, aiding listeners in locating key segments.

---

This summary is intended for individuals interested in the in-depth analysis of the New York Knicks' current performance and potential as NBA contenders, providing a comprehensive overview based on the January 28, 2025 episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg.

Transcript

[Don La Greca]

At gnc, nutrition isn't just a department, it's the whole store. Get better fuel for bigger gains, to sculpt that revenge body and to have you feeling like you're ready to go. GNC spent 90 years perfecting nutrition and protein that literally tastes like cake. So you can look like cake. You got goals, we've got results. It's gnc, baby. Visit your local GNC store or shop [e-mail]. don, one day you're not gonna play football anymore. And if there's a God up above, it'll be soon.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Han, huge. No, but big. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And Rosenberg, I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don La Greca]

This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg on 880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app. All right, here we go.

[Don La Greca]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

With Don legreca and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. And we.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That little conversation we just had coming in here, I just blew your. Like, you did. You almost have me going. Let's do a podcast about this.

[Don La Greca]

If we had done that, our meeting is at 2:30.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

And if I had thrown that at you at like 2:35, it would have derailed the meeting. And I threw it at you 30 seconds before the show's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love that stuff, though, because now I'll Julie in.

[Don La Greca]

Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

Have I heard this? Have I heard this before?

[Don La Greca]

You might have heard it before. I've kind of thrown it out there. But it was fresh to Alan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Great summer conversation.

[Don La Greca]

And he was like, whoa, whoa, that's. Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a good question. I don't know if I sound like that.

[Alan Hahn]

No. You became a stoner all of a sudden.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dude, what does mine say?

[Don La Greca]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

Ew, man. I can't even believe you, bro.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sweet. What does mine say? You guys know. There it is.

[Don La Greca]

Listen, I think we're speaking the language of our listeners. I think most of our listeners are high right now. I think it's absolutely. That's my thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Afternoon delight.

[Don La Greca]

I can't. Peter, we need to assess it post. Yes. Because May, a lot of our. Yes. Audience was high, but I do think a lot of our.

[Alan Hahn]

They were high also. That was coming off like the oxygen tube.

[Don La Greca]

I was gonna say maybe just like a pinstripe high. You know, they're intoxicated by the yankeeography that was on before our show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. Did you see that one? God, I love Roy White. Did you see the Roy White.

[Don La Greca]

I love Roy White. I just had no idea he lived a life I'm glad I DVR'd. That's like a. Watch it again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What a Yankee. What a Yankee. And I'm a Yankees fan to it. But I do agree, like, sometimes it's a bit much from some Yankee fans anyway, so. But anyway. Well, you. Do you want to bring it up? I mean, I know we're going to derail this show by just now.

[Don La Greca]

We'll save it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You want to do it?

[Don La Greca]

We got lots to talk about today. The Knicks are an offensive juggernaut. We really need to dive deeper into the Aaron Glenn of it all because we had to talk all the other football.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

So we, you know, dive into that, you know, big Ranger game tonight. So I'm gonna save.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's fine.

[Don La Greca]

That little gummy that I threw at you.

[Alan Hahn]

Maybe. Maybe a random spot, Alan. Maybe like a bottom of the hour spot. You just pick it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. I feel like this is a pod. Like a half hour special pod where you introduce the topic, we just kick it around and then leave it out there. Almost like you just take the raw meat and throw it to the people and see how it's consumed.

[Don La Greca]

I might have thrown it out. I'm feeling on the air, Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you probably did, but.

[Don La Greca]

And again, I know we're not supposed to bring up the names of our exes, but, you know, Michael didn't really buy into those kind of reindeer games, so I didn't really go anywhere. Alan's the complete opposite.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it bad that I love the reindeer game? I really.

[Don La Greca]

He loves that.

[Alan Hahn]

Why do you think that's why Alan and I have always gotten along so well. We love reindeer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We totally do that all the time. We just find these random, like, what ifs.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then we just started imagining a life.

[Don La Greca]

It was a what if in a world.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

When you're saying. You're saying you didn't like, you're saying it didn't get you motivated if you told a very. What you thought was a very funny anecdote and it went on for 45 seconds and you thought you just entertained the room.

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And it was met with silence. And then Michael went interesting and kept talking. You.

[Don La Greca]

That's that what you mean?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Was that his, like, passive aggressive way of saying yes.

[Alan Hahn]

And Anthony. And Anthony, I've been thinking about it. I need a drop. I do want a Michael K. Interesting drop. Because nothing, Alan, nothing makes you feel like what you just said was worthless. More than like a tiny, quiet, interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, okay. Can I raise you?

[Alan Hahn]

Go ahead.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because we're gonna Talk about exes. I love Bart Scott, but nothing told me that he was disengaged or disinterested in what I had to say by his audible yawn into the microphone on the air.

[Don La Greca]

So what you're saying, I don't wanna.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Ray Dinahan can attest to that.

[Don La Greca]

I don't many times. But what that shows you, Peter, is that one guy's a professional and at least wanted to spare some of our feelings. Bart, unprofessional. Didn't care what people played.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bart just. We were in the locker room and that's.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's not a. Exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love him. I love them. I just. It would be funny, though, these moments where I would just start talking and just be like.

[Alan Hahn]

That is. By the way. That is. No, that is so wild. I love it. And can I just say, speaking of things I love related to the great Bart Scott, the. The Bart and Carlin photo shoot is one of my favorites I've ever seen promotionally.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Have not seen it.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. Go on the ESPN New York Instagram when you get a moment. And Barton Chris did a fantastic photo shoot. I, I legit, like, LOL'd earlier. It's fantastic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You LOL.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it better than ours?

[Alan Hahn]

No, ours is cool. Ours is like you dream about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Ours is like you make. You make movie posters out of that.

[Alan Hahn]

You make sweet love.

[Don La Greca]

Well, listen, I, I enjoyed it, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, there it is. Oh, this is.

[Don La Greca]

Scroll through it.

[Alan Hahn]

Scroll through it. You got to scroll through it.

[Don La Greca]

I'm having a password issue on my Instagram. Can you show me?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can you just slide? Just slide through?

[Alan Hahn]

You got to slide through.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Slide. You have to slide because it's really. See, that's what makes Carlin so good, though, because he leans into it, which makes it better. You have to those who are listening, ESPN New York Instagram, you got to check it out.

[Don La Greca]

It's really, definitely. Well, and I got to see Carlin today. He was having a post show meeting with our pinhead suit, so I got a chance to see him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you being assessed already? That's not good.

[Don La Greca]

No, I just. I think he was just hanging out waiting for his train.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Chris, can I see you in my office, please?

[Don La Greca]

I think he was just waiting for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His train after the show.

[Alan Hahn]

The last slide of him looking up like this, like, zesty, very frolicky look on his face. It's amazing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So, a little show excursion today. Don's working Rangers canes tonight right after our broadcast. It's a pretty big game, right?

[Don La Greca]

Very Big game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I haven't had enough time at the Garden. So I'm going. I want to see this guy. I want to see some hockey ranger.

[Don La Greca]

I think what he's going to do, Peter, he's going to hang, I guess, watch me do the pre. And then we're going to get on the subway like gentlemen, go to the Garden, swing by the suite, have a nice dinner, little dinner. And then go to work, watch the game together as a show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Then Don's going to do first intermission. I might try to jump in, you know, give a little bit of analysis.

[Don La Greca]

Maybe you could be my first intermission guest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why not?

[Don La Greca]

They've been a little dicey with the walk offs recently. Yeah, we always were guaranteed a walk off as long as they weren't down multiple goals. Now it's just, I guess whatever they're feeling at the time, I'm not complaining, but there might be room.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, walk offs lately for me have been fun at the Garden. Oh my God, there's been some good ones and it just seems to become a thing. They played a lot of home games in January and it feels like they've won a lot of them. And in fact, don't look now. They're seven of the last ten. They've won four in a row. And the Knick offense In the last two games have scored 286 points.

[Don La Greca]

I was going to say, when was the last time they scored north of 280 in two combined.

[Peter Rosenberg]

1959. 60.

[Don La Greca]

So this, this, it's on the table.

[Peter Rosenberg]

60, 65, 66. I think I went too far back.

[Don La Greca]

But it's on the table that this could be the greatest offense the Knicks have ever had.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They are averaging 117.6 points per game right now. It's third best in the NBA. They've never averaged that many points in a game in a season.

[Don La Greca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ever.

[Don La Greca]

Because when the Knicks are good, you go back to those 90 teams is about defense.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

You know, but they are just. They're lighting it up. And that was not nobody. I know people that don't follow the NBA. Oh, it's the Memphis Grizzlies. No, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Third best team in the West. They just won. They won six in a row and five of the six they won by 20 or more points. They were smoking teams. They are a fast team. They have the highest scoring bench and jaws. They are the number one scoring team in the NBA. And the Knicks held them to 100, what, six points points.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes. And by the way, this is a team legit Win. You're not talking about punching down. These teams have the exact same record. They're. They're in the exact same class. And the knicks won by 37 points.

[Don La Greca]

And you got to feel good. And are you starting to feel the hot Nick breath on your back there, Peter? Because the Knicks are only one game back of the Celtics. I know, I know you're not that worried because you're the defending champions and all that, but sure, don't stop short, because the Knicks will run you over.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, I. Listen, it's not. It's the timing of yesterday. The Celtics lose a heartbreaker in which Tatum was amazing, but somehow Dylan Brooks turned into Steph Curry. Steph Curry last night.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Threes is lunatic.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, so not great timing. But you look at it, Celtics sitting at 32 and 15. Knicks right there, 31 and 16. And yeah, we can play the whole game of. The Celtics have been there, defending champions, blah, blah, blah. No matter how you cut it, they're not playing the dominant grade of basketball they were playing to start the season. And the Knicks keep getting better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think the Celtics are bored. I gotta be honest with you. I think they're still going to be fine. I just agree. I think they're in that, you know, we want a championship. The season's kind of a slog. It's the middle of the year. It's like, you know, whatever, we'll turn it on when it matters. For the Knicks, this is a little bit of a proving point because, you know, like, they had a great start, then they went through a little lull where they lost a couple of games and they were kind of on again, off again. They had a bad home loss to the Thunder, and that kind of made people think, okay, they're not in that class. In fact, myself, I was like, I just don't think they're there yet. I think they're closer than they've ever been in a long time, but I don't know if they're there yet. And it had to do with the bench. I just didn't think they had enough depth. Well, last night, their bench outplayed the NBA's highest scoring bench. So there was something to be said about that, but it was really more about the defense. You know, as we just talked about how much they've been averaging per game, we're talking about the highest scoring starting five in the NBA. And what really was last night and the last bunch of games here is something that was sort of the. The last thing for this team to unlock, which is to get to what, what you would expect from a Tom Thibodeau team, which is a top 10 defense. They are right now 12th. So they're creeping closer and closer to getting into the top 10 in that category. Like I said, they're, they're, they're third in the NBA in scoring, but they're number two in offensive rating. So this is one of the best offenses in the league. If they can get a top 10 defense, then you're talking about, okay, that's what contenders are.

[Don La Greca]

So will they, will they get it back because of health or will they make. Can they make a deal for that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, I did. So the trade deadline is next Thursday. All right, February 6th. And we know that they are very limited in what they can do because of the new rules. This second apron thing, basically everybody, without having to explain it and give you all the, the machinations of the collective bargaining agreement, the second apron is, is essentially a hard cap. Now, it's not technically one, but it works like one. It's. You avoid it at all costs because it, it paralyzes your franchise if you go over that number. So it's a hard cap. The Knicks are under it, but they're close to it. And so they know there's certain things they can't do. And what they can't do is make another trade that will put them over when it comes to salary and payroll. That's going to limit anything they can do. Plus, the other thing is this. When it comes to improving the bench, and you have to do it via trade, who are you trading to get a significant player to help you? There's really not much you can do. Because if I'm now trading two players for one now I have less depth, not more. So you can't afford to do that. So that's why I think Thursday they might kick some tires. I don't think they're going to be very active. And right now, everybody is just waiting to see can Mitchell Robinson come back from these ankle surgeries that he's had and give them anything, something that resembles what he has done over the last couple of years when he's healthy.

[Don La Greca]

But you're not sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I. Well, I'm not sure because he still hasn't been cleared to play yet. And he was supposed to. The original timeline was the end of December, early January. Then it was, he's going to practice at some point in January. Well, boys, January is over at the end of this week. He has not been cleared. The practice.

[Don La Greca]

January 31st is Friday so he's got this week. Otherwise now it's gone from December, early January to now early February.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

So, yeah, I would be a little concerned about that, too. But as far as the Celtics, Peter kind of just slogging through and we've seen it. It's not. It's not going to be uncostly to them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Agreed.

[Don La Greca]

If you don't wake up, the Knicks can pass you. Oh, by the way, the bucks have won eight of 10. So what if they pass now? Now, do you want to really mess around and finish in fourth in the conference and be. And be playing, you know, a hot Indiana team in the first round and then have to be exclusively on the road the rest of the way? I mean, is that. I know it's not football where it's only the road, but do you want to. Do you want to be in a second round against the Knicks maybe, and have the first two games of the Garden and a possible game seven of the Garden?

[Alan Hahn]

Absolutely not.

[Don La Greca]

That's the thing.

[Alan Hahn]

It's like, I totally hear what Alan's saying, and he's right. That is what they're doing. You know what I mean? But are you really the Kansas City Chiefs? Can you really be a team that doesn't care about where you land as long as you make the playoffs? You just. You just. Then turn it on. I mean, they're a great team. I don't know if they're that.

[Don La Greca]

Well, they are.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What? What? What?

[Don La Greca]

The. The champions and then the Finals the year before. I mean, they're not. They're not the Chiefs, but I guess from an NBA perspective, they're heading towards that. But I'm with you. I don't know if you can kind of mess around some good teams now. Forget about finishing in first, and maybe you don't care about finishing in first, but finishing in second. But now you talk third, fourth.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The way the east is setting up, the top three are probably going to stay in the top three. I think the Cavaliers have just proven they're not going to cool off. I mean, I thought at some point they would go through a lull.

[Alan Hahn]

They were crazy.

[Don La Greca]

What about the Bucks, though? The Bucks are only three back. They've been hot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Bucks are. The Bucks, though. Like, we know what they are. They're. They're. They're going to win in the regular season against, like, we're now at that point where the bad teams know they're bad, you know, and when you get to that point of the season where, especially after the All Star break, I Mean, wait till you see some of the horrific basketball that's going to be played by some of these teams that know that they're bad and they don't have a chance to make the playoffs or the play in. So the bad teams you're going to just destroy. It's when you match up with, you know, like next week for the, for your Celtics, by the way, Peter, is Sunday against the Sixers, who have not been good, but they still like here and there. They'll give you trouble because of who they have. But then they play the Cavs on Tuesday, the Mavericks on Thursday, and then they come to the Garden, play the Knicks on Saturday right before the Super Bowl. So that that next week for them is going to be interesting to see. You know, do they get out of this malaise or not? Or do they open the door for the Knicks to jump over them into second place?

[Alan Hahn]

It's such a hard thing, man. It's a really underrated thing. Thing in pro sports, particularly basketball, hockey and baseball, where you play over, you know, 80 games or in the case of baseball, a thousand games, keeping momentum when you're a good team for an entire season, when you know you're good, when you know you've had and when you know in the NBA and the NHL that the playoffs are endless so you're setting up for another season that starts in the spring, it's tough, man. And to Don's point, you never know. Milwaukee could turn it on. They're three and a half games back. So I'm not worried about them in a big way. But I did think last night it was this interesting like situation to be looking in. One moment I'm seeing the Knicks dominate and then see the Celtics lose a tough game. You just go, you better pay attention to this team. You know how fired up this Knicks team is going to be all season and postseason.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a great question that I think we put out there. 800-919-3776 I already have a ton of calls coming in here on this, but it is that. It's, you know, again, take the temperature of the fan base about the Knicks and what are you seeing in this team right now? Like, is this as we're now we're well into the second half of the season. The All Star break is coming up in two weeks, trade deadline's coming up in a week and it's now is there a belief feeling here about this team? And using the word contender, they have been in third in the east and they've Been top six in the NBA for the better part of this season. I mean we're talking about 90% of the season. That's where they have sat as one of the best teams in the NBA. So how all in are we right now and what this team can be? Because I am going to stay in on business and tell you that I think this is not the year, but I think it's like getting closer to the year. They are, they are that close. Now Michael K. Said this on his show and I completely agreed with him when he said it. They are good enough to beat anybody in the league. They can also lose to anybody in the league, but they are good enough to beat anybody when you see them at their best. And last night that was as close to their best as they have played all season. They've had some big wins, they've had some good wins. But last night, what they did to a red hot Grizzlies team, that is a tough team to play against. They annihilated them. Took their heart. And then when the Grizzlies tried to push back, they just throttled down even more. And fourth quarter was rucker in the summertime. I mean they were alley oops and dunks and three. It was, it was like even Mike, Mike Breen's voice was hitting another octave because it was so much fun to watch.

[Don La Greca]

Almost 83 points in the second half.

[Peter Rosenberg]

83. 82 points in the second half.

[Don La Greca]

How often do you see that? Just to open it up and just be thoroughly entertained by a juggernaut.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Offensive and defense was at the foundation of this, guys. I'm telling you. This wasn't just, oh, they were hot and they were. They had 20 steals. They put the clamps down on this team, the best offense in the league and they turned them over constantly and were making them pay every time.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, it was terrific.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This was something to see.

[Don La Greca]

No, it was absolutely terrific. And you know, it's quieted down now, all the talk about the bench because last night you were able to minutes police down the minutes a little bit. And like the conversation we had yesterday about sometimes you got to learn to lose before you can win. Yeah, but I think that only counts for later in the playoffs. Like that's why I think it's important for the Knicks to get out of the second round. And then that could be their education, like getting bounced in the second round again or God forbid, the first round.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Depends on who it's to.

[Don La Greca]

That's not going to matter. You're right. If it's Boston.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And if you're 2, 3 and you're the 3 seed and you've lose to Boston in seven games in the second round, you lost the defending champs in there. You know what I mean? Like, I still think, you know, you gotta leave a little room for that. We cannot judge where it ends. You judge how it ends.

[Don La Greca]

I'm with you. And I would agree with you. If it's the Knicks finish in third and the Celtics finish in second, and then you meet up with them in the second round, you lose a hard fought six, seven game series. Hey, we learned from that. That's the team we need to try to figure out to beat. It was just circumstances that we were able to, that we had to face them in the, in the second round rather than the conference final. But what if you get the two. What if you've got home court? You open the first two games at the Garden, you're playing a possible game seven in the guard. How would it look? Could you walk away? I'll ask you this too, Peter, because you have a dog in the fight too. Would be the Celtics. It's the Celtics and the defending champions and they're quote, unquote, the better team. But if the Knicks end up beating them out in the regular season and you have a game seven and you're building and you lose, can you walk away from that game and say, well, it's an education for us, we just weren't ready. Or is it a missed opportunity because you had home court? You beat them out over 82 games during the regular season, whether they were sleepwalking or not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll give you that. I'll give you.

[Don La Greca]

I'm asking you, does it change? Or do you just say, hey, listen, it's still the Celtics. I know we've got home court, but you know what? It's still the Celtics. Vegas probably have them favorite. Right?

[Alan Hahn]

They would.

[Don La Greca]

So. So I'm just wondering, does it change the perception because the game, because you would have home court.

[Alan Hahn]

I think it changes it for fans. Absolutely.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

If, if the Knicks win the season series and if the Knicks were to somehow have home court, guys, this town is expecting that they beat the Celtics.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think you're right.

[Alan Hahn]

No one's going, oh, they're the champ.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry, that's a different scenario. If you have the higher sheet and you have home court advantage going into that series in the second round, then yes, I think all the expectations change. And I even think that Jalen Brunson would tell you, if they lose, it's a Failure. I think he would use those words.

[Don La Greca]

Now, the scary thing, it all depends on how it looks, right? Still got to get there because. Well, first of all, we're a long way from the Knicks finishing head. They're still having, you know, as great as they've been, they're still a game back of Boston.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They got to play them three more times.

[Don La Greca]

Boston could turn around and win nine of the next 10 and put all this to bed. We're going to be doing the super bowl show on the seventh, you know, leading into that game on the eighth. And. And so where will they be then? Maybe they're ahead of them, maybe they're three games behind, and we're not even having that conversation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or that game could be a chance to jump over them. That's. It's also still on the T. But the fan.

[Don La Greca]

Peter, you're right. The fans will be like, oh, we've got home court. We're going to take them. But if Vegas has them as the favorite. And the consensus among experts are, well, the Celtics just weren't interested in the regular season, and they win the first two games of the Garden by 10. But you work hard and you fight and you lose in six, does that make it different? Like, all right, clearly the Celtics were better, but we put up a bigger fight. Perceptions do change over time. I don't. I think we get caught up in where you finish. And I think the Chiefs proved that last year, having to go on the road in the divisional and championship round, that even though they didn't have as great a regular season, they still were the team to beat, even though they had to go to Baltimore and all that. I'm just. I just think that perceptions change. But right now, ride this out, man. I. I've been doing this a long time. Sports radio and the Knicks have always been a part of everything that I've ever done, going back to my sports phone days in 1992. So I was there for all of the failures against Chicago. 94, losing in the final, 99, losing to the Spurs. I've followed this Nick team. It's been a part of the culture of what I've done for a living for the last 30 years. I can't remember the offense being this good. I can't remember them back to back game scoring 143 points. And I know it's a different league and the three points and all that, but the Knicks were kind of built a certain way, and this is different. And you know what? This is kind of the way you're expected to do it in the NBA now. So this is pretty cool.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And when they start to play defense like we saw last night, one of the writers actually said this. They used the phrase you guys told on yourselves in this game. Meaning, see, you can be a high end defensive team. It's in there. You just got to bring it out on a nightly basis. But I'll leave it. We'll close the conversation here. We got plenty of calls to get to 800 now at 93776 that we will get to. But you know, Tom Thibodeau, he could be. What is his favorite phrase is, I'm only happy when I'm miserable. Right? Like he just, he's a guy that fits his space. It does, right?

[Don La Greca]

He's up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's up by 30 and he looks angry if they give up a three, like, that's just who he is. You never, even after wins like this, hear him, you know, express any type of like. What's the word I'm thinking of? Like he's satisfied. Satisfaction.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He never.

[Alan Hahn]

He can't get no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, well. Right.

[Don La Greca]

No, no, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen to him after the game last night, huh?

[Michael Kay]

They're a tough matchup. It's a good test for us. And we had to be tied together when you play against them. And I loved our overall activity. I thought our defensive activity was terrific. Big time multiple effort, 20 steals. You know, OG and Mikhail were all over the place, you know, and that set the tone for us. It's inspiring when you get those hustle plays. And it also puts you in the open floor, get you easy baskets. And then we got great play from our bench.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This man needs a cigarette.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean that, that is the equivalent for a normal person of like pouring champagne in a strip club while doing the line of blow. I mean, that guy was partying right there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's for Tom Thibodeau. That's exactly what that was. My God, that man is laying there naked in the bed dragging on a cigarette.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, good for him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what he's doing after that game. Listen, listen to him. That's he's at for vessing in that quote. Trust me. 800-993-776. We got tons of calls to get to. We'll get to those on the knicks stuff. Monica McNutt's going to join us later on in the show, of course, as we always love to talk to Bob Washozen. He's coming up in the 4 o'clock hour. Plenty to talk to with him as well on the jets new hire and more. So lots to get to. But first, Peter's got something for me here.

[Alan Hahn]

I do. And not only I have something to tell you, but something to do. New York baseball fans, listen up. The Ultimate Hat Experience is here. Liz is opening a new store, all right, and you're invited to get to the grand opening celebration this weekend. Get your game face on and customize your own hat featuring your favorite players, autograph your name, even your own design. I've done this before, guys. It's absolutely awesome. Stop by this Friday between noon and 2pm for a chance to win $150 gift card and hang out with me. I'll be in the house my first time out post, baby. All right. And you can also visit this Saturday between 10am and 11 to visit Yankee great Nick Swisher. It's all happening this Friday and Saturday at lids on 42nd street in times Square. Get in the game and make it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A day to remember TaxAct can think of a million things more fun than filing taxes TaxAct is going to name some now. Sitting in traffic, folding a fitted bedsheet, listening to your co worker talk about his fantasy team digging a hole. Digging an even larger hole next to that original hole. Unfortunately, TaxAct's filing software can't make taxes fun, but TaxAct can help you get them done. TaxAct, let's get them over with so.

[Bart Scott]

It'S a new year, 2025, and you're thinking, how am I going to make this year different? How am I going to build something for myself? The best time to start your new business is right now, and Shopify is how you're going to make it happen. Shopify makes it simple to create your brand, open for business and get your first sale. Get your store up and running easily with thousands of customizable templates. No coding or design skills required. All you need to do is drag and drop. Their powerful social media tools let you connect all your channels and create shoppable posts and help you sell everywhere people scroll. Shopify makes it easy to manage your growing business. They help with the details like shipping, taxes and payments from one single dashboard, allowing you to focus on the important stuff like growing your business. What happens if you don't act now? Will you regret it? What if someone beats you to the idea? Don't kick yourself when you hear this again in a year because you didn't do anything. Now with Shopify, your first sale is closer than you think. Established in 2025 has a nice ring to it, doesn't it. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.comnetwork. all lowercase go to shopify.comnetwork to start selling with Shopify today. Shopify.comnetwork.

[Alan Hahn]

What'S the best time of day to get a deal? All day with Jack in the box's all day. Big deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Meal.

[Alan Hahn]

You get to choose from four entrees like the supreme croissant and five tasty sides, plus a drink starting at $5. So hurry in or take your time. You've got all day at Jack. Every bite's a big deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks 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 want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Yeah, it was time. It was time, Jake.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't sweat the technique, Alan, you know. You know why we get some. Don't sweat the technique.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a birthday, man.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't sweat the technique.

[Alan Hahn]

Rakim Allah. The greatest. Happy birthday to The R. The 18th letter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's gotta be when it comes to voices like, you know, I know, flow and everything else works into this whole thing. Top five.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, it's a great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His voice is just one of the best hip hop voices.

[Alan Hahn]

It's, it's. It's a great nuanced take. I mean, listen, there are people who could argue that he's the greatest rapper. There's people you could argue he's top five, top ten, one. Whatever you want. I don't think the voice is really arguable. It's. It's just so good, man. It's like the second you hear his voice, it takes you somewhere.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know where it takes me. It takes me back to the early 90s. The songs like those songs hit, man.

[Don La Greca]

Like there was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was nothing.

[Don La Greca]

Is my age. You just turned 56.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow, really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, so paid in full.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know, is that everybody goes to that one.

[Don La Greca]

But wait, what to say here?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, we. I mean, don't sweat the technique. The album was like, that's.

[Alan Hahn]

That's an interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The best.

[Don La Greca]

Have I been burned by Wikipedia again?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What happened?

[Don La Greca]

Today's the 28th, right? I guess they just didn't update. He was born January 28, 1968, so that would make him 57.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, at least you knew. He's got him 57.

[Don La Greca]

Hey, listen, he's already born in Yonkers. How long did you stay in New York? Oh, me? I thought we didn't carry over the case, though.

[Alan Hahn]

That One.

[Don La Greca]

No, Alan, it wasn't me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't.

[Don La Greca]

It was a mistake. But I'm talking. Listen, we love sauce, but he doesn't exactly light up a room. Okay, He's a little.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he's located.

[Don La Greca]

So I'm trying to get a question. So I went to Wikipedia. Was just kind of a quick, maybe I'll find something. Like, he grew up a so and so fan. Or, like, something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure.

[Don La Greca]

So it says right there, born in Yonkers, Sauce Gardner.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Mm. Which was incorrect.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, you put Sauce in Yonkers.

[Don La Greca]

So. But it just seemed an odd thing. You know, people go to Wikipedia and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Change things all the time.

[Don La Greca]

I get it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How am I a Yonkers boy?

[Don La Greca]

So why not? If you're. If you're looking now, if someone. Somebody was trying to get us and say, I'm gonna go change the Wikipedia page, wouldn't you do something more interesting than just changing? Like, where I was born?

[Alan Hahn]

That lie on Wikipedia is like, when my brother. That's the way my brother used to love to lie to me as a kid. It was his favorite thing. Like, I would see him and he'd be like, oh, my God, do you hear? And I'm like, what? And he's like, eazy was on Reading Rainbow. And I was like, really easy. Of NWA was on Reading Rainbow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And, like, it seemed, like, unlikely, but maybe plausible, and you'd just be lying. Just. It's one of those things, Don. Just to mess with you.

[Don La Greca]

And it messed with me, and it was never forgotten. Because if you realize this, you're gonna find it out, Alan. And I'm the only one that makes wacky mistakes that I get.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, no.

[Don La Greca]

Where's Michael? Never screwed up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, that's what you mean?

[Alan Hahn]

What about me?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love you.

[Alan Hahn]

We have lots of. Yeah, I have lots of screws.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When Rick and I worked together, there were a bunch of college kids who had a drinking game for every time I misspoke, like, screwed up a line, like in a read or something like that. Like, every time I would flub, they would have to drink. Andrew and Rick would laugh, giggle, and I'm like, what are you laughing at? He's like, cause there's some drunk college kids right now in a dorm in the middle of the day, and they have class to go to, and you can't read.

[Don La Greca]

Andrew had a list of the words that I screwed up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You couldn't say.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

And I was, in a way about that. And a lot of it was just like. Just I would say robot instead of Robot.

[Alan Hahn]

Anthony. Anthony, do the work and reach out to Andrew. Get the list. Do you got it? You got to put Rs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I believe that was deleted in murder. Oh, that was killed. Like that's the New York thing too, right? Like someone's name is Rita. But my dad would always call her Reader.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I never have that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't do that. Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

No radiator or.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Radiator. Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's his.

[Don La Greca]

But there was just times where you just got something wrong. Nobody corrected you and just. Just became something like I don't want to. I don't want to give names away, but I know somebody that still says supposedly. Supposedly just throwing bees in that don't exist. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And so how about this one? A whole nother level. Whole nother another. Whole nother level. Another is not a word.

[Alan Hahn]

That's an interesting one because people say that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, it's a whole nother level. What?

[Don La Greca]

Oh, and by the way, Wikipedia has my name as Donald Marcavius Lagreca.

[Alan Hahn]

Is that true?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nice.

[Don La Greca]

It's always, never correct. Yeah, but see that's, you know, it's Marco.

[Alan Hahn]

It was a very long way of saying Happy birthday Rockham.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

You know, you don't. Now I know. Now I know the show is good now because we start to riff and go on tangents.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's. All right. Well, let's get some calls. Let's riff on some calls. 800-919 3. Show me something 6.

[Don La Greca]

I don't think you can do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't think I can? I can. You know what?

[Alan Hahn]

You'll pick a good one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Speaking of Yonkers, Joe is from Yonkers. At least he's sauce, but he's Joe.

[Caller]

Hey, what's going on, guys? Thanks for having me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's happening, Joe?

[Caller]

How you doing? What's going on? John Allen, everybody. Listen, guys, I was wondering about the Knicks talk. Big Nick fan. For years growing up, I was there. You know, I'm 42 now, so I've been through the highs and the lows. Like you said, the. The. The offense is like the best I've ever seen. But like get a little piece on the bench. Maybe like a Valentunas and maybe like a Jordan Clarkson the plug so these guys can get more rest. And that's really all I have to say. And then go Yankees and go Yonkers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, Joe. Well, I mean Valentunas, if you can get him for a second round pick, you'd do it probably. If. If you don't know if Robinson could play Valentine's older guy, but he.

[Don La Greca]

How old is he now?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's got to be like 32, 33 maybe. All right. But he's, he's got, he's got everything you want. He's got the size, he can give you a little offense. He's not gonna really defend well, but you know, that's what you'd want to have off. Yeah, he's 32. That's what you'd want off your bench. Clarkson, that's like again, that's gonna start to cost you. Fans have to understand these are the Valentine's thing. If you can do it for a pick, great. But Clarkson, it's Danny Ainge. You're gonna have to give up picks.

[Don La Greca]

What are you looking at?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now your bench is gonna get worse, not better. Because you're taking away to get one. Like giving up two to get one. I don't think you can do something significant in season that you'd have to give up multiple players.

[Don La Greca]

Trades come for a reason. Right. Like you look at that three way deal that happened over the weekend with Chicago, Carolina and Colorado in the NHL.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

The reason the Avalanche sent ran to in a way because they weren't going to pay him. They didn't want to lose him for nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

Carolina made the deal because they think they can win the cup.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

So what Chicago, just the money, which.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can't do in the NBA.

[Don La Greca]

Right. But there's also the floor and I think they could be dealing other players. I think that's why they retained as Hall's salary, because of that. But everybody's got a reason. What would the Knicks reason be? To make a deal. It's not to make the playoffs. They're already a playoff team. You believe that? They're still not ready to win the championship. So it's not to win the championship. So what would the deal be for? To solidify the two seed in the conference? No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you're making a trade? Well, like again, a Valentunas type thing is we need more size. We can get him for cheap and he's a good vet. So you do that.

[Don La Greca]

But, but, but the purpose is Clark.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Clarkson, who's a former six man of the year guy who can come in and you know, create for himself and score and all that stuff. That's a guy where you feel like all we're missing is a six man and we can win this whole thing. Then you go all in chips in the middle of the table. I just don't know if Clarkson does that for you and you could do that deal in the offseason.

[Don La Greca]

And so if I'm weakening myself in the future, then I don't do it unless I think I can win. Like, I bring up the NHL trade because Carolina weakened themselves. They gave away two really good points. Players in Nature and Drury that were under contract. They were cheap, but they didn't care. They had to give to get because they want that one stud that's going to get them over the top and win them a cup. That's what. Because he's a free agent and in all likelihood not re signing him because Carolina's cheap. All right, so they're willing to make the sacrifice to win. You don't make sacrifices down the road to solidify the two or three seed. You make sacrifice down the road to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do what the Rams did to win a Super Bowl. Yeah, yeah. And that's when you know we're right there. But again, I think that stuff happens in the summer. I don't think you do it.

[Don La Greca]

Not when you're lying. I just don't do it for them or in general.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, I'll say it this way and we'll get to next call. If there wasn't this second apron hard cap, really like, if. If all it was was like in baseball, where now we're paying a lot more in luxury tax, I guarantee you they would do it. They would do something aggressive. But because of this second apron and what it does to your team, everybody needs to understand it's no longer about money now. Now what it does is it freezes your ability to make trades. It also freezes your ability to trade picks. You can't do anything. Like it locks you up. There's too many restrictions on your roster and your payroll that then in the off season you can't do anything. And now you got to start getting rid of people because now you can't resign. Guys, they have to re. Remember, they have to give Bridges an extension this summer. So they got to do that. So you don't want to mess up your business now for what you can do better later. And that's why it's like fans don't want to hear it. But there still has to be some patience when it comes to if you think this roster needs more.

[Caller]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know how much more you're going to get until the summer.

[Don La Greca]

Right. So you can't sacrifice the future for the now when the now. I think it's kind of a pipe dream to think you're winning it all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Maybe Some Nick fans will disagree.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know, but they are close. Dave, in the car. What's up, Dave?

[Caller]

Hey, what's up, guys? Good topic. I think they're definitely one. Let me ask me ask this question. I just feel like, is there gonna be a player that the trade deadline can get a buyout who can come here and make an instant.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, there's gonna be the buyout market. Yeah, you're right, Dave. The buyout market will be something to watch in March once the trade deadline passes and teams start like with guys who have expiring deals, veterans and they want to let them go. You'll see some teams buy out some guys and they'll be free and you can sign them. There is a roster spot open, by the way, on this team. So they can do it. They just can't do it till March.

[Caller]

And let me just ask one more question. Is a player that I've had my eye on, which I feel would be good in 30 system, Nicola Vucevic. I believe he's with Portland now. I just, I just see that guy, the way he plays. I think he fits in with what the Knicks can do. I just don't know if they'd be able to fit him in with their salary cap requirements. You know I'm talking about, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tell me.

[Caller]

He's a center for Portland. He used to be with Chicago. He had that horrible leg injury, I believe, a few years ago, like a solid like 17 points per game player.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who did he used to play for?

[Caller]

You said he played with Chicago. He's played with. He's been around a few teams, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you talking about. Are you talking about Vucevich? Yes, Vucevich is with the Bulls.

[Caller]

He's with the Bulls. Excuse me. Yeah, yeah, I think he's a player. If I'm not mistaken, there were hints that he was possible trade bait. He just seems like he fits. What, like if Robinson never came back and you put in Vucevich, I think the Knicks would make a lot of noise with him and that type of team, you know, I don't know what your thoughts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I, I will tell. Yeah. And yeah, again, Portland had a guy named Nurkic who's now on the Suns who don't want to play him anymore and they're trying to move him because he's, he's. He moves like a glacier. Vucevich is, is a good player. He puts up good numbers. Another guy, though, defensively you're going to struggle. He does not move well in pick and roll, which is again but.

[Don La Greca]

But you know, which is what you have now, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

His numbers are good. But yeah, you want to get a more athletic big who can bounce around and block shots and play defense and you know, so we'll see where it goes. But again, if you can add him on your bench, it's not terrible if you can get him for for as a buyout situation. But that remains to be seen. All right, plenty of calls to get to Bob with shoes on top of the hour. And by the way, Everybody at Superbox Bonanza 6, your chance to get your box for the big game. With a prize pool of $2,000. All qualifiers we get an ESPN prize pack and a chance at one of 10 Superbox prizes. Listen daily through February 6th to DiPietro and Rothenberg, Barton Carlin, the Michael K Show and our show as well. This year's big game payouts are $250 in the first and third quarters, $500 at halftime and a final score payout of $1,000. All brought to you by Tullamore Dew, Irish Whiskey and Sloman Security. For full contest details, go to Superbox Bonanza.

[Don La Greca]

Donnie, you want to get the most for your money. That's why more Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda. Lease a new 2025 Mazda CX30 all wheel drive, only 199amonth or buy with 0.9% APR financing for 36 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda.com choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Excludes tax, title, registration, zero security deposit fin SM765 for 438 MSRP 26940 ends 131 25.

[Caller]

This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Some people just know they could save hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate first. Like you know to check the date of the big game first before you accidentally buy tickets on your 20th wedding anniversary and have to spend the next 20 years of your marriage making up for it. Yeah, checking first is smart. So check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate Savings. Vary terms apply. State Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates Northbrook, Illinois.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks 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 want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Superbox Bonanza 6 everybody. Each qualifier will take home an ESPN prize pack. Have a chance at one of 10 Superbox prizes, including a Ninja Air. A Ninja Air Force fryer. That's a good one. Solo stove, which. Those are awesome. Ray Ban meta wayfarers and more. So, Don, let's pick a number. Call the number.

[Don La Greca]

I feel like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's a good 143. Caller number 143.

[Don La Greca]

Don't do it.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't do it. Don't do it.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, why not?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Make it happen. That's it. Caller.

[Don La Greca]

Caller one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

43.

[Don La Greca]

43.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on.

[Don La Greca]

We've opened the show with it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Peter, let's go.

[Don La Greca]

It's been the topic of conversation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You have all these people waiting a while before they call in now.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, you could have done. You could have done the gap that they won by. Made it 37.

[Peter Rosenberg]

37.

[Don La Greca]

He's already off and running.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

It wasn't like he went down the street and got his coffee. He did. So I'm a bad guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He did.

[Don La Greca]

I'm a really bad guy. I'm sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

See, look, he did it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now I'm a bad guy. Okay, well, anyways. Caller number. What was it again? 143.

[Don La Greca]

143.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And the number is 888987 ESPN. 888987 ESPN. And if you get through, you get to select the box for the big game with a chance to win. $250 in the first and third quarters, $500 at halftime, and a final score payout of $1,000. So brought to you by Tullamore Dew, Irish Whiskey and Slowman's Security. Let's get back to the phone calls, fellas. Let's go to Javier in Queens. Javi.

[Caller]

Hey, what's going on, guys? Thanks as always for taking my call. And it's really great to be on with all three of you guys. It's been a while. So, Peter, congrats on the. On the new edition.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you, buddy.

[Caller]

Also, a happy birthday to the God Rakim. I just want to throw. Throw it out there. Know the ledge is one of. One of my.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my God, yes. Hell, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You can argue it's the best one. It's in the conversation for the best one. It's right there.

[Caller]

Wow, that's. That's big time.

[Alan Hahn]

I know, but it's that. That beat. Is that good?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hell, yeah.

[Caller]

It's up there. So it's easy to call in today after that win last night and, like, praise the Knicks. And I'm going to praise him a bit because that win wasn't nothing, you know, like they scored 140 points and it looks like they barely broke a sweat against a really good team. So it's like, not to lose track of how big the win was. And they've done the 142 nights in a row, two games in a row, which is, like, for us, it's new and dare I say, is it special? Right? But not to get too far ahead, like with the jets, right. Even like with their, their press conference was good, but, like, wake me up when they have an offensive coordinator. Like, wake me up when the Knicks are in the playoff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, this is a lot different than winning a press conference. Like, this is for sure, for sure, for sure is legit. Like, this isn't also like some random, like, out of the blue, they did this. They. This is the third time this season they've scored over 140 points. You understand that, right? And they did it against the Nuggets earlier this season. I like, you know, they're not doing this against the little sisters of the poor. These are against good teams. And then on top of it, you know, they also top three in the league and scoring. So this is not an aberration. This is what they've been all year. These games are just reminders of how devastating of an offense they could be when their defense kicks in.

[Caller]

I got you, Alan. Well, here's what I want to say and here's like, my question to you, right? Like, I think we can agree the first half of the regular season is almost meaningless other than the wins and losses. Like, like, it doesn't dictate, like, what's going to happen later on. So are the Knicks true contenders in the sense that, like contenders in the past, they have another gear to go into at the end of the season and going into the playoffs. I think where the Knicks have come up a little short has been defensively. Do you think that they have another gear defensively to get into? I'm not worried about the minutes. I love sleepy Tom Bobo. Like, let's give him his flowers. He's a very, very good coach.

Coach.

But, like, they need to have another gear defensively, I think to be the true contenders that we would hope they'd be like, to really push Boston. And I'm going on Monday against Houston and shout out to Houston for taking care.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's going to be a brawl, that game, by the way.

[Caller]

I'm excited about that game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm very. Monday is going to be a brawl. I'll say this, Javi. Number one, the Grizzlies, last night, all they talked about was how Physical. The Knicks were with them defensively. How it threw them off their game. When you ask about the level, that's what I'm trying to tell you is they're showing it. Lately, they have climbed all the way up to 12th in the league in defensive rating. And over their last 10 games, they are leading the league, like, by a mile in points off turnovers. Almost 25 a game just off turnovers. So top. I think they're top five enforcing turnovers. So if you're asking me, do they have another gear to get to defensively, I think they're starting to do that now. So there's. There's the answer to that question. Jason's in Lodi. Jason. Jason.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh.

[Don La Greca]

Hello.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hello. Yeah.

[Caller]

How you doing, guys? I just want to let Peter know how big of a fraud. Peter, first of all, I want to base this call letting you know how salty of a Giant. I'm a Giant fan. I'm a very salty Giant fan. Right now, we're in shambles. So I want to start by saying that I'm very salty, that the commanders are good. But how. How is it possible that you're rooting for a. The Philadelphia that's in our division and just beat you guys to get to the Super Bowl? You're gonna have to see their fans wearing a bunch of Eagles. Super Bowl Eagles clothes. Like, just take the L, let Trap. Let. Let Patrick Mahomes win his third one, and hopefully it's over. But you can't root for the Philadelphia Eagles. You just. It makes no sense. It just makes no sense.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, listen, Let me say this. I've been. I appreciate this call. I've been wrestling with this overnight, guys, okay? I've been wrestling with this overnight. The. The radio guy in me who. Who wants this to be a wonderful, entertaining show, guys. This is the early. This is the first era of Don Hahn and Rosenberg, okay? I want this show to be great. So part of me wants to keep going on with this and fighting people about how I'm going to root for the Eagles. I'm not going to root for the Eagles. I hate the Eagles. I hope that by the time the super bowl comes, the league has found a way to actually exile them from the league. I don't want anything about the Eagles to be good, happy. Well, or just. I was emotional in the moment. I said I was rooting for the Eagles because I hate the Chiefs. I've now seen about six videos of Eagles fans tormenting Commanders fans. I'm out. I'm sorry, guys. I know you probably would have preferred if I stuck it out and fought this out for the next two weeks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not rooting for the Eagles. I'm out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is better. You're allowed to come to your senses. I hope Jason accepts that, but I. You're allowed to come to your senses. You were high off of getting that far. You were high about it. You were excited. You loved everyone. You know how it is, right when you're. When you feeling so good, you love everybody. I'm hugging everybody. I'm hugging Eagles fans today.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, yeah, that's where you were.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then you woke up and went, no, no, I can't do this.

[Don La Greca]

There is a reason why there is a 10 minute cool down period before the media is allowed in the locking locker room or dressing room.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don La Greca]

There is a reason why everybody says, you know what? Sleep on any very difficult decisions you have to make and you can make the case. This is the reason why there's two weeks before the Super Bowl. For moments like this, for moments of clarity. I went on to defend Peter this morning on dnr. I said, let him be. You know, he's not a fraud. He's a true Commanders fan. But you've seen the light, Peter, because you realize that you just can't. Now, you might not care like I do because I'm. I'm out on both, but you just can't sit there and root for the Eagles. And you came to your senses. I'm happy for you.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I'm. I'm going to be in lockstep with Don of just. I don't want to watch this game. I will watch it for our job. I will watch because I want to see Kendrick Lamar.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're gonna hate. Watch. You're gonna hate. You hate watching. That's all right. At least you're watching.

[Alan Hahn]

I have no interest in the game itself and. And those videos of the Eagles fans made me truly sick to my stomach.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Baba shoes isn't coming up next. He doesn't make us sick to our stomach, does.

[Don La Greca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We love Baba Shoes.

[Alan Hahn]

Rarely. I'd say rarely.

[Don La Greca]

Rarely. So it's happened again.

[Alan Hahn]

Rarely.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Suggesting it has happened. Okay, well, we'll have to figure that out coming up next. But first, Donnie.

[Don La Greca]

Well, cheers to new beginnings this dry January with Klosthaler, the pioneer of non alcoholic beer. Brewed with the finest natural ingredients, Klosthaler delivers rich flavor that perfectly fits your active lifestyle. Kick off the year with a refreshing cloth howler, which you choose is really going to be important because they've got the original lager or the bold new ipa. I drink it if you just want to be able, like, you know, I'm working out, kickboxing. It's not the time to have a beer after, but I can with this. If you're hanging for a beer but you don't want to get, you don't want the alcohol, this is the place you need to go. Clothes Tower Natural Brewing. Refreshing living. Always drink responsibly. Clausthower is imported by Radeburger Group USA, Norwalk, CT.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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.