Hour 1: Knicks Lose Game 5

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Knicks Lose Game 5

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Host/Authors: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Episode: Hour 1: Knicks Lose Game 5
• Release Date: April 30, 2025
• Description: Featuring ESPN New York and New Jersey legend Don La Greca, sportswriter and Knicks broadcaster Alan Hahn, and Hip Hop personality Peter Rosenberg, the podcast delves into New York sports and beyond.

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1. Introduction to Game 5 Loss

The episode kicks off with a brief overview of the New York Knicks' recent performance, focusing on their disappointing loss in Game 5 of their playoff series against the Detroit Pistons. Don La Greca sets the stage by highlighting the high stakes and the Knicks' struggles to clinch the series on home turf.

Don La Greca [01:12]:

"Get ready. Cause there's a game six. Everything we said shouldn't happen, happen."

2. Analyzing the Knicks' Performance

a. Jalen Brunson's Struggles

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Jalen Brunson’s underperformance and its ripple effects on the team’s dynamics. Alan Hahn criticizes Brunson for not having his head in the game, leading to missed shots and increased frustration on the court.

Alan Hahn [02:05]:

"It started with Jalen Brunson not having his head right. And he was frustrated early, wasn't making shots."

b. Offensive Inefficiencies

The hosts dissect the Knicks' offensive breakdown, particularly their inability to maintain momentum after halftime. They note the Knicks were outscored 33 points in the third quarter throughout the series, attributing this to poor execution and lack of rhythm.

Don La Greca [04:37]:

"So they were outscored in the third quarter of a clinching game at home. It's not like spectacular basketball being played by the Pistons. They just played and you were flat."

c. Defensive Consistency vs. Offensive Flaws

While acknowledging the Pistons' strong defense, the discussion emphasizes that the Knicks' offensive inconsistencies are the primary issue. Alan Hahn points out that despite being one of the NBA's top offenses pre-All-Star break, the Knicks failed to uphold their performance in critical moments.

Alan Hahn [04:57]:

"They had one of the best offenses, best offense. And it has looked awful in this series."

3. Coaching and Management Decisions

The conversation delves into Coach Tibbs' strategic choices, particularly his reluctance to call timeouts to insert Brunson back into the game despite visible struggles and injuries.

Alan Hahn [07:22]:

"I blame two sides of this one. As a head coach, at some point you've got to know this. Can't get on. I got to stop this."

Don La Greca [09:14]:

"When you put your best player in the game and he wins the game. Hold all the timeout you want."

The hosts debate whether Coach Tibbs should be held accountable for these decisions, with Don expressing concern over Tibbs' ability to lead the team effectively.

Don La Greca [12:27]:

"I still think they're going to win the series, but you're not helping."

4. Fan Reactions and Atmosphere

A significant segment is dedicated to the Knicks' fan base, their optimism, and mounting frustrations. Don recounts his visit to the Garden, describing the atmosphere as a mix of anticipation and anxiety due to the team's inconsistent performances.

Don La Greca [21:00]:

"There was a sense of anticipation. It felt like there was a pre-celebration here."

Alan Hahn [21:49]:

"In our group chat, the same thing. Why do they make it so hard?"

5. Speculation on Series Outcome and Future Moves

The hosts speculate on the potential outcomes of the series, including the possibility of a Game 7. They discuss the implications of such an extended series on the Knicks' future, including player fatigue and strategic adjustments.

Alan Hahn [27:08]:

"I'm so curious about this."

Don La Greca [38:14]:

"We've got the list coming up at 4:30. We’ve got ENN at 6, we’ve got Mets Diamondbacks and that'll be coming up at 6:30."

Moreover, the conversation touches on potential trade moves, notably the hypothetical acquisition of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, weighing the benefits against the logistical and financial challenges.

Don La Greca [45:28]:

"If he wants to play in New York, you have to make the call. There's no scenario in which he gets fired this summer."

Alan Hahn [48:57]:

"Am I sticking with this? Do I believe in this enough that I can put a few more pieces and this thing can push its way better than Boston."

6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate the Knicks' pressing need to address their offensive shortcomings and consider strategic changes to enhance their championship prospects. They emphasize the importance of balancing immediate performance with long-term team building.

Don La Greca [46:38]:

"You're talking about the Knicks saying we're good. We're still very early on in this. We're going to be good, and you move on and you don't make the big splash."

Alan Hahn [49:46]:

"You're talking about the gutting it and then having to build around basically two players, but two real."

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Notable Quotes:

• Don La Greca [02:05]: "If you're dancing with that devil, is that who you are?"
• Alan Hahn [04:22]: "What good defense can do to a good offense."
• Peter Rosenberg [03:20]: "No, they're not much better than this?"
• Don La Greca [19:39]: "They're in this situation because their offense sucks."

Key Takeaways:

• Performance Issues: The Knicks' offensive struggles, particularly in the third quarter, are jeopardizing their playoff aspirations.
• Player Impact: Jalen Brunson’s frustration and injuries are significantly affecting team performance.
• Coaching Critique: Decisions by Coach Tibbs, especially regarding timeouts and player utilization, are under scrutiny.
• Fan Sentiment: While Knicks fans remain passionate, growing frustration is evident due to the team's inconsistencies.
• Future Considerations: Potential trades and strategic adjustments are necessary for the Knicks to remain competitive and pursue championships effectively.

This comprehensive analysis provides listeners with an in-depth understanding of the Knicks' current playoff challenges, the internal and external factors influencing their performance, and the possible paths forward for the franchise.

Transcript

[Don La Greca]

Fellas, you know degree Cool Rush deodorant, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, last year they changed the formula and guys were mad about it.

[Don La Greca]

One dude even started a petition. So guess what? Degree heard us, admitted they messed up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And brought the original Cool Rush scent.

[Don La Greca]

Back exactly how it was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it's in Walmart, Target and other.

[Don La Greca]

Stores now for under $4. So grab some and remember why its cool, crisp and fresh scent made it the number one men's antiperspirant for the last decade. Degree Cool Rush is back and it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Smells like victory for all of us.

[Don La Greca]

Todd, I gotta divorce my wife and have my kids bleed out. No, because the Giant game's on.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Don La Greca]

Otherwise I'm not a real fan.

[Alan Hahn]

What kind of fan are you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not a good one. And Rosenberg, the Peter haters who call stupid. The Peter fans who call very bright.

[Don La Greca]

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

[Alan Hahn]

This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg.

[Don La Greca]

The best threesome I've ever heard.

[Alan Hahn]

On 8 80, ESPN and the ESPN New York app.

[Don La Greca]

3:00 in the big city. Don Han, Rosenberg on 880 ESPN and the ESPN app. I'd ask everybody how they're doing, but if you're a Nick kind of know. Poor Allen. Absolutely exhausted for what?

[Alan Hahn]

Nobody cares.

[Don La Greca]

Get ready. Cause there's a game six. Everything we said shouldn't happen, happen. Everything we said would not happen, happened. Oh, no, no, they won't lose game five. They learned from last year. This is a different team. The leaders from last year are going to be in that room saying, we can't have that happen. Because if we lose tonight, having not clinched at home since 1999, we're going to have to go to Detroit. In all likelihood a very good chance of having to come back for a game seven.

[Alan Hahn]

Nobody wants game.

[Don La Greca]

And it happened. How did it happen? How did it happen?

[Alan Hahn]

The same formula is why? Because what happening? The other loss of the series was game two. And the same thing happened in game two. There's blame to be laid on several people. This is not. I know we're all going to talk about the end of the game and we will get to that.

[Don La Greca]

We will get to that for sure.

[Alan Hahn]

But to me, it started with Jalen Brunson not having his head right. And he was frustrated early, wasn't making shots. And he took, you know, again after the game, he completely addressed all this and admitted it. But you could see it during the game that he was. Once he started missing some shots, he got frustrated and then it became get myself going. And when he does that and the Pistons are forcing him into ISO stuff. It kind of kills the rest of the offense. And now there's no Towns doesn't get involved. Other guys don't get involved. No flow, no rhythm, whatever it is. But still, they had felt like it was heading in the right direction. Their third quarters have been garbage. Minus 33 in the third quarter in this series. They come out at the half and they are not ready to play. And now they're all talking about, like, we gotta change that and we gotta do something. That's been a big problem. Still another push to try to make a take the game back. And then, of course, all the madness happens. It's almost like if you keep dancing with that same devil, it's eventually gonna burn you. And it finally burned them in this game where they couldn't come up with the miracle ending.

[Don La Greca]

But, guys, if you're dancing with that devil, is that who you are? Or is it just, hey, we're playing with our food, all the things that we like to say, or is it.

[Alan Hahn]

Just the fact that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, they're not much better than this?

[Don La Greca]

That's what I was going to say.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're not. They're not that much.

[Don La Greca]

They're closer to the Pistons than they are the Celtics.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, yeah, I would think so.

[Don La Greca]

I mean, way closer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that doesn't mean. By the way, they couldn't play up against the Celtics either. But in this moment, like, I don't know how Knicks fans feel. And of course, we'll talk to you. 1-800-91-93776 and obviously, we, you know, we know I'm not a purported Knicks fan, but I'm also a fraud. And I do find myself rooting for this team whenever I watch them because we talk about them every day. I watch them much more than I watch the Celtics. Right. Like, I'm much more tuned into what they're like as a team.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yesterday was one of those days where I texted you guys. It's like, they stink. This team at the end of game stinks. They, in the last couple of minutes, it's not like they're dancing with the devil. You guys don't even have fun with this devil. You're not good at it. Like, that's not really.

[Don La Greca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Brunson is Captain Clutch in the fourth in general. And of course, we'll get to the part that he wasn't even on the floor in the most important part of the game. Yeah, but, man, down the stretch, you just. You're sitting there with your if you're a fan, like, I feel like your head's in your hands, Allen, like, you just don't want to be in these situations. And frankly, bridges hits that three with 25 seconds left to cut it to three. But they were down six with 27 seconds left. Like, they're just really not that team.

[Don La Greca]

You have enough evidence here where all these games, I guess, with the exception of game one where they won by 11.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, they had the big. There was the game one was the.

[Don La Greca]

Fourth quarter game since then has been. You're living and dying with every single possession. And it just. I'm sorry, it just can't be. Because the narrative of this entire season has been, you know, take a look. They're the fourth best team in the.

[Alan Hahn]

NBA and they had one of the best offenses, best offense. And it has looked awful in this series. It actually hasn't been the same since the All Star break. Like, it just has not been. Has not looked the same since the All Star break. So there was, you know, they'd had moments where, oh, there it is again. But it didn't stay as long as it did to start the season. And in the playoffs against. Look, I still want to say, yeah, Detroit's not a. They're not. They're not bums. I mean, this is. This is. They're good and they play, they play very hard defensively. They are tough defensively team. That game, by the way, when we said, you know, what about officiating? But you, you have to acknowledge that there were. That whole game was a makeup call of the missed call from game three, from game four, with calling it very tight and some things that were let go. A goal 10, ignore it, carry, ignore it. You know, certain things. There was things that happened that went ignored and for the Knicks, that frustrated them and that's another weakness of this team is that when the calls go against them and the shots aren't falling, this team gets emo. They get so emo. Not just him, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, not just him, but the Villanova guys.

[Alan Hahn]

That's one of their. They don't have many weaknesses, but that's one of their biggest weaknesses is, man, did they get just so caught up in it and it gets them out of whack. This has been an ugly series for them offensively, but yet they still have chances to win. But let's get to obviously the biggest part, which is the fact that Mariano Rivera was left in the bullpen and that is something that happened because when Hart goes down, can't get up and Then that was an ugly, that was a scary looking fall he had and he was in serious pain. And then Brunson had already tweaked the ankle playing defense when he tried to, he tried to like stop on the diamond. Is that right ankle that he's had trouble with rolled. Tibbs has to take a timeout to get them off the court. Gets the timeout. They're, they're sitting hard, has to get some treatment. Brunson has to re. Recalibrate. They're back at the scorers table when play resumes. They go almost 2 minutes 2, 47 right to something to 47 seconds left. Not one stoppage.

[Don La Greca]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

And they were outscored six to two. And that whole time there's Brunson helplessly on the sideline at the scores table waiting to check in. And once it got to I think four, everybody in the crowd's going, you got to stop the clock. Like you got to get this guy in the game. And he didn't want to burn the timeout. It was his last time out and they had no foul. They, you know if you're going to foul, they put him on the free throw line. You don't want to give away points.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he went without his best.

[Alan Hahn]

He just gambled that we're going to get a stoppage. And it never happened. And then Bridges missed two. Bridget had a great fourth quarter, but he missed two makeable shots. One baseline fade and then that three pointer in the corner which he always hits. Brick, that one. And then Towns missed one. So how do we look at this? Because I'm too close to it. So I see it as this. I blame two sides of this one. As a head coach, at some point you've got to know this. Can't get on. I got to stop this.

[Don La Greca]

Got to do it.

[Alan Hahn]

Bang the timeout and live with the fact that you don't have any timeouts left. Just bang it. Get this guy in the game. That's one. The other is, I traded five first round picks for that guy. I traded away two pieces of my team for that guy. They're on the floor, they're here. So that Brunson doesn't have to always carry this team. Why can't I just rely on them to make shots when the 23 year old on the other side is making plays in my building, why can't I rely on them? So which one is right?

[Don La Greca]

Which one?

[Alan Hahn]

Or are both right?

[Don La Greca]

Well, they're both right. But at some point the coach has to say, it's not Working now, if you tell me with 257. And now there's a minute 50. And in that span of time, the lead goes away. Oh, why didn't you call a timeout? Well, because there's still a lot of time. But what was it, 27 point whatever left? I mean, we're talking about him, you know, two and a half minutes, basically.

[Alan Hahn]

Of time at 2:57 left and he checks back in. I believe it was like 27. Second mark 20.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. So think about that. Think about the amount of time.

[Alan Hahn]

Two and a half minutes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don La Greca]

No stoppage. You know, no. No fake injury. No Jason kid spilling the soda moment. Like something that's a good one thing to come up with.

[Alan Hahn]

Tracy Morgan throw up real quick.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly.

[Don La Greca]

Is it that crazy for me to say, is there some sort of a play, a wink, a nod where somebody just goes down or something happens where you have a stoppage without using the timeout just to get the substitutions in?

[Alan Hahn]

I wish I thought of that sooner. That's brilliant, Don.

[Don La Greca]

Without. You remember the decent kid with the soda.

[Alan Hahn]

That was brilliant.

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And I'll take the tech. You want to hit me for a.

[Don La Greca]

Guy, you get killed for it, but you get what you need there. Right? But then you have. All right, well, where's the shot? And the thing that makes it frustrating with Bridges is I don't know if.

[Alan Hahn]

You can sub there, though. I'll be honest with you. I'm not sure you can.

[Don La Greca]

But whatever.

[Alan Hahn]

Just.

[Don La Greca]

But I just thought of the kid thing. Whatever's going to happen. But the. The bridges, then what is it down six and he has that gorgeous three. Where was that when there was actually a chance to maintain?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know if he hit one. That was insane, right?

[Don La Greca]

It was to get it within one. Yeah, they hit a couple of crazy threes, but still it was going to take missed foul shots or some miracle for them to be able to win that game. Why are we here, though? That's the thing that's frustrating. You're right. We can kill Bridges for not making shots. We can kill third quarter for not being able. But this is not the first time we've said this.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm telling you, when you say why. Remember when you were asked me yesterday and as I was watching the game, I was thinking to you, because I. Halftime. One of the questions I asked when I do the assistant coach interview on the. On the broadcast is I. And my second question was, how do we figure out, how do we solve these third quarters? What's the mentality Going into this one. I'm assuming that they're aware of their futility in third quarters. And you could say, well, it's the third quarter, who cares? Fourth quarters. But no, no, it does matter because you're. You. You have a lead. They're plus 17 in the first half in the series. They have a lead going into the. Going into the second half. And then they give it away because they don't come out of these second halves ready to play. Even the players after the game, like Mikhail Bridges was suggesting that they should maybe run her layup line. Like, we need something we got to do, so we got to change it up. So that I've been told this third quarters is called the coach quarter because at halftime you talk to your players real quick, you make adjustments, and everybody gets out there and get ready to go. And it's almost like you should. Your players should be ready to go understanding that. Here's the game plan now coming out of the gate. And the Knicks have been terrible. And they give the 20 to 9. They were outscored in the third quarter of a. Of a clinching game at home. Home 24 minutes from clinching a series on your floor. And you were outscored 20 to 9. And it wasn't like spectacular basketball being played by the Pistons. They just played and you were flat. That can't happen. So that's why, Don, they're not winning these games by 10 because they can't take a lead at halftime and expand it. They give it back.

[Don La Greca]

That's why I told you I was concerned. And I'm even more concerned. I still think they're going to win the series, but you're not helping.

[Alan Hahn]

How confident are you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can't be that confident beyond it.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not, I don't know how well, mid percentage.

[Don La Greca]

I just don't think the Pistons are good enough to win three in a row.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you think the Knicks are good enough to win three road games in this series?

[Don La Greca]

No. That's why I think we're going to have a game of seven, which even hurts more your chances of beating the Celtics, who, by the way.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, they're done.

[Don La Greca]

Finished off the magic.

[Alan Hahn]

Can we just get to the Eastern Conference finals? We know who it's going to be, right? Can we just fast forward? So we need to play that cav series, Cavs and paces. Come on, let's just get to it.

[Don La Greca]

Isn't that right where the difference is? Right? The Celtics and the Cavs took care of business. Combined, the two lost one game and the Knicks are going to have to play a Game six tomorrow in Detroit. That's the difference between the team. Because you could say, well, this is a good Pistons team. They tripled their wins from last year. They're the 10th best defense. I saw a stat where I think down the stretch, they were the fifth best defense, like, in the last month of the season or whatever. So. And we saw that. What good defense can do to a good offense, I get. But let's not talk up the Pistons, because you know what? I could have talked up Orlando if they were given the Celtics problems.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

Everybody was high on Orlando going into.

[Alan Hahn]

They were four minutes from tying that series of two. All right, Orlando was.

[Don La Greca]

And Miami. Spoelstra typically. Right. If all of a sudden they grabbed a couple of games from the Cavaliers, what would the narrative be? Would he be beating up the Cavs, or would it be, hey, that's the Heat, man? They don't got easy Heat culture. You know what? I just saw the Cavs wipe the floor with them.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

All right. Essentially, some of the games are close, but you know what the clinching game was? Kick their feet up. There's a possibility, guys, that they're kicking their feet up, don't have to travel, because Game one's going to be in Boston probably Tuesday, and the Knicks might be playing a game at the Garden on Saturday.

[Alan Hahn]

Even if you win Thursday, your Game one might be Saturday.

[Don La Greca]

So you're going to get no rest.

[Alan Hahn]

No rest.

[Don La Greca]

You just had a big physical series. So Tatum and Brown get to rest and lick their wounds from whatever injuries they're probably suffering from. But right there, guys, I'm tired of talking up the Pistons. I'm tired of this, that. And the other thing is, why is this team that was pretty much elite all year in the situation that they're in, like I said, I believe they're going to win the series. Whether it's six, whether it's seven, whatever, they'll win the series. And I'm sure if they win Game 7, Allen at the Garden, they'll be closed in 7th Avenue and people will be going nuts. But you know what? I'm good, man, because I thought more of this team.

[Alan Hahn]

I got really. I got to be honest with you. If it gets to seven and they somehow pull out a Game seven, I. I even. I would say it. You'd probably just kind of like, walk out of the building and go, all right. Like, yeah, you know what I mean? Like, okay, got through it. I don't know how.

[Don La Greca]

Take your party Get.

[Alan Hahn]

How do you put your head down? Celebrate like. Like crazy celebrate. You're gonna be happy, you're gonna clap and all that stuff. Because that's important. But I do think there'd be a bit. I think it takes a lot out of it. If you have to get to a seven.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well. And it's a repeat of last year, so there's multiple things that you hate about it.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, they won in Philly, but half the building was Knick fans when you went to Philly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly when they went back. But they still could have closed it before that and.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah, Same story.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Same story now.

[Alan Hahn]

He went crazy in the third quarter and you couldn't stop him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're gonna have to live with this fact if this series plays out badly. Tibbs is cooked. I know you may think it's crazy.

[Alan Hahn]

I think you are crazy. I'm telling you, right. Last night was another demerit.

[Don La Greca]

Last night was another demerit. That was wrong.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not.

[Don La Greca]

Horrible job. That was embarrassing to not be able.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To get your star player on the floor in the last two minutes of a must win game. Yeah, it's embarrassing. And the whole world was watching, going.

[Don La Greca]

Where'S your best player?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're holding it for a timeout. You know why you don't need the timeout. When you put your best player in the game and he wins the game. Hold all the time out you want.

[Alan Hahn]

Remember, your best player was also hurt. He had to come out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's hurt every game.

[Don La Greca]

By the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, again, enough is enough. Now it's the floor attacking Jalen every single game.

[Alan Hahn]

That video is weird. Like, I walk on my floor all the time. There's nothing like that. Like, there's no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It might have just been the way the video looks. Was it really that? Like the floor.

[Don La Greca]

I don't see how.

[Alan Hahn]

And the lighting hit it. It's a hardwood floor. It doesn't do that.

[Don La Greca]

It wouldn't if it was a rubber floor. It does because it has that little bit of. It almost looked like it was. It gave out like it gave out like a rubbery. I don't know what that was, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was a bad. But just. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but Don, you agree with me in the narrative that we. That has been building. Last night was another bad night for Tibbs.

[Alan Hahn]

Alan was not a good night. And I'm the first one to tell you that. I completely agree. But I still say the idea that this summer comes and the first announcement is that they're moving on from the head coach. I'd be. I'm telling you, I'd be stunned. I hear you. Stunned.

[Don La Greca]

Both can be true, but it doesn't.

[Alan Hahn]

Mean next year the noise gets loud.

[Don La Greca]

But both could be true because you're connected. There's probably zero appetite to let him go and there's probably no scenario in which he gets fired this summer. But are things beginning to build where his leash gets shorter and the fans may be having a right to say, is this the guy that's going to lead us to the promised land?

[Alan Hahn]

Especially when there's a Michael Malone or whatever that. That that, you know, shakes free.

[Don La Greca]

Give me this, Alan, because I know where you're coming from. I get it.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm just giving you, like, this isn't me, like, fighting it. I just want everybody. It's not like Tibbs is my best friend. I don't. He's not. I barely know him. It's more about what I know from everybody that you talk to in the organization and that's he is held in high regard, especially with the players.

[Don La Greca]

That's why both could be true. Whether he should be fired, will be fired, could be two completely different things. Both could end up being true. But at least give me this. That when Rick and Dave brought it up like a month ago, yeah, boy, does it seem more real than then. Like when they brought it up was almost outlandish. Tibbs in trouble, questioning Tibbs, and in everything that's happened since they brought that up in the morning, the coaches that have become available, how the team closed out the season, how this series is looking. It's still not going to happen, Alan, but it just seems like it's more real than it was a month ago when it seemed almost a laughable comment by the morning show.

[Alan Hahn]

And I think that's because all these things are always based on what does it look like. And when you're talking about it a month and a half ago, I couldn't see this. I couldn't see this. That's probably why, for me, it just seems so preposterous because of what I knew from talking to players and people in the organization and the fact that I didn't see this. Like I said, I thought they'd win this thing in five and they should have won this thing in five. But there's things going on with them especially. It's mostly offense. I don't think their defense is been that big of a story. It has been mostly their offense and the turnovers and sloppy Play and God awful shooting of open shots, which doesn't.

[Don La Greca]

Make sense because it's not. They're not in this situation because of their defense.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Don La Greca]

And they're not in this situation because of their lack of toughness.

[Alan Hahn]

Good point.

[Don La Greca]

They're in this situation because their offense sucks, which was what was so elite has completely bailed on him here. Or at least it's been so inconsistent you can't count on it.

[Alan Hahn]

And when you want to, you know, fast forward and say, you know, well, can they get one from the Celtics and all that stuff? Not if the offense looks like this. No way.

[Don La Greca]

I can we. How about this? Let's make an agreement and before we start taking phone calls at 1-800-919-3776 that at least for the rest of today and tomorrow, I think that we stop talking about the matchup with Boston.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you.

[Don La Greca]

Can we stop?

[Alan Hahn]

I'm fine with that.

[Don La Greca]

I mean it's not official.

[Alan Hahn]

Nope.

[Don La Greca]

We're talking about the possibility of a game seven and we have the audacity to talk about the matchup with Boston. The only one has the right to talk about anything is Boston. They're waiting for an opponent right now. And you know what? They're probably going to work on both teams because they're not even sure who's going to come out of this series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was fair yesterday. I think it was fair yesterday at 3 1. It's fair to have the conversation.

[Don La Greca]

Yesterday was just. Wasn't it like a hype video? It's like all the people in the garden there are stout. I went into the Garden. There was a sense of anticipation. I walked the floor yesterday. I'll talk to you about it. Man, there's nothing cooler than that. Walking on an NBA floor.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, it's the best.

[Don La Greca]

And being allowed to. I mean you feel like something. A lot of people walk on the floor and they're getting chased. I was allowed to, but we'll talk about that later. But I got a sense even when the building was just people filing in. Yeah, there was because I walked through the watch party because we're. We're stout. Was I walk right through where they were having the party.

[Alan Hahn]

That's great.

[Don La Greca]

Wilson Chandler was there talking up the crowd. Like you really gotta felt it felt like there's a pre celebration here. Like fans were commenting. Why wouldn't they be? They're back at the garden or up 3:1. Maybe a little tinge of worry just because of how close the games were, but it felt like that crowd was.

[Alan Hahn]

Ready to Party and the amount of people during the whole game, the amount of people that walk past my area, you know, to go, like, at halftime, how many people that would stop and just say, why do they make it so hard? Like, you. You know, like, why do they have to make it so difficult? In our group chat, the same thing. Why do they make it so hard? But that. That was the emotion, and that's why there was so much kind of anxiety in the building. I saw some people that were critical of the crowd saying it wasn't loud and raucous enough. And I said it was because the team wasn't giving them anything. Like, you got to give me something.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, well, that's the thing. It's like, right then the game starts, and it ends up being the same old, same old. But, like, before the game, I was, you know. Yeah, we had people in the crowd when we were talking about, can you beat the Celtics? They're all nodding their head yes. Because I think Nick fans, in their DNA, for everything that they've been through, do seem to skew more positive than a lot of other teams in New York.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Now you're closer to them, but. Right, Peter, like, when we take.

[Alan Hahn]

You get that bravado, like. Like, we could do anything if we.

[Don La Greca]

If we allowed it today. How do you feel about the matchup with the Celtics? I bet you it would skew feeling like they might take a few games, might have a chance to win the series.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, I don't ever. Like, today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know about that.

[Alan Hahn]

Today. Yeah, I was going to say, I don't ever like using social media as, like, the, you know, the foundation of how we do things. Right. Like, how we believe the voice of the fans.

[Don La Greca]

No, I'm going by the callers, but.

[Alan Hahn]

There was a tweet I got today, and that's why I said, so this is what we're doing today. Like, this is how we're going to do it. And this guy said, they're getting abused by a team that won 14 games last year. At this point, those picks the Nets got are going to be high picks. Because I see this team having a reset, and I'm thinking, like, that's just way too much of an extreme.

[Don La Greca]

That's way too extreme.

[Alan Hahn]

And yet that's what I think the mood's gonna be today. I'm really, really curious to see it. I'm not. I'm gonna make a vow, and you guys call me on it. If I start doing this, I'm not gonna Nick Splain. Good And I'm not gonna fight back. People want to talk. They want to get off their chest.

[Don La Greca]

Do it. You're right. You know what? I think there's got to be some therapy today for what people have gone through.

[Alan Hahn]

Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void? Well, with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers. You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company seniority, skills. Wait, did I say job title yet? Get started today and see how you can avoid the void and reach the right buyers with LinkedIn ads. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started at LinkedIn.com results, terms and conditions apply.

[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

Valid per item of equal or lesser value. Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don La Greca]

So I hang out at the Garden after the show yesterday and I'm walking into the building and who do I see but Chris Russo and he's asking about the show. And Peter, he's talking up Alan. What a great guy. Alan must be easy to work with. Alan. How he talked.

[Alan Hahn]

He's a mad dog, huh?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, one of the greats.

[Don La Greca]

It was nice talking to him. And then I go into the building and I go onto the court and I want to go see Mike Breen, but I know.

[Alan Hahn]

Wait, wait, wait. Stop. Did you hear that? Walk right on the court. Don Lagreca. Yeah, carte blanche, of course. Right out on the court.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What do you expect?

[Alan Hahn]

I like that. But it's just, you know, Don. Don is very humble guy he doesn't swing it.

[Don La Greca]

I didn't feel great to see him.

[Alan Hahn]

Just waltz out onto the garden floor, you know, as he's getting ready for a playoff game.

[Don La Greca]

I walk like the ice. Like I. I was fully expecting somebody to grab me. But the one great thing about the Garden, honestly, seriously, you know, the security there is great.

[Alan Hahn]

They all. You.

[Don La Greca]

You know, I'm there all the time. All the time. So they know, and they all listen to the show and stuff.

[Alan Hahn]

So best guy.

[Don La Greca]

No, no. So it was no issue. But. So I go now I'm gonna talk to Mike Breen because I'm not thinking about. Because I'm so into the MSG broadcast, I'm not even thinking about who's calling it for TNT way. But. So Breen is talking to somebody. So as I'm waiting, I glance over, and it's Iron Eagle.

[Alan Hahn]

Sure.

[Don La Greca]

I went to go talk to Iron Eagle, and again, how's the show going? You know, it's got to be easy. Allen. It's just such a tremendous guy. So talented.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, they don't know him well.

[Don La Greca]

And then I finished talking to him and embraced. Santiago was up at the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did he come Tell you how great Alan is, though?

[Don La Greca]

He took a joy. Oh, my God, what a joy. He took a picture of me shaking hands with Ian. Great picture. I thought that was a nice picture. It's the same thing. And it was like an Alan love fest. Oh, Alan. But now, get this. We're up on the roof today doing our meeting because this building's got a roof, and that's where we're having all of our meetings. Unless it's raining.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, even in the rain, it probably still nice.

[Don La Greca]

So Allen's all upset that I didn't go say hi to him. I was just with him for four hours.

[Alan Hahn]

Peter. I gotta see this guy bragging about how. Look at me with Ian Eagle, courtside at the Garden. Hey, Don, I'm five feet away. Could you just turn and say, hey, what's up, bud? That's my guy. That's my partner.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I saw that message in our group chat. He said in the group chat too. He was like, hey, what about me? You just left it.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, I'm sorry. Is it too much? Was it too much for me?

[Don La Greca]

So I spent. I just. You left at 6 because you had my pregame stuff. So any. And you showed up about, what, like. Like 215 to stout?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

So I'm basically with you for four hours.

[Alan Hahn]

Mm.

[Don La Greca]

And there's a half hour buffer between when you left at 6 to 6:30 when I'm going inside the garden, Right? So in my mind, it could be, where's Alan? I'm going to go say hi. No, just with you before, it would be weird.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It'll be weird. Where's Alan? I need to find out.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, it's not that. It's just once you were done, you know, saying hi to everybody, how it didn't I know, it would dawn on me, like, let me go find Donnie real quick.

[Don La Greca]

I did think, where's Alan?

[Alan Hahn]

I want to see Don in the wild. I love to see him in his. In his habitat, his natural habitat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Alan is shockingly sensitive. That's all we're learning every day. He's very, very sensitive, man. He wanted a high performance.

[Alan Hahn]

I take offense to that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, you know, next time, now, you know, to go find him, give him a little hug.

[Don La Greca]

Is that.

[Alan Hahn]

Is that so bad? Little hug, little bro, real quick.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Have a game.

[Alan Hahn]

Where's my bro? Where's my. What's up, little dap? And then we move on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fist bump. Keep it moving.

[Don La Greca]

We all do it. But how many times when you're with somebody and you're gonna see them later at work or at an event that you're not together, oh, I'll be in section 212, swing by, say hello. I'm talking to you now. But I gotta go say hello to you two hours later. But we all do it. But do you ever think, like, I'm not doing that. I'm saying hello to you now. We've just spent the day together. Now three hours later, we're gonna be at The Garden. Or MetLife. Or did he feel like, oh, I'm sitting in section 214, come by, say hello. And I always go, yeah, and then I'll do it. What do you think about, like, why?

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, the only crazy thing about Don Allen is that he does it well.

[Don La Greca]

I do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Most people say it, and it's being polite, and then you're like, oh, we didn't say it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I missed it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don is actually gonna be like, hey, I'm here. I'm standing right. Look to your left.

[Alan Hahn]

He feels obligated.

[Don La Greca]

That's what you love about Don. He's committed. I had a lot.

[Alan Hahn]

Except, of course, if it's. I'm on the court and I'm meeting all these broadcast people and never even thought. Just dawned on him to just be like, oh, let me just. Let me just, you know, say, what's up, Dal? Real quick.

[Don La Greca]

If I saw you, I would have Said hello.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, that's nice. Thanks.

[Don La Greca]

But I don't see Mike Breen and Ian Eagle every day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Great guys, though.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

I didn't expect to see Russo, but he was there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's so weird because he's, by the way, Mad Dog. And I. I saw. I don't even saw my repost of him on Twitter yesterday. Him and I in lockstep. I didn't know this about Belichick.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, yes, lockstep.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes. You guys are very much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He didn't go as far as the step of, if he showed up with my daughter, I would kill him. I went a step further, but it was the same idea. It was pulling the daughter aside and saying, yeah, no, this is not enough.

[Alan Hahn]

What are we doing? Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And as he described it, a guy who's 10 years older than him.

[Alan Hahn]

And by the way, like, we're talking to him last earlier this week or whenever it was I saw him and we were both discussing having each other on the show. And it's always both like, oh, we're on the air at the same time. Can't do it.

[Don La Greca]

Can't do it.

[Alan Hahn]

So. But he was more than willing to come out. He'd love to chop it up with us.

[Don La Greca]

He used to come out with us. Cable. But we'd always pre tape it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, well, he did. He did offer that little pre tape.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, yeah, he loves. But I. He's a nice.

[Alan Hahn]

But we're on the roof. It's too nice up there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Give us a call, we'll chat with.

[Don La Greca]

You in New York. I mean, he is a. He is a very familiar face and a very famous person in New York sports hanging out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Where was he exactly?

[Don La Greca]

Was right outside the press gate. He was waiting, like, you know, the press entrance, but there's also a suite entrance next to it. He's kind of in between. Because I think he probably was going to go towards the suites.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, he was. He was in the.

[Don La Greca]

He was waiting for. He was waiting for his agent, but he's by himself.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Still, like, there's a lot of people that are that high up. They'll be like, I'm not standing here by myself. But he doesn't care.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's not. That's not crazy.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what I love about him, too? When you talk to him, he's three.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Gummies to the wind. He's not.

[Alan Hahn]

And he does stuff like this. He's always like. So you go into. You're going to the Garden after this. Yeah. Oh, how do you get there? You take the subway. How do you do, like, what do you do? He wants to know how you get somewhere. You go by yourself, you got a car. What do you tell me? Okay, so that's what you're gonna do, and then that's the end of the conversation. It was as if he just was curious about how you're getting somewhere.

[Don La Greca]

He's curious about. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So, random conversation.

[Don La Greca]

How's Kate doing? Yeah, I was like, he's doing well.

[Alan Hahn]

So.

[Don La Greca]

So where does he do the show? Does he do it from the hotel in Baltimore, or is it Camden Yard? Like, why do you care?

[Alan Hahn]

And then you tell me. He's like, ah, okay. Like, he was really curious.

[Don La Greca]

Anyways, let's go to the phones. 1-800-919-3776. Starting it off as Giovanni in Brooklyn. You're on ESPN New York.

[Alan Hahn]

How you doing, guys?

[D]

I just had a quick question.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know if you guys actually. First time. A long time. Peter. Congratulations.

[D]

Don, you're amazing.

[Alan Hahn]

Alan, how you doing?

[D]

I just want to.

[Don La Greca]

Hey, Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

We got this yesterday. Alan. Sorry. All right. You're not.

[Don La Greca]

Michael.

[D]

Quick question. Do you think that they were feeding.

[Don La Greca]

The ball too much into Mitchell Robinson.

[Alan Hahn]

Directly under the paint? Like, it seemed like it was crowded, and they were just trying to just.

[Don La Greca]

Give him the ball.

[D]

Just.

[Don La Greca]

Why wouldn't they just, like, lob it up to him?

[Alan Hahn]

It seems like that's good for just. It's such a good point. It's amazing. He does not have great hands when it comes to catching the basket. Yeah, every.

[Don La Greca]

Every rebound, it seemed like. Like, loose ball.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, the ball just flips through his hand. You're right. And they were just trying to feed.

[Don La Greca]

Him the ball under the.

[D]

On the paint, on the basket, and.

[Alan Hahn]

He just kept on losing. Couldn't catch, like, oh, my God. And you throw a lob to him, and he's just a monster. Just eats it up. Right? So it's. It's. I think that's a. That's a real classic case of kyp. Because he didn't play a lot this year. There wasn't a lot of time together on the floor. And they're just looking at him as, like, you know, Hardenstein. Yeah. We just used to just chuck it to him, and he would just throw it down. And it's not the same guy. You can't. You cannot play him that way. And there were a lot of turnovers because they were trying to force some things there. It's a good. It's a good call.

[Don La Greca]

How many games did he end up playing this year?

[Alan Hahn]

17.

[Don La Greca]

That's not a lot.

[Alan Hahn]

He missed a ton of time. And remember last year he played until December, they got hurt again and missed a ton of time again.

[Don La Greca]

That timing is everything on the.

[Alan Hahn]

They just don't know how to use him properly because he's a great pick and roll lob guy and they just don't lob to him.

[Don La Greca]

Dave in Westchester, you're on. Don Hanna, Rosenberg. Hi, Dave.

[D]

How you doing, guys?

[Alan Hahn]

Good.

[D]

Hey, how are you? I just want to make two points. One present point, one future point. I blame 5% Tibs and 5% Bunsen. 90%. You can't have, you know, Carl Anthony Towns take five shots and then another game takes zero shots in the fourth quarter. Patrick Ewing used to, used to just tell Starks, give me the damn ball, because I'm getting blamed if we lose anyway.

[Alan Hahn]

So I'm going to shoot no matter what.

[D]

He's subtracting, guys. Give me the ball or you're going to sit down.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's a Disney town. Has got to take more of a. I agree.

[D]

I think he's got to be more and more forceful. That's just my.

[Alan Hahn]

I agree. I mean, and when he gets it on the point, when he gets it on the post, don't, don't fade away. Like, you gotta take it. He had a different mentality in Detroit than he did last night in New York. It was just different.

[Don La Greca]

Why?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know. I can't explain it. I think if he doesn't get involved early, you kind of lose him. And that's what happened. He didn't get involved early. And then second quarter, didn't really get a lot going on and he just never seemed to really find himself. And then late in the game, he'll make like this miracle 27 footer and like, oh my God, this guy's an incredible shooter. So he tied. Remember he tied the score on a 27 footer and you're like, all right, they're going to win this game. Like, in my head, I had no doubt they were winning this game. And then the very next play, all hell broke loose because Hart got hurt, Brunson got hurt. And it's like, whoa, whoa, whoa. They were about to win that game, in my opinion, win another ugly game. But then the basketball gods did not so fast.

[Don La Greca]

But all these things come up the clock in Detroit, the calls, this injury, that non timeout. Because all the games are so darn close. You have no margin for error at all. And the question always is going to be, why is it so close. Why can you end up putting yourself in this situation? Let's go to Pete. Staten Island. You're on espn, New York. What's up, Pete?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, boy.

[Don La Greca]

Hey.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hi, Pete.

[D]

I go to work.

[Don La Greca]

Let's. Listen.

[Alan Hahn]

What do you got going on?

[D]

I don't know what's going on.

[Alan Hahn]

You good, Pete? I'm on the road. No, you're not waiting. Yeah, you know, we got going on now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Take your time.

[Alan Hahn]

Pete's got business going.

[D]

I apologize.

[Alan Hahn]

I apologize. Listen, it's my summer break, you know. Good for you. All right, Alan, what's a break? Who gets this time of year? I'm good.

[D]

Listen, you know, we got to take a break in New York. You know, bad weather. Now we come down to Florida. That's how it works.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. God bless you.

[Don La Greca]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

So. Well, we went to the Miami game. They look good.

[D]

The other day. They lost by 50. Let's read that aside, let's go back to yesterday's game.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. I know.

[D]

Alan, you're gonna get this. I called twice today. You dribble up the ball. The backup point guard, you go to the side, and they trap you. What do you do?

[Alan Hahn]

Dribble up the ball. You go to one side, they trap you. What do you do?

[Don La Greca]

Full timeout.

[D]

Yeah, we.

[Alan Hahn]

You.

[D]

You need. No, you need your best player in a game before you call a timeout.

[Alan Hahn]

Maybe it's for the ball off the guy's leg.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Or just so you had to preface that with you're trying to stop the clock, what do you do? Yes, you find a way. But that's. That's still a little dicey against NBA players.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you can lose the ball.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, yeah. Like anything can happen, but in that moment.

[Don La Greca]

So you step out of bounds, you lose the ball, but you need to stop the clock. You need to get your best players on. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

So would it be worth it to.

[Don La Greca]

Just lose the possession?

[Alan Hahn]

Kickball, just kicked the ball.

[Don La Greca]

Empty possessions during that period of time.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. It was not a high iq. Final three minutes of the game.

[Don La Greca]

Is that something that's coached? Like, here's what we'll do in a situation when we need a timeout and we don't have one or we don't want to use one.

[Alan Hahn]

Some teams have that scenario already in place. Yeah, there's some of that stuff that is. But. But veteran players that have been in the league a long time, you kind of like, you should have that savvy by now. A young team that you're still trying to show them the ropes in the NBA.

[Don La Greca]

But here's the problem. They're all thinking, hey, I'm just going to make the shot.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, good. Again, Bridges is a guy that's like, well, I'm fine. We don't need him. I'm good.

[Don La Greca]

We're looking at it as guys. You aren't hitting any shots. We got to get Brunson back in the game. Somebody step out of bounds. Somebody do something. But they're probably thinking, don't worry, I'll make a shot.

[Alan Hahn]

I got this. And then you brick two easy ones and towns, you know, go soft at the, at the rim. And the next thing you know, you're down, you're being outscored. 6:2. You know, that's how fast it can happen. A couple of missed shots because that.

[Don La Greca]

Affects your pride, right? I got to do something because they're trying to get me off the court.

[Alan Hahn]

Great point.

[Don La Greca]

You know, so it's, yeah, hurry up.

[Alan Hahn]

Turn the ball over so we can get that guy in for you.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, more you calls. 1-800-919-3776. We've got the list coming up at 4:30.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm so curious about this.

[Don La Greca]

And then the mets Diamondbacks at 6:30 right here on ESPN New York and the ESPN New York app.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, everybody, it's Alan Hahn here to tell you about my friends at Bath Fitter. So they remodeled a bath in my home. I've been telling you about this. And my wife Stephanie, she's so excited about this. She's so excited it came out so nice that now she wants me to finish the job for the rest of the bathroom. Isn't that great? I'm so excited for this weekend. But anyways, the bath looks amazing. We converted a shower, an old shower to, I mean, sorry, an old tub to the shower. And it looks fantastic. We have it by the pool. We used it last summer and we realized all the guests are using it and it was kind of hideous. So we had to upgrade it. And when you want to shower off after being in the pool all day, this was a perfect solution. A bath theater consultant came and took us through the process with the free in home consultation to allow Stephanie, because I had nothing to do with this, to pick out the style and the color and all the specifics and accessories to update the bath customized the way she wanted it. And our bath fitter, he came in, Kevin, he was fantastic. In two days, in and out, you didn't even know he was there until you opened the door and saw this gorgeous shower in what used to be a disgusting old decrepit bathtub. He worked fast, delivered the highest quality work without any delay. Now Bat fitter everybody. This is a permanent solution. It's a one piece seamless wall for a watertight fit and a lifetime guarantee. You can trust a bath fitter name like we did because they've been in business for 40 years with millions of happy customers and right now you can save up to $500 and just start designing your Beth like we did. Visit bethfitter.com for more details. There is only one bath fitter. There are people out there all across.

[Don La Greca]

The country pushing boundaries to grow the game of golf.

[Alan Hahn]

Like champion speed golfer Lauren Kupp, who plays faster than anyone else, and Will Lowry, whose work in the golf community inspires more kids to get into the game. As a champion partner of the Masters.

[Don La Greca]

Bank of America supports everyone determined to.

[Alan Hahn]

Find out what's possible in golf and in life.

[Don La Greca]

What would you like the power to do? Bank of America bank of America NA Member FDIC Copyright 2025 bank of America Corporation.

[Alan Hahn]

All rights reserved.

[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

And even reach a real person when.

[Don La Greca]

You need to talk to someone. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don La Greca]

So it's official. Even though I promised I wouldn't do it. But I won't say it is reference to the Knicks. I'll just say that Boston's game one with whoever they play will be Monday.

[Alan Hahn]

Ooh, so weekend off if you win Thursday.

[Don La Greca]

So if the Knicks do take care of business On Thursday, they will get, I would think, a sufficient amount of time. Not as much as Boston.

[Alan Hahn]

You come home if you win Thursday, you come home that night. They fly right after the game. You'll be in your bed by 2, 3 o'clock in the morning. Friday, you get Friday off. Practice Saturday, practice, travel Sunday.

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Play Monday. That's plenty of time.

[Don La Greca]

Natural rhythm.

[Alan Hahn]

Natural that you want. Now you got again, more imperative than.

[Don La Greca]

Ever to just break. But if they lose game six and have to play game seven on Saturday, brutal. That's going to probably be the 8:30 ABC.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don La Greca]

And then you're playing on Monday.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

So that's that. That's the issue there. Not that much travel. But again, I don't want to even get into nicks in the second round when they still haven't finished the first round yet. 1-800-919-3776 let's go to Matt. He's a Middletown. You're on ESPN New York.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, guys.

[D]

How you doing?

[Don La Greca]

Terrific.

[D]

It's been a minute since I called in, so congrats on the new show. Let's get.

[Don La Greca]

Let's.

[D]

Yeah, let's get to it, though. Yesterday was up until the end, like you dream about. That was awesome. I caught the back half of your guys's show. Peter, my cousin and I ran into you while we were leaving to go to the Garden. You were a gentleman like you dream about, yada, yada. It was great stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right.

[D]

But yeah, so I don't know what you saw on Social, but whoever said the Garden was not the fans weren't bringing it. That guy's a hackadood, honestly.

[Alan Hahn]

Because, I mean, I'm sitting right there. So you were there too. You know that that place was lit as the game started. There was just nothing give you any run to like get you really sink your teeth into.

[D]

Right? And that crowd was just waiting for that run, for them to muster up something like that. Because once that run was going to come, which it never did, I think the crowd and the team would have collectively taken Detroit out of that game and we'd be celebrating. But bottom line is get it done. You know, I don't care how it gets done, just get it done. But the front office needs to know when all said and done with this postseason, that you got to realize you can't be stagnant. This team needs to improve. They're not that team when it comes to a championship, like we all discussed. But they're showing you time and time again that they're going to need to step it up next year, do some changes, some adjustments. I love dibs with or without him, but it's got to be adjustments going forward, and hopefully they can take care of business.

[Alan Hahn]

Matt, before you go, let me throw some at you, because Giannis, the tennant Kumpo's Milwaukee Bucks career probably ended last night. Yeah, right. It's a king's ransom. You're talking about blowing up a roster again. If. If you consider Jalen Brunson the only untouchable on the team, do you make a move for Giannis if he's available? Yes or no? Or do you. Or do you play this thing out and just build or build more around that? Build out the bench. Which way do you go?

[D]

I'm kind of on your side with it, where this team should not go reset mode if they, you know, inevitably get bounced out. But, I mean, Giannis is.

[Don La Greca]

He's a.

[D]

He's a talent that if he's available, you try and get. No matter what, he's that type of player.

[Alan Hahn]

And what if I told you he wants to play in New York? Like, his priority of all the markets is new?

[D]

I mean, with the front office having the connections they do with players and agencies and things like that. If he wants to come to New York, you have to make the call. There's. There's. It's. It would be ridiculous not to. If he said, I want to play to New York, trade me there, that would be ridiculous. The only untouchable, obviously, Brunson. Yeah, but if he says I want to play here, not making the call would be quite moronic, honestly.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's. It's going to be interesting, guys.

[Don La Greca]

Giannis and K Day now, obviously, two different players, two different ages, two different prices to different prices. But if I were to tell you you're going to beat the Pistons, you go to the second round, you're not going to get embarrassed against Boston.

[Alan Hahn]

You'll lose in five or six, gentlemen.

[Don La Greca]

Sweet. But you'll. But you're in the games and you're not. They didn't wipe the floor with you. And the Knicks say we're good. You know, we're still very early on in this. We're going to. We're going to be good, and you move on and you don't make the big splash. But in order to make the big splash, you got to lose the series against Detroit and they panic and they go, well, we got to get Giannis, we got to get kd. As a Nick fan, wouldn't you Kind of want that.

[Alan Hahn]

Which door? So which door are you opening?

[Don La Greca]

The door of, like, losing. Losing this series. Embarrassing. And then getting the big guy rather than running it back because.

[Alan Hahn]

But you get. But you like. And you're not guaranteeing anything more than you just. You. You land the big fish, but it doesn't. You don't know where it goes from there, right?

[Don La Greca]

No, like, you just.

[Alan Hahn]

You have two doors to go through. Which one are you going through? Like I've always said, you. There are. There's a handful of players in this league that, when they're on a roster, you say you can win a championship with that guy. And Giannis is one of those guys. I don't know if KD is at this point in his career, but he doesn't cost nearly as much. But I know Giannis. Giannis is one of the best players. Seven straight years, he's a finalist for the mvp.

[Don La Greca]

So what do you think the asking price is going to be?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, it's. It's. Again, Milwaukee has. Wendy was saying this today. They have no control over any of their draft picks for the next six years, so they can't tank and be bad and just be in the lottery. That doesn't work. They've got to get bodies. They got to get players. They've got to. They've got to go that route. They're going to want picks, too, of course, but they want people. So you got to give them good players. And, you know, what are you. What are we talking about?

[Don La Greca]

Are you talking Towns?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, at least does Town's contract makes sense?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, he's got a ma. Him and Giannis's deals are sort of like. It's not as much as Giannis, but it's. He's of supermax contract.

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Big.

[Don La Greca]

More than just Towns.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, Lord, yes.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So it's got to hurt. And you're talking about the gutting it and then having to build around basically two players, but two real. Which is what the Bucs did when they got Lillard to come in and play with him. Right. And that didn't work out. But it's like I said, these are things that. That's what makes it difficult to be a team president, to be a general manager. Right. To be somebody in Brian Cashman's shoes and in Leon Rose's shoes, in Joe Shane's shoes, is that these are decisions that you gotta make. You gotta say, am I sticking with this? Do I believe in this enough that I can put a few more pieces and this thing can push its way better than Boston. Or do I gotta get a killer to put with my killer and now piece it together and see if I could take on the taste that'd be.

[Don La Greca]

On the table where you say, hey listen, we didn't, everything has, we didn't have Mitchell year, you know, was the first year of this, of this group of players together. So we get another year at Towns getting a chance to play with Brunson. Hopefully Robinson stays healthy all year, we make a couple of little moves and we're good. Is that, is that on the table or.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course, I think it's on the table because it's the easiest thing to do, right? But I think the hardest thing to do, right? Well, that's, that's the great question, Don. Is it the right thing to do? Because if you're chasing a championship and you're trying to do it while Jalen Brunson is in his prime, you've got to think long and hard about I need to get real killers on this team, guys that I know that if I have these two or if I have a guy like I know I'm in the conversation, not I hope I'm in right.

[Don La Greca]

Because there's, there's something out there that really just stinks about all this. We'll dive into that. More your calls at 1-800-91776. We've got the list at 4:30. We've got ENN at 6, we've got Mets Diamondbacks and that'll be coming up at 6:30. All over here on 880 ESPN New York and the ESPN New York app.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 88 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.