Hour 1: Knicks, Mike Breen & Ben Stiller

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast — Hour 1: Knicks, Mike Breen & Ben Stiller | May 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This high-energy episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg centers on the New York Knicks’ historically dominant close-out of the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA playoffs. The hosts, joined by legendary Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen and iconic Knicks superfan Ben Stiller, revel in the moment while breaking down the mindset, adjustments, and unique storylines fueling the Knicks’ remarkable run. The show features passionate fan calls, in-depth stat-spotting, and a celebratory, at-times irreverent, New York sports tone.

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Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Knicks’ Dominant Playoff Win Over Atlanta

[01:07–11:27]

• Theme: The Knicks’ Game 6 victory over the Hawks was not only a clincher, but possibly the most dominant playoff performance in Knicks—and NBA—history.
• Hosts’ Shock and Joy: Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg reflect on the team’s “gentleman’s sweep” and emphatic statement, noting how no one expected such total domination.
  • Quote (Alan Hahn, 05:50): “It might have been the most comfortable playoff game I’ve ever watched of the Knicks, the most comfortable you ever could be watching a Knicks playoff game.”
• Stats Breakdown: Peter delivers an astonishing list of records set:
  • Largest win in Knicks’ playoff history (51 points)
  • Largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history (47 points)
  • Led by as many as 61, biggest playoff lead in play-by-play era
  • 140 points scored, a franchise playoff high
  • Multiple 29+ point wins in the series
  • Consistently stifling defense—held Atlanta below 100 for three straight games
• Fans’ Reactions:
  • “The Knicks win last night was... the most relaxing, enjoyable playoff game you could imagine. And it wasn’t just because of the lead. It was how they did it. Defense and passing. It was beautiful basketball.” (Hahn, 09:55)

2. Calls from Knicks Nation

[10:27–21:24]

• Javier from Queens: reaffirms his prediction of “pain for Atlanta,” relishing in how the Knicks delivered it for all four quarters.
• Rob from Tennessee: Shares the unforgettable memory of taking his daughter to her first Knicks game, witnessing “one of the great spankings of all time”—plus a humorous “full playoff experience” story involving a crack-smoking elevator passenger.
  • Quote (Rob, 19:24): “You really can’t ask for a better first Knicks game experience than that.”
• Blandy Blanderson (Kyle): Notes how the series narrative flipped, with Boston now facing the pressure and the Knicks getting unexpected rest ahead of round two.

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3. The Historical Significance and Statistical Rarity

[12:13–18:25]

• Carl Anthony Towns’ Triple-Doubles: Discussion around Towns joining rare company with multiple playoff triple-doubles—including a stat line of a triple-double on fewer than five FGA, only previously accomplished by Magic Johnson.
• OG Anunoby’s Impact: Anunoby’s stat line of +42 and his defensive intensity described as “like they had six players on the court” (Mike Breen, 28:05).
• Bench Domination: Mitchell Robinson’s +29 plus/minus in just 9 minutes shocks the panel, underlining how total the beatdown was.

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4. Interview: Mike Breen on Knicks’ Mentality & Playoff Ascendancy

[25:53–41:58]

• Game 6 Analysis: Breen emphasizes that taking an opposing team’s “will” is as rare and devastating as it gets.
  • Quote (Mike Breen, 25:54): “It might be the most dominant performance I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot over the last several years... The Knicks took their will away.”
• OG’s Defensive Mastery: Breen singles out OG Anunoby’s relentless defense—calling the first quarter “the finest defensive quarter I’ve seen since the mid-90s” (28:05).
• Carl Anthony Towns’ Transformation: Discussion about his evolution—sacrificing scoring (and comfort) to become the hub, a playmaker, and an elite rebounder.
  • Quote (Breen, 29:29): “He just wants to win. And I give him so much credit. He gets himself in trouble because he’s honest about his feelings... but he is backing up what he says.”
• Mike Brown’s Adaptability: The hosts and Breen credit coach Mike Brown for his willingness to evolve strategies—even taking player and assistant coach input.
• Broadcasting a Blowout: Breen talks about the unique challenge of calling a game that’s over early—balancing respect, historical perspective, and the urge to have “a little fun” once the outcome is obvious.

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5. Key Players: Rising to the Moment

[35:04–37:32]

• Role Players’ Value: OG Anunoby compared to the indispensable “glue guys” on great teams, with injuries (rather than skill) holding him back from being even more celebrated.
• Team Chemistry: The sense that this year’s Knicks play for each other and are uniquely suited—both in personality and experience—for a deep playoff run.

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6. Interview: Ben Stiller Reacts as a Knicks Die-Hard

[48:15–60:45]

• Onset Drama: Shares the unique experience of filming while keeping one eye on the game, with the entire crew covertly celebrating every Knicks highlight.
  • Quote (Ben Stiller, 51:14): “Everybody was in a state of shock because it’s kind of like the dream you would have... You know, I thought it’s going to be a tough game. But the way the Knicks showed up...it was surreal.”
• Knicks Destiny & The Future: Emphasizes how swiftly narratives change—months ago, the big question was if the Knicks would blow up the roster for a Giannis Antetokounmpo run, now it’s about sticking together and maximizing this group.
  • Quote (Ben Stiller, 55:48): "They started to play for themselves... I feel very confident they’ve unlocked something."
• Playoff Outlook: Reluctant to get ahead of himself, but says a Finals appearance would be a major accomplishment; still, the current form gives reason to believe a championship is possible.
• Knicks Respect (or lack thereof) Nationally: “I feel like the Knicks never get any respect, even now..." (Ben Stiller, 59:50)

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7. Playoff Implications and Fan Perspective

[45:13–47:46, 59:00–61:49]

• Run or Rebuild Dynamic: Hahn and Peter discuss how this stretch is make-or-break—either solidifying the group as legendary or facing a total reset.
• Fan Energy: The hosts attribute the team’s fire at least partly to the passionate, high-expectation Knicks fan base pushing them to their limits.
• Cultural Moment: This Knicks team is, for the first time in decades, convincing even its most jaded fans and outsiders alike that a real championship run is possible.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Peter Rosenberg (03:05):
  • “The defense, to me, in that first quarter was so stifling and so demoralizing... It’s literally the meme, ‘Well, that escalated quickly.’”
• Alan Hahn (09:55):
  • “It was the most relaxing, enjoyable playoff game you could imagine. And it wasn’t just because of the lead. Defense and passing. It was beautiful basketball.”
• Caller Rob (19:24):
  • "We saw a guy smoking crack in an elevator. It was fantastic…a full playoff experience."
• Mike Breen (25:54):
  • “The Knicks took their will away...That’s a tough thing to say about a team that had two thrilling wins for them in this series.”
• Ben Stiller (51:14):
  • “Everybody was in a state of shock because it’s kind of like the dream that you would have.”
• Alan Hahn (46:22):
  • “Their entire destiny rides on this season...Knicks fans everywhere are excited about what they’ve seen.”
• Peter Rosenberg (47:46):
  • “All Knick fans everywhere are excited about what they’ve seen.”
• Ben Stiller (59:50):
  • “I feel like the Knicks never get any respect, like even now…this team really wants it.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:07] – Opening Knicks playoff analysis & celebration
• [05:50] – “Most comfortable” Knicks playoff game ever
• [08:17] – Sympathy for Atlanta staff/fans during the blowout
• [09:55] – “Beautiful basketball” quote
• [11:27] – Jalen Brunson, Carl Anthony Towns, and player quotes
• [12:53] – Knicks statistical oddities/triple-double history
• [19:24] – Rob’s “full playoff experience” and father-daughter bonding
• [25:53] – Mike Breen interview (“took their will away,” OG’s defense)
• [29:29] – Towns’ evolution and honesty
• [33:45] – Why Mike Brown’s changes took time
• [35:04] – OG Anunoby’s essential, overlooked role
• [48:15] – Ben Stiller joins, describes filming and following Knicks
• [51:14] – Onset celebration, “state of shock”
• [53:51] – Emotional investment in this team’s destiny
• [55:48] – Praise for Kat (Towns) dealing with NYC pressure
• [58:04] – Would a Finals appearance suffice for Knicks fans?
• [59:50] – “Knicks never get respect”

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Conclusion

This episode is a time capsule for Knicks fandom—a celebration of one of the franchise’s greatest playoff moments, framed by passionate discussion, informed breakdowns, and fan-driven excitement. Whether you’re a lifelong Knicks supporter or an NBA observer, the show distills the energy, anxieties, and joy of a city and its team peaking at the perfect time. With major voices like Mike Breen and Ben Stiller chiming in, it’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand what a dominant New York playoff win feels like, both on the court and in the collective psyche of its fans.

Transcript

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[Don Hahn]

Don sitting it.

[Peter]

Sit.

[Mike Breen]

You stink.

[Peter]

Han, how about your nuts? Can I get some?

[Don Hahn]

And Rosenberg, he wanted me to jump

[Alan Hahn]

up and make the jokey jokey so the people go laugh time. This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[Don Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Ben Stiller]

The best threesome I've ever heard on

[Don Hahn]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you kidding me?

[Peter]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Ladies and gentlemen, it's 3 o'. Clock. I'm in Stamford, Connecticut. Allen's on beautiful Long island, and we are here in the glorious celebratory Tri State on a pretty special Friday. Allen, did you have any expectations when we went off the air that the Knicks would have one of the most dominant performances in NBA playoff history?

[Peter]

I didn't actually expect that. I don't think anybody did. But I did try to tell you guys that something that we saw in Game four that carried over into Game five was telling me that Game six was going to go the way that all Knick fans wanted it to go, meaning ending in a win. Right? Like I did. I felt confident that they had finally figured something out with that offense and. And that the Hawks didn't have an answer. Right? So that was my whole feeling going into this game. By the end of the first quarter, though, I was asking this question, if winning a series in five is a gentleman's sweep, what is it when you win it in five and a quarter? Because, I mean, this was over after the first 40 to 15. We're done. Like it's. That's it. I said, watch the first quarter. We'll have a really good idea of what, what direction this is going to go. Because you knew Atlanta was going to try to come out. They all they talked about was physical. We got to be more physical. We got to match their intensity. And it's like, yeah, but guys, what you don't understand is this team knows every move you're going to make, and you have no answer for what they want to do offensively. That first quarter, Peter, was checkmate.

[Alan Hahn]

What. What. What was it? Was there any one specific thing or was it simply the adjustments that they made before game four? It was it. And continuing on that path, like, we got it now, we're doing it. And they. And just sticking with the plan was,

[Peter]

yeah, I think defensively, while the offense was. There's so many, you know, accolades to bring up with is the 140 points and winning by 51 and all that other stuff. The defense, to me, in that first quarter was so stifling and so demoralizing. The way that they just kept jumping routes and getting deflections and steals, and anytime that the Hawks had a shot that you could see that they were rushed, rattled, whatever it was, it just. I mean, it's. It's literally the meme. Well, that escalated quickly. Like. Like, it's literally that because the Knicks were prepared for everything that the Hawks wanted to do, which generally happens in a series, is both teams know what the other wants to do. It's just, can you stop it?

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Peter]

And the Knicks were like, we can stop this and slow it down. And the Hawks had no answer for what the Knicks wanted to do offensively. So it's. That's really what it was. It was the coaching, having this team prepared, and it was a group of veteran players who, after going down to one, said, okay, we're done screwing around here. And what you've seen the last three games is as good as this team can be. And it gives you that feeling. It gives you reason to believe that this is a team that can go on a run because of the many different ways they can play and the veteran experience they have over the last couple of years of being in Warsaw. Never getting rattled, going down to one, no panic, just, all right, we got to tighten it up. We got to get right. And the commitment that you've seen from this team, it's you. They're giving you every reason to say, I can buy into this, and I can see them finding their way to the NBA Finals. Well, how can you not reason to say they can't?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, and how about this? I'll take it a step further, and we're going to have some fun today. I don't think today is all about. Certainly people will do it. And you Nick fans, do whatever you want. Our show is your platform for the next four hours. But, you know, when you do get into it. The one. I don't want to say hard part or tricky thing, but the thing you have to consider when you dominate the way they did over the last three games, it immediately changes expectations for this basketball team.

[Peter]

You mean when you win by 80 points in two games, sorry, now we

[Alan Hahn]

think you're really good.

[Peter]

Yeah, well, look, remember I said we're going to forget.

[Alan Hahn]

I said no one's going to remember that there was a struggle with the Hawks. To me, that was just if they won. Allen. Now remember that there was a struggle with the Hawks. You'll only remember some of the most dominant performances the Knicks have ever had in the playoffs.

[Peter]

Let me give you, Let me just give you some of the numbers. Okay? Let me. I do think we need to read the litany of things that the Knicks accomplished historically in this game. For those who might not have known all this. Like when you went to bed last night and you were hearing throughout the game the different things that happen, it probably didn't sit with you because there's just too many things to, to, to think about. Right. To understand. Now, keep in mind, they were coming off a Game 5 win that was by 29 points, which was the sixth largest win total in franchise history, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Like that's, that's already winning by 15

[Peter]

or more points for the first time in consecutive games. That, that, those were the things that happened after Game 5. And you thought, wow, pretty good. How could they possibly top that? Right? How could they top that? Well, this is all they did to top that in, in game six, which again, remind everybody was on the road in Atlanta. The largest win total in franchise playoff history, 51. And oh, by the way, the second time this season they won by 50 or more points in a game. Think about that. The second largest win total ever. Okay, so again, the 54 against the nets was. That was the number one most points in a playoff game in franchise history. One hundred and forty points. They've never done that before. They led by 47 points at the half. Do you know that's the largest first half lead not in Knicks history, but an NBA playoff history. No team has ever led by 47 at the half. They led by as many as 61 points. This was in the third quarter. They got it up to 61. Largest lead in the playoffs in the play by play era. So it takes you back 30 years when they were counting literally every single score throughout a game. Play by play. And God bless the PA guy in Atlanta because they're up by 61. I think Jalen Johnson hit it 3. And this poor soul is yelling, Jelly Johnson. 4.

[Caller Rob]

3.

[Peter]

And it's like the crowd's even going like Buddha, like, no, no, no, just cut it out. We don't need that anymore. Because nobody was that enthusiastic about a three pointer at that point by the Atlanta Hawks.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you got to feel bad for everybody who still just has to do their job at that point.

[Peter]

I mean, I give credit to basketball. The. The game ops people, they got to do their thing. But at some point, hearing the screeching Hawk like, it's.

[Alan Hahn]

How about this?

[Peter]

It's not hitting anymore.

[Alan Hahn]

How about poor young jock who had to perform at halftime.

[Peter]

That was rough.

[Alan Hahn]

It's going down. It doesn't hit the same way.

[Peter]

No, it was going down. Oh, it went down. There's more. The. The 45:15 lead after the first quarter. Largest first quarter lead in franchise playoff history. The 83:36 at halftime, most points in a playoff half in franchise history. I mentioned the 61 point lead that they had 821 to go in the third quarter. This is so many things that. First time the Knicks have won three state playoff games by 15 or more points, and then the last two were by 29 or more points. They had never done anything like this. Held Atlanta under 100 for three straight games. And then there's all the individual stuff that just, you know, we go on and on. But the bottom line is, is that was a historic performance by the Knicks in a playoff game, in a clinching game, in a game that, you know, would you otherwise give you anxiety? So I will say this, and I want other people. 800 now at 93776. If you want to fill in the blank, fill in the blank. I will fill it in as well. And Peter, I invite you to do it as well. The Knicks win last night was what was blank. I'm going to say this. It might have been the most comfortable playoff game I've ever watched of the Knicks, the most comfortable you ever could be watching a nick playoff game. Because I always say it's not the Knicks playoffs if it's not excruciating. Last night was none of that. It was enjoyable. It was comfortable. It was the most relaxing, enjoyable playoff game you could imagine. And it wasn't just because of the lead. It was how they did it. Defense and passing. It was beautiful basketball.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, you said excruciating. So it only is only right that we start our phone calls with Javier and Queens, who. Who guaranteed there would be pain for Atlanta. Javier, you are correct.

[Caller Javier]

What's going on, boys? I know you're going to get a lot of calls today of how surprised people were. I called that Clubber Lang. I said, pain for Atlanta, and it was pain for four straight quarters from the tip.

[Caller Kyle]

It was.

[Ben Stiller]

It was bad.

[Caller Javier]

So listen, the only thing I gotta say is for all of the Atlanta haters, you love Atlanta so much. You love Atlanta so much.

[Ben Stiller]

Sniff them. Sniff them dead.

[Caller Javier]

Atlanta's gone. Goodbye, and let's get on to the next series. I'll take on the Sixers. I'll take the home. I'll take the home court advantage. Let the Knicks sleep in their beds through Thursday. I'm just saying, like, for the home court advantage, let these guys stay home through the week. I think just keep them comfortable, keep them ready to go, and whoever it is, they're going to be ready. Let's go, Knicks, baby. Oh, my God, I'm so pumped. Let's go, Knicks, baby.

[Alan Hahn]

God bless you, bro. I love it. I want to hear calls like that all day long. Let's hear from Jalen Brunson. Post game last night on the blowout series clincher.

[Jalen Brunson]

Yeah, I mean, the ball's going through the hoop. We were able to get stops running, transition, get layups. It really came down to our defense. It allowed us to play fast, allow us to play on transition, and we made shots.

[Peter]

Come on, Jalen. I need. You know.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what you're getting from.

[Peter]

I gotta have a talk with him about this stuff, man. Like, is he. He was good with us. We had him on right on the court afterwards, and it's like, he. He was good with us, but when he gets into the. The media stuff, when he's sitting at the. Standing at the podium or sitting at the podium, he. He gives you nothing. For a guy that has a great podcast, he. He really gives you.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no, no.

[ESPN App Announcer]

He.

[Alan Hahn]

He's got that. Said the kid in him too, for sure.

[Peter]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, yeah, let's. Let's.

[Peter]

You know, the ball went in.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, no, the ball went to the hoop. Let's. Let's hear from a couple of the other guys who are so critical in this. Carl Anthony Towns on the offense, running through him this series.

[Jalen Brunson]

No, I just wanted to answer the call. You asked for the opportunities, and they obliged. And, you know, I got to repay

[Peter]

that trust and that opportunity.

[Jalen Brunson]

So, you know, I just want to do whatever. I always talk to y' all about impact and winning. They gave me, you know, I got more opportunities to do that, and I wanted to make sure that I didn't not take advantage of them, of the opportunities I was given, and I'm proud that I've been able to help us win.

[Peter]

He has two triple doubles now in the playoffs. Do you know how many other players in Nick history have multiple triple doubles in the playoffs?

[Alan Hahn]

How many?

[Peter]

Oh, Jake said he knows. We do.

[Ben Stiller]

I think I do.

[Evan Cohen]

It's in the rundown.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course it's in the run. Professional. I'm being rhetorical. You know, I read the rundown.

[Evan Cohen]

I knew. I knew Peter knew that the audience

[Peter]

didn't read the rundown. Thank you. We don't make that stuff available to everybody. Well, you know, what if we did like this, you know, paywall newsletter? Might make some money on the side there, Anthony. Just saying, little. Little substack, maybe. All right, the answer is one. One other, and that's Wall Clyde Frazier. So how about this one? Seven footers who have had multiple triple doubles in the playoffs. Hmm.

[Alan Hahn]

So hold on. Seven footers, seven foot, multiple triple doubles in the playoffs.

[Peter]

Yeah, I know that's there, too.

[Alan Hahn]

Hold on.

[Caller Manny]

I didn't.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I didn't look, but just.

[Peter]

Just shouldn't be so easy. Can you think of another others?

[Alan Hahn]

I think of one.

[Peter]

Who? Dirk? No, no.

[Ben Stiller]

Oh, my gosh.

[Peter]

Derek was never a big rebounder. You got to think about it.

[Ben Stiller]

He just got bounced.

[Peter]

No, seven footers you're thinking of. He's not listed at seven feet. He's listed at 611. I'll help you out. Nicole Jokic is not the answer because technically he's not a seven footer.

[Alan Hahn]

That, too, right?

[Peter]

Listed as six. Eleven. Yeah. All right, I'll make it easy for you. It's Will Chamberlain.

[Mike Breen]

Okay, well, that's ev.

[Alan Hahn]

Stats don't even count for Wilt Chamberlain. Let's be honest.

[Peter]

Yeah, let's. We get to be totally honest. But again, what towns has done 20. Is it because he had a triple? He was 12. 12, 10. 11 was his line. He took four shots. So one more for you. Triple double in the playoffs, taking less than five shots. Only one other player has done this.

[Alan Hahn]

One other plan.

[Caller Manny]

Mm.

[Alan Hahn]

Just tell us.

[Mike Breen]

Come on.

[Peter]

I know you just. It's so much fun when I make you squirm. Well, he wears number 32 for Magic Johnson, and that's the other. So it's like the things that happened last night are things that you just don't see.

[Alan Hahn]

I. I think the words you're looking for. Rarefied air is.

[Peter]

Rarefied air is another way to put it. Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's go to Manny and Flushing who wants to get in on the action? What's up, Manny?

[Caller Rob]

Yeah, guys. How y' all doing?

[Caller Manny]

Great. Good, man. Listen, I want to squad was histor his historical abomination towards the Hawks. I mean, I, I, I, I mean, I mean because I thought we going to lose this game because I remember that we were down by two seven to five. We when the kill hit a big three, I said, oh my God, you

[Peter]

thought they were going to lose when it was, it was seven to five. You thought the game was over.

[Caller Manny]

Yeah, because like, I mean, you know the, you know the HS coming back into the crib. You know, every time when a team gets back to crib down three two. You know, any motivational happens. I mean, it did for the Sixers though. But we'll get that to them later time. But, but again, I mean, I mean, you got to give credit crash with Mike Brown. He pretty much gives Kathy keys and he did it well. Two triple doubles in three games. And it's a spectacular. I mean, I mean also this that Mitchell Robinson and Daniels scuffle because I'm glad you brought the mark off. It kind of. It was on the same day that Alonzo Mo and Larry Johnson throw throw their hands in 98 and Mike Brown was at the huddle. I mean, he didn't grab anybody's leg, but he lost his glasses while he was falling through. I mean, my God. I mean, here we go again. But thank God nothing was serious. I, I don't think my personal opinion. Mitchell Robinson didn't deserve to be ejected. I just hope there's no suspensions of that. But anyway, great way it won't be. Let's hope we keep the momentum whether it's Boston or Philly. So let's go.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, I want to throw some. I got some fun stats for you.

[Peter]

How about this? Okay, I got you. All right, let's see.

[Alan Hahn]

Tell me if you've ever tell me the last time you saw plus minus numbers from starters like this. OG Anunoby plus 42.

[Peter]

That's ridiculous.

[Alan Hahn]

Carl Anthony Towns plus 35. Josh Hart plus 35. Mikhail Bridges plus 40. Jalen Brunson plus 41. And if you want to go to the bench, Mitchell Robinson in nine minutes was a plus 29.

[Peter]

That was the most. That one's the most insane. I played nine minutes. Yeah, that's the one that really blows your mind. No, they were plus 105 in the series and they lost two games. So it just shows you that it was true domination. Now game two, you remember fourth quarter they gave it away, right? That fourth quarter gave it away. Otherwise this probably would have been a five game series. So game one, I mean, first quarter, Game six was almost like the makeup for that fourth quarter. That's why I say this series really was five and a quarter. It was over by the end of the first quarter. This was not a six game series, not by a long shot, because there was zero competition for the last three quarters of that last game. That was a beat down. And that was a message sent too. Very much a message sent.

[Alan Hahn]

It was destruction of the highest order.

[Peter]

It was a team that said, we're done screwing around.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's go to Rob in Tennessee. He's who is bringing his daughter to the game. Yeah, Rob, talk to us. How was it?

[Caller Rob]

What's up, fellas? It was phenomenal. I mean, you really can't ask for a better first Nick game experience than that. You really can't ask for a better game experience in that whatsoever. Energy was great. Crowd was amazing. Knicks fans represented well. And of course the game, it was a blast. Everybody sort of flooded the lobby, you know, flooded the gates. Chat. Let's go, Knicks. We won Boston, all of it. It was just, I mean, the crowd was devastated. We were sitting next to some Hawks season ticket holders and they were just absolutely disgusted with the performance of the, of the hometown team. So, man, it was just an amazing experience. My daughter loved it. We had a great time. We saw a guy smoking crack in an elevator. It was fantastic.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, man. So she got so many fans.

[Peter]

Add that to it. Little bit of culture.

[Caller Rob]

Is it a full playoff experience?

[Ben Stiller]

If you don't get that.

[Alan Hahn]

Rob, how old's your daughter again?

[Caller Rob]

She's 13.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, man. I'm just happy for you, Rob.

[Peter]

Congrats.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you for the call. I love when people make an awesome decision. Like as a dad, you thought, I'm gonna put in the work, I'm gonna make the trip, let's spend the money, let's see how it goes. That is a 50, 50 proposition at BET at best. Every time you do it. And Rob nailed it. Like, that is a forever moment where your daughter is always going to be like, my dad and I went to a Knicks playoff game. We drove all the way to Atlanta and we watched one of the great spankings of all time.

[Peter]

Good.

[Alan Hahn]

Good for you, man. That is awesome.

[Peter]

How about that for a first game? Something historic. The only problem is I don't think it'll ever get better than that.

[Alan Hahn]

It's. Well, it would be tough to beat it. Let's go to Blanders. Good old Blandy Blanderson hoopa.

[Peter]

What's up, buddy? Yes.

[Caller Kyle]

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, pal.

[Caller Kyle]

So obviously after games three and four or four and five, I should say, I, I felt that they were going to win comfortably last night. Did I?

[Caller Javier]

Did.

[Caller Kyle]

I think at any point in time they would have a 61 point lead. I mean, to me that's just insane. At times it felt like they were playing the over 40 rec league team for quick fees. That's. That's how bad things were. But they completely dominated the entire game, offensively and defensively. Every player scored. But I think the, the best part of it all is how quickly everything turned. And that here we spent a couple of days talking about how we're going

[Caller Javier]

to be playing a Game 7 while

[Caller Kyle]

Boston is at home relaxing and resting and getting ready. And now we're done. Boston has a tough game seven. And so now we're the ones that are going to have all that rest. Boston, silly. It doesn't matter to me who we take on. I think the NBA was put on notice last night and bring on the second round. That's, that's all.

[Peter]

I gotta say it's really amazing to think that what happened on Tuesday night and Thursday night has completely flipped the script in the east based off of what happened, which was obviously the Knicks winning their games and Boston, which was on the verge of clinching a series, losing consecutive games in the manner they did, just bricking threes the way they have. They've gone ice cold from downtown and they don't really have an answer for what the Sixers have when they add Embiid to the mix. And so that series, like, you know, you're watching the Knicks just destroy the Hawks. So of course, human nature has you go, all right, this is in the background. Let's keep an eye on this Celtic Sixers game. Let's see what's going on there. And you just, your eyes just keep going wide like, like Boston's going to lose this game. Like, and you couldn't believe it. Boston's going to be the team that ends up not getting rest and having to play an extra game. And now Jayson Tatum's grabbing the, the calf on the other leg and limping around and testing it out like that's, that's all of a sudden flipping everything. But that's how it works in the playoffs.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter]

It doesn't stay consistent, especially when it's as open as it is in the East. And that's what you're getting right now. So that game Saturday night, if you're a Knicks fan, you can watch that and sit back and just see what happens and who's it going to be on Monday for game one and we'll talk about it later. You know which way that you'd want to lean if you were the Knicks? Who you want to see win on Saturday night? Because there's a team that if I'm picking who I want to play, there's a team I want to see win on Saturday night. We'll do that later.

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Alan Hahn]

Everything was going down for the New York Knicks. We just went over some of those mind blowing stats and the man who made this that much more enjoyable as he does everything is of course our dear friend, the great Mike Breen. Mike, welcome to the show. It's Peter and Allen. How much did that exceed any expectations for a Knicks performance? Performance that you could have possibly had?

[Caller Kyle]

You.

[Mike Breen]

You'd never think that any NBA in a playoff such setting, any NBA team can dominate another team like that. It. Considering the circumstances and the fact that was an elimination game for, for the Hawks, it might be the most dominant performance I've ever seen and I've seen a lot over the last several years. I mean last year in the finals. No actually in the. In the conference finals okc lost a game I think by 42 points. This is the NBA champion the year before Boston, they lost a game I think by 39 points in the finals to Dallas. So these things happen. But, but last night was different from, from this standpoint, and I don't use this term lightly, but the Knicks took their will away and that's, that's a tough thing to say about a team that was playing some great basketball in the last two months of the season, had two thrilling wins for them in his series. They had a look about them like we have no chance to beat this team tonight.

[Peter]

Now I'll tell you what Mike, Game five. And you know where I'm situated in the, in the arena at the Garden is over by the visitors bench. And I gotta tell you that while I didn't see a. That look that you're describing that I know a lot of people were texting me from, from Atlanta last night about. I did see this kind of look in there. Remember they lost by 29. They had a look in their eyes even in that game like, like we can't figure this team out. And after the game all they talked about was effort and physicality. And I kept thinking to myself I think it's more than that. So as you're calling that first quarter and I know you know it's always about the scoring and the offense, and the 40 points certainly points to that. But what did you see defensively by the Knicks in that quarter that led to the Hawks having that look in their eye of, like, I think leg. Say it on the broadcast that they're rattled.

[Mike Breen]

It may have been the. The finest defensive quarter I've seen from a Knicks team since the mid-90s. It was. It was like they had six players on the court, and it was led by OG Anunoby.

[Ben Stiller]

He was.

[Mike Breen]

He had this look in his eye, this relentlessness that was just. It was so interesting to watch.

[Caller Manny]

And.

[Mike Breen]

And again, you have to remember this is. The Hawks are a good team. They're a good basketball team, and they had zero answers. They could do nothing to stop it. Nothing. And ironically, again, it's. It's the defense that is the one that I think put. Put it into their heads that they. There was no way they were going to win this game today.

[Alan Hahn]

Mike, we've been talking all year, obviously, a lot about. And he's been a fascinating player during his tenure here. He's such a likable guy and such a unicorn as a player. It just seems like if he were to put it all together for a playoff run, he could really be like, he's walking this line between. Could be a longtime Nick Great, who people love, and things could blow up and he could end up out of here, and maybe we enter the Giannis era. What has been your assessment, sort of Kat's tenure as a Knick and. And how big could this series have been for sort of his legacy in New York?

[Mike Breen]

Yeah, it. He was magnificent. And, you know, you hear players talk about, I just. I want to. I just want to help the team win. And it's a cliche, and it's thrown out there, and it's not like they don't mean it, but that's what he believes, you know. So his last year in Minnesota, they go to the conference finals and they fall short. His first year in New York, they go to the conference finals and fall short. I truly believe all that matters to him is that they get to the finals and win it all. And he's proven that by. Even in a year where, you know, clearly he wasn't at his best offensively for stretches, he was up and down and vocalized it that he was uncomfortable, but it never had an impact on his rebounding. And I think sometimes we don't give enough credit to the great rebounders because it's. You know, we talk so much about guys that score 30 a game. Wow, they're special. Or, you know, guys that average two and a half steals per game or block three blocks a game. Rebounding is such a vital and critical part of winning, and he never let it, Never let any of that other stuff affect his rebounding prowess. And he's one of the elite rebounders in the game and has been for the last couple of years. And now he's also. He's so enjoying being the hub and being the guy that. That's making all these great passes. And to me, it goes back to. He's not just saying it. He just wants to win. And I give him so much credit. He gets himself in trouble because he's honest about his feelings.

[Caller Manny]

When.

[Mike Breen]

When they talk about his offense, he can easily say, oh, we'll be fine, we'll be fine. But he was honest. He's like, you know what? I'm uncomfortable right now. I'm still. I still don't know exactly what I'm doing. And he would have been better off not saying it, but he can't help himself because he's honest. And. And to me, it just goes back. He is backing up what he says when he says, all I want to do is help the team win.

[Peter]

And it's really amazing. Like, so he has 26 assists in three games, right? Two triple doubles. And I actually asked him after game five, I said, you seem to have more joy in passing the ball than you do scoring it. And a lot of people are about their field goal attempts. And we talked so much about him, and he's not getting enough shots, and why isn't he taking more shots? And he would constantly say that it's not about that. And he would. And I didn't believe him. Like, he would tell when you'd interview him, and he would talk about how it's, you know, it's whatever the offense needs from me and it's. That's what they needed from me. And I kept thinking, no, because great players, they all. All they are about the FGAs. But I think I kind of believe him now. When you watch how much he seems to be enjoying playing like that Magic Johnson or. Or even Jokic, Draymond Green, the way he was in those days with the warriors offense, I think he just really does enjoy passing the basketball. He had four shots last night and had a triple double. I mean, do you see that in him? That maybe that's just something we need to accept? He's a big man. He can score. But I think he Likes to pass more than anything else.

[Mike Breen]

And I think the reason, Alan, is because he sees that side of him, how it impacts winning. It's that simple. I mean, they're playing their best basketball while he's playing this way. And, and you know, winning is, it's like a drug. You, you get a taste of it, you get to the conference finals, you want that next step. And he's had it come close twice now and he just, he just wants to win. Would he love to score 30? Would he love to get 23 shots off in the next game? Sure he would. But he's okay if as long as they keep winning, he's going to keep doing whatever he can. And it's, it's, it really is a pleasure to watch.

[Peter]

Why do you think, Mike, that it took to. Was it. I guess it was by game 78 maybe that they went to this and tried this out and we got to see it a little bit in the last week or two of the season. And then it didn't happen until about game four where it became, we're going to do this full time. Why? You know, you remember the start of the season, they were playing a completely different way. They tried to play up more tempo, up tempo more run the ball, spread the floor, and it just kept adjusting throughout the year. So why did it take this long to get to this point?

[Mike Breen]

I don't know. I really don't have an answer for you on that. And all season long, you know, to me, it for the Knicks to get to where they want to go, for them to reach these high expectations. I always felt the only way they could do that is if they're two. All NBA stars were playing at a very high level. And it just, it just didn't happen on a consistent basis that the two of them were playing on a high level at the same time. And maybe this year it just took a little extra time because of the tweaks that, that Mike Brown made. But man, oh man, I give Mike Brown so much credit for trying stuff to change it up, seeing that it didn't work. Not afraid to admit that he's changing it. Not afraid to admit that others are the ones that are suggesting some of the changes, both from assistant coaches and from players. And then when it's done, giving the credit to those assistant coaches and the players for their suggestions, you know, he's done an amazing job like that in terms of not afraid to change things, not afraid to try things, and not afraid to give credit. And I think maybe he just tried A bunch of different things. And finally they took a while, but I don't know why, to answer your question, I haven't, I don't know why it took so long.

[Alan Hahn]

Is Mike, Is there anyone who reminds you in your illustrious career covering this game, is there any other player on a team whose role you can compare to OG Anunoby on this team? Because he, he really is sort of like, can be the unheralded guy who, whose availability makes the team able to compete and when he's playing at a high level, makes this team nearly unbeatable. But there, you know what I'm saying? He doesn't seem to always get the credit that is deserved for how good he's been when he's been on the floor.

[Mike Breen]

Yeah, Peter, I think, I think most of the great teams have a player like that and, and for an anobi, the potential's always been there, but the injuries have, have to me, that's what stopped it. He's had a number of seasons in Toronto. There was one specifically in New York. He's had now a couple where he starts this, this rise and this ascension and he's playing at this incredible level. Then he gets hurt and he's out, what, 12 games or whatever. So it has stopped the momentum he's had. The playoffs, remember that one year, I think it was against Indiana in, in the second round when he went up for the layup and, and got hurt and they were, they were really in control of the series that game too. And, and it, it changed everything. And he was again, he's the type of player that, he can raise his level when the playoffs come, but he's had injury problems that, that have kind of stalled the progress. Now all of a sudden he's, he's extremely healthy. He got hurt this year and missed a bunch of games and it took him a little while to get back to the level he was prior to the injury. He's a very habitual process guy in terms of doing the same thing and keeping the routine and keeping the routine. So when that routine is wrecked, it kind of gets him off track. But when he's, when he's on a roll, he just, his confidence is, is soaring. And you know, I, I, you know, Alan has seen it too. We've seen his potential as an offensive player, but I didn't know that he could be this consistently good night in and night out. Now, that's not to say he might have eight points next game and shoot three for 14, but the confidence now is just oozing out of him and the fact that he plays so hard every single night. You see him at the end of a game, he looks exhausted after every game, and that's because he plays so hard. He plays himself to exhaustion. It's been fun to watch his ascension,

[Peter]

and it doesn't hurt to have Anne Hathaway as one of your biggest fans. I mean, that definitely is a motivating factor, Mike, from a broadcasting perspective, because, you know, we know that not only do we have an audience of fans, but there's also an audience of up and coming broadcasters, people that want to do what we do for a living one day as well. What, what is the challenge of calling a game like that for you guys? Once you realize like the first half, you gotta give it all the attention it deserves. When it gets to 61 in the third quarter, like I was saying, the PA guy, God bless him, he was still screaming for three. They were doing the Birds. And I mean, there was probably people in the crowd going, all right, that's enough, we don't need this. But you have to call the rest of this game that everybody knows is over. What is the challenges of that and how do you get through it?

[Mike Breen]

Those are the hardest ones. But, you know, you, you work together as a team, both with your analyst and the people in the truck, and the first thing you do after it's, you know that the outcome is long gone in terms of we know who's going to win. You try to put it in a little historical perspective. And yeah, everybody's seen blowouts, but like, where does this rank and get their takes? For example, both Tim and RJ were part of teams that got absolutely obliterated. So you find out what that's like, you find out, you know, how this impacts going forward, and then because it's a clinching game, you know, then you have opportunity to talk about, okay, for the Hawks, this is a horrible way to end, but what did the season mean? Where are they going forward? And then there's also. You just get to have a little more time to do some personal anecdotes. And then you also get to have a little fun too, like just goofing around. So it's, it is more challenging. We, we always say we much rather have a one point game decided in the final seconds, but it does give you an opportunity to get into to some other topics too.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you, are you back on back to work on Sunday?

[Mike Breen]

All depends what happens tonight if either the Pistons Magic or the Cavs and the Raptors go To game seven, we'll have one of those games. If they don't. If they. If they both wrap up tonight, then I'll actually. I'll be off on Sunday.

[Peter]

Get a weekend. Look at you this time of year. Right.

[Mike Breen]

Which would be nice, but I'm not taking game seven any day of the week.

[Peter]

Yeah. No, there's no question. I think we're gonna get one with that in mind. Are you surprised that we got a Game seven out of you guys called, I believe, Game four?

[Mike Breen]

Five.

[Peter]

That's if. Was it five. Okay. Of that Philly Boston series, are you surprised this thing's gone seven?

[Caller Rob]

I am.

[Mike Breen]

Because Joel Embiid, that first game when he first came back, yes, they were happy he came back, but he completely threw them out of rhythm.

[Peter]

Yeah.

[Mike Breen]

And even though he put up good numbers and I think the first game back that they wound up losing, he led them in scoring, rebounding, and assists. But everybody else, it was just because, you know, you throw in a guy that plays the way Joel Embiid plays, and it changes the whole dynamic. So that's why I think, okay, it's nice to have him back, but it's maybe not the best time. Not that you would hold him off. But then all of a sudden, he started getting a rhythm, and he started getting rhythm passing the ball. It's kind of like with Karl Anthony Towns, where he's getting others involved. He's enjoying passing. He's a good passer. And what they did in Boston in Game 5, that was. That was so impressive. The Celtics, I'm thinking, okay, they're going to make the comeback and probably win this game. And the Sixers just got stronger as the game went on. And last night, I didn't see a lot of the game because obviously we were on the air, but, man, what an impressive performance from them. And it's just not easy to bring in a guy with so much usage, throw him in there after he hasn't played really much in the series. Although they're used to playing without him and then have a performance like that. Like that was stunning, too, in a different way than the Nick game.

[Alan Hahn]

Mike, it's always so cool for us. I know we're all friends and blah, blah, blah, but you're an iconic voice, and anytime we get to have your voice on our show, to break down a moment like this, it's awesome. So we appreciate your time greatly.

[Mike Breen]

Appreciate it, Mike. Thanks, Peter. Thanks, Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

You're the man. Hope to get you back on again as the playoffs go on. The great Mike Breen. What a cool thing, Al, that it turned out he got to be the voice. As if it wasn't enough of a celebratory night for Knicks fans last night, right?

[Peter]

It was. It made up for having Reggie for a couple of games.

[Alan Hahn]

We got to get Reggie on this show.

[Peter]

I'm trying. No, no, I'm, I'm trying. And hopefully when they're in town to do a game, maybe in the next round, we'll, we'll be able to do that. But for Mike also, and I didn't want to say this to him because I know how personal it is for him, but this also is a nice distraction from his Mets.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, it's really, I'm telling you people, Alan's starting to relish it. He's starting to enjoy it. That's the part that I find sad.

[Peter]

I waited till he.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, Jake. Take your mind in your own business.

[Peter]

I didn't want to do it. I didn't. It wasn't right. But I just think this is a nice distraction from the Mets.

[Alan Hahn]

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Prices may be higher for delivery.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Alan Hahn]

We love a lot of people who live in Atlanta. Love a lot of people who are from Atlanta. Great.

[Peter]

Harry Douglas. That poor man. I can't wait till he comes to New York. We Already figured out what restaurant. Harry Douglas, Rao's. We're going to get it done. We're going to have some great.

[Alan Hahn]

You're going to go to Rao's?

[Peter]

Yeah, I told him. He told me. Restaurant of your choice.

[Alan Hahn]

Getting that done. And if you can just get that done, why don't we have a family trip to Rubber Dog Stratus? You know what I mean?

[Peter]

Well, he made a bet. He made a bet.

[Alan Hahn]

That's just a Harry Douglas thing. You're saying that you find a way in the rails. Are you saying he'll find the way into Reyes?

[Peter]

I hope so.

[Caller Manny]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

It's worse. It's worse. Yeah. It's an exciting, exciting moment for New York Knicks fans. And I think we're going to talk to some more big time New York Knicks fans. Let's start with your calls and then we'll keep this thing rolling. The celebration rolls on. Let's go to Kyle in Jersey. You're up first. What you got?

[Caller Kyle]

What's up, boys?

[P]

What a day to be a New York Knicks fan. I have two things for you. Number one, these last three games, game four, five and six, no team in the league. Not Boston, Philly, San Antonio, okc. We play like that. Nobody's beating us four out of seven. But here's my point, guys. And when we look at it and we say what the difference. And you know what it was.

[Caller Kyle]

It's.

[P]

It's you guys, it's us sneak fans. It's, it's, you know, it was those calls that said, you know what, if you lose to Detroit, I'm sorry, if you lose to Atlanta, if you don't get to the finals, there's gonna be changes. And you know what? These guys put on a switch because you know what? Cat doesn't want to go to Milwaukee. OG doesn't want to go to Milwaukee. Josh Hart loves New York. These guys know. Now they know because of everybody in the way people like it could have been overreacting. But you know what? They know if things do not get done and we don't get, like you said last week on the show, at least to the finals, things are going to change. And that switched because they don't want to go and I don't want them to go. But you know what? I want the championship. Let's go.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, and you said something that I've been thinking about a lot and thank you for the call. You know, I've brought this up a bunch. This group, their entire destiny rides on this season. Like you are talking if they were to win a championship, one of the storylines in the documentary would have to be people talking about that if this didn't work, this thing was going to get blown up for Giannis Antetokounmpo. And the truth is, as much as it would be cool to have Giannis Antetokounmpo, every Knicks fan in the world hopes they never see Giannis Antetokounmpo because they see a championship with this group this year. Cat, I'm telling you, Cat is walking this line between disappointing New York story and like the ultimate feel good Jersey kid who's gone through so much personal tragedy. He's gone through such hardship. Everyone knows he's a good kid. He's an incredible talent. If they are just able to continue to put this thing together, we are watching the Celtics clearly not perform like a team that's ready to dominate the Eastern Conference. There is no reason why this team cannot go for a run and completely change the future for this group.

[Peter]

Allen, I completely agree. Yeah, I completely agree. That's why I believe these last couple of games have given you reason to believe that. Not because of that, they won a first round series in how they did it and what they've looked like along the way. They aren't just winning games. They absolutely destroyed a team that had them down two one, which tells you that something flipped, something worked. And all Nick fans everywhere are excited about what they've seen.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, speaking of which, we're talking about how great the, the Karl Anthony town story would be if this team were to go on a championship run. I know just the person. I don't want to, you know, fill up his calendar, but I know just the person to direct or at least produce this film. And that would be the New York Nick, iconic fan himself, Ben Stiller, friend of the show at this point. Ben, thank you. It's Peter and Alan. How you feeling today, bud?

[Ben Stiller]

I mean, I'm still, I'm still hovering. I can't. It's insane what happened last night. It's crazy.

[Peter]

Well, I want you to tell everybody.

[Ben Stiller]

I'm sort of like trying to take it in. It's just like, it's like the, you know, like, like a dream or something. I mean, by the way, we all shouldn't get too excited, right? Because now we get to keep going. But it's still like a monumental kind of event that happened last night. I think in terms of just like feeling how the team came together and was just like the best version we've ever seen of this team, so.

[Peter]

All right, on that note. Thanks. There's another thing I wanted to bring up, but. But on that note, what you just said there, because you have taken in a lot of n. Not only in person, but I know how much you follow this team. And I always have this kind of, like, tongue in cheek thing I say about it's not the Knick playoff, not the Knicks in the playoffs, if it's not excruciating. Right. There's always those moments where you're just, you know, you. You just. Your fists are clenched and you're just fighting through it, just hoping for something good, and always worrying about something going wrong for you last night. Now, I know you. You've been very busy, but that's one of those games that has to be as satisfying of a watch for a Knick fan as you could have this time of year.

[Ben Stiller]

Yeah, I was filming something, so I was on a set. And, you know, a good number of our crew are big Knicks fans, so everybody's got their phones. I think we might have put the production back, like, a day or two. Everybody was watching the game, and it was. So I. You know, it was frustrating to not just be able to, like, sit in front of a TV and just watch it and go, you know, and cheer, but honestly, it was just the reaction that they've had, you know, since that, you know, since game three, really, I think, you know, where they really, you know, it's like. It's what you would hope for with a semen. I think it's all about these players who, you know, have playoff experience. And I think, you know, to me, it's, you know, what cat has done for. In a very challenging season. I think it's, you know, like, the key to everything. And, of course, I mean, there's so many keys, but the cat really, I think, just kind of took matters into his own hands, really.

[Peter]

Can you give me. Can you give me the visual that you were giving me earlier about. So you're filming, you're working during the game, which I'm sure as much of a fan you are, it must have already been tough. And you have your phone out and people update you. Just. Just, what does this look like? Because those of us who don't understand the world that you live in, what is that like? And give me the visual.

[Caller Rob]

Well, it's.

[Ben Stiller]

We're shooting at night and up in Bronxville in, like, a big house, and basically we're doing a scene where we're, like, having to walk down the driveway and, you know, the crew people, everybody's got their phones, who are Nick fans. And I'm checking in, and I'm basically checking in, watching, and, you know, like every once in a while going. And people, you know, who are not watching and looking at me like, what's wrong with you? And then, you know, and then at a certain point they yell, action. You have to do the scene. And so then I, like, went out of touch from being able to check my phone for, you know, about 10 minutes, which was, I think, around in the third quarter. So, you know, we already knew what was happening, but it was like, is this going to keep going? What's going to happen when. When the subs come in, Are they going to keep us up?

[Caller Rob]

All of that?

[Ben Stiller]

But everybody was in a state of shock because it's kind of like the dream that you would have. Like, you know, I thought we have to. I thought it's going to be a tough game. You know, it's a closeout game. But, you know, Atlanta, let's face it, Atlanta wanted this matchup, right? They lost intentionally to get us. So, you know, we knew it was a tough matchup, too. And the way that the Knicks showed up from, you know, when it was, what were they down, like nine, six or something?

[Mike Breen]

And then that was it.

[Ben Stiller]

And then it just kept going. It was just surreal numbers. So, yeah, it was kind of just distracted environment where people are kind of keep on checking their phones and then just a lot of high fives and on set, just like a lot of let's go, Nicks. And it was really exciting. It was amazing.

[Alan Hahn]

You're currently listening to Don Hannah Rosenberg on WHSQ and WCBS FM HD 2 in New York. We're talking to Ben Siller, aka Judicus, if you recall his first interview on the show. A lot of callers that are very confident. Ben Judicus was on. He's a little nervous. Jadakiss. Jadakiss, yeah. I'm sorry. I would be judicious.

[Mike Breen]

I'm Judy Kiss.

[Alan Hahn]

That was. That was last year. Now, Ben, do you. Do you feel what I'm saying? And do you have thoughts on just sort of how much the destiny of this team, of this group is kind of like it's been hanging in the balance like you've had a couple of months ago. People are thinking about, well, what would a package look like for Giannis Antetokounmpo and will they blow this thing up? Will Mike Brown be here? And now after these three games, obviously we're all thinking about a Completely different future. Are you the kind of fan who sort of gets very emotionally invested in players and thinks about just how different the future could be for a cat or an OG or a McHale bridges, depending on how this playoff goes?

[Ben Stiller]

I mean, I, you know, for better or for worse, they get very emotionally invested in the whole thing. And yeah, it's like what you're saying, Al. Like the playoffs can be really fun or they can just be really, really painful because eventually you got to get eliminated if you're not going to win the championship. So there's always that moment you get to where it's just really painful. And so I think we're all, as Knicks fans, bracing for that. This year was such a. It was such an up and down year and you know, the way that, you know, the Tibbs. That Tibbs was let go very, you know, kind of very quickly and there was, that was a, I think, a tough thing because I, we all really appreciated Tibbs, but also felt like maybe there was, you know, you know, there was a higher ceiling for the team in terms of rotations and all that stuff. And so watching Mike Brown, I will be the first to admit that I've had moments where I've questioned, you know, what Mike Brown was doing, you know, especially, you know, I'd say like in the last, you know, six weeks or so when, when things weren't working as well. And what I got the feeling was for this team was that they kind of took. They started to play for themselves. I feel like they really took matters into their own hands, especially with Kat and Jalen. And you start to see this connection happening between the two of them on the court, both in, you know, obviously, you know, running the pick and roll. But also just seeing them connecting on court like that, they were building something that they kind of, I think as a team said, we're going to do this. You know, Mike Brown is going to figure out what he's going to figure out. And credit to Mike Brown for adjusting in this series in the way that he has to allow, you know, these players to really, you know, explode out of this in a way that I wasn't sure was going to happen. So, you know, I feel very, very confident that they've unlocked something and they're playing, you know. You know, by the way, I think there are very few players who can handle, as you guys must talk about a lot, the pressure of playing in New York.

[Peter]

That's true.

[Ben Stiller]

And you gotta, you know, you gotta give it to Kat that, you know, he's had a lot of criticism this season for. I think a lot of things were out of his control, too. But he. He is a guy who. Right. He was the number one pick. He's dealt with this kind of pressure his whole career. He really is built for New York because he's been able to withstand all of this crazy crosstalk and all of this, you know, the speculation and the whole Giannis thing and all of that. And he's coming out the other end of it. And that's a guy who is built so tough to understand how to mentally lock in and do what he's doing now. And so, you know, I really give credit to the whole team. And of course, OG Is playing out of his mind, and Josh Hart and Mikhail finally had the game, you know, that we were waiting for. And so I've got a lot of confidence in this team.

[Peter]

All right, so tomorrow night is a game seven to decide who the Knicks are going to see in the second round, either a rematch with the Celtics or a Sixers team that suddenly got healthy. Do you have a preference?

[Ben Stiller]

Well, up until, you know, a few days ago, I would have said probably Sixers, but it does look like they've, you know, come together finally in a way that they haven't. I think both are tough for the Knicks, as we know, as personally, I would love. I'd love to see us take Boston out again, but, you know, it's. I don't know who's going to win that game tomorrow, and I think it's kind of a toss up. And I've seen, you know, you watch Tyrese Maxey in person.

[Peter]

He's a blur.

[Ben Stiller]

The speed, the incredible speed, it's just crazy. You know, it's a tough matchup for the Knicks, so I think either team, you know, they're going to come to play and it's kind of a toss up and, you know, see what happens

[Alan Hahn]

tomorrow night at this point with. With a 51 point victory in a closeout game, which is just insane to say out loud, right? Is there, like, is there. I don't want to get too far ahead, but is there a version of this playoffs that, like, doesn't end with a championship run that you can kind of accept? I mean, is it a fine. Would a Finals appearance. Let me say that. Would a Finals appearance make Ben Stiller a happy fan? Or are you in championship or bust sort of mode?

[Ben Stiller]

To be honest, I think the goal has always been to go one step further, at least from last year, you know, and so I feel like if we get to the finals, I think that is a, you know, that's a goal that, you know, it's one we've been wanting for a long time. It's been, you know, what, 27 years, whatever. Right. So, yes, I'll be, I'll be happy if we get to the finals and feel like we've progressed, but, you know, it's impossible not to feel like. And by the way, you know, okc, I think, you know, it's, it's. That's tough. It's tough to beat okc. And I'm assuming OKC is going to be there, so San Antonio might give him a run, I don't know. And I'm assuming that too, that Santana is going to get there. But I think, I think the Knicks, if they, you know, if they keep playing like this, I think sky's the limit.

[Peter]

What we saw in this series definitely tells you that. Plus 105 for the series, two games now where they were, plus 80 and the records that they set up and down, like, it just felt like something clicked. And that's what makes now it exciting, I think, Ben, the realization especially, I mean, around a lot of the ESPN people this morning on get up and. And other people, the sense that I get from a lot of people watching them from the outside, because, you know us, we're too close to it, right? So we see everything. The sense I get from the outside is a growing confidence in a team that if that's what it's going to look like, they're going to be tough to beat. And that's why I'm telling you, Ben, there's reason to believe, probably for the first time that this team could make that kind of a run since 25, 26 years ago.

[Ben Stiller]

Well, if you feel that that gives me confidence, I feel it as a, As a fan who loves the team and feels like there's something special happening. I also feel like, you know, tell me if I'm wrong, but I feel like the Knicks never get any respect, like, even now, right. Like the Colin cow herds and Skip Bayless, no one wants to ever give it up to the Knicks.

[Caller Kyle]

Yeah.

[Ben Stiller]

And I'll tell you something. I think, you know, the Knicks, though, the players, you know, there's this team really wants it and I think they really, they really like each other and they play for each other and I think, you know, I think they're ready to go all the way and, you know, let's see what happens. But it's really exciting time.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, Ben, it's so cool for us that you carve out time. We really, really appreciate it. And let's hope next series there's another 51 point closeout. We'll talk to you again.

[Ben Stiller]

Yeah, that's a Knicks Nixon 26. Let's do it.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks, Ben.

[Peter]

Rhymes. I love it. Thank you, Ben.

[Alan Hahn]

The great Ben Stiller following the great Mike Breed, Alan Hahn bringing. Listen, you know what he's, what he's doing what Alan Han is doing today on this big Friday.

[Peter]

I'm texting during the show. I got yelled at for doing it the other day.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but, no, not by me. I supported you from day one.

[Peter]

Sure you did.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I mean, listen, getting Harry Douglas on the show respectfully was a great. We love Harry Douglas. Guy killed it.

[Peter]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

But today you're taking your roller decks. You're slamming it right down on the table.

[Peter]

Well, I mean, you don't often have a 51 point win the close out of series. Right. So it's definitely worth doing. But I want everybody to understand. So why, why I asked Ben to give us the, the image of what last night was for him, which is to. I'm working. He said, I'm working. So he's, he, they're, they're shooting, they're filming, and yet he's trying to follow the game. So literally you're saying, action. You have to watch what's happening. And the next time he looks down at his phone, it goes from 9 to 6 to 40 to 15. And he's like, what did I just miss?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that funniest part, the funniest part to me is that he was still worried about what's going to happen in the third quarter. I'm like, the third quarter?

[Peter]

Yeah, you can go work now. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, now you just don't want to work because it was, that thing was a rap.

[Peter]

I said, I said to him, like, did you get to watch it back? Because I said, I, I said he was watching on his phone. He said the whole crew was freaking out. I said, that does not do it justice. He said, I know. I said, I hope you could watch that first quarterback on a bigger tv. The defense was incredible. And he said he plans on doing that, but still, like, it shows you what kind of fanny is. And the fact that he's shooting now, he's filming now. While he called in, he texted me that I'm in a break, I've got 10 minutes and then he will. He called in, by the way, how great is that?

[Alan Hahn]

Fantastic. A man of his word. And a true Knicks fan. Not like that questionably fraud Mariska Hargitay. But we'll deal with her on another day.

[Don Hahn]

Discuss yes, thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to know how the

[Peter]

sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.

[Don Hahn]

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.

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