Hour 1: Knicks-Pistons Game 6 Preview

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Knicks-Pistons Game 6 Preview

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Hosts: Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Episode: Hour 1: Knicks-Pistons Game 6 Preview
• Release Date: May 1, 2025

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1. Introduction and Series Context

In the premiere episode titled "Knicks-Pistons Game 6 Preview," hosts Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into the high-stakes Game 6 of the Knicks vs. Pistons playoff series. The discussion sets the stage for a potentially decisive game that could determine the series outcome.

Notable Quote:

• Don LaGreca [00:58]: "We're hoping for a Knicks closeout tonight. The Pistons have been tough, but the Knicks have the momentum."

2. Series Overview and Key Dynamics

The hosts analyze the progression of the series, emphasizing the Knicks' struggles in the third quarter versus their strong fourth-quarter performances. They highlight the Pistons' resilience and the critical role of Julius Randall in disrupting the Knicks' gameplay.

Notable Quotes:

• Alan Hahn [03:16]: "The Knicks are minus 33 in the third quarter but manage to turn it around in the fourth. That's not sustainable."
• Don LaGreca [04:05]: "Randall was relentless against Doncic. That physicality played right into the Pistons' strengths."

3. Officiating Concerns and Impact

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the officiating throughout the series. Alan Hahn expresses concerns over the inconsistency in calls between games, questioning how this might influence Game 6's outcome.

Notable Quotes:

• Alan Hahn [10:34]: "Game five's officiating felt like a different series entirely. Will tonight see the same tight control or revert to earlier chaos?"
• Don LaGreca [11:52]: "Inconsistent officiating creates a terrible pattern. We need stability if the Knicks are to close this out."

4. Mental Toughness and Team Psychology

The hosts discuss the mental battle between the Knicks and Pistons, touching upon the Pistons' attempts to rattle the Knicks through trash-talking and psychological tactics. They debate whether these efforts have led to the Pistons being the more rattled team.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg [28:55]: "The Pistons might look like the more rattled team now, especially in the fourth quarter. The Knicks need to maintain their composure."
• Don LaGreca [34:18]: "Mental toughness is key. If the Knicks can stay focused, they have a real chance tonight."

5. Injuries and Player Availability

Injuries play a pivotal role in the series dynamics. The hosts express concern over key Knicks players like Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, discussing their readiness and impact on Game 6.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg [08:48]: "Brunson's ankle tweak could be a game-changer. If he's not ready, the Knicks are in trouble."
• Josh Hart [41:37]: "I believe in our team. We have stops and good looks, but missing key players affects our performance."

6. Listener Calls and Community Insights

Engaging with their audience, the hosts take calls from listeners who share insights and predictions. Topics range from player performances to potential coaching decisions.

Notable Quotes:

• Listener Josh Hart [33:16]: "My prediction is the Knicks will win tonight and move to round two. Let's get excited about this team."
• Listener Javi [45:00]: "Brunson wasn't ready in game five. If he's not in top form tonight, the Knicks face serious issues."

7. Trade Speculations and Future Outlook

The discussion briefly touches on the possibility of trading Knicks players for star talents like Giannis Antetokounmpo. The hosts debate the feasibility and strategic value of such moves.

Notable Quotes:

• Don LaGreca [47:38]: "Giannis is a game-changer. The Knicks could win a championship with him and Brunson at the core."
• Alan Hahn [46:25]: "Milwaukee can likely do better than what the Knicks are offering. It's a conversation for another time."

8. Predictions and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts share their predictions for Game 6, weighing the factors of team performance, mental resilience, and officiating. They express cautious optimism about the Knicks' ability to close the series but acknowledge the Pistons' fighting spirit.

Notable Quotes:

• Alan Hahn [35:02]: "If the Knicks lose tonight, their path becomes tougher. They need to handle this game decisively."
• Peter Rosenberg [31:42]: "The Knicks need to feed off the crowd and their experience. I don't see them losing tonight."

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Conclusion: The first hour of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" provides a comprehensive and engaging preview of the pivotal Game 6 between the Knicks and Pistons. Through in-depth analysis, critical discussions on officiating and mental toughness, and interactive listener segments, the hosts offer listeners a nuanced understanding of the game's potential outcomes. Notable quotes sprinkled throughout the episode add depth and authenticity to the analysis, making it a valuable resource for fans eager to grasp the series' key dynamics.

Transcript

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[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, maybe they can go pee on each other. That'd be great.

[Alan Hahn]

Han, there's a lot of women out there that want you. Alan and Rosenberg.

[Don LaGreca]

Give me the porn. For God's sake. This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[Alan Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Don LaGreca]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Alan Hahn]

880, ESPN and the ESPN New York app.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, yeah, baby.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's up?

[Don LaGreca]

Don Hahn and Rosenberg on a yet another Nick closeout Thursday. Right? That's what we're hoping for. Alan Hahn is going to make his way downtown later on to have all the coverage for you on msg. But for right now, Peter Rosenberg, Donald Marco Legreca, and Alan Martavius Hahn on this beautiful Thursday in New York City, where hopefully the Knicks find their stones and close out the Detroit Pistons. Hey, guys. How are you?

[Alan Hahn]

They better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

After. After what everybody saw the Timberwolves do last night on the road.

[Don LaGreca]

Close it out, baby.

[Alan Hahn]

With Julius Randall front and center. Don't think for a minute that that's not going to start resonating loudly if things don't go well tonight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's all. It's all part of constructing the narrative of. Yeah, you know, what might have been, who's here, who shouldn't be here. The best two words in sports are game seven. Not for Nick fans. No.

[Don LaGreca]

Such a great point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Part of a game seven.

[Alan Hahn]

I might steal that tomorrow on get up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do it, man.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a great way to put it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It is. We salivate over it when we don't have a dog in the fight, but when you got a chance to wrap it up, as cool as it would be at this point, you know you want to just win the series and to finally clinch one at home, but the stomach I don't think would be able to take it on Saturday for a game seven. Just get it over with and just get it done.

[Alan Hahn]

This is where I think, Peter, tonight is where you want to play the playoff music. Wrap it up, B. Yeah, like this is where. Third quarter. And that's. That's if anybody's. Like, anybody I've seen so far in the subway, a couple of people on my way up, actually, on the street, just outside, everybody. What do you think about tonight? What do you think about tonight? Even outside, just. Just, you know, just getting a drink, right? People here in the.

[Don LaGreca]

In the building.

[Alan Hahn]

In the building. And it's. What do you. How do you feel about tonight? How do you feel about tonight? And I think my consistent answer is, I'll know in the third quarter because as I told you guys, that that third quarter has been an absolute disaster for the Knicks. They're minus 33 in the third quarter. Did I give you guys a stat yesterday? Am I repeating myself?

[Don LaGreca]

That one you said, am I going, old man?

[Alan Hahn]

Because they are plus 24 in the fourth quarter and they're minus 33 in the third quarter. That math ain't math, right? Like, so you're chasing constantly in the fourth quarter. Too dangerous a game to keep playing. Obviously it bit them in the game five.

[Don LaGreca]

They don't play it very well.

[Alan Hahn]

Can't do it tonight. Come out of the half, rip the door off the hinges and just take control of the game and then just get this thing home. Otherwise, Saturday night, scary.

[Don LaGreca]

I. I was watching some of the Lakers T Wolves last night, and I understand all the feelings people are going to have about Randall and DiVincenzo, but with Randle in particular, he was Dyson.

[Alan Hahn]

Up, Doncic, he's in killing him.

[Don LaGreca]

He's in such a great spot there. And I just don't know that the version of Randall that sits next to Edwards is the same Randall we would have gotten with it being, quote, Brunson's team. I don't know that it would have ever fit in.

[Alan Hahn]

It definitely looks different. But keep in mind, too, for half a season in Minnesota, it did not look good. Like, they had their options, was a mess. It took them a while.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's why they're the secret.

[Alan Hahn]

That's why they're right.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And. And this series, see, with Randall, it's like, you look at him, you go, this is your matchup. And you give him the green light and you put him in attack mode. And they had. They kept finding him on. I mean, Luka just like, Luka got embarrassed last night, you know, like, defensively, they were literally picking on him, and Randall was the guy just driving by him left and right because. Because of the physicality, Luca wanted nothing to do with it. So that. That played right into all of Randall's strengths and good for him. But the Divincenzo aspect man, Anthony Edwards. How about this? I said, maybe in the off season the Knicks can try to trade back, you know, get him back some way. Dante DiVincenzo. Because he fits so well here. He's so well connected. Anthony Edwards said after game four, he said, he pointed to DiVincenzo, he goes, you know, I'm not really good at reading defenses. I'm not really good at seeing what the other team's doing. That's not. I just play. Dante tells me what the team's doing, the scheme that they're running, and then he tells me what I should do. He's like, so shout out to Dante because you know, without that I wouldn't have really been able to attack. And I'm thinking there's no way in hell they're trading Dante now. No, if that, if he's the Ant man whisperer. Oh no.

[Don LaGreca]

He's locked in, baby. He's locked in. And that team, listen, it's, it's a double edged sword. We're definitely obviously here.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to hear here's what he said just so we you get an idea?

[Don LaGreca]

No, please.

[Alan Hahn]

In case I fat handed it here he be.

[Malik Beasley]

Nah. Dante does a great job of coming and telling me like what they doing out there defensively because sometimes I don't really recognize it. And when he gets in the game, he, he makes it easier for me for sure because he tells me like, hey Sac, they overplaying. You can backdoor right now. So just being able to read the game and then having teammates, that looks out for you, I think that's the main. That's the best thing about it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, he's not getting traded.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, no, just get used to that. Now I will say the NBA playoffs has not caught every break in terms of interest. It is interesting though because the ratings.

[Alan Hahn]

Have been good though.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, no, but I mean moving forward with what we're going to see, right?

[Alan Hahn]

There's some storylines already out, so.

[Don LaGreca]

The lake. Now listen, Minnesota is an interesting team, but I'm sorry, losing the Lakers in the first round with how much spice there could have been, it's, it's a big loss. Even though I love watching those guys play and also give my man Rudy Gobert his props. This man hasn't been. This man hasn't had impact like this since he brought Covid to the NBA.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what I mean?

[Don LaGreca]

Since he shut down the league. We never seen it like this from Rudy Gobert since he was licking the desk at the press conference. No, but in all Seriousness, he's, you can say this is all Ann Edwards. It's not. This has been a group effort. This team is playing really good basketball. But Don, it is a loss to lose the Lakers. And what an interesting season for Redick. Season started out bad. The Bronnie story took over. Redick seemed defensive and kind of lost. Then they settled in, start playing great basketball. Then they get maybe the best offensive player in the league and start looking even better. And then I don't know if you guys saw like his, his press conference before the game yesterday, but Redick just looked completely overwhelmed, nervous, angry.

[Alan Hahn]

He knows he blew game four. He knows he, he gambled and it blew up in his face. He.

[Don LaGreca]

And he seemed very tight before Game 5.

[Alan Hahn]

And we'll get to this, I'm sure, later. But LeBron always does this now leaves that little.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know. So, you know, will he come back for a record season? He's going to play that game. So. But there's a lot to do here. And on the Knicks front, I think that's where we start. But there's. Today is a. I just want to warn. I know the Mets are playing right now, but Don, especially you, I'm going to warn you because our rewrite, the headline thing that we do on Thursdays, this one, I had a little help because I was talking to Peter yesterday about ChatGPT and I'm really interested in how it works, right? So I thought, let me let ChatGPT help me rewrite history and I'll tell you what the results. Wait till you hear the results of this rewrite of a historic moment in New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm looking forward to it.

[Alan Hahn]

So that's coming up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So we got that 4:30.

[Alan Hahn]

That's at 4:30. So 800 now. 193776 confidence level right now. If you're asking me, I got a little bit of a crisis in confidence. I do. I don't know how to say with my chest what I think's going to happen. I picked the series end in five, so now I'm out. Right. I was wrong. And because of the way game five ended, that's what worries me. The way Hart fell hard on his hip and he was not well enough to stay in the game. And Jalen Brunson tweaked that right ankle again and was not well enough to stay in the game. Now they're not on the injury list. The Knicks have no one on the injured list and Brunson said that he was fine, but I still that that makes me start to feel like. Remember last year playoffs when the injuries started to happen and they were playing through them but they just weren't the same. That's the part right now that's got me a little concerned.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just brace yourself because obviously history is a great indicator on what's going to happen. So when you look at this series, get ready for a one or two point game in the final two minutes and it's going to come down to a rebound, a missed foul shot, a call either way and just trying to find a way to survive. I mean style points are over, guys. Early in the series for me it was evaluating pre scouting what things can look like beyond the first round. That's over now. It's just trying to get out of the first round. So it doesn't matter what it looks like tonight. Just get it, just get it and then just try to reevaluate moving forward. So throw out the style points, the evaluations, just get it done. And why is this game going to be any different than 2, 3, 4 and 5? Why? It's odd. It's going to be the same.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, the officiating has been. I didn't talk about this yesterday because I didn't want it to sound like losers lament. But we do have to address the fact that the officiating was in game five was so like the complete opposite scale of what the series has been where everything was called everything. And as I was worried about some foul trouble early for some Nick players and rhythm and everything else, like all that stuff, I understand there was definitely a message to be sent. But I mean there was a whole game worth of makeup call for that missed call in game four. So if you said, well, they shouldn't have won game four, so we're going to call it tight and that helps them win game fine. But what are we getting tonight now? Are we getting the same thing as five, which is you got to call everything and keep it under control or is it going to go back to what we saw in Games 3 and 4 in Detroit, which was an absolute mosh pit and anything goes, what are we getting from the officiating? That part of it, if you just take the aerial view and not have a fan point of view, that's the biggest question of tonight is what kind of whistle are you gonna get and how much of an impact is it gonna have on the game? I don't wanna talk about officiating. But every game we do, and once.

[Don LaGreca]

It starts, you're playing this back and forth game of making up, then making up the other way. It just starts a terrible pattern. I'm back on first take tomorrow, like you dream about.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll see you tomorrow morning. That's great. You and me, baby.

[Don LaGreca]

We have a little tradition.

[Alan Hahn]

I love it.

[Don LaGreca]

And I'm gonna be sipping my hot tea, of course, as I tend to do. Keep the voice right.

[Alan Hahn]

You gotta make Laura go get it with her one arm.

[Don LaGreca]

That's right. And I had a call with a producer earlier who was asking me, you know, some thoughts for tomorrow's show. And, you know, they're always looking for a juicy thing. And they were like. She said, if the Knicks lose tonight, do you think they're gonna lose game seven? And I said, I know the sexy thing. And for me to get the good spot on first take would be for me to say, absolutely, if they lose tonight, they're losing games. I was like. But unfortunately, I know this team too well. And if they lose tonight, no, I still think they'll probably squeak it out in Game 7. But I can tell you, if they lose tonight, I can tell you it's a team I don't think serious about their business. And they've now shown it to us over and over and over again, like, man up tonight and win a tough game on the road and close this.

[Alan Hahn]

Series, which is what they did in three and four. They played very furry. They were very connected and tough and mentally and all that.

[Don LaGreca]

They also caught breaks and that slipped.

[Alan Hahn]

They did. No, no, they did.

[Don LaGreca]

It was that plus they caught brace. But, Don, you don't ever. What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Are you playing a certain way which leads to you catching the breaks, or do you just catch breaks?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But if you just play your game, it shouldn't matter, right? I mean, we're talking about. The reason that the officiating has become such a thing in this series is because the games have been so tight. And if you do take care of business, it shouldn't come down to that. We know it will, but, you know, go out there and play the way that you should be able to play and get it done. And I think the fact they're on the road is good news for them. Alan brought it up yesterday. Can you see, you know, them losing this series? No, I just. I can't. And I just. And I can't see them losing a Game seven. You're right, Peter. That's not the way to bet that they're going to lose the series if they lose tonight. I just don't. You don't want to have to deal with the Game seven. But there is something about the Garden and the pressure that comes with playing there and how pumped the Pistons would be to play at the Garden. We've seen how tight they've been at home because that's when the inexperience kind of hurts. You sometimes is with the crowd all into it and you want to show off. Kind of like hockey power plays, right? Sometimes when you struggle on the power play, the worst place to be is at home. Because now the fans are kind of telling you when you're not shooting the puck and it bounces out of the zone and everybody gets frustrated. That kind of happens when you're home where the crowd's all pumped up, but then you miss a shot. It's like, ooh. And you feel like you're disappointing the people in front of you. And that's why I think the Knicks will feed off of the crowd and the fact that they're on the road and also the fact that I just don't. I just don't see them losing. But I didn't see them losing the Game five either, you know, so.

[Alan Hahn]

But they are funny at home. It's funny you bring that up. I remember years ago when Dpietro and I were doing the show together and it was something that he said. I think it was when the Mets were on their way to the world series, like 2015. And he said that in there's certain sports where there is no home field advantage or home court or home. He felt like in hockey, what you just said, Don, that exists some pressure that is on the home team that you feel it's palpable and it almost makes you play tight. Baseball, kind of the same thing, too. Like, the crowd just kind of gets a little anxious and nervous and you feed. You feel it. Football, nothing. Like there's nothing there. Right. Basketball was the one that you always felt like home court advantage was a big deal in basketball because the crowd momentum and the crowd noise and they're on your case and all the things that you love to be at home for. But because you said that, and I wasn't really thinking about it after the game because there was so much else to think about. But I will tell you that there was a nervousness in that game. And maybe that's the problem. It was that we got to close it out. We got to close it out. And then the crowd is also feeling that Same anxiety of, we got it, we just, we can't mess this.

[Don LaGreca]

We got to close it out.

[Alan Hahn]

And it just gripped everyone to the point where nobody could make a shot early in that game. I wonder if that's a real thing.

[Don LaGreca]

I always talk about the tightness, and I think at msg, actually, guys, it's as bad as anywhere because it's the Garden. Yeah, there is a tightness, Don. I was there for the last game of the playoffs last year, and you could feel the tightness so early in that first half, like you just got the set when. When they're in a must win game, that building gets tight very quick, Don. And I don't know what it is. If there's just extra sauce because it's msg, the way the lights are on, I feel like it hits the players hard.

[Alan Hahn]

How do you think that is in a game seven?

[Don LaGreca]

That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying.

[Alan Hahn]

It would.

[Don LaGreca]

It's bad.

[Alan Hahn]

I got the referee. Go ahead.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was like. I always felt it with the Rangers because, like, Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, I've had the ability during the playoffs back in the day where I'd be the third announcer at the glass. So I kind of was in the same position the players were in where the fans are all on top of you and you can really sense their anxiety in a big game and, and they're loud, but it's a different kind of loud.

[Don LaGreca]

It's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not like. It's not as throaty. It's not. It's not from. From the diaphragm kind of. It's. It's like.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not a roar.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's like.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just put yourself. Any fan knows that, like what you're feeling and then you want to be into it and you're cheering. But there's that apprehension. There's that. That nervousness that I think the. That especially a team that doesn't have like a ton of postseason victories, like a ton of winning experience, that it could end up working as a negative. And that's in the Knicks as presently constituted. It's somewhat new. It's not like there's a bunch of rings jingling and jangling there. I think in the NBA is the best home advantage because you see how difficult it is to win game Sevens on the road and all that. But the really good teams like Boston, the Warriors, you know, teams that have won a ton, they feed off the crowd and it's always a positive when they're home. But Teams that are in that transition, like the Pistons, the Knicks, of trying to become that team during the maturity of that is just how to handle those moments in your own building. And plus, add to the fact that the road team always seems to get the vibe off the Garden more than any other building, makes for a real bad sauce as far as trying to win the game. And I think this can work to the Knicks advantage tonight, where I'm sure that crowd, not expecting to get another home game, you know, is going to be up for grabs. And does that work against the Pistons because of their inexperience?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, because they were super jacked up in both those games early on in that game as well. All right, so the referee assignment, this is a veteran crew for tonight, so that bodes well, I would think. Tony Brothers, Ed Malloy, Mark Lindsay, these are three officials that have been. They. These are very experienced, especially Tony Brothers. Well respected. Everybody likes him. He doesn't overreact to a lot of things, but he also maintains control. The one guy I'd be a little concerned was Ed Malloy. Here's why Ed Malloy is. He's also very experienced. I mean, he's done NBA Finals, so he's not bad. But there are times he gets caught up in crowd momentum. You will see him make a call, and it's almost like it could have gone 50, 50. He'll always do it, like, almost. And I'm not saying he does, but it almost feels like he does it for the cheer. So if it's a 50, 50 out of bounds or it's a 50, 50, like, could it be a charge offensive or defensive foul? He'll always go with, like, it feels like he goes with the home team and does with a little extra zest. And then the crowd goes crazy, you know, a little Enrico Palazzo, you know what I mean? So anyways, that, that. So that's the crew for tonight. We'll see how that goes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now you're on the inside with the N. Anything from the league be communicated to these officials tonight?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think it's directly. Like, it's not Adam silver, but Monty McCutcheon is obviously in charge of the officials, and they have conversations all the time and they're aware of. I mean, this is. What is this? There's only two series left, right? It's this one and the one the Clippers. And the Clippers, Denver, which is the second game tonight, and they're both playing game six tomorrow. Oh, right. That's my bad. So they. They will discuss you know, all the. What are we seeing? What are the trends? Everything else. I imagine there was a. There'll be a discussion about tonight's game, and that's why I wondered why it was called so tightly in game five at the Garden. That's why I want to see. Will they maintain that. All right. That we set that tone in game five. Let's be consistent. Or is it more or less of, okay, we. We sent that message in game five, you know, now we'll just make sure we're just calling what needs to be called.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If I were following this series and I. And I worked at the NBA, what I would probably want to communicate to the officials is don't become the story.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, so whatever that means. Now, however you take that message, does that mean that don't become the story means I gotta call everything so nobody thinks that, you know, I'm looking the other way? Or does it work the other way, where, hey, I'm not gonna make the call. That's gonna change the game. I'm gonna let them play. How do you think that message. Cause I know that's gotta be the message, right. Whatever you guys do, don't be the.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, don't, don't, don't, don't be. But you also want to make sure as you maintain control. So to me, it's nothing extraneous. That's how I would look at it, is this has been a physical series. Both teams have conditioned themselves for it. Just nothing extra, you know, like a hard screen's a hard screen, that's fine, but not a shove, you know, okay, after the whistle stuff like, just keep control of that. Anything extra, you crack down. But I'm not going to call ticky tax, not in this series. And I felt like game five was a lot of ticky tax, especially early. And that, you know, that was, again, something to adjust to. So it's a lot. Again, I don't want to talk about it. You don't want officials efficient, just like you said, Don. You don't want that to be the center of conversation. But it doesn't mean it won't be, because it has been in this series so far. Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then the. And then the easy way for it to be part of the narrative is if it's a close game, because then everybody's gonna be looking. Every call, every non call, it becomes if whoever, somebody wins by 10 tonight, all of a sudden it's not an issue because, you know, the game wasn't close. But if it's close as pretty much even, even game one. I think the final was a, it was 11 point. It was still, you know, somewhat close game. But if it goes down to the way the the two through five have gone down, I'm sure tomorrow there'll be a conversation about some call or non call that affected the outcome.

[Alan Hahn]

This has been excruciating, but it's been one where you gotta be tough. There's a player on the Pistons that loves to talk and he earlier today suggested that the Knicks are not mentally tough and that's why the Pistons feel confident that they can come back in this series. You gotta hear that audio that's coming up.

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[Alan Hahn]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. You might say all kinds of stuff when things go wrong, but these are.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

Valid for item of vehicle or lesser value. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don LaGreca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don LaGreca]

Oh yeah, baby. It's Don Hahn and Rosenberg on a beautiful Thursday. These sweet tones of. What is that now? It's happening over there.

[Alan Hahn]

Acdc. It's ACD says Hell's Bells.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, it's Hell's Bells. One of the biggest. That's one of the biggest ACDC songs.

[Alan Hahn]

There is one of them. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Brian Johnson's first album after Bon Scott passed away. Juan Soto his second home run.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, now let's have a conversation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Three, two Diamondbacks in the bottom of the eighth inning. Both runs. The Mets off solo home runs by Soto. So I guess, I guess if they lose, the conversation will be. Yeah, only it's home run solo home runs though.

[Alan Hahn]

Who cares?

[Don LaGreca]

That's a great.

[Alan Hahn]

Can't do it when guys are on base. How you pay him all this money as opposed to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or a great player would make sure there was somebody on.

[Malik Beasley]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

Listen, he had a big moment last night where he could have really had his like, let's turn things around.

[Alan Hahn]

He drew the walk.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He drew the walk.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, I said, did he shimmy?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, yeah, exactly. I wrote the group. I said it wasn't sexy, but it was a very Soto at bat, like a smart at bat in a key spot, got on base. And by the way, you're in a situation now where you have Pete Alonso there too. It's not all on Soto at all. And he had a good at bat. But now today, to get the two solo home runs, maybe just beat the. Beat the Diamondbacks.

[Alan Hahn]

That'd be nice. Let's see if that happens. Meantime, more urgently, the Knicks need to beat the Pistons tonight. But the Pistons, after winning game five and they were saying this going into game five, they felt like they have nothing to lose. They felt like we're just, we're in the corner, all we got to do is punch our way out. They keep talking about this physical and toughness factor that they have felt has been on their side in this series. And in fact, Malik Beasley, who just loves to just stir it up. You see Social media. See what he did.

[Don LaGreca]

I saw you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't hear it yet.

[Alan Hahn]

I think somebody tweeted something about bridges going for 40. Yeah.

[Malik Beasley]

And I said, he's going for 40. He said, what, 44 minutes?

[Alan Hahn]

40 minutes. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And then he said they're the mentally tougher team.

[Alan Hahn]

And then he said this about mental toughness. Malik, you controlled Mikhail Breakers a little bit on Twitter the other day.

[Don LaGreca]

No comment.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you think you guys are winning that mental battle, you know, in the series?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mental battle.

[Malik Beasley]

Coach has been preaching that this whole.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Year we gotta be mentally stronger than everybody. I think we are that mentally stronger than.

[Malik Beasley]

You gotta continue to keep doing what we're doing.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you enjoy kind of being, you know, an antagonist and taking on that role as sort of an antagonist?

[Malik Beasley]

I'm mad at me. I'm just having fun.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's me who I am.

[Alan Hahn]

We enjoy being that mentally tougher team, and I think we are.

[Don LaGreca]

It wasn't as bad. I mean, maybe I was overwhelmed.

[Alan Hahn]

The headline that was written about it made it sound obviously like he was calling out the Knicks, but he was talking about simply that we're. We're trying to be the mentally tougher team. We believe we were.

[Don LaGreca]

It wasn't that bad.

[Alan Hahn]

When you heard. But this has been what they. But this has been what they've been trying to do. And him downplaying the antagonist thing, that's a. That's a real thing. They have been going at towns a lot. They have been trash talking Brunson a lot. They have been trying to rattle this Knicks team as much as they possibly can. And you know, you could argue that they've gotten two games based off of that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they look like the more rattled team.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, fourth quarters. They do, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, well, that's. That's where winning's done. Right. That's the fourth quarter.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, they've. They've blown double digit leads in the fourth quarter. I mean, they've. They could have won this series if they had played just remotely better in the fourth quarter. Like, so when you talk about that stuff, I still think, yeah, the Knicks need to play better. Certainly.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, they can't play well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe have been rattled, but I think the more rattled team. And the pistons are down 3, 2 because of their immaturity, because they're inexperienced and the lack of ability to close out games at times.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. And it is something that for them, maybe. Did they figure something out in the fourth quarter? Because Kate Cunningham had a great fourth quarter. And you know, again, Mariano Rivera was left in the bullpen, sitting on the court side. He could not get in the game. And therefore, we don't know what could have happened if Brunson was in the game. And maybe he makes a couple of shots instead of being outscored 6 to 2 in that time, he was out. Which led to, of course, the Knicks being on the losing side of it. Let's get some calls. 800-919-3776. And our good friend Javi in Queens.

[Don LaGreca]

There he is.

[Alan Hahn]

Javi.

[Josh Hart]

How you feeling, guys? You know, before I started, I picked them in six, so I feel great. My just. The only thing disappointing about the other day was I didn't get to come to Stout and be in the live presence of Donica McNutt. I thought Donna McNutt was what was gonna get the Knicks over the hump the other day. But we'll go with my prediction. Okay? I've been. Guys, guys, the show has been tremendous. I loved the list yesterday. And I love the list because I feel like, Don, when you put a list together, it's like there's. There could be a list within the list. It's like Inception. So I think the good follow up to yesterday's list is the best connected punches in one of those brawls, because as we know, those brawls are always just a lot of. A lot of swings and misses, a lot of just chest bumping. So I'm curious to know who you think connects the absolute best. And with the Knicks, my reason for feeling good about them tonight is I think Brunson thrives off of the overrated chance, more so than the MVP chance. I think the Knicks are answering the bell in hostile territory, and I think that's. That's the big difference in this series. So I feel really good about tonight. I think they're going to move on. Let's go. Like, let's get excited about this team. Like, let's, let's, let's. Let's stop the negative bibs talk. Look at how Minnesota just beat the Lakers eight guy rotation. Everyone with heavy minutes, like, get over it, guys. Tibbs is a good coach. I hate to disappoint Detroit and Bart, but it ends tonight. And let's move on to round two. All right.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go. That's the energy we need today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I do, I do think things have gotten lost because it hasn't looked great and expectations were a lot higher. But you still are in control. You're going to be in a building tonight. You've already won there twice. You're up. Three, two. Let's go now. I like that attitude.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the way you're supposed to act. Now, his other point about punches connected. I was thinking more about Don the list after the show. And there's one that didn't get a lot of play, but there is a Knicks Lakers brawl that involved Chris Childs and Kobe Bryant where Chris Childs connects with a cross that. I mean, it just stunned Kobe because he, like, I guess Kobe was trying to son him. And Chris Child's like, I'm not that guy. And he. I mean, you know, not a lot of times we get connected punches in these brawls. You know that because everybody's just flailing stuff.

[Don LaGreca]

That one.

[Alan Hahn]

Whoo. That one connected.

[Don LaGreca]

That's a. That was a. That's a classic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Just off the top of my head, you don't really see too many because even the Ray Knight one where he punches Eric Davis in the face, he could have given a lot more, but you don't really. In hockey there's been a few. But you know, in these brawls, you usually don't get that haymaker. What was the one? The Blue Jay one. That was a good one.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, Rugnet o'door. Yeah. Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Batista, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but it was. He caught Batista, right? Didn't O'Door catch Batista. I mean, clocked him. Yeah. Those are the ones. You don't. You don't see those now the hockey brawls again. That's why I go back to Gillies Hospitar. I mean, Don, even watching it now, that still gives you chills. It's scary. That fight was serious and that changed a lot of things in between those two teams.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that for sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's keep going with the calls. 800 Now, 193776. Griffin in Connecticut wants to talk some Knicks with us.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, Griff, what's up?

[Josh Hart]

Hey, guys. I have a question for Dom, but that can wait another day because Anthony helped me with that. I think the Knicks ended tonight. I have a very good feeling. I think Bridges could play well tonight because I think he's going to look at what Beasley said and I think he's going to go out there and show Malik Beasley who's boss and end the Pistons season tonight and they can talk the talk to their. To their sweet home in Detroit.

[Alan Hahn]

That's. That's. You talk about getting that sweet revenge. You want to shut up. Trash talk. Thank you, Griff. That right, boys. I mean, if there's any way to quiet A team that keeps talking about you being soft is send them. Eliminate them on their home floor.

[Don LaGreca]

Mm.

[Alan Hahn]

And so you do that tonight.

[Don LaGreca]

And it's just such a mental thing. Like, if you want to go into this series, if there is another series, you want to go into a series against Boston with confidence. You also want to go in with the rest. Like, there's the mental part of it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And then there's the physical part of it. You get a whole weekend here. That Saturday on the NBA calendar is only reserved for Game 7. There's nothing on the docket, so you can mentally feel like, hey, you know what? We made it a little ugly. We lost a game five we shouldn't have. But guess what? In game six, we went out there, we handled our business. We still got to rest. We're ready for the Celtics. Or you're fighting till the bitter end and then getting two days rest. It's not ideal two days.

[Alan Hahn]

Again, if you. If you have to play a game seven, you wake up the next morning and get on a plane to Boston.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's it.

[Alan Hahn]

Sunday. Did you play a Monday?

[Don LaGreca]

They fly to Boston, of course.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I guess.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah. Josh Hart talked about that whole aspect of rest versus being the only series still playing in the East.

[Malik Beasley]

No, we don't really think about it. That's just kind of like that ongoing debate with never really much proof. You know, we could sit there and be like, oh, we played six or seven games. We're in a good flow of stuff. They're all for a week. You know, they're not rhythm. You know, we don't matter. I mean, it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, we got to take care of what we got to take care of. You know, give those teams credit. They played tough series, and we're able to, you know, come out and four or five games, but I don't think any of us thought just searing. Love your cakewalk. This is a heck of a team over there with a really good coach and coaching, and we respect them and, you know, so we just got to make sure we focus on that. Those teams can get wrestling. You know, it's cool for them, but we got to make sure we just take care of what we can take care of.

[Alan Hahn]

I think he's just trying to convince himself and everybody else about that. I think we all know that they would have loved to have just finished the series off in five and get a couple of days to, you know, recoup a couple of injuries, have a couple of days to reset Watch some film on the Celtics and get your mind on the Celtics.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, if they had, if they had wrapped things up on Tuesday, they'd be playing game one on Saturday, right?

[Alan Hahn]

No, it sounds like Monday was game one. Regardless.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what I think when you look at the amount of rest that Boston got, if it is a factor, I think it could affect Boston rust more than maybe the Knicks not being rested enough. Because if they can wrap it up tonight, you know, you're going to get Friday, Saturday off. The travel's not that crazy. You're going to go, you know, return to New York and then go to Boston. That's a quick flight where the Celtics would have gone six days without playing. If anybody's going to be affected, I think it would be more the Celtics rust than the Knicks.

[Alan Hahn]

If you want to steal one game, you. That's how you do it. You're saying like is because they haven't.

[Don LaGreca]

Played in a week.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like I said, if it's anything now, if the Knicks have to play a Game 7 on Tuesday, then I think it does negatively affect the Knicks because they do have banged up players. And it's going to be play Saturday at the Garden and the next morning you wake up and fly to Boston for a game next day, that, that, that would be tough. But if they can wrap it up tonight, I think it's just enough rest perfect. And maybe a little too much rest for Boston because they wrapped things up on Tuesday, didn't have to travel, and then don't play again till the following Monday. If, again, if it affects anybody, it might not affect.

[Don LaGreca]

No, you listen, if this is the beauty of it, this series has had some serious flubs by the players and by Thibodeau. That being said, you go out and win the game in Detroit and no one remembers it. You move.

[Alan Hahn]

You.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, you want it. You won a road game to end the series. You win four, two, you moved on.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes. In the end, that's what it becomes is nobody cares. It's just he's still got four, and that's all that matters. But it's, you know, we don't, we don't really look at how it looks like when it's. It's over. It's while it's happening that it feels like a mess because I think we all know getting to the second round, the rest of us will be just sitting back going, all right, let's see what happens. Because there's nothing to predict. All right, we'll get back to you. Calls 800. I went nine 3776 more your thoughts on the Knicks and the Pistons tonight, Game six in Detroit. And we have your coverage right here on 880 ESPN. Allen Hahn here to tell you about my friends at Bath Fitter. They remodeled the bath in my house. I was telling you guys about this. My wife is excited. We updated a bath by our pool that converted a tub into a shower so we can use it for the summer. Guests can use it to clean off after spending the day in the pool and when we have sleepovers with the kids and everything else. Bathfitter is a consultant came and took us through the process with a free in home consultation. That was the best part because we didn't know how this was going to work. They explained everything so perfectly and it went really easy. Stephanie picked out the style, the color, all the specifics and accessories to update the bath customized the way she wanted it and Bath Fitter worked fast. Kevin showed up. He was done in two days. Delivered the highest quality work without delay. Bathfitter is a permanent solution everybody. It's a one piece seamless wall for a watertight fit and a lifetime guarantee. You can trust the Bath Fitter team like we did as they've been in business for 40 years with millions of happy customers and right now you can save up to $500. So start designing your bath like we did. Visit bathfitter.com for more details. There's only one bath fitter.

[Don LaGreca]

Hey there travelers. Kaley Cuoco here. Sorry to interrupt your music great artist.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

Priceline. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you.

[Don LaGreca]

To Mint Mobile today.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first 3 months only, then Full price plan, options available. Taxes and fees, extra fee. Full [e-mail] thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don LaGreca]

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. Hey, Don. It's game time. Brought to you by. Tell them our Dew Irish Whiskey.

[Don LaGreca]

Because when it begins.

[Alan Hahn]

Game time. Wow. You hear that little.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, there's something in there.

[Alan Hahn]

That was. That was. No, that was good. See, you just. And you're showing me up, too, because now. Now I'm never going to do these again. Again. Mets Diamondbacks this afternoon. That's going on. Do we have a score? Can we. I didn't have my four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Two Diamondbacks open. We're moving. Top of the ninth.

[Don LaGreca]

Pull it together, man.

[Alan Hahn]

At least Soto has two runs on home runs. That's nice. The Knicks look to close out the Pistons coverage immediately following us right here on 880, ESPN at 7. Tell them or do the original. Well, we're on 1050, aren't we? So not right here on 880, but on 880 and of course, ESPN or Cap Tullamore Dew. The original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew, honey. During tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly.

[Don LaGreca]

Just a habit.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but as I've told people, just get the app and you don't have to think. Who likes to think?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just not a thing.

[Alan Hahn]

No. Josh Hart on his injuries, right? How do you play through the pain, prayer and faith? How are you feeling right now?

[Malik Beasley]

Exquisite.

[Don LaGreca]

Exquisite.

[Alan Hahn]

Not buying that. Did you get your wrist looked at?

[Malik Beasley]

I mean. Yeah, I mean, I think we did some. Looked at some stuff, but we're good.

[Alan Hahn]

Looked at some stuff. How about imaging?

[Malik Beasley]

I don't know. The main important thing. I was just seeing if I was gonna be able to put a watch on, you know what I mean, to make sure I actually had a watch for town. You know, it's not just like a bracelet.

[Don LaGreca]

That was the Imogen Barbara was doing, so.

[Malik Beasley]

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

[Don LaGreca]

You can't help it.

[Alan Hahn]

He loves. Really just can't help himself. LeBron had a moment like that last night. Of course he did. When he. He, you know, got some chuckles from the room as well after a loss, which you always love that how I like this one for Jalen Brunson. This is from this morning. Do you think you're exploiting the Pistons enough for not having somebody who really can guard towns. They play very small.

[Malik Beasley]

I mean, that's the NBA.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A lot of people can't guard people at times, but for the most part.

[Alan Hahn]

We gotta make sure as a team.

[Malik Beasley]

We'Re ready to go, good to go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When we see something we like, you have to attack it.

[Malik Beasley]

So just making sure we're on the.

[Alan Hahn]

Same page from that part. I wish he said more there, don't you? I wish he said something like, yeah, we need to feed the beast. Got to get the big fella, like, something to pump his tires. Right. He was very monotone there. Didn't love that. And then we all crushed Tom Thibodeau, and I think rightly so, for kind of freezing there for two minutes and leaving Brunson on the sideline, not calling his timeout. He called it a coach's decision. He bared the brunt of the. Of the responsibility for it and everything else. And Josh Hart had this to say about everybody criticizing his coach.

[Malik Beasley]

He's used to it. I mean, bullseye on his back for that. He gives a bullseye on the back the whole season for minutes and rotations and all that. So that's our coach. We're going to back them 100. Everyone is on this team because we have faith and trust in them. And I think that's just a byproduct of that. We got stops, like I said, we got good looks. What more do you want besides getting stops and getting good looks for good players? I don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

They did get good looks. They just missed them. And I'm telling you guys, I'm already thinking about put on my GM cap when this season ends. From everything I'm looking at and what I would do, we're going to play that game. When the next season does finally come to an end, you'll have to put up with me on that day because I like to do this when the season's over. Did Michael ever do this? When the season was over, did he ever put on the GM cap? If I was Cashman, this was what I would do.

[Don LaGreca]

Sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Did he do that?

[Don LaGreca]

Some would argue he put on the if I were Cashman every day of his life.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I didn't know that.

[Don LaGreca]

We used to yell him a bit Don for Yankee splaining, but this is.

[Alan Hahn]

More of like, if I were running the team, this is what I would do kind of thing.

[Don LaGreca]

Right, right, right.

[Alan Hahn]

It's when the season's over.

[Don LaGreca]

In this case, it's like, yeah, it's like fantasy booking, if you will.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, now you made it sound like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Kind of like what the daily user used to do, like, who stays, who goes. Yes, everybody plays that game. It's good.

[Alan Hahn]

I like to do it. And I'm. I'm already, you know, I got some. I got some thoughts already. I got some ideas. So do you. At 800 now at 93776. So Joshua's in Miami. Joshua, you're up next.

[Javi]

How we doing, fellas?

[Alan Hahn]

Fellas, welcome.

[Javi]

How we doing?

[Alan Hahn]

Good. What's happening?

[Javi]

All right, first things first. Just wanna. The first time in a long time, I want to say shout out to my former co workers at msg. I know they were looking forward to that last night, and they didn't get the. Well, not. I said two nights ago, didn't get that win. So sorry for them. But I just want to shout them out. I want to put something. I'm not sure anybody even see notice this, but even when Brunson came in, came back in the game, he didn't even get the ball in the last 27 seconds. And if you and I, you know, Bridges got the shot, OG got the shot. Nothing was, like, made for him in those last 27 seconds. And I'm just. Maybe that's part of the reason why they didn't, like, rush him in, why didn't want to call the timeout. I'm not sure, but, like, I feel like the injury still, like, he wasn't.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't think he was right? You don't think he was right anyway. Right? Is that what you're saying?

[Javi]

That's what I'm saying, yeah. I honestly do not believe he was right. And the fact that he wasn't even getting a chance, even getting a look at a shot in the last 27 seconds, that just tells me he wasn't. He just wasn't ready to go back in.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I'll tell you what, Joshua, thanks for the call. If he doesn't look right in the first five minutes of the game tonight, then they're. They're really in trouble.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah, Big time.

[Alan Hahn]

Andres in Lindhurst. Andres. Hey, how you doing, guys?

[Malik Beasley]

Hey.

[Alan Hahn]

It's been a long time, but I wanted to call because it looks like.

[Don LaGreca]

Giannis is in the city.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, everybody comes to the city. Right? But I wanted to get Alan's thoughts on a possible trade. Right.

[Josh Hart]

Macau Og and Mitchell Robinson, plus, like.

[Alan Hahn]

Two or three draft picks.

[Don LaGreca]

If we have any less for Giannis.

[Alan Hahn]

Would you pull that deal off? I would love to hear your thoughts on that. Wow. I. I will. I will tell you something. I was talking. I was talking to a friend of mine on the way in today, and he asked me the exact same question. And those pieces that Andres just mentioned, guys, are the pieces that I mentioned back. Here's the problem. Milwaukee can do better, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would think they could do.

[Alan Hahn]

You can get better than that.

[Don LaGreca]

You could get a lot. Yeah, but you're going to have.

[Alan Hahn]

That might be the best you can offer if you're the Knicks, but I can't imagine unless he tells them, I'm only going to New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what I was going to say. How much of a say will he have on where he goes?

[Alan Hahn]

He'll have two years left before he can opt out. So I have a little bit of say.

[Don LaGreca]

And what are you. And what do you think the best.

[Alan Hahn]

The Knicks can offer is probably OG Bridges and Robinson. Mitchell. Robinson. I think you'd have to take something from them like who's a contract that you're dying to get rid of. We'll just. We'll absorb. We'll take that guy.

[Don LaGreca]

You know, I will say this.

[Alan Hahn]

I haven't looked into it yet, so I don't know the details.

[Don LaGreca]

I will say this. They can live without Bridges, they can live without Mitch, because they often do. And they're obviously getting a big physical presence in Giannis. OG is a tough one, but it's not the be all end all. I will say this. Of all the things we've ever speculated on the Knicks getting, Giannis is the one that I believe they'd win a championship with. I actually believe Giannis and Brunson as the hardcore core of this team would lead to a championship. I believe that. That's how good I think he is. And by the way, still fully has it. I mean, he continues to always get his MVP votes like he is the guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

I think on a team that's done.

[Alan Hahn]

I think we got to have this conversation. I think it's too soon.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It is, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

I hope we're not having it next week, but I will say when, whenever this season ends, we definitely. All right. Put a pin on this one. I promise you, it's as exciting a.

[Don LaGreca]

One has been sitting out there. We will have this in a very long time.

[Alan Hahn]

800 now. 193776. We'll keep calls rolling here, but you know what else is rolling?

[Don LaGreca]

What's that?

[Alan Hahn]

Aaron Judge.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, sure.

[Alan Hahn]

He doesn't look like he's missing Soto at all. In fact, he's not missing much of anything, including the baseball. 10 home runs already and more. We'll get into the Yankees next. By the way, if you didn't hear me the first time, I'll say it again. It's Alan on here. And I want to tell you more about my friends from Bath Fitter. So they remodeled the bath in my house and my wife Stephanie was so excited to do this because we updated this old bath from the 90s that was down by our pool in the lower level of the house that just nobody touched, nobody wanted to go into. It was disgusting. It was just nobody even wanted to use that shower. But we converted this tub that was decrepit and disgusting to this gorgeous shower so now we can use it for the summer. We have guests that want to, you know, clean off after a day in the pool. Kids have sleepovers down there and everything else. It now looks so good. Bath Fitter consultant took us through the process with their free in home consultation. And Stephanie picked the style, the color and all the specifics, accessories and everything else to update our bathroom customized just as she wanted it. In fact, she loves it so much. Everybody, guess who gets to remodel the rest of the bathroom now to match that shower.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Me.

[Alan Hahn]

So fun. Can't wait to tile. It's the best. But still the Bath Fitter part of it. That was the easy part. The Bath Fitter is a permanent solution. By the way. It's a one piece seamless wall for a watertight fit and a lifetime guarantee. You can trust the Bath Fitter team like we did. They've been in business for 40 years with millions of happy customers and right now you can save up to $500. So start designing your bath like we did. Visit bathfitter.com for more details. There is only one bath fitter. 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. Here more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.