Hour 1: Knicks Trending Up

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: "Hour 1: Knicks Trending Up"

Date: May 5, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Network: ESPN New York

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Overview

This hour centers on the surging New York Knicks, their dominant playoff form, and the citywide optimism surrounding them. Hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg break down the Knicks' historic playoff stretch, discuss team dynamics, respond to fan calls, and explore whether this is finally the Knicks’ year to break through in the postseason. The trio also touches on related topics like betting streaks, national perception of Jalen Brunson, parallels to past NBA dynasties, and what lies ahead.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Vibe in New York: Knicks' Success and Citywide Buzz

• The hosts open by reflecting on the overwhelmingly positive mood in New York, driven largely by the Knicks’ playoff performance rather than the warm weather.
• Don notes, "The Knicks are just… they're flexing now… Everyone's in a good mood… Why is the city so happy? Because… The Knicks are flexing now." (01:41)
• Alan describes the playoff atmosphere: “You’ll just get that one run and you’ll—they’re done. Like, another one; they’re done… You’ve had a solid week off from excruciation.” (02:19)

2. Knicks’ Playoff Performance and Historic Dominance

• The group marvels at the Knicks’ run, with multiple blowout wins and dominant offensive and defensive displays.
• Historic context: Alan points out, “There’s not a single NBA team in playoff history that has had a string of three games like this—three straight games of 25 or more points, winning by 25 or more. It’s never happened.” (04:17)
• They compare these Knicks to legendary teams: “Think about that. The 96 Bulls didn’t have this … all those Golden State teams or the classic Boston Celtic teams…” (04:33 – Don)
• Alan details how in each win, “their opponent hasn’t come close.” Don and Peter agree that when engaged, this Knicks roster is untouchable for their current competition. (03:14)

3. Opponent Rhetoric: 'Physicality' as Loser’s Lament

• The hosts mock the repetitive rhetoric from Sixers and Hawks about needing to “be more physical” instead of acknowledging they’re being outclassed.
  • Alan: “It’s just rhetoric from a team that realizes that when the Knicks are at their best, they can’t beat them.” (06:33)
• Don explains, “That’s always the loser’s lament… Nobody on the Sixers can say the Knicks are better than us, so it’s gotta be, 'Well, they wanted it more.'” (05:52)

4. Home Court, Fan Culture, and Philadelphia’s Dilemma

• Hahn and Rosenberg debate whether Philly fans will sell their Game 3 tickets to Knicks fans if the series gets out of hand.
• Peter: “If they get punked in both games… You’re bailing.” (08:54)
• The group acknowledges the financial and emotional tension between die-hard fandom and economic realities.

5. Knicks’ Offensive Evolution and Team Confidence

• Alan Hahn raves about the current trust and flow of the Knicks offense, likening their movement and unselfishness to the Warriors’ dynasty:
  • “There’s something Warriors-like about the offense… everybody feels part of it and the energy is much different.” (22:21)
  • Peter elaborates: “It’s not Brunson ball. It’s Knicks basketball. It looks like a different team.” (25:17)
• Alan highlights: “Whatever they’ve got going right now, they believe in it… There’s a confidence I’ve never seen with this team offensively.” (11:16)

6. Battle-Tested: The Value of Past Playoff Losses

• Don expounds on the concept of “scar tissue”—the necessary heartbreaks that season a team for championship success.
• Don: “I’m a big believer in… you gotta lose to win… this builds up that callus, that scar tissue that you need in order to win.” (29:19)
• Alan points out, “A 12-12 road record in the playoffs is not nothing. 8-4 in the last year. So they’ve been… in buildings where it’s loud and everybody’s after you and against you, and yet they know how to circle the wagons and fight back.” (30:18)

7. Jalen Brunson’s Playoff Ascendancy – But Lacking National Respect

• A caller (Gene in NJ) raises the recurring issue: Why isn’t Jalen Brunson getting national respect?
  • Alan: “I think so. Unfortunately, I think that’s just the way it is… You can’t expect people outside of New York to appreciate that until you start doing it on the bigger stages. And that’s why I think the next round for him is going to be a coming out party.” (43:09)
• Hosts note how Brunson is often overlooked as an elite playoff performer due to not having made a Finals yet.
• Don: “He’s not six-nine and he hasn’t had that signature moment to get to the big stage—to get to the Finals…” (43:13, 43:18)
• Alan: “He’s showing you insane footwork… This is like Hakeem Olajuwon kind of stuff you don’t normally see with guards.” (45:07)

8. National Media Bias and Perception of Knicks

• Multiple callers and the hosts bemoan how, if another team played this well, national analysts would call them unbeatable.
• Alan (quoting Brian Windhorst and others): “If their jersey said Spurs or the Thunder, we would be saying, ‘Oh, this team might never lose a game again.’” (34:08)

9. The Betting Angle: Rosenberg’s Hot Streak

• Peter Rosenberg shares he’s been on a heater betting on the Knicks and is riding the wave for superstition and fun.
• A caller: “[Peter], please keep betting the Knicks. Your streak and their streak is together. We will put you on the parade!” (16:37)
• Peter: "There are bench players that are doing less for the Knicks than you are right now by betting on them." (19:21 – Don, attribution)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• “There’s not a single NBA team in playoff history that has had a string of three games like this—three straight games of 25 or more points, winning by 25 or more. It’s never happened.”
  – Alan Hahn (04:17)
• “That’s always the loser’s lament… we need to be more physical.”
  – Don La Greca (05:49)
• “There’s something Warriors-like about the offense they’ve been running, and everybody seems to enjoy it.”
  – Alan Hahn (22:21)
• “It’s not Brunson ball. It’s Knicks basketball. It looks like a different team.”
  – Peter Rosenberg (25:17)
• “I’m a big believer in… you gotta lose to win. All this builds up that callus, that… scar tissue you need in order to win.”
  – Don La Greca (29:19)
• “You can’t expect people outside of New York to appreciate that [Brunson] until you start doing it on the bigger stages.”
  – Alan Hahn (43:09)
• “He’s showing you insane footwork that… is like Hakeem Olajuwon kind of stuff that you don’t normally see with guards.”
  – Alan Hahn (45:07)
• “There are bench players that are doing less for the Knicks than you are right now by betting on them.”
  – Don La Greca to Peter Rosenberg (19:21)
• “We create monsters sometimes when we don’t want to believe in our own team…”
  – Alan Hahn (21:08)
• “All year… did you ever feel that confident when they played bad teams? But now… there’s something here. It’s something you can believe in.”
  – Alan Hahn (51:10, 51:53)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:41: Knicks performance & New York’s joyful mood
• 03:11 – 04:49: Dominance in the playoffs, historic blowouts, comparing Knicks to other great teams
• 05:49 – 06:33: ‘More physical’ rhetoric from Sixers and Hawks is just excuses
• 11:16 – 13:01: Knicks’ offensive surge, team confidence, and belief
• 22:21 – 25:21: Evolution from “Brunson-ball” to team-wide offensive sharing
• 29:19 – 31:12: Scar tissue, learning from past playoff heartbreaks
• 34:08: National media's double standard if other teams were on this run
• 43:09 – 45:07: Why Jalen Brunson isn’t respected nationally
• 16:37 – 20:10: Peter's betting streak, superstition, and caller praise

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Flow/Tone

The discussion is lively, playful, and sprinkled with New York bravado, self-awareness about sports superstitions, and deep basketball insight. The hosts combine hardcore analysis with banter, open to callers’ views, poking fun at themselves and at rivals, and always keeping the pulse on how the Knicks’ playoff run is shifting the city’s—and their own—expectations.

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Conclusion

• The Knicks' playoff dominance has the city—and their fans—dreaming big, with historic blowouts and an electric offensive identity.
• While doubters and national voices still demand a trip to the Finals before crowning Jalen Brunson and the Knicks, local observers sense something transformative in the team’s unselfish play and hardened mentality.
• For now, the city—and Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg—are fully along for the ride, celebrating every win, bet, and indicator of a long-awaited breakthrough.

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Additional Highlights

• Fan engagement: Several callers express belief that the only team that can stop the Knicks is the Knicks themselves, echoing the panel’s optimism.
• Next steps: The hosts look ahead to further playoff adversity and speculate on challenges from Detroit, Cleveland, and other East heavyweights, but affirm that this group feels special.
• Comparisons: The build-up of “scar tissue” is framed as a universal championship ingredient, with references to the Yankees, Devils, and Giants.

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For more Knicks discussion, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg return weekdays at 3 PM on ESPN New York.

Transcript

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[Don Hahn]

Don, one day you're not going to play football anymore. And if there's a God up above, it'll be soon.

[Caller]

Han.

[Evan Cohen]

Huge.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but big. Yeah.

[Podcast Announcer]

And Rosenberg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Podcast Announcer]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Alan Hahn]

The best threesome I've ever heard on

[Podcast Announcer]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[Don Hahn]

301 to the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg. And, boy, it feels like the old days. Michael K. Was in studio. I put my headset in and now I can't hear. Just blew my eardrum right out. Oh, because that man.

[Alan Hahn]

That man is Deef.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, there's no. There's no hearing coming.

[Don Hahn]

He's got lack of hearing. So you put the headphones on, it's like ba boom. So it just felt like old school, old days. Everybody's in a good mood. Everybody skipped to work today. Big smile on their face. Why is the city so happy? Because it's like 85 degrees.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not quite.

[Don Hahn]

That's not it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, that's not it. What is it?

[Don Hahn]

The Knicks are just. They're flexing now. And they're also making Peter Rosenberg a small fortune. Even when it's when he gets his fat finger, his fat thumb hitting the button when he doesn't want it, remember, he's still winning money.

[Alan Hahn]

I tell you what. Walked. Walk down the hall in the garden at halftime, a couple of fans came out of one of the bunker suites and they saw me. And one guy goes like this. He's like, honey, a cigarette, right? It's that it's been that good these last couple of years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah, baby.

[Don Hahn]

But it keeps getting better. It is.

[Alan Hahn]

It doesn't need a cigarette after all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is because you feel like something has just happened.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Just winning by more.

[Alan Hahn]

Remember I said it's excruciating. It's Knicks playoffs. It's always excruciating. Oh, yeah, no, you've had a solid week off from excruciation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, excruciation.

[Alan Hahn]

It has been just like. You'll just get that one run and you'll. They're done. That. Like another one. They're done.

[Don Hahn]

What we need to talk about here, honestly, I want to talk about a Tuesday, if you will, is the fact that they have literally been beaten in this postseason twice. But figuratively, they have not been beaten by their opponent. The only times they've lost those two losses against Atlanta, they beat themselves. If they take care of the business they had. They don't have a loss in these playoffs. They don't, because in the games that they have played, their opponent has not beat them.

[Alan Hahn]

In the games they have won, their opponent hasn't come close.

[Don Hahn]

Right. That's what I'm saying, is every win is double digits because that's when. When they're engaged and they're on their. They cannot be touched by the two opponents they face so far. But there was a couple of times where they start, as Peter loves to say, they play with their food a little bit, they let their guard down and they've gotten beat. And I look at that as they beat themselves. But when they mind their business, Atlanta couldn't touch them. And at least in Game one, and I feel for the rest of the series, Philly can't touch him. That doesn't mean that they're cruising to a championship because there'll be different opponents coming up. But you got to like the fact that here we are through one game of round two, and this team is playing. Honestly, you go back longer than I do, even though I'm older. I mean, you've been a Knick fan your entire life. I don't know if they've had four games better in the postseason than they've had these four. I don't know. I don't think. Obviously, the stats tell you they haven't, but just the eye test tells you go to any period of Knicks basketball in our lifetime, they have not played four playoff games like this.

[Alan Hahn]

Can I also tell you that in. There's not a single NBA team in playoff history that has had a string of three games like this. Not a single team. It's never happened. Three straight games of 25 or more points, winning by 25 or more. It's never happened.

[Don Hahn]

So think about that. The. The 96 bulls didn't have this in the. Well, in the first round, where they still had to play three games when it was the best of five. They never had it, you know, the. All those Golden State teams or the classic Boston Celtic teams or.

[Alan Hahn]

It's.

[Don Hahn]

It's amazing. It is truly amazing.

[Alan Hahn]

The last team, the 86 Celtics, the last team to win, to close out a series with a 30 point win and then open a series with a 30 point win, the Knicks did it, winning by 51 and 39. That's insane. So it's insane. They did it by even more. So it just shows you again, like there, this offense. Yeah, you watch this offense right now, and the way it really starts to click and the way it works and it's one of those where you just want to sit back and just, you know, exhale, have a cigarette and just feel good for a minute. But what I'm also noticing is the same rhetoric from the Sixers is the same rhetoric that the Hawks were saying. It was nothing about execution, X's and O's and all this other stuff. You know what it's about? Oh, we got to be more physical. We got to be more physical. They're physical. We got to be physical. They're. They're physical. Like that's all they can come up with. They just played harder than us. Is that all it is?

[Don Hahn]

Well, that's always the.

[Alan Hahn]

Atlanta thought that and they lost by 51.

[Don Hahn]

That's always the loser's lament.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Because nobody ever wants to. Come on. We've had these conversations for years, guys, when a player's like, ah, we just didn't. We didn't want it bad enough. Or they wanted it more than we did. And that's the loser's lament of a player that can't say they're better. Like, nobody on a Sixers can say the Knicks are better than us. So it's got to be, well, they wanted it more. We need to be more physical. Because that's the instinct. That's the human instinct.

[Caller]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

When you get punked, your instinct is to want to punch somebody. Want to get physical. Yeah. Like, when you get beat that bad, it's like, well, we got to do something here, guys. We just can't let them, you know, the run roughshod over us. We got to take care of business. But it's all just, it just. It's yada, yada, yada.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just rhetoric.

[Don Hahn]

It's rhetoric from a team that realizes that when the Knicks are at their best, they can't beat them. Now maybe the Pistons will be a different story. Oklahoma City San Antonio. But for right now, Atlanta knew it and I think Philadelphia knows it. Now if the Knicks bring it, we cannot beat them. So what do you say? You can't say that. You can't say we can't beat them. We just got to know. You're going to say we need to get more physical. They wanted it more. So we'll see if the Knicks stay engaged and take a two nothing seriously. What do you think the conversation is going to be going in the game three, same thing. Need to get more physical. They wanted it more.

[Alan Hahn]

You certainly can say we're going back home because guess what? The Knicks are very comfortable in Philadelphia.

[Don Hahn]

And that'll be the conversation. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's home South.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And then by the way, if it's

[Alan Hahn]

two zero, all those people that mb to ask don't sell your tickets, guess what they're going to do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You think they're selling?

[Alan Hahn]

Come on, really think just two.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, you think staying on they get

[Alan Hahn]

punk if they go with another double digit win. Would you if you could sell your tickets to a New Yorker and make double the money and you.

[Don Hahn]

And you're getting.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, not to sell my ticket. Hell no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you lost by like 35 each.

[Alan Hahn]

35. But maybe they lose by 15 if

[Don Hahn]

you know, come on, one win gets

[Peter Rosenberg]

you back in the series. No, that's one way.

[Don Hahn]

And I will say this like you look at, because Philadelphia is also down 2 nothing in the, in the hockey against Carolina. But they lost game two in overtime.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

So they probably feel like, all right, we're going back home. You know, we lost the first game three nothing. But we almost won game two. We had a two nothing lead in the game. If the Sixers play well and lose by a point, lose in overtime, all bets are off.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

But if they, if they get beat pillar to post again, if they're not in the game, there's going to be people in Philadelphia going, this team's done. I think they were re engaged by beating the Celtics. But put yourself in their shoes, Peter. You're, you're a fan. Like if you know your team shot and you got a chance and you're

[Peter Rosenberg]

like, and you're like, should we have even gotten past Boston in the first place? You did that. Wasn't that it?

[Don Hahn]

But if you got season tickets, did you pay, let's say you pay 250 for your seat in the postseason and somebody, somebody from New York orphanship, that's a great deal. First of all, I'm just throwing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I hear you. Listen it depends on the kind of fan you are. Some people just will not sell their seats because they're real fans.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And some people. Well, and then there are other people who are real fans but need money, you know, but so it. If they get punked in both games, I certainly hear the case for why they're just. You're bailing. You're not wrong.

[Don Hahn]

And then that'll be the conversation. Right. Go to Philadelphia, lose Game 3, and the conversation will be, well, none of our fans show. It's just the excuses that players make. I know it's just one game and it's. And also, to be fair, the Sixers, that's a tough turnaround. Saturday night in Boston, emotional victory. Then you got to turn around one day off, travel to New York to play. It was a tough spot. You know, we were a seven and a half point dog, so I didn't feel like the Sixers were winning the game.

[Alan Hahn]

So.

[Don Hahn]

But if it were to happen again, you know, no excuses now. Nice, comfy hotel room. You're not playing again until Wednesday. So I will say that that might have something to do with still only

[Alan Hahn]

one day off in between. But now your starters didn't play in the fourth quarter, and that was design. He pulled the. He pulled the plug early in that game. Knowing that just. We just don't have it. Their energy's off the charts. We're going to have to live the fight another day. And you don't want. Because you saw Embiid really start to wear down fast in this game. Early on, he was drawing a lot of fouls. There was some concern because he got Townes early fouls. He got Robinson some early fouls. They were getting to the free throw line, like early in the game, and you're going, oh, here we go. They're going to make this thing a slugfest. That's how this is going to be. But Embiid defensively, was a major liability. They were seeking him out and putting him in every action possible. There was nothing he could do. And so when you have an offense that's clicking the way it's clicking, and they were. Look, they shot over 60% and over 50 from 3. That's a rarity. You're not going to see that. But when they are in that kind of rhythm offensively, you don't have a chance. So I don't know what adjustment you make with this Nick offense. Their. Their offense, the Sixer offense, has got to be better because you can't just rely on drawing fouls. There has to be more that they get out of it. And I'm just not sure again, when they go to their bench if they can survive those minutes. And that's. I've been talking about this series in that way. It's just on paper, the Knicks are a better team.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Deeper. They have found something with their offense that we haven't seen all season. Something clicked. And whatever they've got going right now, they believe in it. And when you have a team that is playing a system that they all look at and go, we could beat anybody with this, There's a confidence that I've never seen with this team offensively. Maybe, just maybe that January two years ago when, remember they were like 12 and 1 or something like that and they looked unreal and then everybody got hurt. That's as close as I can remember a team effervescing with that kind of confidence and belief in what they're doing. That. That's a new thing with this Knicks group. That's what's making this special. This is no longer a one off guys. Like, we can't just say, like, well, let's just see what happens next game. No, this is now a trend in the playoffs for them. And the two losses we talked about to the Hawks were one point each in two games that they had two awful quarters that cost them a fourth and a first. Yeah, that's essentially it. And so I. And don't take it from me if I've got the orange and blue sunglasses on. If you want to say that about me, fine. You heard Tim Legler yesterday. He doesn't see a better team in the East. J. Will said it this morning. When you watch the Knicks right now and the way they play, that's a team. The way they play, that's a team. You can see. I know it's hard for me going for a championship. These are other people from the outside seeing. And Michael Wilbon, they're getting out of the East. They firmly believes it. These are all people that are not Nick. People that are saying this. And so if that's what the smart eyes are telling you, it's time to start believing that this is a real thing.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And we'll see what happens tomorrow. We're gonna be live at Stout, so swing by. We're gonna be doing the show there until 6 o'.

[Alan Hahn]

Clock. Getting your. That was a good time last week at Stout.

[Don Hahn]

Now it should be a lot of fun.

[Alan Hahn]

Come back and see us again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but we're running back.

[Alan Hahn]

We are.

[Don Hahn]

I know.

[Alan Hahn]

Rewind back upstairs with everybody.

[Don Hahn]

Now you know where to go. We were good luck.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a good point.

[Don Hahn]

Sounds been good to us. Game 5, 47 35th street, between 7th and 8th Avenue. We'll be there from 3 to 6 right. Right up until our coverage of the game and we'll have some guests there as well as we're getting everything kind of set for game two. Now the other thing, again, just you want to win every game by 30 points. Be great. And I think there's a possibility they could do it in this series because you said they get better. I would like to see them win a tight one because they haven't had to seriously in the two games that were tight.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, I'm good, but I don't need a tiny tight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't need it.

[Don Hahn]

No, you know, but you know I

[Alan Hahn]

like resting at halftime.

[Don Hahn]

Absolutely. Kick your feet up. But at some point between now and being you want to be o', Brien,

[Alan Hahn]

you want to be battle tested, I

[Don Hahn]

would think you're going to have a tight game. And so far the two tight games they've had, let's be honest, they wet the bed. Bad shot by Bridges, didn't even get a shot off in the other one. But listen, if this is the way it's going to be, dude, you're talking about one of the great runs in the history of the sport. We all know better. At some point there's going to be adversity. But right now I don't know if the Sixers are that adversity. And we'll see in the next round whether it's Detroit or whether it's Cleveland, whether it's going to be any diversity there. I still fear Detroit a bit, even though I'm the first one to stand there and go. It feels like the regular season doesn't mean anything. Those three games in the regular season were not what you want.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So. But let's worry about that when we get there. There's still three more games to take care of against Philadelphia, but let's get it started. 1-800-919-3776 get you talking about what's going on here. It's talk about it Tuesday. That's going to be at 4:30. We got ENN at 6. We got a full boat today. We're with you until 7 o'.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Clock.

[Don Hahn]

Mets were rained out or weathered out. I don't know what's going on in Colorado. Sky's on fire. I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It could be anything.

[Don Hahn]

So they've Got a day game tomorrow, a night game tomorrow that was supposed to be a day game, moved to a night game because guess the weather's better as it goes on on Wednesday in Denver. And then they're going to play an afternoon game on Thursday. So no Mets today. We'll get into the Yankees a little bit later on. We want to get your calls. 1-800-919-3776 but we were just talking about Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And the toot that he's on right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And you're making this money from where?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I'm glad you asked about it.

[Don Hahn]

It's. It's called FanDuel.

[Peter Rosenberg]

FanDuel is giving you better payouts on same game parlays all NBA playoffs long. Now, Donald. I haven't been running the same game parlay. I've been running, you know, straight bets. Yesterday was a moneyline bet, but it's all there for you. So many different ways to build and more value every time you play. You can stack your picks your way for every game, every matchup and every moment. From spreads to player points to threes and more. Build it all into one same game parlay and go for bigger payouts.

[Alan Hahn]

Build it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you're betting same game parlays this NBA postseason, bet them on FanDuel. More options, better payouts, all NBA playoffs long. Head to FanDuel.com local to get started. FanDuel, an official partner of the NBA. Play your game 21 plus physically present in New York for help with the gambling problem. Call 877-HOPE&Y or text Open Y at 467-369.

[Don Hahn]

Now, Joe in Queens gets us started on Don Juan and Rosenberg and he wants to talk about your hot streak. How about that?

[Caller]

Really?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Go ahead.

[Don Hahn]

Go ahead, Joe.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, guys, how you doing? It's nice to talk to you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, friend.

[Alan Hahn]

Don. Listen, you're my idol, Don, but this calls for Peter. Peter, I know you are a Knicks fan and you're not born from New York, but for the love of God, please keep biting the Knicks. Your street on their streak is together. We will put you on the parade. The ticket to parade, Peter could go down it. Please don't stop at the Knicks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I hear what you're saying and it'll be interesting to see whether others agree with you. And I'm like the anti Danhausen. I'm like not cursing the Knicks. It's the exact go nicks.

[Alan Hahn]

Go Nicks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the exact opposite of Danhausen. There's something going on here.

[Don Hahn]

Now the Knicks aren't a toolbox organization like the Mets where they need Grimace or Hawk 2 or whatever for their hotsprings. But maybe you can be that juju that they need. And maybe if they do have a parade down the canyon of heroes, you might get a float. Hey, Michael and John Sterling were on the float when the Yankees won. Mike and Chris were on the float when the Rangers won. So why can't Peter Rosenberg be on the float? You know, Alan's probably going to be on a float.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I'll be floating.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, let me. I'm looking at the line for tomorrow.

[Don Hahn]

What is it? Let me guess, it's six and a half.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I think they want to run it back the exact same seven and a half. So it's minus 7.5 again. So the question is, if you believe in what this team has been doing, is there any reason to think tomorrow is going to be different or is this free money? Five straight. Five straight covers. Let's be honest too. If seven and a half, when you cover that basically ends up amounting to close to a blowout, because to feel comfortable, seven and a half, you got to win by like 12, 13.

[Don Hahn]

So are you saying really right now they win by 12 or 13? That's. That's close compared to what they got game, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's the last. The last closest game they played was game four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll be honest.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that was like a. Was that 15?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I think it was 15.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll be honest, I'm kind of feeling it right now because here's my concern. If I don't get in right now, what if the line goes the wrong way on me? You see what I'm saying?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Then all of a sudden it's nine and a half.

[Alan Hahn]

Injury update.

[Don Hahn]

What's going to happen between now and tomorrow that's going to make. You just make the bet now?

[Alan Hahn]

Embiid out with a paper cut. Paper cut. That's going to do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but that's. But by the way, you never know if that happens. And by the way, if that happened, the line goes to 12 and a half or 11.

[Alan Hahn]

Now it's a bargain at what you got it at.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that's why, you know, I'm going to go ahead right here and put $500 on the New York Knicks

[Alan Hahn]

right on the table.

[Don Hahn]

Minus seven and a half.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right on fanduel. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

For that ace.

[Don Hahn]

I gotta be honest with you. There are bench players that are doing less for the Knicks than you are right now by betting on them.

[Alan Hahn]

Can Confirm.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but here's the question.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what? I don't even ask a question. No, no, the question. No. Well, the question was projecting negativity, and I don't want to project negativity.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think this is what. Imagine if this were to keep going. I would have found my ultimate place with the Knick fan base. It's like, no, I'm not a Knick fan. I'm a Celtic fan, but I like the Knicks. And they're saying, hey, we know it. You're a fraud. But you live here and you like us. But now we have a working relationship. You're supporting us, you're putting down the bets. The team keeps winning. Peter, thank you. You're not a fan, you're not a part of the fan base, but you are a supporter of us Knicks fans, and we appreciate what you're doing. That's where we're at right now.

[Alan Hahn]

We like you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're an athletic supporter, and I thank you. And I love that. The Celtics. I don't have to deal with it being a Celtics situation. If they were going to get up out of here, I would much rather have them lose to Philly than the Knicks. Now I can enjoy the Knicks series in peace. Like the Celtics, if they were going to lose no matter what. And obviously they were going to, because Joe Missoula is a hack who shouldn't be in the NBA.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So, no, let's be honest. He's on his way. He'll be. He'll be. He'll be at a random. He'll be at UTEP in no time,

[Don Hahn]

but utep, of all places.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Big Hardaway guy. So if, if, if the Celtics aren't going to be in it, it worked out great because I could keep the bets rolling. I would have felt weird getting involved in the betting between the Knicks and the Celtics.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But with the Sixers. And also, frankly, I just. Here, we may look back at these early lines and think they're a complete joke. And they should have been 13 and a half. Because the Sixers just tricked us. Because the Celtics couldn't buy a 3. But they really weren't a great.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know why people don't recognize that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, is this not a great. They're not a great team.

[Alan Hahn]

You talk about. Again, go back to that series. The Celtics won game one by 30. And then game two. They've played with their food, which is what they do. It was very Knicks like, right. They. They almost got too comfortable. The Sixers Aren't even in this series. This will be over fast. There was no M.B.

[Peter Rosenberg]

yada, yada, yada.

[Alan Hahn]

And then Maxey had a big game. They hit a Celtics, couldn't make a three. Next thing you know, it's one one. And then they go to Philadelphia and, you know, they get game three. And it's like you. You just keep waiting for Boston to just do that, what they do. But the problem was Boston then gets game four, takes command of the series. But Embiid had come back, and suddenly things look different. And the next thing you know, Boston can't make a three. That's all it really was. Look at the scores. The Sixers weren't putting up a ton of offense. So that's why, like, we. We kind of fall into this. We create monsters sometimes when we don't want to believe in our own team, in our own market, when we don't want to look at our team and think that they maybe could be that good. Like, I'm telling you, like, these highs. Have watched a lot of Nick basketball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They've seen some games.

[Alan Hahn]

I've never seen anything like this ball movement where everybody feels involved. But you don't have, like, great example. You guys remember the end of the half? Last play of the half?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Okay. Knicks are up by 20 or 19.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I remember this play quite well.

[Alan Hahn]

And there's BRUNSON, and there's 13 seconds left. And you know what, for the most part in the last three and a half years has happened. Everybody just watched Jalen. He's going to go one on one and create a shot for himself and see if he can score. That's just how it is. He's captain clutch. This is what he does. That didn't happen because they knew that. And so they sent two up. So what did Brunson do? He took a screen. They blitzed it. He knew. All right, now I'm doubled. He passed it to McBride. Dick McBride. Give it right back to Brunson. No, McBride. So wide open. Josh Hart. Get him the ball. He shoots it. Now Brunson, instead of just standing still, he's moving. Everybody else is moving. The shot misses. Bridges gets the offensive rebound. Everybody sucks into the paint. Do you remember watching Golden State during their heyday? You remember watching. There was times it was like a 50, 50 ball scramble type thing, and somebody get a rebound, and all of a sudden you'd go, oh, my God, Steph Curry is wide open. How the hell is he wide open? Well, guess what happened, Jalen. Brunson was wide open with 3 seconds left. Berries. A3 puts him up 23. He had 27 points in the first half, and none of them felt like too much dribble, too much ISO. It's the best, very Golden State warriors that I've been telling you guys. There's something warriors like about the offense they've been running, and everybody seems to enjoy it. Versus in January when we were talking about what's wrong with Towns. Why isn't Towns happy? Towns isn't involved in the offense. Bridges is checked out. You don't really see him trying. Everybody now feels part of it and the energy is much different. So that's why I'm trying to convince everybody, like, you know, we've been watching the last couple of games. This isn't an outlier. This is kind of what they've become. They might have stumbled upon this, but right now, this is the best I've ever seen them play. And that's saying a lot for a team that was number three in the league in offense.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you said a really profound point. It's simple but profound. The thing that has limited this team, in my opinion, the last couple of years, is that when I watch them in these critical moments as things start to sort of change on them, you're like, it's too much. Brunson. Where is the offense? Brunson's. Let's say Brunson's struggling. Or they're playing Detroit and in that game they have a solution. Or in the Indiana series, they have a fix for Brunson. He's not. You felt like you just never knew where the offense was coming from anymore. They looked so stagnant. Now they never appear to over the last four games get into that pattern of it's just Brunson ball. He gets his looks.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no, he does still gets them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's not Brunson ball. It's Knicks basketball. It looks like a different team.

[Don Hahn]

I'm going to tell you why that might be.

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[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

lights with a O'Reilly Veriscan.

[Don Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

Auto parts.

[Podcast Announcer]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

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

[Don Hahn]

People don't realize this because everybody's so hot for a championship, but this is the natural progression that you go through. Like it makes sense for the Knicks to be better than they were last year. Not just because of the coaching change, but you go through that, you learn. I'm a big believer in it's not a steadfast rule because there are exceptions. Just like there's exceptions to every rule that you gotta lose to win. Like the Yankees dynasty started with a heartbreaking loss in Seattle in 1995. You know the Devils went three Stanley Cups after the heartbreaking loss in game seven on the Mato Mato Matoe goal. You know the Giants had to get embarrassed by the Bears in 85 before they went on one their Super Bowl. There's Always those moments that you go through. And if you look at the history of the Eastern Conference, I think it's since, you know, in the last four times, the loser of the conference final goes on to the final the next year. So it makes sense that they would be better, that they learn from it. So, yeah, Brown's addition, I think, helped. But isn't this natural for a team to be able to go through, you know, losing to the Pacers a couple of years ago after that win against the Sixers, lose, go through the heartbreak of the injuries, and you fall and then you'll lose the way you did to the pace. All this builds up that callus that. What's the word I'm looking for? The scar tissue.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

That you need in order to win. And so it kind of makes sense that they look better than they did last year. Isn't that the evolution of when you try to win a championship by learning from your losses?

[Alan Hahn]

I'll tell you a story that Jalen Brunson talked about after game. Was it during game? It might have been during game three is against the Hawks. And they're losing, but they're coming back. And it's in the huddle, encouraging each other through frustration of another bad start and saying, we've been through this. Like, looking at each other and realizing that they have. They've been through wars. You know what their road record is, Don, in the. This is the fourth now playoff year with Jalen Brunson. Road record in the playoffs.

[Don Hahn]

Well, it's got to be good.

[Alan Hahn]

It's 12 and 12. Yeah, but how about in the last two years?

[Don Hahn]

Well, because all those wins. Yeah, because all those wins against Detroit. But.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but. But what I'm saying is that a 12 and 12 road record in the playoffs is not nothing. Eight and four in the last year.

[Don Hahn]

That's special.

[Alan Hahn]

That's even better. So they've been. That shows you. They've been through wars. They've been in buildings where it's loud and everybody's after you and against you, and yet they know how to circle the wagons and fight back. And have they fallen short? Yes, they have, for various reasons. But yet here they are, back again in another war, and they look at each other and they can say that. Now, we've been through this. Remember this. Remember that moment. You learn from it as a group. The trust builds, and then it becomes, I think, a collective. Like you just said, man, like it's time. Now, Josh Hart told this story. I might have shared this yesterday, but if I. If I. If I did, forgive me, but I haven't had much sleep.

[Don Hahn]

He said, isn't it funny that get up is what gives him no sleep, Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Get up is go to sleep. Get up is really. He's helping other people get up, and now he needs to go sleep.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, you get up. Josh Hart said that the first three games of that series against the Hawks were like, you're sitting there playing a video game, you're leaning back, you know, you just feed up on the couch, just kind of chilling. And now you're losing the battle. Like, whatever it is, you're losing poorly. And what do you do? You sit forward, you lean forward. And now you lock in, like, no, no, come on. Right? Like I'm messing around. Let me get serious. And that's sort of what happened between three and four. And from that moment on, they have been. They've been a different team. They've been that team we've seen throughout the regular season that just all of a sudden goes on some crazy runs for a while. And that's what they're on right now. And I just wonder if these stories that we're hearing them share with Deuce McBride talks about when they look at Cat and them as a group, looking at Kat, saying, this is the best we've ever seen him play, and we need him to keep playing this way. They're encouraging him, saying, hey, big fella, we can't go anywhere unless you're doing this every night. We need you to do that every night. Something's happening because of the miles they've put in together that might be just finally coming to fruition. And maybe, just maybe, if things continue to break right and all the fortune favors them, this could finally be that year where a team that starts out as get to the second round and lose, get to the second round and a devastating loss in game seven, and then finally get to the conference finals, but once again, still can't break through. Maybe finally, this is that year after going through, like you said, the. The scar tissue of losing in the playoffs and keeping the core of the group together.

[Don Hahn]

1-800-919-3776. Derek in Harlem. You're on ESPN, New York.

[Caller]

What's up, guys? I was saying, the only team that scares me in the east is the Knicks itself, right? That they let themselves beat theirself. And like Allen said, like, you can look at even last year's playoffs where they played with their food in Game 5 against Boston Detroit, and then finish them off, they got a whole different mentality where they're not letting off the gas. They're not letting a wounded animal walk away. But I was saying, like, if people. I think, like, Brian Warhurst and a couple people this morning were saying stuff. If their jersey had said the spur or the thunder, we will be saying, like, oh, this team might never lose a game again. We're acting like this is just one game. They won one game by 16, 29. Even last night, they could have won by 50. If you take away all the big file trouble to have. They shot 34 file shots last night, take 10 of those away. That's 49 points right there. Like, this team is playing, and they're playing excellent defense because even if you score 140 points, you're holding teams to under 90. Like, that's another thing they're not talking about. Like, they're playing good defense. Everything is clicking with this team, and it's like, mentality. They realize, like, hey, we have the

best starting five in the league. Snap. We could really play this wave well.

[Don Hahn]

And it just continues to build and build. Now, I don't think they're going to, you know, they might sweep the series. I guess it's on the table. Why not? But, you know, there's going to be ups and downs. You're going to face adversity. That's just the way it goes. I mean, no championship is handed to you. Correct me if I'm wrong, Alan, I don't think anybody is in the. Certainly, since you've had to win 16, which started in 2000, nobody's gonna 16, and.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no, no.

[Don Hahn]

You know, so there will be losses, there will be challenges. You know, each round presents a different set of challenges. All right, Right now, you don't seem to be worried about anybody. Cleveland never wins anything. Detroit's relatively new and almost got bounced by Orlando, but. And there might be challenges in this series, too. Who knows? But right now, four straight wins by the amount of points. Makes you thinking about a ring.

[Alan Hahn]

It does, doesn't it? And it also makes me think about when we get to June, I have a project that's about to happen at the house that I'm very excited about. And, you know, I've been talking to you guys about this, and of course, a big part of this project will be rings end. Now, the contractor is my contractor, Michael. He is in contact with Rings and their project manager, Andrew, who's been awesome. They're going back and forth figuring out what is the best type of door for. This is a big door that we're going to put in while we're doing this whole project at the house. Now, Rings end. Why Rings end because they work with pro contractors who build and remodel for a living. So pros like, of course Michael trust them. So I have to trust them too, right? So should you. They have premium brands, not just indoors now. Windows too, decking, paint, lumber, kitchens. All the things that you want to do. Update, upgrade your home. This is that time of year where you start looking around your house, thinking about things that you need to get done and anything when it comes to a project like that, you want to go to Ring's End, they do it right. They don't do it over. They're not a national chain. They have regional expertise. Eight full service lumber yards in Connecticut and Westchester county and 12 freestanding paint centers as well. Ring's End is family owned and operated since 1902. And if you can't make it to the store, you can shop [e-mail] that's ringsend.com.

[Don Hahn]

back to the busy phones Gene in New Jersey. You're on ESPN New York.

[Caller]

Hey, how's it going?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[Don Hahn]

What's up?

[Caller]

So I, I wanted to talk about Jalen Brunson. Now, I know the Knicks are playing well as a team all around, but I, I feel like Jalen Brunson has not proven himself for what, four, four years now in the playoffs of being a top playoff performer.

[Alan Hahn]

What?

[Caller]

And I just see.

[Alan Hahn]

Say that again. Say that one more time out loud. Jalen Brunson has done the last.

[Caller]

Jaden Brunson has been a top player performer in the NBA for the New York Knicks for the last four years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Caller]

And yesterday, I just think. Yesterday, I just think proved again that he should be respected as such. There was, I believe, I believe it was Malika Andrews, I believe, where she said that Tyrese Maxey and Paul George were the best players in this series. I'm just wondering, when does Jalen Brunson get his respect? Does he need to win a ring in order to get the respect he deserves?

[Alan Hahn]

I think so. Unfortunately, I think that's just the way it is. I. Whether it's right or wrong, that's why I wanted you to say it a second time.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Because I don't think enough people are saying it. And it's something that CC Sabathia tweeted yesterday or last night. Jalen Brunson is never the best player on the court until he's the best player on the court. And that's usually at the end of A game. Like, it's like, he's like, you never will say it until it happens. And it happens more than it doesn't. Who. Who totally took over the game in Game 5 to put it away against the Hawks? He did. Who took over in the second quarter late to completely demoralize the Sixers at halftime where they thought they were in a game nine point game. Now all of a sudden they look up and it's like, we're down by 23. This guy's got 27. And we have a defense that we talked about. We were supposed to be stopping this dude. And now what are they doing today? Obre stuff. Oh, he's got a big head. That's why he draws fouls, which was

[Don Hahn]

the most ridiculous thing.

[Alan Hahn]

Embiid is like saying, you know, I don't know if I got to the foul line enough. Ask Brunson. They talk about Brunson like he's still the guy that is Draws cheap fouls and all stuff. Vijay Edgecombe is talking to referees. A rookie, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let me hear.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me hear him beat on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Getting to the free throw in the

[Alan Hahn]

first half, drawing fouls.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Skins of foul nine really working in favor. Both you did.

[Caller]

I don't know. You gotta ask General Barson.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think I got to the

[Alan Hahn]

free throw, you know, as much as. As I wanted.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's rich. That's very rich.

[Alan Hahn]

Something free throw attention.

[Don Hahn]

And this is the. This is the Uber.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know.

[Caller]

I just know he has a big head.

[Alan Hahn]

He's messing.

[Caller]

So, you know, it's definitely tough to guard him with his head doing a lot.

Oh.

But yeah, I mean, he's a great player. Played against him plenty of times. Many of times. And, you know, we have to make the adjustments that we see on film. But, you know, kudos to him. He came out and started the series and did what they had to do at home. And, you know, it's up to us to respond.

[Alan Hahn]

How many free throw attempts do you think Brunson had? Just give me. Just throw a number out there.

[Don Hahn]

Eight.

[Alan Hahn]

Eight?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really?

[Alan Hahn]

He was eight for eight? How many free throw attempts did Embiid have?

[Don Hahn]

Give me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Give me 12.

[Alan Hahn]

He had nine

[Peter Rosenberg]

and had the nerve to say that. Ask Brunson.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know. Ask Brunson.

[Don Hahn]

We got no answers.

[Alan Hahn]

You know why? Again, Uber is trolling. Because that's the thing with Brunson, the big head thing. Josh Hart had a funny response to it too, because they always make fun of that. But the fact that this is what they've got today. This is what they've got.

[Don Hahn]

They got nothing. They don't have anything. The only thing, if you gave them truth serum, it would be like, well,

[Alan Hahn]

they're just better than we are blaming

[Don Hahn]

Brunson for having too big of a head and the braids and all that. But it's so unfair. I am going to give you the reason why Brunson is disrespectful.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, let's hear it.

[Don Hahn]

Coming up.

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[Podcast Announcer]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Podcast Announcer]

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

[Alan Hahn]

now.

[Don Hahn]

Far be it for me to defend the national media or non nicknames, but I'm sorry if you are not a Knick fan. It's really difficult for you to understand how clutch Brunson has been in the postseason when he's only been to the third round once and they lost that series to the Indiana. Like you're not going to get attention for what you do in the first two rounds of the postseason, you're just not now, is that right? Probably not. But the way people consume sports around the country, if it's not their team, are they going to be able to see enough of Brunson in big moments to recognize his brilliance? Unless you're a Nick fan and you watch him every day. Because what you do in the first and second round isn't going to move the needle. Now you start doing the conference finals in the finals, it's really difficult in any sport to say what a great postseason performer you are. And you've never played in the final and you've only played in the third round once. Like, so we can appreciate it because we remember the clutchness during the regular season and how you want the ball in his hands at a big spot in the regular season and how good he's been in the first two rounds of the playoffs. But you can't, you can't expect people outside of New York to appreciate that until you start doing it on the bigger stages. And that's why I think the next round for him is going to be a coming out party.

[Alan Hahn]

It's very similar. You remember Damian Lillard. Everybody knew who he was.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

But in the bubble he was putting on show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And it became Dame time.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. And right. And. And that was because it was all we were watching, you know what I mean? Like, it was. It was. The NBA came back and they had this kind of summer camp thing where they played some round robin games, seeding games, and he was just lighting teams up and then he had some big performances. Was it him and. And Donovan Mitchell. Right. Didn't they have like a back and forth, a Jazz Blazers series? Like so there was a lot of. Like that, like you just saw, like it was just right in front of you because you were watching that. What you might not have always consumed because we were back to watching sports. And I think for Brunson on the east coast, enough people know about it, but I think nationally there is still sort of this sense that yeah, he's good, but he's not that good. And that's why I just think for him it's always going to be a knock because A, he's not six nine and B, yeah, he has not. He's gotten out of the second round once, but he hasn't had that signature moment to get to the big stage, to get to the finals and then do like the third quarter that he had in Game 5 against the Hawks where it was just lights out.

[Don Hahn]

You know, it's not apples to apples, but as hockey guys, wasn't it kind of funny everybody talking about Connor McDavid over the last couple of years? Like, oh my God, he's a really good player.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Because he's playing in the Stanley, good final, people are finally paying attention now. We know Alan and I are watching him in November and we're like, this guy, we knew how great he was even though he couldn't get out of the first round and all that. And all of a sudden, back to back Stanley Cafala appearance, it's like, oh, this is Connor David Omaha.

[Alan Hahn]

Mel LeBron's tweeting about him because.

[Don Hahn]

And the bubble with Lillard, you need the grand stage, you know, on the occasional Saturday night on ABC or the occasional moment in the postseason in the first or second is just not. Needle mover.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I'm level. But I also think any of those moments, the thing that's turned for Brunson as well, not just now, the trust in the offense thing, which I think was the last level for him to get to, but I also think, you know, in the past, the free throw thing, the foul baiting thing was a knock on him because he did. He does know how to draw fouls. But this year he's taken the fewest free throw attempts I think in his Nick career. He is not going to the free throw line nearly as much as he used to. What he is though is he's showing you insane footwork that, you know, this is like Akeem Olajuwon kind of stuff that you don't normally see with guards because he's not going to jump. He's not John Moran, he's not going to jump over you. He's not doing that kind of stuff and he's not Steph Curry on his toes, taking step back threes. He is a footwork guard who, I'm telling you, man, watch a highlight film of him with his footwork and making baskets around bigger, bigger players. It's impressive. He's. He's a, he's a lot of fun to watch when he's dancing like that.

[Don Hahn]

Let's go to spike in St. Pete, your ESPN New York.

[Caller]

I gotta tell you, man, I gotta tell you boys, I'm gonna make you smile. My three hours with my best friend this morning and he says we're seeing a metamorphic transition and he remembered the moment for me when the bushy came over and there was a point. I know you guys don't remember you weren't alive. But there was a point. It didn't take Dave the Bush a long time to fit in. Obviously, we know what happened. I'm not going to bore most of the people can really know what happened, but there was a point of time. It happened in game four, in my opinion. And here's the problem with it. Last night with all the circus acts going on. First of all, you guys watch Sanford and Son. Did you watch it?

[Don Hahn]

I did, sure.

[Caller]

Okay. Didn't Joel Embiid look like Grady last night?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah,

[Caller]

looks like an old guy. And put all that on the side. They're probably my guess. If he doesn't do anything defensively, has no elevation, they'll probably try without him and play fast because putting bridges on and help me out. Putting British Maxi was. Was tremendous. I didn't think it was the right move. What the hell do I know? But. And then putting. Oh, sorry, man. The guy from San Diego who's made all the threes last night, Paul George.

[Alan Hahn]

Paul George.

[Caller]

Paul George will shoot over you, but you can't have him trying to guard Brunson, you know, I mean, there's some stupid coaching going on here. And how much does Mitchell Robinson irritate Embiid and Cat? I said it 10 times this year. Would you give the kid credit? Because someone put a hand in front of his face because he's just shooting pork cues over there, throwing the ball to OG The Knicks are so confusing and have so many options. Listen carefully. Allen on offense and defense. And I said it again. OG Anunoby's playing Kawhi Leonardish ball. I don't think anyone can stop them in the East.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, we'll save definitely strong the first two rounds again. We'll see. Detroit's interesting just because of how well they played against him in the regular season. Because let me ask you this. Everybody's scared off of Detroit because they had to go seven against Orlando. What if they sweep Cleveland?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think they will, but let's

[Don Hahn]

say they did okay. Like, would that all of a sudden make you scared of them again? Or we ride in such a nick high that you don't fear anybody but, you know, the Thunder.

[Alan Hahn]

I think you have a healthy, healthy fear for a Detroit team that, you know, A, is just that they see red when they see you and B, if. Yeah, if they figured it out just the same way you figured it out and got back to their game. But tonight's game, you want to watch that carefully because that matchup, remember Cleveland Wanted Detroit.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

That means they have a pretty good.

[Don Hahn]

Pretty.

[Alan Hahn]

They're very confident in how they think they can match up against them. So that's clearly something to watch.

[Don Hahn]

Let's go to Ant. New Jersey, you're on espn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

New York.

[Alan Hahn]

Ant, man, he was great.

[Caller]

Hey, how you guys? How you guys doing today?

[Alan Hahn]

How you feeling today?

[Caller]

Man, what a day to be a Knicks fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good. I'd say how are you feeling? But I can hear it in your voice. So you're good?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I'm feeling good, but I was just falling back because I called last week.

[Caller]

One day we're playing the Hawks and

[Alan Hahn]

I was telling you guys how they

[Caller]

were going to win that series because I saw something on the team, even from all the way from the coaching staff, the way they were making adjustments to the players coming off the bench, they were coming out on the game with a purpose. And I want to give credit to Allen because Allan said that they had to play a team that were kind of better, that was going to test him and push him, and I think that kind of helped the Knicks moving forward. I just wanted to say that. I just wanted to give Allen his credit.

[Alan Hahn]

Appreciate that, cuz.

[Caller]

You got to get credit where it's due, man. You guys have a great day. And I'm going. Keep listening. I just wanted to call to give my piece.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's.

[Don Hahn]

Well, you got it. All right, man, listen, you know what?

[Alan Hahn]

It's about time somebody gave credit for that statement that I made because I heard it was mocked up and down our station. Really was 2:1.

[Don Hahn]

I don't think disagreeing is not mocking.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it was. It was mock. But you're saying down to one. It was mocked, people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you're saying they laughed at you.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, the whole idea of wanting to. Oh, you want the Hawks because you want to play the tougher team. Well, look at you now. You're going to lose the suit. And I just said if you weren't going to be able to beat a team like that, then you're not who we thought you were. But you have to face the child.

[Don Hahn]

Iron. Sharpened iron. Because really, they should have wiped the floor with him. Right? So. But your. Your idea was. I don't know if it did or didn't, you know, because could that have happened against anybody? I mean, they are better than Atlanta and it's looking like they're better than. It may be all the teams in the Eastern Conference, but they didn't.

[Alan Hahn]

But all year, for a team that won 53 games, which is a lot of games, right. All year. Did you ever feel that confident when they played bad teams? They mopped the floor with them, right? They had one of the best records against teams with a losing record. They killed bad teams.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was one of the first promising things I thought, was how they took care of business.

[Alan Hahn]

They always took care of business. And yet there was always this sense of when they played good teams, it was always like, I don't know, another test, another test. And then when they beat them, there was always this sense of, well, well, they got to do it in the playoffs. Like, it never really felt like you really believed or trusted what you saw. And I'm saying this from my perspective and what I've seen in this offense and the way they move the ball and how engaged everybody is and connected everybody is, and how it affects the energy on defense. I, like I said, I have not seen a collective confidence like this in a very long time. And that's what makes you want to say, you know, there's something here. It's something you can believe in.

[Podcast Announcer]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Podcast Announcer]

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.