Hour 1: LeBron to 6ers

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Hour 1: LeBron to 76ers (July 24, 2026)

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the seismic shift in the NBA landscape: LeBron James signing a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg react in real time to the news, dissect why Philly won the LeBron sweepstakes, and explore what this means for the Knicks, Sixers, the renewed rivalry, and LeBron’s legacy. Lively debate, passionate calls from New York fans, and classic Don & Peter banter carry the hour.

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Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Breaking News: LeBron Joins the Sixers

• LeBron’s Decision: LeBron signs a two-year, $4 million/year contract with the 76ers. Don claims “victory” as he called Philadelphia the most intriguing destination (00:53).
• Motivations: Panel agrees the move is “about winning, not money” (02:20). Don emphasizes the appeal: ending Philly’s 44-year championship drought—the “sexiest story” LeBron could join, and the ease of East Coast travel for an aging superstar (02:20–04:20).

“That’s why I thought Philadelphia was always intriguing... To end a drought—it was too dead sexy to ignore. And LeBron agreed.”
—Don Hahn (03:28)

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2. Impact on the Knicks and the Eastern Conference

• Knicks Still the Favorite? Don asserts the Knicks remain favorites per Vegas odds (+330), with the Sixers right behind (+350). Emphasizes Philadelphia’s upgraded championship prospects, especially if Embiid is healthy (06:17).
• Fan Rivalry Rekindled: Both hosts celebrate how LeBron’s arrival will revitalize the dormant Knicks–Sixers rivalry and attract national attention (07:37–08:26).

“What a great time to be a Knick fan and have this rivalry really get going again... This could be a very sexy, fun rivalry to watch.”
—Peter Rosenberg (07:37)

• LeBron as Knicks Villain: Peter ponders if LeBron now loses some “villain” edge in the Garden, since Knicks didn’t pursue him after winning a title (09:22). Don argues Knicks success “took the sexiness out of it” for LeBron (12:14).

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3. Why Not the Knicks?

• Was New York Ever in Play? Conflicting reports swirl about whether LeBron wanted the Knicks, or vice versa. Rich Paul (LeBron’s agent) comments that LeBron would’ve come if the Knicks hadn’t just won a championship (12:10–13:12).

“If the Knicks hadn’t won, he’d be going to the Knicks... But the fact that they won, I always thought that eliminated them.”
—Don Hahn & Guest (13:04)

• LeBron’s Narrative: Don insists LeBron wants to be “the missing piece,” not just chase an easy ring (13:16), reinforcing why Philly—with its drought—makes narrative sense.

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4. Fan Reactions & The "Fraud" Debate (15:00+)

• Divided Loyalties: Multiple callers confess split fandom—Knicks and LeBron. Don and Peter debate when it crosses into “fan fraud,” with tongue-in-cheek references to “super fraud” and even “fraud fraud” for rooting against your team (16:14–17:47).
• Ring-Chasing vs. Ego-Chasing: Some fans see the move as classic ring-chasing, others—Don included—frame it as LeBron’s pursuit of “the ultimate story and legacy” (18:33–19:12).

“It’s ego... He is trying to write the last chapter of his story where he goes to a team that hasn’t won in 44 years and brings them a ring.”
—Don Hahn (18:33)

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5. Sixers’ Prospects and Potential Challenges

• Chemistry Questions: Callers and hosts discuss Nick Nurse’s challenge uniting big personalities (LeBron, Embiid, Brown). Both agree winning can’t be expected “overnight” and health is an X-factor (20:14).
• Knicks’ Calm: Knicks fans repeatedly express zen confidence—the “best-case scenario” is Sixers come up short despite the blockbuster moves (21:23–22:46).

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6. NBA & Legacy Consequences

• Championship or Bust in Philly? Don and Peter discuss Philly’s expectations—would a Finals run alone make LeBron a hero, or does anything but a championship label his stint a failure? (24:52–26:10)
• LeBron’s Legacy: They agree LeBron’s legacy is “intact regardless” but acknowledge a fourth title with a fourth team is a unique, potentially “mic drop” accomplishment versus Jordan in the GOAT conversation (45:48–46:58).

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7. The Human/Generational Angle

• Seeing Legends Live: Inspired by callers, the hosts wax nostalgic about seeing all-time greats (Jordan, Hank Aaron, Jeter) and urge listeners to take kids to see LeBron’s likely farewell tour (34:24–35:49, 47:08+).

“There are certain players who’ll be remembered forever. And you can say, ‘I saw them play.’”
—Don Hahn (49:20)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On LeBron’s Storytelling (03:28):
  “...the biggest one is big market story. Philadelphia...A chance to end a drought...it was too dead sexy to ignore. And LeBron agreed.” —Don Hahn

• On Knicks–Sixers Rivalry (07:37):
  “What a great time to be a Knick fan...This could be a very sexy, fun rivalry to watch.” —Peter Rosenberg

• On “Fan Fraud” (16:14):
  “Fraud is, like, getting two life sentences... But they didn’t touch it. He kind of warmed his hands on it just to see.” —Don Hahn

• On LeBron’s Legacy (18:33):
  “He is trying to write the last chapter...four championships with four different teams. He is trying to develop the ultimate story.” —Don Hahn

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Selected Timestamps for Key Segments

• LeBron’s Signing & Reasoning: 00:53–04:37
• Knicks’ Position & Rivalry Discussion: 06:17–08:26
• Was NY Ever in Play? / Rich Paul Segment: 09:22–13:16
• Fan “Fraud” / Split Loyalties Calls: 15:00–17:47
• Ego-Chasing vs. Ring-Chasing Debate: 18:33–19:12
• Philly Chemistry / Nurse, Brown, Embiid: 20:14–21:23
• Championship or Bust?: 24:52–26:10
• Legacy & GOAT Talk: 45:48–46:58
• Seeing Sports Legends Live: 34:24–35:49, 47:08+

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Tone & Style

• Passionate, combative, and playful NY sports banter—Don and Peter riff with confidence and sharp humor, both owning their biases and leaning into callers’ eccentricities.
• Nostalgic and reverent when discussing sports legacies and generational moments.
• Highly interactive—multiple caller segments, fan perspectives, and inside references (i.e., “fraud” levels).

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Summary Takeaway

LeBron’s move to Philadelphia isn’t just a transactional NBA moment—it’s an all-time narrative play, throwing gasoline on dormant rivalries and possibly gilding his legacy with the “ultimate story.” Knicks fans, though still savoring a championship, relish the renewed rivalry and feel (for now) confidently on top. The episode perfectly captures the intersection of sports history, loyalty, and storytelling—anchored by classic NYC analysis and the playful, competitive fire that makes Don, Hahn & Rosenberg a must-listen in the sports podcast world.

Transcript

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[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Otherwise, I'm not a real fan.

[Podcast Host]

Don, what kind of fan are you?

[Caller or Guest]

Not a good one.

[Podcast Host]

And Rosenberg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Peter haters who call stupid. The Peter fans who call very bright.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Podcast Host]

This is Don Han and Rosenberg.

[Don Hahn]

The best threesome I've ever heard on

[Podcast Host]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[Don Hahn]

300 one of the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg on a gorgeous Friday. Getting ready for the weekend. And boy, do we've got some news for you. In case you're just joining us. In case you've been under a rock, in case maybe you were, I don't know, indisposed. LeBron James. Peter Rosenberg is a Philadelphia 76er. Two year contract. Four million a year. LeBron James to take his talents to Philly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, man. Oh, man, I have to do it. I gotta give my guy his flowers. The man who was really, really on it for Philadelphia to be the spot was none other than Donald Marco Greco.

[Don Hahn]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now listen, I've always thought it would be like intriguing and interesting whenever you brought it up. I just didn't think it would happen.

[Don Hahn]

No, you said you didn't see it. You couldn't see it, couldn't picture it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you were right. I guess ultimately, if you believe what LeBron statement was that he put up on Twitter, it was ultimately about winning.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he thought this was the best opportunity for him to win.

[Don Hahn]

Now, I believe that winning is definitely a part of it certainly wasn't about money. If he wanted to just make the most money, he would have stayed in Los Angeles. So once he was taking his talents elsewhere, it was really about to win. And I also think about the story. That's why I thought Philadelphia was always intriguing to me is because it's just a better story. Why do you think the Knicks spurs got such amazing ratings? People were gravitating towards the fact that the Knicks were about to do something they hadn't done in 53 years. Why is one of the biggest baseball games ever watched in the last few decades. Game 7 between the Cubs and the Indians because it was two teams who hadn't won forever trying to win a World Series. People are attracted to things like that, and I think LeBron understands that. Miami, Cleveland, Golden State, been there, done that for LeBron in Cleveland and Miami and in Golden State, well, they've won a ton of titles. And the guys he'd be winning a title with, AKA Curry has also won a bunch of rings. Draymond Green's won a bunch of rings. But Philadelphia, this will be 44 years this year since Dr. J and the Sixers won a title way back in 1983 with Moses Malone. That's a story. Plus it's a team that's close. If MB can stay healthy, this is a very, very dangerous team. Even if MB doesn't stay healthy, it's dangerous. Plus travel, Peter, nobody's ever considered that. You know, much easier travel is going to be in Philadelphia for him than in Miami or Golden State or Minnesota. Forget the west. Travel there is ridiculous. He's got the 41 games at home in Philadelphia, quick trip to New York, quick trip to Brooklyn, quick trip to Washington, Boston. That's what's great about playing in the east, especially in the Northeast. There's so many teams that are really close by. It just, I thought, Peter, it clicked. It checked all the boxes. But the biggest one is big market story. Philadelphia is the fifth biggest market in the country. A chance to win and a chance to end a drought that, to me, it was too dead sexy to ignore. And LeBron agreed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I mean, when you, when you add it all up, there was, there's so much that makes it appeal. I think the travel point is a really good one because as an Eastern Conference team based in Philadelphia, between your 41 games in Philly and then what you're doing in New York, Brooklyn, Washington, Boston, it's, it's pretty damn. It's not too bad for a 41

[Don Hahn]

year old that doesn't want to load, manage and wants to try to play in every game. That's, that's, that's pretty good to do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you're basically up to over 50 games that require you to do almost nothing. Right. And then, and then finally got your, your Charlottes and your Orlando and your Miami and get, you know, Chicago, etc. But yeah, not too bad at all.

[Don Hahn]

You know, Peter, even though it's in the east, like the problem with Miami in this case is that it's still pretty far. I mean, that's a nice flight. Miami to New York. That's, you know, that's, that's a two and a half hour flight. That's not nothing. And, and other than Orlando and Charlotte, you know, you're, when you're going up to Boston, Miami to Boston, that's a three hour flight, you know, so you, you cut out a lot of Those for a 41 year old aging body that I think is going to want to play in every game. But listen, we want to hear from you immediately. 1-800-919-3776 we went gone from 0 to 60 after longing for something to talk about. And now we've got this to get into and it be Philadelphia which obviously it affects the Knicks. Alan Hahn on vacation will join us at 4.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Don Hahn]

The yes Network's Frank Isola will join us at 5. So we'll get all the different angles of this. But to me, Peter, the biggest angle is where does this affect the Knicks? I still think the Knicks are the best team in the Eastern Conference. I still believe they're the favorite. And according to all of Vegas, the Knicks are still the favorite. But guess what? It's Philadelphia. That's right there. FanDuel had the Knicks at plus 330 to win the East. All right, Philadelphia is plus 350. They've got a really good basketball team that was good enough without Brown, without LeBron and with a compromised Embiid to get to the second round. If Embiid's healthy, Peter, I would not be shocked if they went to the finals now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's a bit, that's a big

[Caller or Guest]

no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Your if is a split and it's hot and it's smoking and it's my.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, this. There's not much left of the split because it's been smoked because that's a humongous if. But that team is pretty loaded. But I still take the Knicks, but

[Peter Rosenberg]

not by much though.

[Don Hahn]

Not by much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I think the sexiest thing about this to me though is, is what this is going to do for the Knick 6 arrivalry and what a great time to be a Nick fan and get to kind of have this rivalry really get going again. I mean it's been good and it's been passionate over the last decade. But you think about the history LeBron sort of has with messing with the Knicks fan base from the, from the decision.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To the, to the way he treats the Garden and how he kind of acts like it's home. And there's always this sort of flirting with the Knicks while never wanting to be here. And now he goes to an already loaded 76 or team fresh off the Knicks championship. Don, this could be a very sexy, fun rivalry to watch.

[Don Hahn]

And the other thing, too, like, the Sixers are very much like the Knicks history. Right. They haven't gone as long without a championship, but it's only 10 years off. The last time the Sixers played in a conference final was in 01 with Iverson. So it's been a quarter century of very little in Philadelphia. This rivalry has basically been dead up until a couple of years ago. You know, Embiid gets into with Julius Randall, that was a thing a little bit. But really, this is going to spark up the rivalry. I wouldn't be surprised if all four meetings are on national television this year with the Knicks. New York and Philadelphia has always been a thing, but it's been a long time since it's been a thing in the NBA. I would think that the league is salivating over this because it's the fifth biggest market in the country. They've got a rabid fan base there in Philadelphia that's kind of been dormant during this whole stupid process that they've been in. So it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But let me. Let me ask you. Can I just ask you something, just. Just between me, you and us girls?

[Don Hahn]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I've been thinking about the history with the Knicks and LeBron and the Knicks fans and LeBron. And if LeBron is great and if this team is dangerous, just how good a villain LeBron could be in the Garden. But let me ask you, does a little bit come off of that when you think about the fact that the only reason LeBron is probably in Philadelphia is because the Knicks said, we're all set. No, thanks. Because, let's be honest, if the answer, Don, was that he wanted to be on the east coast and compete for a championship, that means the plan was probably the Knicks are not going to win this year. I'll finally do the New York thing. It'll be amazing. The Knicks won a championship, had no interest, and they pivoted to Philly. Isn't that likely what happened? And does that take a little bit of any sort of anti LeBron vitriol out of it?

[Caller or Guest]

No.

[Don Hahn]

I think Knick fans enjoy kind of trolling him, and now that he's wearing a Sixer jersey and becomes even easier to troll him. But do we know that for a fact, Peter, the Knicks were out, or was he out because they already had won and that took the sexiness out of It. Because the reports were he wanted to go to the Knicks. Had they lost. Once the Knicks won, at least the perception was he was out because it became less sexy. So I don't know. Do we know the Knicks were out? Would the Knicks have been out if they lost? I don't know that well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was the Brunson statement that made it sound like they were not interested?

[Don Hahn]

Rich Paul said they weren't interested.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, Rich Paul said it. Sorry.

[Don Hahn]

We have it if you want it. Let's play it, please. From the game over.

[Caller or Guest]

I'm always judged different, though. Max, I understand what you say as a. As a fan of the Knicks and as, you know, someone who has been around sports forever, but he's just always judged different. And those are. That's a very fragile thing. And he's been a part of championship teams. Here's the thing. He's been a part of a championship team with people coming onto the team. When LeBron comes onto your team, I don't care if you just won a championship. I don't care if you've been the best player. It's different, man.

He.

His. His enterprise value and what he just carries is it's different. And I respect the fact Mike Brown knows this. Jalen Brunson will literally have to pick up the phone and say, hey, man, is no issue with me. It's no issue with me.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know if that answered my question.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it didn't exactly.

[Don Hahn]

It sounds very. It's very hazy. I think, intentionally, the feeling of. From what I understand is, is that he'd want to go there if they hadn't won. But once they won the title, to Paul's point is, what exactly am I joining here? I'm already joining a team that's won a champ. I'm supposed to be the guy to help you get there. You're not supposed to be helping me get there. I'm supposed to be helping you get there. Like, so the Knicks became unattractive once they won the title, and I don't think the Knicks feel any appetite to have him once they've already won it.

[Caller or Guest]

All right.

[Don Hahn]

We have more.

[Caller or Guest]

I think it's difficult, right, because the last thing you want to do is mess up something like that.

Right?

The Knicks has a good thing going. You know, that'll be. If the Knicks hadn't a one, he. This wouldn't. There would be no board.

[Don Hahn]

He'd be going to the Knicks.

[Caller or Guest]

He'd be going to the Knicks.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, there you go.

[Podcast Host]

Interesting.

[Don Hahn]

But the fact that they won. I always thought that eliminated them, but

[Podcast Host]

the more I think about it, Rich.

[Caller or Guest]

Well, you just see it's a player thing, Max.

[Don Hahn]

So that's why I had that in my head. If the Knicks had lost, and we'll get more into this a little bit later on in the show, but if the Knicks had lost, then that becomes the most attractive for all the same reasons. It's sexy. The Knicks hadn't won in a million years. Travels a lot easier. The Knicks will be the much better pick than Philadelphia. But once the Knicks won, well, then that takes all the sexiness out of it. That's not what LeBron's about. LeBron's not Roger Clemens looking for a title and joining the Yankees. LeBron James supposed to be the missing piece. That's why Philadelphia is so damn sexy. Because now he could be the missing piece. So that, that's why Philadelphia to me always made sense. But the Knicks were not. The Knicks were out once they won.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's what we know.

[Don Hahn]

Had they lost. Now we're talking about something here because then it's dead sexy. But especially after what you saw now, if he had gone to Cleveland or Miami, then maybe you could say, well, maybe that wasn't the most important thing. He just wanted the comfort of going back home or, you know, going back to Miami where he had played before. But going to Philadelphia, they have what the Knicks didn't, and that is a long streak of not winning a championship. The Knicks, the Knicks got off that line last month. Let's hear from you at 1-800-919-3776. Isam is in Virginia. Get us started here on Don Ana Rosenberg. What's up, man? Hi, how are you? Good.

[Caller or Guest]

Hi.

So you actually called, called me out a few months ago about being like a LeBron and Knicks fan. I don't know if you remember I said like, oh, the Knicks are my favorite team, but LeBron, yeah, it was odd.

[Don Hahn]

It's an odd combination for sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it happens.

[Caller or Guest]

Like, say that I cannot root for the Sixers at all. Like, I had to give up on being a Bron fan. It's so, it's just like a weird feeling. I don't really like, like the fit for LeBron. Like, it just seems like he's ring chasing and stuff like that. And it's like kind of hopeful.

It's.

I feel like he's going to be like looking like Jordan on the Wizards kind of for him.

[Don Hahn]

Well, that's not going to be the case because I think this team's got a way better chance of winning than Jordan did on Washington, But. And I think he's got a lot. Listen, Jordan was very good, played all 82 games. But I think LeBron at 41 is in a. Is in a better place than I think Jordan was at the end of his career. And thank you for the phone call. You're kind of breaking up a little bit there, but. No, you can't. On fraud alert. Friday of all days is the perfect day. I don't care how much you love LeBron James. It's over when he. When he joined your division. And now he's going to be one of the obstacles of you trying to repeat. Imagine the broad. If he tried to hold on to it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fraud. It's got to be a better word than fraud. If you were to keep. Now you're still gonna like LeBron.

[Don Hahn]

So you think something like stronger than fraud.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's. It's beyond super fraud.

[Don Hahn]

Have you done super fraud? The very rare. Well, there's this.

[Caller or Guest]

We've.

[Don Hahn]

We've. We've thrown out super fraud. Super fraud. The. The thing that I've never thrown out, Peter, and I hope I never have to, because it's the. It's the atom bomb of fraud.

[Caller or Guest]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Is fraud. Fraud.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my God.

[Don Hahn]

Like, fraud. Fraud is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We've never seen that.

[Don Hahn]

It's like. It's like getting two life sentences. Like, there's no getting up out. But they didn't touch. It sounded like he kind of warmed his hands on it just to see what.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah. What is it? Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I don't. Nobody wants the fraud. Fraud, fraud, fraud, fraud, fraud.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. It's just a little taste, but he stopped in time. You know, it's like. It's like you're at the massage parlor, okay. And you think you're just getting a massage, and all of a sudden it starts going left. And before you say, hey, stop. You just take a moment, go, well, that feels pretty good. You know what I mean?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then go, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing here?

[Don Hahn]

He gave it more than a second glance.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he gave it a second.

[Caller or Guest]

Went.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hold on.

[Caller or Guest]

All right.

[Don Hahn]

He.

[Caller or Guest]

That.

[Don Hahn]

That. The Internet thing with the guy looking back at the girl that walked by. You know that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, sure.

[Caller or Guest]

He. That.

[Don Hahn]

That's the kind of glance he gave it. He turned around.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Sat with it for a second.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. More than just his eyes moved. His whole body adjusted.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was movement.

[Don Hahn]

Let's go to Billy in the truck. You're on Don on a Rosenberg.

[Caller or Guest]

Hey, guys, when I.

When I originally called up, I was

gonna ask if, if he would have went to the Knicks had they lost,

but

I don't know.

To me, this, this seems like a big, like a, like a big ego thing. Like he just wanted to go wherever he, wherever would be like the, like the bloodiest ring for him to get like that, that, you know how we say, oh, KD's ring isn't, you know, is nowhere near worth what, what Brunson's ring is. I, you know, I really think he's just trying to. He really is just ring chasing at this point,

[Don Hahn]

Billy. It's ego. It's ego chasing. It's beyond ring. It's beyond ring chasing. Ring is part of it. He's chasing the story. He is trying to write the last chapter of his story where he goes to a team that hasn't won in 44 years and finally brings the elusive ring to Philadelphia. And at 41 years old, he wins a championship. First player ever to win four championships with four different teams. He is trying to develop the ultimate story. And I can't, I can't begrudge somebody for dvd. If you got the power to do it, I guess you try to do it, don't you?

[Caller or Guest]

I suppose, yeah. I don't know.

To me it's, to me it seems

a little,

I don't know, I don't,

I don't, I don't. I don't think he's going to beat the Knicks. I think he's going to be very upset when he runs into Jalen Brunson. But I wish, I wish him the best of luck. And as for the first caller, yeah, I did. I, I am a bit of a LeBron fan. It's not, you know, it's not like I'm watching them in the playoffs, all this and that, but I'd like to see, I'd like to see him do well. But that's no more labanzo. Labozo is done.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lobonzo.

[Don Hahn]

Wow, Bozo. That's. That's a nice about face that he gave a fan of LeBron. Now he's Lebo Labo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He has had enough.

[Don Hahn]

And the other thing, I'm going to mention it when we come back. We'll take another call, but I'll mention when we come back why Philadelphia is also attractive for him for this story. Nick and Woodbridge run ESPN New York.

[Caller or Guest]

Hey, guys, thanks for taking the call.

Always.

I think with LeBron signing, for me, it comes down to, with him going to Philly like this is just more about LeBron feeding his ego. Don, I think you're absolutely correct. And I think about now some of the egos in that Philadelphia locker room. And to think that you have the great Nick Nurse trying to bring them all together to win a championship. I'm good. I. I'm not. I'm not concerned. There's only one basketball. They got a ton of talent, but teams like that don't mesh overnight. And LeBron's not getting any younger. So the Knicks are bringing back their starting five. We got our bench pieces. Regular season doesn't matter much anymore where you end up seating. So if I'm Philly, just try to keep Embiid and LeBron somewhat healthy towards the end of the year. But all in all, I'm good, man. I'm not worried by this. I actually prefer it he went there

than

we'll be good.

[Don Hahn]

Isn't that a nice feeling?

[Caller or Guest]

The.

[Don Hahn]

A big free agent signed someplace else and you could sit there and go, I'm good. Don't have to worry. You don't have to worry you didn't get them. You don't have to worry that somebody else got him because you're the defending champions. How good does that feel?

[Caller or Guest]

It feels great. And Don, it's funny too, because, like, remember when he left Cleveland years ago, the Knicks made a pitch for him and he wanted. We. He didn't want any part of us now. He only wanted to come here if he could be the savior. We got our savior. His name's Jalen Brunson.

[Don Hahn]

We're good. Isn't it so much sweeter, Peter? And thank you for the call, Nick, to just do it without him.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You would have taken it with him. Of course. You'd have no choice. You didn't have one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, no, no. It's the best case scenario. It could not have been better for the Knicks. And think about how sweet it will be, guys, when the most likely thing happens, and I say this respectfully, but honestly, when the most likely thing happens, and that is they do not win a championship. And so not only do you have a title, but the Sixers get Jalen Brown, they get LeBron, and somehow it still doesn't fall into place. It'll be the sweetest if that happens. It'll be like winning the championship a second time. But, Don, I do. We do have to backtrack on one. I think that me and at least Alan, maybe all three of us and have at least one mea culpa we have to make on the other side.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, so we got a double tease.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh yeah.

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[Podcast Host]

every home thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Podcast Host]

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

[Don Hahn]

Again, I can't speak for a Philly fan. I don't know, is it. I don't think it'd be championship or bust this year. Like, if. If LeBron had gone to the Knicks, if they lost to the spurs, well, you better win a championship. Just lost to the Spurs. Like, if Philadelphia lost in the conference final, would they look at it as a failure? And then the second year they get to the final and lose to the Thunder or the Spurs? Like, would it look like a miserable two years in Philadelphia, or would it be, hey, LeBron, thanks, man. You took us to a conference final for the first time since, you know, 2001. You took us to a final since. Since that time when we had Allen Iverson. Thanks for making us relevant again. Appreciate it. Or is it going to be he miserable failure like, again, I don't know. I'm not. I'm not a Sixer fan, but that would hardly be a failure to me, looking at it realistically is. Would you agree or disagree with that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I totally agree with that.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think you. I think you. I think the expectation would be that you're immediately competing, but you can't. If you've never done it before, Don, it can never be considered a complete failure if it doesn't happen the first

[Don Hahn]

time you try it, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And all. And we don't know what we're getting from Embiid this year, they can't be sure of what they're going to get.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, listen, the first year, remember, LeBron didn't win his first year in Miami, went to a final, but lost to Dallas. When Ray Bork went to Colorado, people forget. Didn't win the first year in Colorado, they won the second year. Like, sometimes it takes a bit. Now, if he goes out, gets bounced in the first round both years or gets bounced in the first round next year and then retires. Yeah, it's a miserable failure, but I don't know if it's as heavy lifting as it's championship or bust. But again, I'd have to talk to Andrew Gunling, a Sixer fan, what he's thinking, what they're thinking right now in Philadelphia. Are they fantasizing about their first championship since 1983? Are they just looking to be relevant again and, you know, winning a couple of rounds in the playoffs? I don't know that. What was your tease, Peter? Because I think yours more intriguing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thank you very much. I said that I think we, at least, me and Allen, but maybe all three of us had a mea culpa.

[Don Hahn]

Today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that is that we talked about how this whole thing has felt a little Aaron Rodgers and like, everyone's over it. No one cares that the one that he chose it now, everyone, it's as huge as could be. It's.

[Caller or Guest]

This is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is a sports world stopping sort of moment for LeBron. We got to give it up. This is not Aaron Rodgers showing up in Pittsburgh.

[Don Hahn]

No. Because he didn't show up in Pittsburgh. He showed up in Dallas. Almost in a way, sexier place to me. I'll join with you guys. I'll stand by the fact that I don't think a lot of people cared because I think a lot of people just thought he was going to go back to Cleveland. And if that had happened, we talk about it, we'd lead with it, and then we move on to Mets, Yankees or, you know, whatever. Philadelphia changed that. But I don't think people had Philadelphia as the favorite yesterday. I felt like it was growing a little bit in recent days, but I don't think people had Philadelphia as the favorite or the second favorite. Felt like it was going to be Cleveland, Miami. I never bought any of the Western teams. Michael was talking about it earlier. Like Minnesota, I never bought that. And Golden State, I guess there was the possibility of that, although you've been on that. They, they. He wasn't going to win there in Golden State. It might have been sexy, but he wasn't going to win. But the fact that it's Philadelphia and, And it. And listen, Cleveland would have impacted the Knicks as well, but I don't know. Philadelphia just hits different.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, there is something.

[Don Hahn]

Because it's almost in your backyard, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It.

[Caller or Guest]

It.

[Don Hahn]

It's almost adjacent to Brooklyn. He's so close.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's.

[Don Hahn]

It's crazy, man. Like, Philly is so damn close.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Super duper close. Yeah. If you're a big LeBron fan, James, who lives in New York, easy to go to a handful of games this season. Not a problem at all. You'll get a better price than you get at the Garden, at least. And again, like I said, from a rivalry standpoint, just incredibly intriguing. And also, you talk about what it is for the Knick Sixers rivalry. I mean, man, Celtic Sixers games next year. Must watch. I do wonder about how Jalen Brown feels about this. You know, apparently, obviously Philly wasn't a serious choice potentially until Jaylen Brown went first. But you still wonder, Don, did Jaylen Brown know that? Would he have been excited to go somewhere and then have a bigger story? Come walk in the door a month later.

[Don Hahn]

Now, that's what's interesting. All these players talk, right? So obviously Jaylen Brown didn't have. Wasn't thinking LeBron James when he got traded there, but could. Could LeBron have called him like, right after the deal and said, you know what? Would you mind if I came play with you? You know, I would think that he was probably on board with it, right? It's LeBron. And plus, he's going to be there a lot longer than LeBron's going to be there, Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

True. No question.

[Don Hahn]

So, again, I don't think Philadelphia does it if they think that it would be an issue with the players. I mean, there was even talk that, like, nobody really likes Embiid, right. Jalen Brown had some things to say about him before he got traded there. I guess LeBron's not the biggest fan either, but everybody's going to have to kind of get along when it's LeBron James, right?

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You make it work.

[Don Hahn]

You try to make it work. Let's get back to the phones and let's go to I Eatie. He is in Spring Valley. You're on espn New York. Did I get the name right?

[Caller or Guest]

No, you butchered it, but it's okay.

[Don Hahn]

Well, first I just say you deserve to have your name said correctly.

[Podcast Host]

What is it?

[Caller or Guest]

It's Haiti. Like the country Haiti.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah. So first off, I'd like to say miss every shot. You're amazing. There you go, Peter, you're amazing. We love you out here. But I. I like. Yeah, I have to say, you know, I'm a Laker fan. You know, I'm a diehard Laker fan, King Kobe fan. And I'm happy for LeBron. I think this is good for LeBron. I think it's good for Philly. I think it's good for the East Coast. I think it's great for NBA. The game's gonna be amazing to watch. Like, he's. Rosenberg said ticket price is going to be way better than going to the Knicks games. So I think it's really good for overall and people hating on LeBron as usual, the guys. You know, he's averaging 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds at the age of 41. Come on, how can you hate on that? You know, him going there is great. I like it. I think it's great for the NBA. Great overall. That's what I gotta say.

[Don Hahn]

I think this is a home run for the NBA because, you know, the other thing it does too, is it, let's say he go let's say he went to Minnesota or Golden State or just retired. Peter, the east from. Not in New York because it's the Knicks, but like everybody else, like, all right, the Knicks are the big favorite. There's, you know, Boston takes a step back. Nobody believes in Detroit, you know, nobody. Cleveland never WINS Anything without LeBron James. The east all of a sudden became exciting because now there's a team that I think can compete with the Knicks. Knick fans don't care. They want to run away with the whole thing. But from an NBA standpoint, they've now made the Eastern Conference interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, I mean, the Eastern Conference is dead sexy this year now.

[Don Hahn]

And like you just said, now, now the Knick 6 arrivalry off the charts. Celtic 6 arrivalry off the charts. Everywhere LeBron goes now, because it could be his last season, all those Eastern cities are going to get a chance to see him. Hey, I was even thinking, like, if I got a double game in Philadelphia, I usually just leave the day of because it's so close to my house. But like, if the Sixers are playing the night before, I might go down early. Well, I'm not above seeing LeBron James play live.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I really do wonder how Andrew Gundling is doing today.

[Don Hahn]

We should check in with him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Should we check? You should.

[Don Hahn]

He doesn't. You know, I could die in front of him. He would just step over me. But I think he would respond to a text from you. I think I'd want to know because I'm guessing, like, how Sixer. He's the biggest Sixer fan. I know his family had season tickets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, if you're like a young dad like Andrew Gunling and I have other friends in this category too. You've made your kids Sixer fans. Now you get to tell your kid, hey, guess what? The Sixers have LeBron James.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, my son's not a big NBA fan and my daughter's not a sports fan. But like, you think if I talked to 30 year old Marco one day and I said to him, you know, there was a time where I was thinking of maybe taking you down to Philadelphia to see LeBron James play, but I figured you wouldn't be interested, he'd probably take a swing at me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Caller or Guest]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Don Hahn]

Like, I got to see Jordan play, I got to see LeBron play. It's cool, right? To just say that first game my dad ever took me to, I saw Hank Aaron. I was, I was young, but I, at least I could say I saw Hank Aaron. You don't think that my kids might be like, I got to see LeBron James play.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I gotta tell you, that's a pretty. That's a pretty good flex. The.

[Caller or Guest]

The.

[Don Hahn]

I want.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got to see Hank Aaron play. It's a good flex.

[Don Hahn]

Well, that's why I remember it like I was 4. But you don't forget that. That's, like, one of my earliest memories. And my dad made sure he pointed out that's Hank Aaron. And I didn't know who Hank Aaron was at 4, but as I got older, I understood who he was. And I did get a chance, like, because he was. He was done in 77, so I was 9. So he was a Brewer at the end. So, like, I'd see him maybe play the Yankees every once in a while. So I. I was old enough to kind of understand who he was, but that. You're not going to forget that. Like, maybe I'll do that. Maybe you should do that with Maya.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I mean, yeah. I mean, let's see. It's two years, so.

[Don Hahn]

So if you're.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You mean just to be able to say she saw LeBron.

[Don Hahn]

If you. If you went in February or March towards the end of the season, and she's two, she's not going to remember, but you could tell her, oh, by the way, you know, when you were two, I took you to a Sixer game and you saw LeBron James play.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not bad

[Caller or Guest]

right.

[Don Hahn]

Now, she might grow up to not even care, but if she became, like, a big NBA fan for some reason, like, a big. Like, that really loved it.

[Caller or Guest]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

Like. Like, Tessa loves the Lakers and she became a fan of whoever.

[State Farm Announcer]

But.

[Don Hahn]

But still you say, oh, by the way, Maya, when you were 2, you saw LeBron James play.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You had to have that in your stash.

[Don Hahn]

She'd run the school the next day and, like, tell all of her friends. That would be fun. You'd be father of the year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And like, imagine if you had a kid right now. Like, if. If. If the people like John Winthrop

[Don Hahn]

brought his.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. How old is John's oldest? 17, 16. All right. It's not an option. Not an option. But if your oldest was, like, 22, and you could have taken them to see Jordan at the end. Pretty cool thing to have.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Even if they didn't remember it specifically, that's still, like, you show them the ticket or you take a picture at the arena, maybe like a hostage thing. Like have them take a picture in front of the arena with the newspaper of the date.

[Caller or Guest]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Just to prove you were there. You can't get a picture with LeBron, but we could at least prove to you that you were in the building the day that he played. Let's go to Curtin, New Jersey. You're on espn, New York.

[Caller or Guest]

What's up guys? How are you? Happy Friday. I want to make a couple of points and I just want to listen to you, but this is. I want to speak for all of Nick fans. You know how nervous I was today as a Nick fan. I went with my beautiful wife down at the tiki bar, the Martels, couple of Philly cheesesteaks, had a couple of beers, sat back and said, you know what, Jen? It's beautiful being NBA champs. Guys, we just went 16 and three. We beat Philly so bad in four games. We took over their building and now we're going to be afraid of Jalen Brown and a 40 year old LeBron James. Listen, we got bridges shuts down. Maxi OG will shut down whoever he wants. Cat was no wanted, no part of Cat. We're only going to get better. And guys, here's the best thing. You know what we have that they will never have. We have number 11 when that game is on the line. We got the Mariano Rivera, we got the John Elway ball game ball, set, match, it's over. You know what? Bring it on. LeBron boys, have a good weekend. We're going back to back, baby.

[Don Hahn]

That Kurt, you know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Back to back.

[Don Hahn]

You, you can, you can say that you're the defending champions, but they, they will be a thing. Not saying you're not going to beat them, but they will be a thing. It's hard to repeat in the NBA. Now, eight straight years we haven't had a repeat champion and you swept a Sixer team that didn't have Brown or LeBron James or a healthy Embiid. The only thing you can count on is probably not having a healthy Embiid again. But if for some reason the stars align, Peter and Embiid is healthy with Brown and LeBron, the Sixers are a problem. Not saying incurable, but it's a problem. Just is not saying you can't handle it. But it will be interesting. They will be much better than the team that you easily swept last year. And as far as the Knicks being

[Caller or Guest]

better,

[Don Hahn]

that's debatable, right? You lost Mitchell Robinson. That's not nothing and it's really difficult to repeat. So I love, listen, I love where Kurt's head's at because that's. You get to be that when your team wins. But I Can't be as confident as him, can you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, that was over the top. That wasn't good for him.

[Don Hahn]

He just. Two cheesesteaks. I think he had more than a couple, but that's all right. It's Friday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, God bless. Enjoy it.

[Don Hahn]

God bless me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bless me. Bless if you will. But, but, but like I, I love. That's the attitude you're supposed to have. But if they are going to be a tough out, if, if, if you even get half an embiid, it's going to be a tough out. That team was already great when they got Jalen brown, folks. Yeah, LeBron's another piece. Remember, this is not the piece. He's another thing.

[Don Hahn]

No, you're right. He's 41, but he's still a top 20, 25 player in the league that they just added who's a closer, you know, so certainly something to keep an eye. I'm not telling you to be worried about it, but I wouldn't discount them out of hand either.

[WNBA Announcer]

You know, when you're locked in, focused and fearless. Welcome to the wnba, your vision narrows. You can't look away. Every assist, every stop, every logo, three

[Don Hahn]

from beyond the logo, every.

[WNBA Announcer]

Did you see that moment? What records are going to be broken this season? All of it right here.

[Caller or Guest]

Lock in.

[WNBA Announcer]

It's the WNBA on ESPN all season long.

[Podcast Host]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Podcast Host]

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

[Don Hahn]

The New York Red Bulls take on Orlando City SC on Saturday, August 1st at Sports Illustrated Stadium. With kickoff set for 7:30. Celebrate Hometown Heroes Night with Red Bull New York and be among the first 10,000 fans for an exclusive beach towel giveaway for your chance to win a family four pack of tickets. Enter [e-mail] or through the ESPN New York app. Don't miss Julian hall and and Antoine Griezmann when the Red Bulls Host Orlando City SC Saturday, August 1st. Secure your seats at Red New York Red Bulls.com that'[e-mail] Don Hanna, Rosenberg, Allen Hahn's on vacation, but he's going to join us at 4 to talk about the LeBron James situation. Let's get back to the busy phones and talk to Jesus in Babylon. You're on, Don. Hanan Roseberg

[Caller or Guest]

hey guys, you can hear me.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, easily.

[Caller or Guest]

All right, cool. Listen, Don, I'm glad you brought up before you guys went to commercials about the greats. And you got, you were lucky enough to see some of the greats. And I feel the same way with LeBron. I feel like a lot of people every. The tallers really kind of annoy me. My little cousins annoy me. My brother annoys me. He's myself a friend. And they own the LeBron haters. And they're just like, oh, he's just chasing the rings. Oh, this is just for, for whatever. But just that LeBron hater talk. And I just hate that because I'm a 42 year old man. I was born in 84. I, I saw Jordan play. I hated Jordan because he used to be my knees. But we already got the win. We already got the championship with. Does that make me a fraud?

Done.

If I want LeBron to win a ring with, with the Sixers, I don't know. You tell me. Because I want to see him win.

[Don Hahn]

Well, because I want to see right the Knicks. The Knicks are the favorites to win the east. So if LeBron wins, that means he might have beat the Knicks. You can't root against. I know that would make you a fraud.

[Caller or Guest]

Listen that. Then I'm a fraud then? Because I thought we got the chip already. I'll be great. Honestly, I, I'm a realistic. We got. So we got a lot of love on our side. We are great. We are a great team. But if you're telling me I, I know about my favorite. Hilarious. My favorite sport is basketball and I know about it and I know that there's no way the Knicks are going to beat LeBron if they're healthy. So I'd rather see the chip. So ring it again. I'm a fraud. Love you.

[Don Hahn]

As long as you own it, man, that's real. I mean, it's all right to be a fraud. When you own it, you own it. Hey, Susan, thank you for the phone call and have a great weekend, but you're a fraud. Love you. But it's one thing if you're like, well, if the Knicks aren't going to win, let's have LeBron win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But to actually he's saying he would. He's going to root for them.

[Don Hahn]

He's rooting for the Sixers to win a title so that LeBron can get another chip because he loves LeBron. He loves greatness. And the Knicks already have a championship. Fraud. But he owned it, Peter. He didn't fight it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I mean, it's cute, but it's, it's, it's. What's, it's mega fraud.

[Don Hahn]

I never.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you have monster fraud.

[Don Hahn]

No, I haven't. No, I do not have monster fraud.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Monster fraud.

[Don Hahn]

But, Peter, I've liked other athletes. How do you not appreciate Wayne Gretzky if you're a hockey fan or. You know, I love Nolan Ryan because I don't remember him as a met. He was gone, you know, when I was a kid. But I loved Nolan Ryan. You could have players that you love and appreciate that don't play for your team, but when you start rooting for them ahead of your team, that's a problem. And that's never come close, Peter, ever. As much as I loved Lawrence Taylor, I never had to root against him because he was always a giant. But if for some reason at the end of his career he went and became an Eagle, as much as I love Lawrence Taylor, do you think I'm rooting for the Eagles to win a Super Bowl? No. So I can't even wrap my mind around loving another athlete ahead of my own team. Can't even. Can't even fathom, can you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Unless you're a fraud. So if you're a fraud fan of the team, it's like me in the way you see me in the Celtics. If I had been like, oh, man, the Celtics have won enough. I'd like to see the Knicks win. Fraud.

[Don Hahn]

And since when's 150 shouldn't be enough, but one's enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, listen, people are high right now.

[Don Hahn]

Well, but, no but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And we are. And we are the show of high.

[Don Hahn]

I don't think Jesus was high, or I'll say this. It didn't affect his judgment on this. He might have been high anyway. I don't know. Because again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I mean, I mean. But I mean, a lot of Knicks fans are just currently high.

[Caller or Guest]

You know what I mean?

[Don Hahn]

They are on life. But this guy just. I guess. I guess there are people that love teams, but they also love players more. And you know what? I know there's always the debate about who's better, LeBron James or Michael Jordan. And that's a debate you can't win is a younger generation that's going to say LeBron. An older generation is going to say Jordan. It's a great debate. It's fun. That's what sports is about. But do you really think this idea that if he wins a title in Philadelphia, they could be better? You know, he's. The resume is complete to me now for him. He might want to end the story on a high note and maybe for some, a fourth title with a fourth Team might mean something. That might be a drop mic in an argument with LeBron, with Michael Jordan. But, like, I'm sorry, LeBron James will be fine no matter what happens, okay? He's going to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. And I don't think anything he could do moving forward is going to convince the Jordan crowd that he's better. So let him do what he wants to do. But as far as, like, padding the stats, if you will, I think he's good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, he's going to be fun.

[Don Hahn]

I think his legacy is intact. Let's go to Flavio and Hawthorne. You're on espn, New York. What's up, buddy?

[Caller or Guest]

Hey, fellas. You know, timing could not have been better. I get in the car and I hear you guys talking about whether or not you take your kids to see LeBron play. And it was 10 minutes after I spoke to my son, who's 36, and he said, hey, I just, I just heard that LeBron James went for the 76ers. I'm not a fan. I don't follow the NBA, but I may go to one of these games. And, you know, it's just, it's a, you know, he's one of those guys. I'm not a big LeBron fan. I am a Michael Jordan fan. But it's, you know, it's his last go round. It's going to have a farewell game everywhere he goes. And I think, I think if you get a chance to go, this is the chance to go, go see him play anywhere.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I feel, I feel exactly the same way. And Flavio, I'll talk to you on Sunday. He's got a podcast I'll give you information on a little bit later on. But I appreciate the phone call because we're up against it. When we, When I used to do the K show from the trailer at Yankee Stadium, Peter, when we were on.

[Caller or Guest]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

And they wanted me and Michael to be together before show. And even, even, even after you joined the show. I was there the last home game that I was going to be at the trailer of Jeters last year. I made sure I stayed and went and watched the game because I'm not a Yankee fan. But it was Derek Jeter. It was the last chance to see Derek Jeter play. Like, why wouldn't you, if you had the opportunity, why wouldn't you take advantage of that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, Don, you one of the

[Don Hahn]

greatest players of all time. Why wouldn't. My last chance to see him. I wanted to take the advantage and do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don. I went to Fenway, saw Jeters last game.

[Caller or Guest]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Went up to Fenway for the moment. It was awesome. I did not see Kobe's last game in la and I knew that wouldn't be possible. But guess what? Drove to Boston, went to Kobe's last game in Boston. Like, you know, when the true all time greats are wrapping it up and you've gotten to watch their whole career, it's hard to not want to take it in.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, of course. In any way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you're a sports fan.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Because I think that just part of forever there's certain players are going to be remembered forever. And you could say I saw them play. Just like if I meet an older person that says that they saw a Mantle or they saw DiMaggio, if they're a certain age, I don't think there's anybody left that saw Ruth. But if there were when I were younger, you know, you don't think I'd pull up a chair and want to find out what that was like?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, Michael saw Ruth play late and it was late. He wasn't the same.

[Don Hahn]

It was very late.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It wasn't prime Ruth.

[Caller or Guest]

Right.

He was a.

[Don Hahn]

He was a beat reporter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it was. Well, yeah, he was actually still a Fordham.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Oh, that's what it was. He was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was ill for him, but it was late.

[Don Hahn]

Ruth, he tried to get an interview for wfvu.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he tried to get an FVU interview. And Ruth. And Ruth was in the middle of eating a hot dog and they had a conversation.

[Don Hahn]

Fuv. Fuv. I'm sorry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Whatever.

[Don Hahn]

It was a nice attempt. You could say whatever. I don't get to say whatever.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I guess. You can't.

[Don Hahn]

Good for you. No, I had a conversation with. I was taking Declan to camp this morning, my nephew, and he confused Hank Aaron with Willie mays. He's only 10, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That is for a 10 year old. Not only is that not a bad accident, I'm impressed by confusing them. That's good.

[Don Hahn]

He thought that Willie Mays was the home run champion before Bonds and not Hank Aaron.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Got it.

[Caller or Guest]

No problem.

[Don Hahn]

And I corrected him. He's like, whatever. I said, no, you can't. It's not whatever.

[Caller or Guest]

Okay?

[Don Hahn]

You can't say that to somebody. Oh, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, whatever. You're going to look like an idiot. Don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You went from being I was impressed that you made the mistake to now you sound foolish.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah. Stop it.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, no, it's, it's not whatever.

[Podcast Host]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the

[Podcast Host]

sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.