Hour 1: LIVE from Stout

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 1: LIVE from Stout
Release Date: May 29, 2025

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1. Live Coverage from Stout at Madison Square Garden (MSG) [00:56 - 02:25]

The episode kicks off with Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg setting the stage for their live broadcast from Stout, located at 33rd and 7th in MSG. Don announces, “Don, Han and Rosenberg on [a] pivotal day in New York sports,” emphasizing the significance of Game 5 in the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers ([00:56]).

2. Analyzing Game 5: Team Performance and Strategic Insights [02:47 - 11:19]

Defense and Turnovers:
Alan Hahn underscores the critical areas the Knicks need to focus on to secure a win. He states, “We are not tolerating getting beat down the floor in transition. It’s not happening” ([08:31]). Don complements this by highlighting the importance of controlling the game: “Don’s ultimate focus is on winning Game 5 to keep the series alive” ([04:19]).

Home vs. Road Performance:
The hosts delve into the Knicks' contrasting records, noting their strong performance on the road (6-2) versus their struggles at home (3-5). Don remarks, “The Knicks are 3 and 5 at home, but they’re 6 and 2 on the road” ([10:08]). This discrepancy is pivotal as the series could hinge on navigating these dynamics effectively.

Historical Context and Continuity:
Alan Hahn draws parallels with past Knicks performances, emphasizing the importance of continuity and learning from previous playoff experiences. “The Pacers have continuity and health, whereas the Knicks are navigating their first deep playoff run,” he explains ([39:32]).

3. Jalen Brunson’s Impact and Defending His Role [12:00 - 15:02]

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Jalen Brunson, with Don passionately defending him against external criticism. Don asserts, “Jalen Brunson has been the best Knicks player since Patrick Ewing” ([12:00]). He vehemently opposes any slander against Brunson, stating, “I am not going to tolerate any more Jalen Brunson slander” ([13:25]). This segment underscores Brunson's pivotal role in the Knicks' current success and his importance to the franchise’s future.

4. NBA Parity and the Knicks' Future Prospects [38:31 - 41:57]

Parity in the NBA:
Don and Alan discuss the increasing parity within the NBA, comparing it to other major sports leagues. Don notes, “the NBA's got more parity than the NFL,” highlighting how competitive balance has intensified ([38:31]).

Knicks’ Position in the Eastern Conference:
The hosts express optimism about the Knicks' potential, given their recent performances and the league's competitive nature. Alan Hahn emphasizes, “When you look at the rest of the Eastern Conference, the Knicks are positioned to keep this going” ([38:40]).

5. Strategic Focus: One Game at a Time [20:35 - 21:10]

Bill Pito advocates for a focused approach, emphasizing the importance of treating each game as an individual entity. He advises, “Let’s play a game” ([20:35]), reinforcing the mindset needed to overcome the 3-1 series deficit. This philosophy underscores the necessity of incremental victories to rebuild momentum.

6. Audience Interaction and Live Atmosphere [30:36 - 43:05]

Caller Engagement:
Listeners participate actively, discussing team strategies and sharing personal insights. A caller suggests, “You have Norm vs. a 50-point player. Does that lend itself to a plan where you can limit them without worrying about the other guy?” ([34:02]). The hosts engage with these insights, providing thoughtful responses and fostering a dynamic dialogue.

Live Energy at Stout:
The atmosphere at Stout is vibrant, with interactions among hosts and guests enhancing the live experience. Don comments on the lively environment, stating, “This is gorgeous” when describing the setup ([45:10]).

7. Maintaining Optimism Amid Challenges [36:02 - 42:17]

Resilience and Hope:
Despite the challenging 3-1 series position, the hosts maintain a hopeful outlook. Don reflects, “These are the glory days your dad talked about… you’re waiting for a championship, you’re hoping it comes in this window” ([17:27]). Alan reinforces this by highlighting the team's youthful energy and potential for growth ([40:24]).

Strategic Adaptations:
The hosts discuss necessary adjustments and the importance of not underestimating the Knicks. Alan Hahn emphasizes, “You can’t count this team out based on the history that they have shown” ([41:30]).

8. Closing Remarks and Teasers for Future Episodes [43:38 - End]

As the episode nears its conclusion, the hosts prepare listeners for upcoming segments and future discussions. They touch on various topics, including fan interactions and behind-the-scenes moments at MSG. Don teases further discussions on controversies and upcoming game analyses, ensuring listeners remain engaged for subsequent episodes.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Don La Greca: “Jalen Brunson has been the best Knicks player since Patrick Ewing.” ([13:25])
• Alan Hahn: “We are not tolerating getting beat down the floor in transition. It’s not happening.” ([08:31])
• Bill Pito: “Let’s play a game.” ([20:35])
• Don La Greca: “The Knicks are 3 and 5 at home, but they’re 6 and 2 on the road.” ([10:08])

Conclusion

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg offers an in-depth analysis of the New York Knicks' pivotal Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The hosts provide strategic insights, defend key players like Jalen Brunson, and engage with the live audience to create an engaging and informative discussion. With a balanced mix of analysis, optimism, and fan interaction, the episode serves as a comprehensive guide for listeners eager to stay updated on New York sports dynamics.

Transcript

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[Don La Greca]

Todd, there's no tush push if you're not pushing the tush.

[Alan Hahn]

Han, I want you protecting my blind side.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Rosenberg.

[Bill Pito]

When I was seven, I was riding shotgun and smoking cigarettes. This isn't North Dakota, this is New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Don La Greca]

The best threesome I've ever heard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

On 8 80, ESPN and the ESPN.

[Bill Pito]

New York app 302 in the big city.

[Don La Greca]

Don Hahn and Rosenberg on pivotal day in New York sports. It's game five Eastern Conference finals between the Pacers. The scene shifts to MSG. We're at Stout on 33rd and 7th. We're downstairs. So if you're coming in, cut through the crowd, right? Make a right. As soon as you walk in, go down the stairs. We're all hanging out here until 7:00. Talking Knicks and the Pacers.

[Alan Hahn]

And we got the private room.

[Don La Greca]

We got.

[Alan Hahn]

We got the private room. That's what we want.

[Don La Greca]

Don, Han and Rosenberg and Nick. Fans only come down. Even if you're not a Nick fan. Just come down, hang out. Because we want to be able to usher in the Game seven. The game five coverage, which will begin at seven with Pat o' Keefe. And we had Michael on. It was great to see him. And he's going to be at the game.

[Alan Hahn]

He had us on. You know what I mean?

[Don La Greca]

I feel like everything belongs to us. And then just found out breaking news. I don't know, maybe Jeff, Jacob's got to look for. But we need the breaking news. Sounder. Oh, if you can get it for us, Jacob. Because I think this is really big news for the people here. All right, as we prepare for game five, very interesting Eastern Conference final.

[Bill Pito]

All right, breaking news going off right New York City now.

[Don La Greca]

Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait. Stout 33rd and 7th.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah. All right. That's breaking news.

[Don La Greca]

It's not bad.

[Bill Pito]

No, it's something.

[Don La Greca]

Peter Rosenberg's gonna be in the building. Yeah, but he is going to be in the building. I'm gonna be in the building. You know, Alan's all about the building. I have to be In Mich. Everybody.

[Bill Pito]

I, I in previous situations have been a mush at at games before. But, Don, you have to understand, that was before I was a Knicks fan.

[Don La Greca]

Right?

[Bill Pito]

Now this is my first game seven as a Knicks fan.

[Don La Greca]

Can you stop or game five?

[Bill Pito]

Well, elimination.

[Don La Greca]

You know what? That's good because that's the second Freudian slip in the last 30, you know, 30 seconds we've said game seven instead of game five.

[Bill Pito]

What does that mean?

[Don La Greca]

Maybe that's anticipating what could happen here. Listen, we're going to break it down with the people.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll give you.

[Bill Pito]

Here we go, right out of the gate. Give it to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Since you went there, I'll give you a stat.

[Bill Pito]

Give it to me.

[Alan Hahn]

The Pacers, in their history, when they've gone up 3:1 in a playoff series.

[Bill Pito]

Go ahead.

[Alan Hahn]

They are 10 and, oh, I don't love.

[Bill Pito]

Don't love the stat you brought.

[Alan Hahn]

Only one time has a team forced a game set.

[Bill Pito]

Only one time.

[Alan Hahn]

Only one time.

[Bill Pito]

Who was that?

[Alan Hahn]

The New York Knicks.

[Bill Pito]

Oh, buddy.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, now, we don't have to talk about what happened in that game, but.

[Bill Pito]

The point is they got there.

[Alan Hahn]

But they got there. And would you write now sign up?

[Don La Greca]

Of course.

[Alan Hahn]

To just get there where we're sitting here on Monday.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Getting ready for a game seven at the Garden. You would sign up for that in a heartbeat. And then whatever happens, happens at that point.

[Bill Pito]

That's what I say.

[Alan Hahn]

You take it.

[Bill Pito]

I say this every time, and I know it's really silly, but I think it's, it's, it's. It's an obvious thing to say.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Bill Pito]

But it bears repeating one game at a time.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Bill Pito]

You win a game tonight at home in front of your crowd, your yo Yos, your Ben Stillers, your Chris Rocks, your Timothy Chalamet, your Spike Lee's, your Peter Rosenberg's, the Greats and near greats of New York. Near greats. You win one game tonight, you get it to three, two, and then you go, hey, could we win one? We got to go win one in Indy. And you go win one game in Indy, and then you play a game seven at home, Right? You have to just look at it as three separate entities. The first one being a home game tonight.

[Don La Greca]

But no scenario can even be talked about unless you win game five. Like so. That's got to be the focus. So you can't. You're not going to win three games tonight. All you can do is control what you can control. You've got game five you got in your building now. They have not been good on home court. They're one in three under Tom thibodeau. When facing elimination, there's a lot of things working against them. But I mentioned it yesterday and hopefully it's a rallying cry in that building. These fans deserve to see their Knicks go on to game six and then whatever happens over the weekend happens. But right now, those fans deserve to see the Knicks win a game at Madison square garden and survive to a Game 6. It should not end with their fans watching this amazing season end up and let's be honest, end up being a negative instead of a positive having it's going to be negative no matter what. But don't have it end in your building. What's going to be up for grabs and everybody having a good time. Don't have it end that way.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me ask the people that are here. Are you ready for the season to end? Anybody here ready for the season to end? Anybody? Like. Like you think about the season that this has been the ride that is. Has been throughout the regular season and then you get into the playoffs and the different moments and memories. It has been an emotional roller coaster. But is anybody at this point right now, like, you know what? It's enough. I'm done. I'm ready to call it a season. I'm ready to go home. Is there anybody here that feels like tonight is the night where you know what? It's probably going to end. Anybody? Nobody at all? Nobody.

[Bill Pito]

Nobody.

[Alan Hahn]

You know why? Because you didn't come this far. To come this far. This season still has more life left in it. And it feels like maybe, just maybe one more miracle left in it.

[Bill Pito]

Now let me ask you a question here. What's the latest on Mr. The Bodega Cat?

[Alan Hahn]

I listed as question still questionable. Yeah.

[Bill Pito]

So.

[Alan Hahn]

But that's the game you play when they have niecemith listed as questionable. And there was nothing questionable about his ankle in that game, was there?

[Bill Pito]

So.

[Alan Hahn]

So that's why I'm thinking that, you know, you just do that for now.

[Bill Pito]

But. But.

[Alan Hahn]

But if he doesn't look right in the first five minutes, time to make a change.

[Bill Pito]

But by the way, he. He has to go, right?

[Don La Greca]

No, he's gonna.

[Alan Hahn]

Come on. It's a knee confusion.

[Bill Pito]

It's a knee cantu. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, a knee can intuitions for. That's all. That's pain management. Right?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. You remember. Remember the scene in miracle?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. It's a very. It's very. It's a contusion. It's very painful. Right? Put your gear on. Yeah, right.

[Bill Pito]

There's a shot, right?

[Alan Hahn]

No, he says to him, you know, far from the heart. Candy ass. Right? You want me to be a hockey. I want you to be a hockey player. Well, like, I would love to see that scene happen in the.

[Bill Pito]

So. So he. He will give it a go. Is there a world in which Alan, as the man who knows all the X's and O's when it comes to this team, if you don't play a lot of cat tonight, is there a way to spin that into a positive in terms of them doing something differently, you know, an advantage that you can get defensively? What could you do to spin not having a fully available cat into a positive?

[Alan Hahn]

It's the Mitchell Robinson effect as himself, as the center, not with Towns. It's also which everybody's now, he's. He's New York's hero. Precious Achua getting minutes and seeing what he can do as everybody has been begging to see him play. And he has played minimally in this series. And so, you know, that's the kind of stuff you go to. And you try to play a little faster because you know that you can. But you are missing a lot of points. The potential to score and obviously rebound. Those are two things that Towns bring. So it's not something you really want to do, but there are. There are certainly options there for them. But I just feel like tonight is the night of no excuses. Like, if you're going to. Both of you, like, let's just make the list right now. Give me the list of things like. We are not tolerating this. I'll start. We're not tolerating getting beat down the floor in transition. It's not happening. If you turn and yell at a referee one time. I'm sorry, I have zero tolerance for that in this game. If something happens and the ball's going the other way, your ass is going the other way as fast as you can. No longer are you giving up points, easy points in transition because you didn't run hard back. So to me, first thing I'm not tolerating is that that's a fair one.

[Bill Pito]

By the way, considering it's basic grade school.

[Alan Hahn]

But. But it's been happening.

[Bill Pito]

But it's a lot.

[Alan Hahn]

It has been happening.

[Bill Pito]

It happens a lot.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. What else? What do we got?

[Don La Greca]

Well, obviously the turnovers, that was a huge. In game four, 17 turnovers. Everybody seemed to be contributing, so they've got to be able. It's one thing to have an Empty possession where you miss a shot and that's probably going to be something else that's on the list. But you just can't be giving possessions away like that.

[Bill Pito]

Here's a really obvious one. I feel like we've said this every game and never get it, but particularly it, particularly in the elimination game. You cannot start this game behind the eight ball. You cannot ask your fans who have already been through a lot in this season with you guys being the cardiac Knicks. You can't ask them to start a game, an elimination game, down 2712 in the first quarter. You can't. You are asking too much for that building to stay live. It will not be able to stay live all night if you have that happen. And I worry, guys, if that happens, the magic's up. It'll be the reverse of the Celtics Knicks elimination game when the Knicks took the heart of the Celtics, and you will end up taking the heart of this team and it'll be a horrifying end. You have to come out strong. How about this? This is crazy. How about you get a lead in the first quarter?

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Bill Pito]

Wouldn't that be something? Come out of the gate without having to struggle to get back in a game? That's something I cannot accept.

[Don La Greca]

And I'm sure it's the message in the room. The Pacers, you know, you got to hope that maybe it's game three revisited, where maybe they fall asleep for a second with the way they allowed the Knicks to come back, because maybe they figured, oh, we got this. We won the first two games at the Garden.

[Alan Hahn]

Making plans for OKC already.

[Don La Greca]

I'm sure that's something that's been talked about by Rick Carlisle. Also the fact The Knicks are 3 and 5 at home, but they're 6 and 2 on the road.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but 3 and 5 at home. Don't think for a second is not well known and reminded of them in that locker room. And also this team knocked you out last year on your home floor. You're going to give them another chance at it. You're going to, you're going to let them do it again. Like that's something I think has been talked about.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, but. But the 6 and 2 on the road, the, the message is, you know, let this slip through our fingers and now they're going back to our place where they've already won a game in the series. They're 6 and 2 on the road. All of a sudden, now we're facing elimination, having to play a game seven. So I think this could end up being a real classic. And I think that. And the Knicks have not in my estimation really at all, with the exception of the game six against Boston, have put together a complete 48 minute effort. They've made their runs coming back from 20 points down three times. They've had their lulls and then they come back and the cap big fourth quarter that you saw the other night. But have they really outside of that game against Boston, game six, when they won that series, can you honestly say that they have given you a full 48 minute?

[Alan Hahn]

No. No.

[Don La Greca]

Well, then it's got to happen tonight and it's got to be happening every night that they're still alive. Like there's no excuse now.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. And that's what we saw. See, to me, what's been frustrating about this playoff run is that game six showed you that when they lock in, when they're connected, you know, when you have the communication. I remember that that game stood out to me in so many ways in that I saw guys playing. Never mind the offense, the offense, they got off to a big lead. All that stuff is going to happen because they're, they are a great offensive team when they're clicking, but their defense is so much have been the story. And when you see the amount of guys that were doing the talking, the yelling, they had no voices at the, at the end of that game because they were constantly in communication. Defensively, they are locked in like that. When they're doing that, then you say, all right, see, there's their potential. That's what they can be. But I'll tell you another thing I'm not tolerating. I am not going to tolerate any more Jalen Brunson slander. It's time for that to stop. Like, I understand that he's being picked on defensively. I understand we see the numbers. But it now, we never did it on our show and I, I don't think we've gotten a call about it, although I think we did get one. But it has become a thing outside of our show that maybe they're better off with Jalen Brunson on the bench. And then it turns into maybe they're better off if Jalen Brunson isn't really, you know, part of the team. You know, he dribbles it too. This is what you're getting. And I, we, we see a guy who has been literally the franchise, literally, the Knicks aren't the Knicks without Jalen Brunson. But because things don't look good, because there's Some losses. Now it turns into. You try to find all the faults with a guy who has been your best player since Patrick Ewing. I'll say it again. Jalen Brunson has been the best Knicks player since Patrick Ewing. And Carmelo Anthony is in the hall of Fame. So don't think I forgot about him. But I, I covered Melo, I covered those years Mello had. They had a good little run. But nothing like this.

[Bill Pito]

No. No.

[Alan Hahn]

He was a great Knick, but nothing like this.

[Bill Pito]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

And all of a sudden it's, he dribbles too much that his head is down. All the things you're trying to find fault with, that turns it into a. You don't appreciate who he is and you're not going to go through the ups and downs with him. And that, you know what reminds me of Patrick Ewing? They did the same thing to Patrick. Patrick was an all time great and you had him 15 years. And every year they were in the playoffs and every year he said, we're going for a championship. He failed. Yes, he failed. He said that I failed. But every year he wanted it, he played for it. And every year you were a contender because of him. That's what Jalen Brunson has brought to this franchise. So I don't want to hear anybody, even if they lose tonight and if he has a bad game again, I don't want to hear it because you cannot forget how that quickly. You cannot forget how much he means this franchise. So I will not tolerate any of that slander. No chance will I listen to it. And I don't want to hear it.

[Bill Pito]

It's almost like Don and I don't think Knick fans think of it this way, but they really should. It would be like Sixers fans after the lakers are up 3:1 and handing it to the. Obviously handing it to the Sixers in the finals. Being like, you know, Iverson, he's good, but like it's not enough.

[Alan Hahn]

You can't win with a guy 6 1.

[Bill Pito]

You can't win with him 6 1. He has the ball too much. It's too shots.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Bill Pito]

Iverson, Sometimes he shoots 40 shots a game. We, we need more Eric Snow. I mean, they really, they don't think of it that way, but it is ridiculous.

[Don La Greca]

It's.

[Alan Hahn]

Even Eric Snow's family didn't think they were Eric Snow.

[Don La Greca]

It's kind of the way this town is, though. Especially when you haven't won. All right. Because Patrick didn't win.

[Alan Hahn]

No. Aaron Judge hears it.

[Don La Greca]

Aaron Judge hears it. All the time. They don't care. 62, 63 home runs, but he doesn't do it. In October, Alex Rodriguez winning MVP after mvp. They didn't get on it because of the steroids. They got on because he didn't a ring until finally in 2009. And now he's beloved and everybody thinks he's great. All right, I covered the Rangers. I was in the building when they booed Henrik Lundqvist. Even now, you'll hear don, you know, maybe they're better with Jonathan Quick starting instead of Igor Sturkin. It happens all the time when you don't win. It's like, yeah, it's nice what you do during the regular season and all those points you score. We love you. Don't get me wrong. We love you.

[Bill Pito]

We love you.

[Don La Greca]

But you know what? Maybe if we're gonna win, maybe it's got to be less about you and more about somebody else.

[Bill Pito]

It's always easier to.

[Don La Greca]

It happens all the time. And then when you win, you're a God, and. And you can't do anything wrong. But I want until you get to that ring. Believe me, I've heard it go Glenn Healey. You know what? Mike Richter's good, but that Glenn Healey, man, I'd like to see him start. And now Richter's got. He's got his number up because he finally won the ring and everything's great.

[Bill Pito]

Peter, it's been. Let me remind you. Forever. Let me remind you then. New York sports fans, just remember these conversations and these moments the next time there's a big available player. And when everyone goes. But when you win in New York, you're forever. But what about when you don't win in New York?

[Alan Hahn]

What about if you're successful but you don't win the championship?

[Bill Pito]

What if you're having a tough first couple of months of the baseball season? Let me know how it works out. Does it feel great? Does it feel like a place you should be desperate just to get to play in front of those.

[Alan Hahn]

Get them out of here, Peter.

[Bill Pito]

Get him.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm sick of them already.

[Bill Pito]

So let's all. I hope tonight the Garden crowd treats this team the way they deserve to be treated in spite of the disappointment.

[Alan Hahn]

I hope the treat the Garden crowd like they deserve to be treated after the season that they've had and how that crowd has been and over the last couple of years, how, again with Jalen Brunson as the centerpiece, what they've brought back to that building. Win or lose tonight, don't forget that that these are the glory days. They're back. You're waiting for a championship, you're hoping it comes in this window, but the window is open, wide open.

[Bill Pito]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

These guys are in their late 20s, so this is the time right now. These are the glory days your dad talked about. Because those glory days in the 90s we love. I sit with Latrell Sprewell and Larry Johnson, Alan Houston, John Starks, Patrick name drop, all of them. But I do, I sit with them. We talk about it. We do different events and we tell the stories over and over again about the dunk and the put back dunk and the four point play and Alan Houston against the Heat. And we all love reliving those moments. You know what? You forget the losses, right. Because you don't want to remember those, but you remember the great moments. And there's going to be a day 20 years from now where I'm doing an event with Jalen Brunson and we talk about that three pointer against the Pistons, man. Remember that shot, right? Like. And that's the stuff that we'll live with and we'll take with us. But in the moment, always make sure you acknowledge and you look around and you go, 2015, worst team in the league. 2019 worst team in the league. 200809 most embarrassing team, franchise in the in the league. Like, think about those years and then what you are now, which is an elite franchise that is among the contenders that everybody agrees is this close. And so it's gonna take some moves, maybe it's gonna take some stuff. It might take a couple of miracles even just to stay alive in this series. But you're in it. You're in it.

[Don La Greca]

It's nice to be in it.

[Alan Hahn]

And isn't that really what you're. Just get me in it first.

[Don La Greca]

And even though 31 feels terrible, there's still a game on the schedule and it's tonight for game five. And you're alive. And right now there's only three teams that are still playing okc. Think about, they moved on.

[Alan Hahn]

You're one of the last three. 30 teams playing.

[Don La Greca]

30 teams in the league and there's three left. Minnesota bowed out last night and we'll see what ends up happening in this series. But one of three teams left in the whole NBA through an 82 game schedule, through three rounds of basketball, Minnesota couldn't win their game five. The Knicks can win their game five. Minnesota. My God, that's true. Listen, OKC's a machine. Okay, Indiana, I'm on Record.

[Alan Hahn]

Nobody's beaten that.

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm on record. They are.

[Don La Greca]

You know, we all would love the opportunity to prove you wrong coming up in, in a few days.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

You know, but right now, they're not playing a machine. They're. They're playing a team.

[Bill Pito]

A really good team can be beat.

[Don La Greca]

A really good team and maybe arguably, obviously looking at it, you know, might be better than you as of right now, but there's still potentially three more games to prove everybody wrong and you are still alive. They haven't finished the job yet. And here at Madison Square Garden, these Fans deserve a 4 and 5 record. Going to Indiana over the weekend at Madison Square Garden and win that fourth game here and get that game six.

[Bill Pito]

And again, it all feels really bad. Three one. And this is why I always keep going back to the one game at a time, because 3:1 feels terrible. But seven hours from now, eight hours from now, it's 3:2. If you're a 3:2, do you feel terrible? Are you going, oh, my God. But we still have to win two games, a three two series. Let's play a game.

[Don La Greca]

That's why you probably don't feel good until you get to a potential game seven.

[Bill Pito]

Because I know, I know this fan base. If they, these are my people. If they, if they, if they look great tonight and they win to make it 3:2 on Saturday, Don, Knicks fans Friday night. Tell me I'm not wrong. Tell me I'm not right. The Knicks win and look good tonight. Right? Game six Friday night, Don, they're sleeping on their back. They're going to be up for this game.

[Don La Greca]

People will be game.

[Bill Pito]

You need one win, one win to get back in this series, and it's at home. This isn't. This is. This is a doable game.

[Don La Greca]

And on and on. I don't. Listen, I can't speak for the fans here, but as a fan of sports, I don't know how much tension you feel going into this game when everybody has basically said, you're done, you're down 3:1. You're not supposed to win. Less than 5% of teams in this position. In the history of the NBA's game, sevens have ever been able to come back from 31 down. So is there the apprehension, you know, the apprehension can be on the Indiana side of, well, if we don't do it tonight, man, and every game that goes by that we let this team up.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

They might not be able to eventually get knocked down.

[Alan Hahn]

The reverse of what we said about the Knicks against Boston.

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. You got to get this one. You don't want to extend it because anything can happen and all that stuff and you know, like that, that's all the things you just want to take care.

[Don La Greca]

You want to lose, but the world kind of has you dead.

[Bill Pito]

By the way, can we argue, is it possible that we are very overdue for another true Jalen Brunson moment?

[Alan Hahn]

Moment?

[Bill Pito]

Yeah, it's.

[Alan Hahn]

Hasn't had one yet, not in this series.

[Don La Greca]

He's got points, but no, but not a moment.

[Alan Hahn]

But we'll see. So I've got some information for you that is pertinent to one of our callers.

[Don La Greca]

Yes, this is gonna be good.

[Alan Hahn]

The officials for tonight's game, James Williams, good veteran. Josh Tivitt, another good, experienced referee.

[Bill Pito]

I hope the drop is ready. Take your time.

[Alan Hahn]

And the lead referee.

[Bill Pito]

Go ahead.

[Alan Hahn]

Zack Zarbo.

[Caller]

And I know Zach Zarbo. He was the crew chief.

[Alan Hahn]

He's a Brooklyn guy, used to call.

[Caller]

Games at the Jewish center on Eastern Parkway.

[Bill Pito]

There you go.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. All right, so.

[Don La Greca]

And we're gonna find out.

[Alan Hahn]

I will be finding Zach before the game. I need, I need having a chat with Brooklyn Zach. Can't wait for this.

[Don La Greca]

Can you get in touch with me? I, I, I don't want to be a third wheel or both, but if I'm, if I'm in the vicinity, can you let me. I'd like to hear his response.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll try to record it. If I could want to be there.

[Don La Greca]

For the moment, I could be, I could be there. I just don't want to, you know.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to knock on the referee door like they have their locker.

[Bill Pito]

By the way. That would be big of all the things.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Looking for Zarba.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah, we got it.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, Spike. Tell him it's Spike from Brooklyn.

[Bill Pito]

Oh, Spike Lee. Let him in.

[Don La Greca]

That'll get the door partially open and then nope, and again closes again.

[Bill Pito]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Bill Pito]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don La Greca]

Don Hanna, Rosenberg880 ESPN New York and of course the ESPN app, which hopefully everybody here at Stout has already downloaded. We're downstairs, so a little different than when we for Game five of the Pistons series when we're upstairs. So as soon as you walk in on 33rd, just quick, make a right, go down the stairs. We're all hanging out with you until 7:00. And then of course our coverage begins for the Knicks and the Pacers. Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final.

[Alan Hahn]

That's that smells delicious.

[Bill Pito]

Wow. How about these?

[Don La Greca]

Nice order of wings. Good for you man.

[Alan Hahn]

You.

[Bill Pito]

What are your thoughts?

[Don La Greca]

They look very good.

[Alan Hahn]

All the different dipping sauces too. You going to try them all out, the different varietals?

[Bill Pito]

Me too. Like they're like it's speaking which let me give you a little yeah, you know who's coming.

[Alan Hahn]

You know who's coming.

[Bill Pito]

Hot sauce, baby.

[Alan Hahn]

You know who's coming by. I just got a text from Bill Peto oh, nice. Bill Peter to come by and hang out.

[Bill Pito]

I love this, by the way. Do you see Babe Young? Babe Ruth is here.

[Don La Greca]

I did see? And you know what? Nobody's ever said anything more true.

[Bill Pito]

We. We have a guy who works.

[Alan Hahn]

We got to call him Bambino from now.

[Bill Pito]

No, he's the Bambino.

[Alan Hahn]

He's Bambino and Bambino. Can I get a water?

[Don La Greca]

Wow, that's.

[Bill Pito]

That was the first thing you said to Bib, by the way. I also needed a water.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, we're gonna acknowledge your existence now. Get the work.

[Bill Pito]

By the way. That's how it should be. I remember the old days, by the way. There's nothing better than getting a nickname. Oh, yeah, you get a nickname, you're in business.

[Don La Greca]

T Bone. Yeah, I never really had a nickname.

[Bill Pito]

What did you think of my. My tweet about your picture that you posted yesterday?

[Alan Hahn]

Pre Pug.

[Bill Pito]

In the Pre Pug photo.

[Alan Hahn]

Prepug. Done.

[Bill Pito]

There's a photo that we found yesterday. If you haven't been on our Twitter account yet. And by the way, Anthony, we should put that. I don't Instagram. It should be on Instagram as well. Both photos. A picture of photo. A picture of Don from an era we had never seen before.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Bill Pito]

And I was marveling at him and my caption when I reposted on Twitter, Don was Don's giving. I'm an adult, but I hang out at the batting cages all the time.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a good line.

[Bill Pito]

That was the. I did see that you gave batting cages energy. You know what I mean?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Bill Pito]

Not a creep. That would be arcade.

[Alan Hahn]

But no, our span would be pounding down like. Like he's got that kind of that's vibe going, right? Like.

[Bill Pito]

Like talking about Paul Kai. Your. Your four touchdowns against Paul Cut was Apple car.

[Don La Greca]

I got a tremendous reaction. Some of them I'm not even going to address as an actual thing, but people are, you know, calling me a fraud for wearing a Red Sox hat, which, again, I don't get.

[Bill Pito]

Well, tomorrow. Save it for tomorrow. We'll dive in.

[Don La Greca]

And also, people be very impressed that I had a. An and one T shirt.

[Bill Pito]

The and one T shirt models.

[Alan Hahn]

Classic.

[Don La Greca]

Not what you had on your bingo card.

[Bill Pito]

I did not see you as an AND one guy from that era.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, that. That's. That's the summer of 97.

[Bill Pito]

Now, did you go to any and one like, tournament games?

[Don La Greca]

I don't really. I was trying to think exactly how I ended up with that T shirt.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't see Don and Escalade just going One on one.

[Don La Greca]

The only thing I can think of is, did somebody make an appearance at the Fan? And I was there, and I just grabbed. And they brought a shirt that probably is the only way that I would have landed.

[Bill Pito]

The only other.

[Alan Hahn]

It was definitely free shirt era.

[Bill Pito]

That was a free shirt.

[Alan Hahn]

Free shirt.

[Bill Pito]

He did not picture. He did not purchase that shirt. The only thing. Thank you, friend. The only thing that would be better is if. Is if he was wearing a He Hate Me jersey. Like, if you really wanted to capture the era of the. In a photo, that's. That's the don lagreca.

[Don La Greca]

Like, yeah. 90. It was just so nice.

[Alan Hahn]

Or a Nobody beat the Wiz Mets giveaway.

[Bill Pito]

Oh, now you're. Now you're getting me excited.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Bill Pito]

By the way, and I gotta say, Natalie, literally zero hesitation when I sent her the photo of who it was did.

[Don La Greca]

It was me.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah. Really instantaneously.

[Don La Greca]

Did you have any thoughts?

[Bill Pito]

And there's no way she was listening, so.

[Alan Hahn]

That's true. Did she have any thoughts?

[Bill Pito]

I. She did. The direct quote was. Here, let me. I want to get this exactly right, because the question is, you know what it's like texting with your wife. There could be. There could be six hours of messages between last night and today, but it was. It was late. No, you. Here's the photo. I can't get over the photo. I mean, it's somewhere between the security guard in the Van Damme movie who decides I'm gonna step in and stop this guy and then just gets his arm broken instantaneously. Or maybe he lost to Sally Stallone and over the top.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

Or you know what she wrote.

[Bill Pito]

Wow. Hot. Those eyes. Swag.

[Don La Greca]

Mocking me.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Bill Pito]

What?

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Bill Pito]

I don't know if she has a mockage at all.

[Alan Hahn]

She found your best quality, ignored all the worst ones.

[Bill Pito]

By the way, she does always talk. She does always talk about your eyes.

[Don La Greca]

I.

[Bill Pito]

That's sincere.

[Don La Greca]

I. I do have nice blue eyes.

[Bill Pito]

The glasses look, too.

[Don La Greca]

But why glasses on?

[Bill Pito]

Why is he not spitting dip out?

[Don La Greca]

Definitely has got to be spitting dip. I should be telling you that you didn't return Rain man, and you owe the. You owe Blockbuster five.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what he is. He's an extra in clerks.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

He's 100%. That's what you're giving off there.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah. And by the way, think about it. It's Jersey. You really. I mean, you're one notch from silent.

[Don La Greca]

And I was feeling it because I was. The reason I had the sunglasses on, the hat is because that was taken. I was In California for my friend's wedding.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh. You weren't even in Jersey.

[Don La Greca]

And we were very upset because there.

[Alan Hahn]

Was a Missing the trench coat.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

That's all he's missing there to be.

[Bill Pito]

Silent, to complete the look.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's the trench coat.

[Don La Greca]

That's who I'm. That's who I'm going after.

[Bill Pito]

This don is so good.

[Don La Greca]

1-800-919-3776. Let's go to Shooter in Stanford. You're get us started here on Don Allen. Roseburg.

[Bill Pito]

What's up, baby?

[H]

Good afternoon, boys. Hope you're having a good time.

[Alan Hahn]

Shooter.

[H]

What's up? Okay. Hey, yo, I didn't know. Bill, Mick, I didn't know.

[Alan Hahn]

Bell, we still got a shot.

[H]

Here are the two things that have to happen, all right? Number one, Halliburton's moving two steps faster than everyone in the court right now. He's in the zone. We have to stop that. I know we don't have a guy who could guard him because we would have figured that out already with our coach being a defensive specialist. But what about the ground and pound where everyone's like nudging into him as he goes by? Yeah, just keep beating on his game. So third or fourth chord. Yeah. And then. Or PJ Tucker off the bench maybe comes in. Oakley, Mason, hard foul. Like, I don't want him to get hurt, but at the same time hurt him a little bit, you know?

[Alan Hahn]

No, you want. What you want to do is just make him hesitate, make everything harder. Like, I do think that you have to have play with a level of physicality that maybe in the beginning it's like, oh, that's his second foul, but I used him well, you know, and then by the end of the game, he doesn't like that constant. Like you just said, Shooter, I've come. I'm on board with that. I do think that you need to have a level of physicality that eventually by the fourth quarter, he's like, I don't. I don't like.

[Bill Pito]

There has been no tough guy ball. Let me. Let me say it's. There has been no New York Knick energy.

[Alan Hahn]

Not since the first round.

[Bill Pito]

Since the first round.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Bill Pito]

The tough. The.

[Don La Greca]

The.

[Bill Pito]

Let's scrap a little bit. Nope, not that attitude we saw from Kat in that moment in Detroit. We have gotten none of that. There has been, by the way, whoever's DJing MSG tonight, I need nothing but shook ones. Annie Up. Keep it thorough. We need hardcore 90s hip hop, new York energy in there tonight. They really. They have not played bully ball at any moment. And like, like if how a Burton is. Has a clean look towards the basket, you're telling me it's not a good opportunity now to try to clobber this guy? You have to. This is a guy who's. He's literally doing his thing. He's doing your thing. In your face.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that needs to be answered tonight. That. That's. That. I'm shocked by the way that that happened. Now, again, they're all quote unquote friends, but this ain't show friends. It's your business. Like, this is playoff time done. And I don't believe in. Well, you know, he has the right to talk trash. He won. No, no, no, no, no. That's personal. Would you just.

[Bill Pito]

No, no.

[Alan Hahn]

That's my thing and you're mocking me with it and I'm. We're gonna have to have a conversation about it. And it starts with my forearm in your chest.

[Don La Greca]

And I was gonna ask you a little bit later on where Halliburton is beginning to rank now among the most villains.

[Alan Hahn]

Like a reaction here from everybody. Trey Young we know is somebody that all the Knick fans just can't stand. But that was one playoff series and since then, it really hasn't been much at all. Has Tyrese Halliburton climbed over Trey Young and put to number two behind Reggie Miller as all time Villains. Yes or no? I'm feeling this I'm sick of his face kind of deal.

[Bill Pito]

I think he surpassed Trey Young for sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well, that's good to know.

[Don La Greca]

Well, one of the most versatile people I know. You see him on Nick coverage, you see him on Ranger coverage. He's everything msg and he's one of the guys that took us up on. On our offer and is swung by Stout and he's Bill Peto.

[Caller]

What's up, guys? Am I the only one that took.

[Don La Greca]

You up on your offer so far?

[Alan Hahn]

It's early. We've only been on the air for 40 minutes.

[Caller]

Look at what Peter's got going for lunch over there.

[Bill Pito]

Come on, man. Listen. This is the zone I'm in. This is. This is the New York Energy we need right now. Wings in the middle of a Thursday. If I were.

[Caller]

If I were eating that, you would.

[Alan Hahn]

You'd have a caloric implosion.

[Caller]

You'd bury me for that?

[Bill Pito]

Oh, no. He. He claimed he was he. That he, like, loved the smell. He's really judging. I can sense what. I'm going to the game tonight. All bets are off.

[Alan Hahn]

But Peter is a nervous eater. So during games, like when. Especially if they're close games, he. He'll be like, no, I don't want anything. And then Wally will bring, like, a bag of candy, like, you know, gummies or whatever. Wish it was gummies. Actually, that's probably what you would use during. But it would be like gummy bears and. And all kinds of stuff. And all of a sudden, you see his hand go to the bag and he just takes one. Then it's like another mindless. The bag's empty in five minutes.

[Caller]

Mindless gorging is what it is.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah, well, that. That's why maybe you relate to me on this bill. That's why a lot of my friends are disappointed when house. And there's not one delicious snack to be found. Can't be in my house. If it's there, it's just not there.

[Caller]

I have the exact same price. Seriously, Wally brings over. It's become a pattern. And he'll just dump the candy in front of me. And he just gets great pleasure in my total lack of discipline.

[Bill Pito]

And you know what's.

[Caller]

Wally has great discipline. I mean, you guys have been around former pro athletes. Wally is. When Wally sets his mind to something, he is on it. And he is very, very disciplined with his diet. So is Alan.

[Don La Greca]

Alan.

[Bill Pito]

Alan is too.

[Caller]

And Wally just dumps it and walks away and starts laughing and just watches. Watches the mess unfold.

[Bill Pito]

I mean, why. Meanwhile Wally. It's not right. I mean, the man is. The man is like 6, 10.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, I think it's abuse. I do. I personally think it's abuse that he does. But he. We're gonna put a camera on him at some point just to watch how fast the bag empties because he just doesn't realize he's doing it.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah, he's a bad guy. Man. You both. I could see it. Too tall.

[Alan Hahn]

Bad guys. I don't. I just. I just get. Get entertainment value from it. I don't partake.

[Don La Greca]

But I love the work you do after these games are over and you've got, you know, two guys that are all over it with the Wally and Allen. How is it to work with these guys? Like, seconds after the games, clock zeros out?

[Caller]

Well, I don't. We don't get along. I don't know. You know, we don't get along at all.

[Alan Hahn]

It's just uncomfortable.

[Don La Greca]

Well, who do you hate more?

[Caller]

Well, since Alex here, I'll say Wally.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Caller]

Just kidding. You guys know. I mean, you've been at this Forever. All you guys, when you sit down, I think the real challenge of this and what I love most. I don't know how Alan feels. You gotta, you gotta put it all together right when the game ends. Like we don't have any time to gather our thoughts. Once the game ends, whether we have the game or the game's a national broadcast, we're on. And the challenge is to me and what I love about this, first of all, you don't know how the game's gonna end most of the time. And you have to synthesize and process what's going on right away. And that's what I really look forward to. That's. That's what makes it fun.

[Alan Hahn]

This has been a ride. I was just talking about this to open the show. Bill is. And it's. We never really stopped to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You do.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll give you credit because you're always the one that in the midst of something, especially if games end and you'll just go like, isn't this something like it? Like you. You do tend to stop in the moment and recognize that whether it's a win or a loss. And sometimes these games have been so compelling this on this playoff run that like this has been some great basketball. We've watched some bad basketball, you and I over the years and doing a lot of these post game shows. But I was saying like we're kind of in the midst of a new glory days. All right. So you know, they're down 3:1. Obviously it's. But it's the conference finals. They haven't been this far in 25 years. Three straight years of get. Not just getting to the playoffs, but winning the playoff series this year, winning two of them. You have a guy like Brunson, who's one of the best players in the league, two guys that are in the top 15. Like there is something to be said about what. What the Knicks have gotten to and what this. What they're in right now. Right.

[Caller]

Like, and it's so riveting on a. On a night in and night out basis. It's must see TV and yeah, the new NBA. I know Tip says it all the time, no lead is safe, but it's true. You know, when we used to watch the NBA and the team was down 20. That was it. Now forget it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller]

And the other thing that's changed here is the home court doesn't seem to mean what it used to crazy. And I don't understand that at all. We asked Wally about that. He can't understand it. The Knicks are 3 and 5 in the playoffs at MSG, 6 and 2 on the road. That's, that's bizarre to me.

[Don La Greca]

Well, you know, what's happened is, is when you really look at the last decade, decade and a half, the NBA's got more parity than the NFL. Well, you think about it, you've got new champions every year, champions like Milwaukee and Denver that don't really come that close after winning. When we routinely saw, you know, Cleveland made their run, Golden State made their run, Chicago made their baseball, you're seeing different teams in the World Series every year. But like hockey and football have almost become like the old days and now basketball and baseball parity has really struck the NBA.

[Caller]

Chris Finch, I don't know if you guys heard last night, was talking about Minnesota. You know, obviously they're eliminated. He said next year in the west you could have a great year and still go 42 and 40.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller]

Because of the parity situation. Now if you look at the Knicks, you got to be optimistic about their future. When you look at the rest of the Eastern Conference, Boston's got cap issues, Jason Tatum's going to be out. Who knows about Cleveland. The Knicks just have to solve the Mikhail Bridges contract situation. Everybody else assigned to relatively young. I mean, they're positioned to keep this going. And I think when you look at the NBA, it almost has to be a step by step process. Remember, the Pacers were in the finals last year, the Eastern Conference finals last year, Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals this year. Maybe they need experience to then take the next step.

[Alan Hahn]

That's, it's a great point that you make that I keep trying to remind people of. That right now sounds like excuse making, but it is a real thing in sports.

[Bill Pito]

Sports.

[Alan Hahn]

The Pacers were in the conference finals last year. They did win a Game seven on the road to get to that conference finals. The continuity there, they have changed no. 1, in fact, they got healthier than they did from last year.

[Caller]

Mathurin's healthy and he had 20 in the last game.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. And so, but it's, it's the same people, the same system. And the experience of losing last year in the manner that they did, you remember that Game one was a devastating loss for them against Boston. And so they have all of that to build off of for this year. While this Knicks team, maybe this is like their. Okay, the first time through, figuring things out where they had a season that knock on wood, they were relatively healthy really throughout this whole season. They did go through some injuries and one of the biggest ones was Brunson survived it. But they have to go through their experience together as a playoff where teams are exposing your weaknesses, which every team has. Do they learn from this and have some continuity next year to then take it that step further? But. But it's inarguable that when, when we get back to next season, whatever. Regardless of what happens in this series, you'd have to put them among the top teams in the east and a contender to make the Finals.

[Caller]

The thing to me is the expectations were okay. Eastern Conference finals lose to Boston. I think we all thought when they beat Boston, they're on their way now it's the final. Right. And I think everyone, myself included, we have undersold. How good the Pacers are, I don't know. And they have. We talked about the fact they had a rough start, a lot of injuries. Whatever the case may be, they are an elite team. And I don't think people thought that this was the way it was going to develop.

[Don La Greca]

No. But you also have to strike when the iron's hot, right. Because you look down, down the locker, I guess, at msg, and look at the Rangers, right, who had them missing the playoffs this year on their bingo card after being two wins away and up to one in the conference final against Florida last year. So I don't think that's going to happen to this Nick team. But. But whatever decisions they're going to have to make, win or lose, this series is really going to ultimately determine whether they can get back.

[Caller]

And what's the famous Dan Marino quote after he made the super bowl really early in his career? I'll be back many more times. Never got back.

[Don La Greca]

Never got back. So you don't know.

[Caller]

You just don't know. You just don't know. But when you look at the NBA, look at the east, as Alan was just saying, the Knicks are ideally positioned.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Caller]

Keep this going at least for the next handful of years.

[Alan Hahn]

How are you feeling about tonight? Because I know you mentioned the three and five and that's what we've talked about, but this team is always, whenever you felt like it's going to slip or whenever you felt like, you know, like that it's. It's heading in the wrong direction. They have always seemed to have that one more performance that, that response kind of game like, do you. Is it hard to ever count this team out just based on the history that they have shown you even just in this playoff run, that they are going to be a hard team to knock out?

[Caller]

They never get Blown out, Right. Never get blown out. Now, one thing also that I think we've learned in this postseason is that those in the prediction business are out of business. So it just. You just can't predict it. I would be shocked if it's not competitive tonight. I'm hoping they win. Enforce a game six on Saturday on the road.

[Alan Hahn]

Keep business going.

[Don La Greca]

You're doing God's work. I just want to tell you. Thank you. No, we really.

[Alan Hahn]

Is that because he has to deal with me?

[Bill Pito]

Yeah. I don't know if that was.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know. What is that about?

[Don La Greca]

No, because he didn't have to come by.

[Bill Pito]

Oh, the gods. Working.

[Don La Greca]

Just. Just coming here.

[Caller]

Are you saying now you come. You had some invites that have not been.

[Don La Greca]

No, we just started the show.

[Alan Hahn]

You're the first guy to come, Bill.

[Bill Pito]

It doesn't sound great.

[Don La Greca]

I just, I. I'm just trying to appreciate the moment.

[Bill Pito]

What did we just say?

[Don La Greca]

Tomorrow's not promised anyway, right? The next segment's not promised. That's right.

[Caller]

Are any other guests coming?

[Don La Greca]

Well, it's okay. Ladies and gentlemen, our guest today.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know.

[Don La Greca]

I'm hopeful. I hopeful that we. You know what I'm hopeful of? It's such a great show. We forgot we had John. That's the goal. But there is a possibility that we'll leave today going. Thank God.

[Alan Hahn]

Bill K. You're gonna erase it.

[Caller]

The air check is gone. There's no evidence that I showed up.

[Bill Pito]

Thanks, buddy. All right, guys. Thanks, Billy. Thanks for having me on.

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[Bill Pito]

The new McCrispy Strip is here. Dip approved by Ketchup Tangy barbecue, Honey mustard, honey mustard, Sprite, McFlurry, Big Mac sauce, Double dipped in buffalo and ranch. More ranch and creamy chili. McCrispy strip dip now at McDonald's.

[Alan Hahn]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month.

[Kaley Cuoco]

Required intro rate first three months only.

[Alan Hahn]

Then full price plan options available. Taxes and Fe playful [e-mail] thanks for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Bill Pito]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don La Greca]

Don Roosevelt hanging with you until 7.

[Bill Pito]

Update on the wings.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah, very good, very good. Oh, no, no, he went with very good.

[Bill Pito]

Very good.

[Alan Hahn]

Very. You know what this area is? It's stout. What? What? They use this for a lot. Which is why this makes it the perfect place for us.

[Bill Pito]

The porn shoots.

[Alan Hahn]

What? Yeah, that's. They don't really like to tell that.

[Bill Pito]

John. I was taking a guess. It's an empty room.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not empty room. No.

[Bill Pito]

At this moment filled with wonderful people, but it's. It's got space.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. It's a spacious room.

[Bill Pito]

It's a spacious room.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Bill Pito]

With.

[Alan Hahn]

With its own bar.

[Don La Greca]

I wasn't expecting.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's only when I was coming.

[Don La Greca]

Down the stairs, I'm like, what am I gonna be in for? This is gorgeous.

[Alan Hahn]

So about a million years ago when I was a Newsday beat writer. Newsday, we did a thing we called the. The Knicks Fix. I had the blog that was called that.

[Bill Pito]

Oh yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So we had this thing we called the Fixer Mixer.

[Bill Pito]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Where was. All the people that followed the blog and. And were. Were followers of. Of our coverage? We had them come here and we had an event before a Nick playoff game back in 2011. 11. And it was. We. We filled the place like this and, and it was a lot of fun and it was. It was cool. So when I heard we were doing it here, I thought this is perfect. So when there's concerts at the Garden, this is where if you come to Stout and you say, I'm going to the concert, I'm going to the show tonight, they say, okay, we're going to bring you down here. And now it's all. Everybody going to the concert all sits down here together and they play the music of whoever's performing.

[Bill Pito]

That is dope. I did not know that.

[Alan Hahn]

And you have your own space and it's all fans of the same like. So it's a cool vibe.

[Bill Pito]

I didn't know.

[Alan Hahn]

Now this is before Knicks game. All the Knick fans come down here and hang out with us.

[Bill Pito]

I did not know that. So are you. Are you predicting? Because obviously you know, listen, that's why Stout's the best. At this moment, at this time of the day, it's kind of like, you know, still early.

[Alan Hahn]

Ish.

[Bill Pito]

It's a little earlyish. You might be retired, you might be someone who has tickets to the game, took the day off, whatever. You might be a raging alcoholic. These are all the different reasons you could be here. But you, your feeling is when we get to 5:30, 6:00 clock, it's gonna, it's gonna be a zoovi. As. As kids, 10 years ago would have.

[Alan Hahn]

Said, yeah, yes, it will be. It'll be whatever you just said. Yes, it's, it's. Trust me, it will be difficult to get down the stairs.

[Bill Pito]

My friend Barry Schwartz came by.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, nice.

[Bill Pito]

He left. DJ Juanito was here earlier.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Really?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Bill Pito]

You didn't see Juanita? No, he was, he was hovering about.

[Alan Hahn]

Didn't he come by and say hello?

[Don La Greca]

Man, that's rude.

[Bill Pito]

Did he say hello to you? You?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, that's all right. You can't win, everybody.

[Bill Pito]

By the way, speaking of rude, I heard there was a bit of a controversy on the program today.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, well, let's get into that when we come back.

[Alan Hahn]

Program.

[Bill Pito]

Yeah. I hear that someone a part of our show felt a little disrespected.

[Don La Greca]

Is that true?

[Bill Pito]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

All right, we're going to get more on that.

[Bill Pito]

You don't even know.

[Don La Greca]

And also know what you've done more on game five. We're not going to forget that.

[Alan Hahn]

Come on.

[Don La Greca]

Also important, also, we've got. It's the Thursday rewrite. We've got that at 4:30.

[Alan Hahn]

We do.

[Don La Greca]

Well, good thing I teased it when I did. If I waited 25 minutes from now, I might have made it worse. But we've got that. We've got ENN at 6 and of course we've got Pat O' Keeps coverage. Oh, I got a rewrite of Knicks Pacers game five at seven. All right here on 880 ESPN New York and the ESPN New York app. Mazda for Don. Come on, don't you want to get the most for your money? That's why more Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda. Lisa do 2025 Mazda CX5 all wheel drive. Just 239amonth for 36 months. Start shopping now at RamseyMazda.com or at Ramsey Mazda Route 17 north and Ramsey. Choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Excludes tax, title and registration. Zero security deposit fin s 057-1604 MSRP 29,000 and 6,225.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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.