Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Loyalty

ESPN New York | February 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This lively episode centers on the tricky subject of "loyalty" in sports, both from a fan and athlete perspective. The crew—Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg—debate national vs. team loyalties as Olympic hockey unfolds, grapple with James Harden’s bombshell comments on loyalty being “overrated” in the NBA, and examine the broader impact of superstar mercenaries in American sports. The conversation is rich with banter, some music and pop culture tangents, and plenty of sharp takes on how today’s sports landscape grapples with business realities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fan Loyalties During International Play (00:51–11:08)

• The show kicks off as the hosts discuss the challenge for fans when their favorite local players compete for rival countries in international competitions (e.g., NHL players in the Olympics).
• Don recounts his conflicted allegiance as a New Jersey Devils fan during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics:

  “Because it becomes a Ranger victory because Mike Richter wins the gold medal... they use it as, ‘our goaltender’s better than your goaltender.’” (02:45)

• Peter counters that, for him, rooting for Team USA comes before rooting for any individual NHL player, regardless of his club loyalty.
• Rosenberg brings nuance, explaining how personal connection to the sport can override nationalism:

  “It depends on what level of interest you have in that international sport… in the World Cup, I would never root against Team USA. In hockey, I have no problem rooting for Sid the Kid over Team USA.” (07:21)

• The guys agree this tension is a core part of sports fandom—throw in gambling, and it only grows more complicated, as the crew jokes about betting against their own favorite players “for the money” (09:05).

2. James Harden & The State of "Loyalty" in the NBA (11:08–18:59)

• Transitioning from fan dilemmas to the players themselves, Don introduces James Harden’s recent take:

  “The whole quote, unquote loyalty thing, I think it’s overrated… It’s a business at the end of the day… Players should do what’s best for them, and front office does what’s best for them.” (12:17, Harden audio)

• Don and Peter come out swinging:
  • “All these players do it in all sports, and it makes me sick…You’ve got generational wealth, man. Your family’s fine. When an NBA player makes a decision for money, it’s largely based on greed.” (13:37, Don)
  • “Dude, you are richer than God… It’s the lack of awareness to know that the fans shell out money to see you and you’re talking about doing what’s right for your family.” (15:21, Rosenberg)
• Peter unpacks the bigger problem—Harden is a “mercenary,” always about “bank building” and not team building:

  “He plays for him... That’s the dangerous thing about bringing him in—he’s always about him.” (16:22)

• The hosts note this attitude has infected much of the NBA—business decisions now drive everything from tanking to load management, leaving fans frustrated.

3. Business Over Competition: Regular Season “Irrelevancy” (18:59–23:54)

• The discussion shifts to how business has hollowed out competition:

  “The regular season doesn’t matter…the only time the business matters is from April on.” (20:32, Peter)

• Don and Peter contrast the NBA’s culture with the NHL, where load management is largely absent, and teams aren't incentivized to tank:

  “There’s never any load management in the NHL. They got the same schedule as the NBA... you do see guys at the end of the season maybe are healthy scratches…. But I don't see the tanking.” (22:08, Don)

• The notorious case of the Pittsburgh Penguins tanking for Mario Lemieux in 1984 is cited as a rare exception.

4. Rock Song Debate & Sports Culture Tangents (32:24–42:11)

• A lighter segment ensues, sparking debate over what counts as a “rock” song, referencing the hosts’ top 5 lists:
  • Is “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys a rock song?

  “It’s folk rock, it’s pop rock. That’s what it is. All rock.” (36:21, Don)

  • Rosenberg critiques Don’s broad definition and questions whether some tracks belong more to folk or pop than rock.
  • The group reflect on music’s genre fluidity, with Rosenberg noting:

  “With Don’s definition, we absolutely should have considered hip hop records as well… Bridge Over Troubled Water, I would say is maybe less rock…than Sucker MCs by Run DMC.” (37:07)

• The conversation shows parallels between fan identity in music and sports—both are susceptible to “loyalty” debates.

5. NBA Schedule Criticisms & Player Sympathy (41:05–46:44)

• Peter vents about the repetitive rhetoric around the NBA's “grueling” schedule:

  “What I can’t stand about this league: it’s the only league where the players get sympathy for how difficult and how long the season is…The NFL’s adding games—that’s the most arduous season of any of the four major sports!” (41:13)

• Comparing past and present, the crew scoff at claims today’s NBA is somehow tougher due to pace or athleticism—modern recovery resources far outstrip those of prior generations.
  • “Look at the sneakers on their feet. Some of the arenas they played in… You didn’t have three massage therapists, five trainers, cryotherapy…” (43:04, Peter)
• Don points out load management and schedule complaints are far less common in the NHL, even as the game has become faster (46:29).

6. Fixing the NBA's "Loyalty" and Competition Problems (46:47–end)

• As the episode wraps, the hosts argue that commissioner Adam Silver faces an existential problem:

  “No one wants to talk about it… the showcase of the sport’s not even watchable… They’ve got a problem and they just never want to acknowledge it.” (47:14, Peter)

• The importance of restoring meaningful competition to the NBA regular season is underscored, especially with All-Star Weekend looming.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Fan Loyalty Conflicts:

  • “I was really disappointed the Team USA lost in Vancouver, but a part of him… Crosby, baby, scores the golden goal.” (05:22, Don about Rosenberg)
  • “You want to see a guy do well, but you don’t want to see your country lose.” (07:01, Peter)

• On James Harden & "Business Decisions"

  • “When an NBA player makes a decision for money, it’s largely based on greed. Now, the great thing about this country and capitalism is there’s nothing wrong with greed. Greed is good… but please don’t confuse the two.” (13:54, Don)
  • “He’s a mercenary to the truest sense of the word… What you’re doing is called bank building, right? Different. They’re not the same thing.” (17:00, Peter)

• On NBA vs. NHL Attitude:

  • “There’s never any load management in the NHL… they play hard all the time.” (22:08, Don)
  • “The regular season doesn’t matter [in the NBA] …the only time the business matters is from April on.” (20:32, Peter)

• Music Segment and Cultural Parallels:

  • “With Don’s definition, we absolutely should have considered hip hop records as well… Bridge Over Troubled Water, I would say is maybe less rock…than Sucker MCs by Run DMC.” (37:07, Rosenberg)

• On Modern NBA Hardship Claims:

  • “You didn’t have three massage therapists, five trainers… What they have at their disposal for recovery is the highest level of technology that you can find. So I don't want to hear it…” (43:04, Peter)
  • “How do they do it in the NHL? Play 82 games, 3 games in 4 [nights]…” (46:16, Don)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Olympic Hockey & Fan Loyalties — 00:51–11:08
• James Harden’s Loyalty Comments & Reaction — 12:17–18:59
• NBA “Business Decisions” and Fan Frustration — 18:59–23:54
• Rock Song Debate & Music Sidetrack — 32:24–42:11
• NBA Schedule & Player Sympathy — 41:05–46:44
• NBA's Identity Crisis — 46:47–end

Episode Tone

The banter is combative but playful, deeply passionate about both sports and music, and runs on a blend of classic New York sports radio energy (gruff, opinionated), with regular detours into side-conversations and quick-witted humor.

For Listeners New and Old

Even if you missed the episode, this hour delivers quintessential DHR: sports loyalty anxiety, the cold reality of athlete “business decisions,” an appreciation of generational differences, and the debate over what fandom should feel like in an era where, for many, “it’s just business.”

Want more fierce debates about sports, music, and modern fandom? Tune in weekdays, 3–7PM on ESPN New York or catch the show wherever you get your podcasts.