Hour 1: Tim Bontemps joins the show

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 1 — Tim Bontemps Joins the Show

Air Date: March 4, 2026
Podcast: ESPN New York
Hosts: Don Hahn (Don La Greca), Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: Tim Bontemps

Episode Overview

This hour brings the usual New York sports banter — dominated by Knicks talk, local gripes (traffic, geography), and a deep dive into the NBA’s regular-season malaise. With NBA reporter Tim Bontemps joining in-studio, the hosts dissect the state of the Knicks, habitudinous basketball fandom frustrations, the league’s seemingly “meaningless” regular season, and playoff narratives. It’s equal parts humorous, passionate, and insightful — perfect for anyone invested in New York sports culture or the NBA in general.

---

Weather, New Jersey Geography, & Local Gripes (00:52-13:00)

• The hosts open with characteristic light-hearted banter about NYC-area weather and the weirdness of sun showers.

• Debate over weather apps and New Jersey town distances: Alan, Don, and Peter poke fun at each other's weather forecasts and phones, leading to Rosenberg comically lamenting that TV and The Sopranos mislead people into thinking all NJ towns are next to each other.

• Quote:
  “What do you think, New Jersey's a postage stamp?” — Don Hahn (05:38)

• Traffic/sports-parent struggles: The discussion moves into how travel sports make parents into experts on tri-state commutes, ferry options to New England, and the misery of trying to reach Long Island or Jersey.

• Quote:
  “Anyone that's a sports parent of a child who plays travel sports ... this is the bane of their existence.” — Don Hahn (10:05)

• Random asides: References to Robert Moses, Max Kellerman (“most brilliant thing he ever said” about needing a new highway), and childhood misconceptions about city geography.

---

The Eternal Knicks/Philly Alignment Debate (13:01-13:54)

• Proximity to Philly vs. NY: Alan notes how some Jersey kids are almost equidistant to Philly and NY, impacting team allegiance.
• “One city has two teams combined, equal suck. The other one has one team fantastic every year. I mean, plus cheesesteaks.” — Alan Hahn (12:35)
• Parental existential crisis: Should Don’s kid be free to root for the Eagles?

---

Bill’s Night in Toronto & Team Allegiances (13:55-15:52)

• Anecdote: The Knicks played in Toronto, where the Raptors had a “Buffalo Bills Night,” prompting existential musings on upstate NY teams and city loyalties.

• Quote:
  “When are the Knicks going to celebrate the Bills? ... I’m going to go with the ... 12th of never.” — Don Hahn (14:02)

• Movie tangent: The gang realizes Alan hasn’t seen “Argo.” He gets “homework” to watch it, with Don offering a “hall pass” from Knicks-Thunder.

• Memorable Moment:
  “Go see [Argo] ... you’re getting a hall pass from Knicks-Thunder tonight.” — Don Hahn (16:40)

---

NBA Marquee Matchup Scheduling & Fan Frustration (17:07-26:00)

Setting the Scene:

• Tonight’s nationally televised Knicks-Thunder is previewed with a sense of anticlimax — both teams played the night before, making it a “throwaway” for load management and diminishing anticipation.

Quotes & Insights:

• “Do the schedule makers pay attention to load management? ... And then they wonder why the regular season doesn’t gain traction in the NBA.” — Alan Hahn (17:07)
• Mike Brown, Knicks coach, is paraphrased as dismissing the significance of the marquee Thunder matchup:
  “If they beat us at the end of the day, if we beat them at the end of the day, what does it really mean?” — (19:01)

Deeper Issue Identified:

• Recurring NBA problem: The regular season feels “meaningless” — top teams rest players, and even coaches admit certain games don’t matter.
• Quote:
  “...when the participants don’t care, ... that’s the problem. Even more than load management, it’s the general attitude...” — Michael Rosenberg (19:17)

Contrast with Other Sports:

• NFL: Big matchups get national slot and stars play.
• MLB: Every day is a different pitcher; still, games have tension.
• NHL: Regular season is meaningful, harder to make playoffs.
• NBA: Only fans “who know, know” — casuals are left out.

---

Tim Bontemps Joins: Knicks Expectations & Playoff-Or-Bust Mentality (29:37-38:38)

Knicks & Mike Brown’s Job Security (29:48-35:59)

• Bontemps on the stakes:
  “The entire Knicks season is dependent on how they do in April and May and if they get there in June.” — Tim Bontemps (30:41)
• The 15-4 record is lauded, but losses to bottom-feeder teams like Detroit loom large for fans.
• “You’re supposed to beat the Pistons. What are you lose [sic] to the Pistons for?” — Michael Rosenberg (32:39)

Are They Holding Back? (36:33-38:31)

• The crew debates if the Knicks are sandbagging and “not showing everything” in big games to save it for April. Consensus: No, these are just ugly losses.
• Quote:
  “I don’t think there’s some grand strategy ... they just got pounded.” — Tim Bontemps (36:52)
• Discussion on Knicks identity: Under Thibodeau, identity was clear; under Brown, it’s more experimental.

---

Roster Moves, Giannis & League Trends (38:31-43:37)

Knicks’ Future: Coach or Superstar?

• Is this about Mike Brown’s approach or hope in luring a Giannis-level talent?
• “It’s a lot easier to change the coach ... than it is to flip the whole roster around.” — Tim Bontemps (39:18)

Hoop Collective & NBA Parity:

• Bontemps highlights the deep, unpredictable playoff races — Eastern Conference especially wide open.
• “Any one of these top four teams could win.” — Tim Bontemps (40:23)
• He praises Charlotte as a scary first-round out, especially for the Knicks.

Lakers’ Strange Position:

• Don asks if the Lakers are "stuck in an old relationship" — referencing their awkward roster.
• Bontemps dissects the team’s issues: three dominant ball-handlers, no defense, few assets, tough near-future even if LeBron leaves.

---

Listener Call & More NBA Regular Season Woes (47:34-51:11)

Jacob in Queens Calls In (47:34)

• He expresses what many old-school NBA fans feel:
  “The league has just become [in the] regular season, not watchable. ... now it’s just the regular season is just a joke in my opinion.” — Caller Jacob (47:45)
• More host frustration at NBA not optimizing marquee regular-season matchups for TV (back-to-backs, travel, etc.).

---

Notable Memorable Moments & Quotes

• The “hall pass” for Argo: Don gives Peter permission to skip the Knicks-Thunder game in favor of homework: seeing Argo.
• “If you know, you know... If you don't know, don't worry about it. You're not missing anything.” — Alan Hahn on the NBA’s regular season (20:01)
• “Never had to ask if SGA was going to play in the game” — referenced as an on-air joke about load management (52:59)
• Flubs and drops: Tay Diggs/Stefon Diggs confusion, and a running gag about Alan’s “southern accent” creeping into his speech.

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:52 — Show intro, banter, NJ geography debate
• 10:05 — Tri-state sports travel hell (“sports parent” struggles)
• 13:55 — Philly vs. NY proximity & team allegiance crisis
• 14:47 — Raptors “Buffalo Bills Night” and state identity
• 16:40 — Don’s “hall pass” for Peter to watch Argo
• 17:07-26:00 — NBA scheduling, load management, and why regular season feels meaningless
• 29:37 — Tim Bontemps joins
• 30:41-35:59 — Knicks regular season vs. playoffs, Brown’s job, expectations
• 36:33-38:31 — Are the Knicks holding back?
• 39:18-43:37 — Knicks’ future; NBA playoff parity
• 47:34 — Caller Jacob and the “regular season is a joke” sentiment
• 51:01+ — More banter, gags, drops, and quickfire takes

---

Tone & Further Thoughts

• The show is a blend of sarcastic, self-deprecating, and deeply knowledgeable New York sports chatter.
• The hosts affectionately needle each other and their guest, often veering into side rants about movies, traffic, childhood, and the woes of fandom.
• This hour is valuable not only as Knicks/NBA talk, but as a cultural snapshot of modern tri-state sports fandom — weary, wry, but unshakeably passionate.

---

For New Listeners

If you care about New York sports, the dilemmas of modern NBA fandom, or just love hearing hyper-regional banter, this episode captures it all. Tim Bontemps’ visit brings clarity and perspective to the Knicks' rollercoaster, while the hosts keep it moving with wit and candor. The NBA’s regular season dilemma, the high-pressure NYC sports atmosphere, and the never-ending hope for a superstar savior or playoff run — all are here, in full color.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

Ugh.

[Depop Advertiser]

You said you were over him, but his hoodie's still in your rotation. It's time. Grab your phone, snap a few pics and sell it on depop. Listed in minutes with no selling fees. And just like that, a guy 500 miles away just paid full price for your closure. And right on cue.

[Caller Jacob]

Hey, still got my hoodie?

[Depop Advertiser]

Nope. But I've got tonight's dinner paid for. Start selling on depop, where taste recognizes taste list. Now with no selling fees, payment processing fees and boosting fees still apply. See website for details.

[Don Hahn]

Done.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I got a divorce. Market wife and have my kids bleed out. No, because the Giant games on. Otherwise, I'm not a real fan.

[Don Hahn]

What kind of fan are you?

[Alan Hahn]

Not a good one. And Rosenberg, the Peter haters who call stupid. The Peter fans who call very bright.

[Michael Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Michael Rosenberg]

The best threesome I've ever heard on

[Don Hahn]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[Michael Rosenberg]

3 o' clock at the big city. Don, Han and Rosenberg take you up until 6:30, and then we've got some Knicks basketball. Knicks and the thunder. Kind of a strange day, depending on where you were. I saw a rain shower when I left the house to come to work today. A sun shower. I should say rain. Every. Every rain's a shower.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, you'd be redundant, but that's okay.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, but sun shower. And I'm driving up the turnpike and to my left there's blue sky, but over me, dark clouds. So it's kind of a weird day, but a little warmer. Tomorrow's gonna be another crap day.

[Alan Hahn]

Some of the days they got next week though.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But next. We're almost there.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, we're almost. I'm telling you.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I think.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's. Listen to this. Hold on.

[Michael Rosenberg]

What?

[Alan Hahn]

I checked yesterday. Listen to this. Okay, Tell me if this is like your dream.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Tuesday's porn. Monday.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, no, right now. See, it changes every day, right? So Monday, now it's a big old sun with a highest 63.

[Michael Rosenberg]

That's not bad.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, 63.

[Alan Hahn]

Now if we could actually get that 63, like at showtime. That, that's. That's roof behavior right there, right?

[Don Hahn]

It's feeling. It's giving off roof.

[Alan Hahn]

It's giving roof. No, yeah, now it was. So it looks like it's dropped a bit because Tuesday, Don, it's now partly sunny and it's high 62. I think what you were referring to is the other day when I looked, I think it was partly sunny. High 68.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Listen.

[Alan Hahn]

And now it's down a bit.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I just looked on my phone.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah. My phone is programmed to where I live, so it's about 50 minutes south of here, but I can't imagine it's that big of a change. But I did not see that. I'm looking at Tuesday.

[Don Hahn]

Tuesday,

[Michael Rosenberg]

a highest 78.

[Don Hahn]

Come on.

[Rich Eisen]

What day?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Somerset, New Jersey.

[Don Hahn]

Somerset, New Jersey is saying.

[Alan Hahn]

Saying what?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Temperature high is 78. Where? Tuesday.

[Alan Hahn]

Next Tuesday.

[Tim Bontemps]

Next Tuesday.

[Rich Eisen]

How could.

[Alan Hahn]

Don. No, Alan, how can we say 16 degrees warm?

[Don Hahn]

Look at it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Look at it. That's my phone. Central Jersey.

[Don Hahn]

I'm on it. Somerset, New Jersey.

[Alan Hahn]

It says 78 next to. How is it saying that?

[Don Hahn]

That sounds. Let's. All right. Show at Don's house.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, exactly.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Hold on. Yeah, we'll open the pool.

[Don Hahn]

Actually, we're going to be down your way, aren't we? Not next week, do we.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Not even close.

[Don Hahn]

What do you mean?

[Michael Rosenberg]

I mean, New Jersey is a small state, relatively speaking, that like Texas and Alaska, but it's not like everything is on top of each other. Sopranos made it seem like, you know, Whippany and Seaside Heights are a block away.

[Don Hahn]

Right. I got. By the way, 72 is what I have for Somerset on Tuesday. Just. But 72 is still nothing to sneeze at.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Oh, my God. Is there something wrong with my phone?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, it's old. You need a new one.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, because.

[Alan Hahn]

What. Look.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Look what it says for Wednesday.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, it done again. You're the green. You're the green bubble in the chat. It's.

[Alan Hahn]

No, there's something you're literally.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I don't trust.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm sorry.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's not because.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Because it's. It says Wednesday, the 11th high of 82.

[Alan Hahn]

What? Are you sure he says Somerset, New Jersey? Yeah, that's what it says right there.

[Don Hahn]

Not Somerset.

[Alan Hahn]

Wednesday, New York is high 65.

[Don Hahn]

It's.

[Alan Hahn]

Alan, give me another place I can put in that's like.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Put in Newark.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, I'll put in Newark.

[Don Hahn]

Newark.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So it's a nice, you know, city in New Jersey.

[Alan Hahn]

And it's. It's not.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Not that far from the water and

[Alan Hahn]

not that close to the water.

[Don Hahn]

Not a nice city.

[Alan Hahn]

Wednesday high 69. Make it make sense.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Don, I don't know what to tell you.

[Don Hahn]

Wow.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, you know what?

[Don Hahn]

I'm putting some Caribbean now I'm putting

[Alan Hahn]

Somerset in on my phone just because this will be the proof that you're a joke.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But, Al, like. Well, I'm not. I'm a joke.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. Okay, this is interesting.

[Don Hahn]

You're a joke.

[Alan Hahn]

Hi. On Wednesday, on my phone in Somerset, New Jersey is 71.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It still doesn't explain how you got the extra seven, though. But I'm a joke because my phone is. Something's up with it.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Michael Rosenberg]

The point is, we're talking about the 70s, and we're also talking about, like, for whatever reason, because Alan's from Long island, he thinks that, like, Wes Caldwell and Somerset are just a stone. Because, again, that's what they did in the Sopranos. Like, where are you going? To Whippany. You know how far Whippany is from where the Sopranos were supposed to be? And I'm not saying that people don't go to West Caldwell for. From Whippany, but they made everything seem like it was all a block, like Atlantic City was just. You could walk it. Why are you in the Sopranos?

[Don Hahn]

Why are you so upset?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, we don't know.

[Don Hahn]

Where's Calandras?

[Alan Hahn]

Then tell us where Calandras is.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It's West Caldwell. I'm 40, 46. That's North Jersey.

[Don Hahn]

That's.

[Michael Rosenberg]

That.

[Don Hahn]

That's not near you at all.

[Alan Hahn]

Not at all.

[Don Hahn]

Not even an hour away?

[Alan Hahn]

If it's an hour hour.

[Michael Rosenberg]

What do you think, New Jersey's a postage stamp?

[Don Hahn]

You're going to. Well, first of all, we're doing.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It will take me an hour.

[Don Hahn]

We're going to your home state.

[Tim Bontemps]

I might be closer than done.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Some Calandras in Caldwell, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

It's 54 minutes from here.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, my God.

[Alan Hahn]

And you're saying it's also 54 minutes from Somerset?

[Don Hahn]

It takes Don two hours to get to work.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You're.

[Alan Hahn]

No. You're in Franklin Township.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. From Somerset, Franklin Township.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Getting dangerously close to throwing the address out, by the way.

[Alan Hahn]

It's 58 minutes. He's right. It's nowhere near. Well, because you can go pretty far west in Jersey. That's the issue, Alan.

[Tim Bontemps]

If I'm an hour and a half. You might.

[Don Hahn]

You might.

[Tim Bontemps]

You should leave on Tuesday night.

[Don Hahn]

I'm probably gonna. Yeah. I might have to take a flight to Newark.

[Alan Hahn]

Can you get a chopper to Calandras?

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, that's it. Listen, it's gonna be a day.

[Don Hahn]

Wow. A fun day, though.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I remember working with Max Kellerman. One of the most brilliant things he ever said.

[Alan Hahn]

He's a very smart man.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Is that they should. They should build a highway, like some sort of a freeway that doesn't have a lot of exits that can get you from Jersey to Long island. And it would help people On Long Island. Like to just get off the damn island instead of having to snake through everything.

[Don Hahn]

It's funny you say that now. We, I when I was a kid had this brilliant thought that never, never considered other things. And I'll explain once I say it. You'll say, well, I always thought the Midtown tunnel should have an option to go straight under Manhattan to the Lincoln. Only problem is there's a lot of subways in the middle.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Listen, you were not a public planner.

[Tim Bontemps]

I was a kid.

[Don Hahn]

I'm no Robert Moses.

[Michael Rosenberg]

There was a point.

[Alan Hahn]

I've never called you that.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Michael always jumped me when I admitted the fact that I didn't know about time zones until I was nine. But this is very young. Very, very. Okay, who's Robert Moses?

[Don Hahn]

What?

[Michael Rosenberg]

So drop, I don't know what a random drop. When I was like four random Robert Gothel Road in Hawthorne, New Jersey.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, oh yeah, baby.

[Don Hahn]

Who doesn't know it?

[Michael Rosenberg]

They call it the hill. Yeah, like you go up, you go up that hill. There was a lot of really expensive homes. And coming back from North Halden, we'd go down that, we'd go down Golfel Road and you would get a really nice view of the New York City skyline.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, that's nice.

[Don Hahn]

I like that.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And we would drive all the way down the hill and go home to grandmother's house.

[Don Hahn]

So we go.

[Michael Rosenberg]

There would be a sharp turn on Galfell Road that would go like really down the hill. I had convinced myself at like 4 or 5 that that if you went down that hill you'd be in the city.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I get it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You know, when you're four or five, right. When you're young like Alan was, you know, his five year old city planners thinking, yeah, just go mid down tunnel right to the Lincoln Tunnel.

[Don Hahn]

I like, why don't we just go right straight through this tunnel.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Meanwhile, if I heard this way, and I'd love to be able to hear from anybody who knows a way without borderline killing yourself to get from New Jersey to Long Island.

[Don Hahn]

No, because

[Michael Rosenberg]

Central Jersey I go through Staten Island.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And then I've got to get on the belt, which again it's not across Bronx, but it's close.

[Tim Bontemps]

Might as well be.

[Alan Hahn]

I can argue the belt belt should

[Don Hahn]

now be just called the BTA because that's really what it is when you take it in the north.

[Alan Hahn]

It's your belt to your ace is what you say.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I worked at Sports Foam, which is Elmont, Long island, which was. Or it was quite Elmont where UBS it Was right. Right. Just. But. But a couple of miles down the road it was like right on the Queens border. So you're barely on Long Island.

[Don Hahn]

Barely.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And it would take forever North Jersey. I would have to take two away. Route 4, George Washington Bridge, Cross Bronx, Throgs Neck, Cross island onto Hempstead Turnpike. It's like, dude, as the crow. A crow could fly in 30 minutes and get there. It would take me an hour and a half.

[Don Hahn]

Seriously, you're not wrong.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So. So somebody come up with an idea of being able to. It would. It would help everybody.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Of just being able to get from New Jersey to Long island and just,

[Alan Hahn]

just a quick highway.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Bang. You don't even have to have anything on it. Just a highway. Any places to stop for gas and then you. Boom, you empty out right on the, on the. On the Cross Island Parkway.

[Don Hahn]

Anyone that's a sports parent of a child who plays travel sports. A lacrosse, volleyball, softball, basketball, hockey for sure. Some soccer. Does heavy travel like this where you're going. You're going into Jersey a lot. You're going into Pennsylvania a lot. Like they all understand this. This is the bane of their existence. It's hard enough to get up into New England to do different things you have to do in Connecticut or whatever. Right. But at least you have a ferry. Like if you really wanted to avoid the misery of traffic, you can just take a nice boat ride for an hour and a half or an hour and 15 minutes and find your way to Bridgeport or New London. You could do that. But if you go into Jersey or any. You know, again, why don't they point south?

[Alan Hahn]

They can't do a ferry.

[Don Hahn]

God awful. Well, where are you doing it? You go. You going around the Statue of Liberty. Like where are you going? They already have ferries that go to Staten island. So it's. But you have to have no choice. There's only two ways to go and everybody knows that. It's just. It's that fear of. Well, what are they closing now on the George Washington, you know, or Staten island, you know, you're just going to sit. You're not going anywhere. People, we all laugh at each other. Where it's like, where's your game this week?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Listen.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, we're in Jersey. That's great.

[Michael Rosenberg]

We share the same. We're in the same area. We're in the Tri State area, New Jersey and Long island. But we're really not close. No, I can get the Philadelphia much faster. Much easier.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Than going along.

[Alan Hahn]

How far are you from Philly?

[Michael Rosenberg]

I could Be down. I could. I could be at whatever they're calling it now. Wavia, Wells Fargo. They keep changing the name every five minutes in an hour, ten door to door.

[Alan Hahn]

So. So Devils play in Philly. Has it happened yet? Yeah, it's like a home game. I mean, it's basically.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Basically, it feels like a home.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. That's awesome. That's kind of nice. Good for you, man, because you're not, you know.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You know what? Crossing anything.

[Alan Hahn]

I gotta tell you. I gotta tell you, this is big what I'm about to say.

[Michael Rosenberg]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

And I'm glad because I didn't know what the hell we were going to talk about. Well, Marco's claim or interest that has existed in being an Eagles fan is like, not completely out of bounds. Like, you guys are Philly suburbs of Jays.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah, there's.

[Alan Hahn]

You're equal.

[Michael Rosenberg]

That's why you said those are kids. All his friends are Eagle fans.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, it's.

[Michael Rosenberg]

How far are you from the city? From the New York City?

[Alan Hahn]

Like 55 minutes and an hour 10 from Philly.

[Don Hahn]

He's almost.

[Alan Hahn]

He's right there. That's tough, man. One city has two teams combined, equal suck. The other one has one team fantastic every year. I mean, plus cheesesteaks.

[Don Hahn]

Can't blame him.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know.

[Don Hahn]

You know, that's a pretty good trade off too.

[Alan Hahn]

I know. Would Don be a better dad if he said, you know what, just don't come with me. Just go, just. Just run, be free. But the thing is, he's not going to be a Philly suburb kid.

[Rich Eisen]

Really?

[Alan Hahn]

They're making more trips to New York, I'm sure. Or will over time to New York than to Philly, I would think. You're hardly bringing them here every day again.

[Don Hahn]

Peter, think about this.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

As he grows up and, you know, wants to hang out, go with his boys to an NFL game.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

It will take him less time to go to an Eagles game then it would or it already does for my son and his friends to go to a Jets game. From where?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah, sure. Well, that's the question.

[Don Hahn]

Like, think about that. Oh, one more thing to throw out as we're talking about football. Last night in Toronto, where the Knicks played, they had a night that was sponsored by their good friends the Buffalo Bill.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, really?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Do tell me.

[Alan Hahn]

That's very interesting.

[Don Hahn]

They had T shirts and it was a big Buffalo Bills night for the Raptors.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Now I'm wondering, maybe, I don't know, if you've got the schedule in front of you, Allen. But when are the Knicks going to celebrate the Bills? At some point.

[Don Hahn]

I'm going to go with the. I think it's the 12th of never.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But. But they're a New York team. They share the same state.

[Don Hahn]

Apparently not. Yeah, Buffalo Bills. They had the T shirt, the football jersey on the Raptor. It's Bill's night.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Bill's night, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

That's interesting. Bill's night right here, right now.

[Michael Rosenberg]

That kind of doesn't that really. That's the drop the mic moment of all those Bills.

[Alan Hahn]

No conversation.

[Michael Rosenberg]

How come you don't talk about the Bills? They're the only New York team.

[Don Hahn]

They don't want to be. They don't want to be a New York team.

[Alan Hahn]

And why should they be? Let them be.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, do you blame them?

[Alan Hahn]

They're not here.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Buffalo, City of champions now. Bills go to the playoffs.

[Don Hahn]

Sabers T shirt right there. If you guys want to look in the group. Yeah, it's.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Wonder how the Argonauts told us all we need.

[Alan Hahn]

Great point by Don.

[Don Hahn]

What, the Argos?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. How do the Argos feel about all this?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Argo, they blank yourself. One of my favorite lines.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Oh, it's a great movie.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I don't even know what it's from.

[Don Hahn]

Argo. Argo. You didn't see that?

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't saw Argo. What? I've never seen you.

[Don Hahn]

Affleck.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Very good.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't.

[Don Hahn]

Very good.

[Alan Hahn]

No, you don't know me.

[Don Hahn]

Take the rest of the day.

[Tim Bontemps]

Go see.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, it's that even at that level. No, Anthony, it's at that level.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, you didn't see Argo.

[Don Hahn]

It's homework, dude.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And I know you. I know you.

[Alan Hahn]

If I did see our.

[Don Hahn]

It's so good.

[Alan Hahn]

I think I did see our go, actually.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I'm sorry, Ben Affleck.

[Tim Bontemps]

Hold on.

[Don Hahn]

Affleck was really good. No, you know he was good in it.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think I did see our go. It's right up your alley too. Argo. It's Arkin. We know how you feel. No, Alda Aldo's your guy, not Arkin.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Alan Arkin.

[Alan Hahn]

You got no problem with Arkin? No, he's not.

[Michael Rosenberg]

All Branston's in it and. And Branston and Goodman and John Goodman.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to be like Alan Alda.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Is this good, though?

[Michael Rosenberg]

It's. Did I see they're hostages?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's the hostages.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And I think I saw they pretend to be Canadian and they're making a movie called Argo so they can help them escape. It's right up your alley, man.

[Alan Hahn]

I see it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

What's in the headlines today?

[Alan Hahn]

I know. So I have to revisit.

[Don Hahn]

Actually, you're right.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So, Peter, it's at that level.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's at.

[Alan Hahn]

Take the day.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah. Honestly, look at me. Look at me.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm looking.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Tomorrow we're talking about. You're seeing it tonight.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to talk about this tomorrow? You think Natalie and I have to watch it?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Honestly, I don't know how you get through the night without seeing a movie.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm told it's on.

[Don Hahn]

Enjoy that, Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

It's on Peacock. I'm told you have Peacock. You have to have AKA the Sea.

[Don Hahn]

Peter. Here's what I'll do is how important it is to me.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Oh, okay.

[Don Hahn]

This is big. You're getting a hall pass from Nick's Thunder tonight.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you serious?

[Don Hahn]

Open the show tomorrow and say, I don't know what happened last night, I didn't watch the thing.

[Alan Hahn]

But let's talk.

[Don Hahn]

You are excused. That's how big this movie. That's how good this movie.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but I haven't found out how much you care about Nick's Thunder yet,

[Michael Rosenberg]

so you don't have to. Well, here's what I'm saying.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, it's Nick's Thunder. What are you talking about?

[Michael Rosenberg]

You don't have to watch any Nick game that Mitchell Robinson is not playing. All right?

[Don Hahn]

The game.

[Michael Rosenberg]

That's your hall pass.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm out on half the game, so.

[Caller Jacob]

But.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But it brings it to it because this is what's frustrating. We've got a lot of basketball to start the show because Tim Bontemps is going to be in studio talking some basketball. And of course it's Wednesday and at 4 o' clock every Wednesday we have Monica McNutt. We'll see if she saw Wayne's My Girl. And normally in other sports you get a game as significant as Knicks and the Thunder. Two final four teams from last year. Two teams that really have been on a collision course since the start of the year. As far as a finals preview, their first matchup this year is going to be on espn. First game of a double header tonight. That's why it's a 7 o' clock tip and we're off at 6:30. But it's the second of back to backs for both teams. I mean, do the schedule makers pay attention to load management? Do they pay attention to the likelihood of guys being rested and not having the game you want? By putting this marquee matchup on ESPN at 7 o' clock? And it's second of back to backs for both teams and there's like no buzz around it because it's almost like a throwaway. And then they wonder why the regular season doesn't gain traction in the NBA. You live for moments like this.

[Alan Hahn]

In theory.

[Michael Rosenberg]

In theory. But yeah, example, like how many times did we say a big game tonight? Nick's piss. I'm not really that big. Well, now the Knick spurs lived up to it, right? Because everybody played. And that was a.

[Don Hahn]

Both teams were off the day before.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Afternoon game that did that and that was fine.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And I was on ABC and all that. All right, so I'm not saying they always get it wrong, but how many times we've seen these marquee matchups and they're just ignored. And then you've got, you know, Mike Brown basically telling you it's regular season.

[Alan Hahn]

What do you care?

[Michael Rosenberg]

It doesn't matter. Because let's face it, for some teams, it doesn't matter. But do we have. Because it does.

[Don Hahn]

Do we? If we don't have the cut. I'll read it. Because when he said this, I was like, wow.

[Michael Rosenberg]

All right.

[Don Hahn]

All right. Yeah. Playing OKC on a back to back. Listen what he says.

[Tim Bontemps]

You know, again, it's just the same thing.

[Don Hahn]

If they beat us at the end

[Alan Hahn]

of the day, if we beat them

[Don Hahn]

at the end of the day, what

[Tim Bontemps]

does it really mean?

[Don Hahn]

But you can.

[Tim Bontemps]

They do a lot of things well

[Don Hahn]

on both ends of the floor. That was the main part. You get stopped there.

[Michael Rosenberg]

What is. You're entertaining your audience.

[Don Hahn]

Wow.

[Michael Rosenberg]

As big as the NBA playoffs are, the regular season is longer. These networks pay, you know, to air these games. And again, you're going to have to live with nets, you know, magic every once in a while that nobody's going to care about. But there's going to be times where Nick's Thunder, that's a big deal. It's supposed to be a needle mover. But when the participants don't care, when players don't want to play, when a coach says, hey, we can beat him, not beat him, it doesn't matter that that's the problem. Even more than load management, because load management is a part of it is just the general attitude that everybody around the NBA has about its regular season. This is the problem. Instead of a big game that we can hype up as a Finals matchup, it's in. It's a nothing burger.

[Alan Hahn]

It's so true, man. Like, it's sort of like the NBA is just happy to have the people who are already really into it are into it. Like any of the little extra stuff you might do to try to catch a casual. Like God forbid, it's like, no, if, if you know, you know is like that should be the NBA's philosophy. If you know, you know, if you don't know, don't worry about it. You're not missing anything. But obviously they don't feel that way. Like things like last night they did on NBC. They do those things for a reason.

[Don Hahn]

How about that game? They were down. There was a point, it was a 30 point game. I mean, here's, here's NBC trying to put together something that feels like this could be a lot of fun. The worst team you could possibly pick would be the Sixers because you never know about Paul George and Joel Embiid. Right. You never know about those two. And they're both out. So all of a sudden now what should have been a fun game or a good game is now. Well, this team doesn't really have all its stars, so it's a blowout. Now we got to talk over this thing like that. That, that's, that's the frustrating. But in what other sport of the major sports in the NFL, when you have a big matchup between two marquee teams or two really good teams, what happens? It's on Sunday night, it's on Monday night, or it's a four o' clock game.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Right, Right.

[Don Hahn]

It's a big four o' clock game. But you always know there's going to be something featurey, it's going to feel good. Like even in hockey you're going to get good matchups. You're not like it's not going to be, well, the four guys aren't playing tonight. So it's really not. You can't get a gauge about this. There's no way you can have a measuring stick game in Major League Baseball. You go, every day is a different pitcher, so you never have to worry about that. This is the only sport where you could have a game that you would circle if you had no idea of what was happening around that game. But you'd say these are games that you want to watch. And I don't blame the broadcast companies. I don't even blame the players or the teams. This is the league.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, it's.

[Don Hahn]

The NBA has to say to its schedule maker, listen, we can't have these two teams on the road the night before they play each other in what should be a marquee game. OKC was in Chicago The Knicks were in Toronto. You know, both teams got in probably about 2:00am, 3:00am last night. 2:00am oh, Alan and I take so

[Michael Rosenberg]

long to get traveling in and out of Canada just adds 45 minutes each.

[Don Hahn]

And this is what we want.

[Tim Bontemps]

Seven.

[Don Hahn]

And then you're going to start at six. Seven. That half hour does matter to players. This, this sucks. And it just. They do nothing about in the NBA because.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Because I just think it's the dirty little secret. Our regular season doesn't matter. That's why they have the NBA Cup. 20 out of your 30 teams technically make the playoffs. You could say the play in isn't really the playoffs, but it is still the postseason and you do have a way to get in. So basically it's like, listen, if you're good, you're going to make the playoffs and if you're bad, nobody cares about you anyway. But at least like in the NHL, hey, guess what? The team that went to three straight Stanley cup finals and won two straight Cups, they're not going to the playoffs this year because it's hard to make the playoffs. And the regular season matters in the NHL. And guess what? Rangers, Devils on ABC at 3 o' clock on Sunday on Saturday won't mean anything because both teams are out of it. But you know what? They'll come and play and everybody that can play will play. And you'll get entertained by it. Yeah, but the reputations of both is, well, the NHL, everybody makes the playoffs. Nobody cares. All the NBA is way more popular and it is, but its regular season has become absolutely meaningless. Meaningless. And that's a shame because there are people like Allen and Peter that love basketball. And instead of getting into it and getting hyped up, you know, you're being told by the participants. I look away, there's nothing to see here.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, what was the actual line from Coach Brown?

[Michael Rosenberg]

We could beat them. It doesn't matter.

[Alan Hahn]

That's such a crazy thing to say out loud.

[Don Hahn]

What does this mean? Yeah, at the end, they beat us at the end of the day. If we beat them at the end of the day, what is it?

[Alan Hahn]

But they're the world champs. Like how does it matter?

[Michael Rosenberg]

But you think like Yankees, Dodgers, you're gonna, you're gonna hear Aaron Boone say, listen guys, 162 games we win today, lose today, was at least a big deal.

[Alan Hahn]

Teams play every day.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Come on, we got them, we'll get them tomorrow. You know, I mean, listen, at the end of the day they'll say we'll get them tomorrow.

[Don Hahn]

But that's the NBA.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, you get Aaron Boone on before the series starts, you'd be like, listen guys, it's May, all right? We've got 120 games after this one. We don't even play in the same league. Give me a break. All right? Doesn't matter. No, it'd be stupid to do that. Don't come see my movie. There's plenty of movies out there, right? Honestly, eventually it'll be on HBO and see it.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't worry. Don't buy a thing. You don't even see it now.

[Michael Rosenberg]

As long as you see it at some point.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know how much to fans. Does this really bother fans? We had Bob costas on earlier and what he said really resonated with me about the fact that you just knew because you know, NBC had a game, it was a big deal. Right? You knew it was. This was a big game, big night and usually was marquee matchups. And you never had to say, oh, is, is Shea Gilgas Alexander going to play tonight? No, is, is, is Jalen Brunson going to play tonight? Is, are we going to get the best of both teams or is this going to be watered down? And now we really can't, we can't really get into it. It's not a juicy matchup now because there's so many caveats to whoever won or lost or God forbid, like I said last night, I just checked during my game. Just curious about the NBC broadcast and I'm like, the spurs are up by 30.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah, I went to check it in too. And I honestly, I still wanted to put it on to kind of watch.

[Alan Hahn]

But yeah, to see the thing.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah, just to see the thing. Good thing they did the thing. Otherwise would anybody have watched it?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

These are things that we could talk about in the upcoming segment. Tim Bontemps is gonna be joining us. He's in studio at 4 o'. Clock. We're gonna talk to Monica McNutt. We got lots to dive into today. We're taking up until 6:30 and then it's the Knicks and the Thunder. Doesn't matter, but we have it on our air, which is fun, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Peter, I love what you've said and I also want to tell you guys about college basketball for a moment because college basketball is non stop. You got big games, got tight spreads. Well, big and tight momentum swings every night. And now FanDuel's giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger wins with a college basketball parlay profit boost. Here's how it works. Build any college hoops parlay you like. The early tip, the rivalry game, the right matchup, the late night West Coast Shootout, mixed spreads, totals, props, whatever fits your reader of the slate. Then just apply a profit boost and instantly bump up that potential payout. Go safe, go spicy. Whatever you're looking for, maybe just want to go with the team you've been following all year. It's your parlay, your style now with more upside behind it. Head to FanDuel.com local to get started. FanDuel play your game 21 and over. Fizzly President, New York Option required 2 leg parlay Minimum required 2 leg parlay required I should say bonus issue does not withdrawal boost builder tokens Sorry. New updated copy here. Restrictions apply, including any token expiration to max wager amounts. See [e-mail] for help with the gambling problem. Call 877-8-Hopeny or text hopeny 467-369 quick time out. Some breakfast intel you want to know about. Kodiak frozen Power waffles and flapjacks are built for busy mornings. Heat it, eat it and you're out the door. No long prep, no complicated game plan. They're packed with 12 to 14 grams of protein per serving, a good source of fiber and crafted with 100% whole grains, not refined white flour. So you're getting something that actually fuels you. And there's depth on the roster. Buttermilk and vanilla, blueberry chocolate chip. Even gluten free options. Breakfast that delivers, Snack that delivers. Find Kodiak frozen waffles and flapjacks in the frozen aisle at your local grocery store. They're the ones with the bear on the box.

[Rich Eisen]

Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it, and you just want to know. Your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way, you hand everything off and then silence. Days pass. Weeks pass. You start wondering, should I send another follow up email? It feels like you're chasing updates and getting nowhere. But now taxes are different because your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full service expert. With Intuit TurboTax, you can match with your dedicated tax expert and hand off everything right in the app. And while your expert checks for every deduction, you'll see real time updates on your phone. So you always know exactly where things stand. Suddenly you're not refreshing your inbox. You're going for a run, grabbing a coffee, scrolling anything other than a just checking in message because your TurboTax expert is handling it and keeping you in the loop. So this tax season, get your best possible outcome and every dollar you deserve without the guesswork. Visit TurboTax.com today to learn more. Real time updates only in iOS mobile app only available with TurboTax full service

[Sponsor Voice]

experts as you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Granger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by thanks

[Don Hahn]

for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Michael Rosenberg]

You're a basketball fan. I'm sure you're aware of the work of our next guest. Tim Bontemps is nice enough to join us here in Studio Talk a little Hoops. Don Hanna, Rosenberg on ESPN New York.

[Alan Hahn]

We're talking all kinds of stuff.

[Michael Rosenberg]

He's sitting in your seat, Alan. I hope you.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, he's annoyed at me. He sent me a nasty text.

[Tim Bontemps]

I didn't say I was annoyed.

[Don Hahn]

You sent me a nasty text.

[Tim Bontemps]

I sent an accurate text that you couldn't be bothered to show up when I came into the studio. Luckily for everybody here that there's been a big upgrade.

[Michael Rosenberg]

He would not mind if we just used this time to abuse.

[Tim Bontemps]

You did say it would be fun to just have. Yeah, he said Alan Han, abuse segment. And everybody was on board immediately.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, abuse segment. You mean our show?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's just called a day.

[Don Hahn]

Pretty much a day.

[Tim Bontemps]

Today.

[Alan Hahn]

Today's Wednesday, right?

[Don Hahn]

It ends in a. Yeah, I think that's today.

[Alan Hahn]

How about. How about this, Tim? Are we ready to have like after that last statement, mixed with some of the performances we've gotten recently in big, in my opinion, in big spots, how reasonable do you think it is for there to be Nick fans who already at this point have seen enough of Mike Brown?

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean, I would say that the entire Knicks season is dependent on how they do in April and May and if they get there in June. Right. So I think whatever you think of what the knicks are on March 4, it doesn't really matter. Like what matters is what happens in the playoffs. That was when they fired Tom Thibodeau after making the conference finals for the first time in a quarter century. The bar was set very clearly. It was. You have to exceed that. So the Knicks came into the season as co favorites to win the east at best or at worst with Cleveland, I should say. And they still can do that. The east is completely wide open. Like, I know they've struggled against Detroit, but I don't trust Detroit in the playoffs. I don't trust James Harden and the Cavs in the playoffs. Let's see what happens with the Celtics. I would probably pick the Celtics as of today, but I don't again, I don't feel great about that either. And the Knicks probably have the most talent. So, you know, I would say while I understand the frustrations, they are 15 and 4 in their last 19 games. They have been a very good team. And if they make a run in the playoffs and they're playing in the finals in June, then all is going to be well with Mike Brown. We'll see what happens. So it's not a fun radio signal,

[Alan Hahn]

but it's what we deal with. It's a real fault.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's also just like when you fire your coach if you make the conference finals, you have to just wait and see what happens in the playoffs. Like none of this stuff really matters.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But Alan will tell you it's 15 and four. You should be celebrating that. But the four losses included a loss to Detroit. Oh my God. You'll probably hear it tonight too. Oh, they're not ready for the Thunder. Yeah, like so. Because you go in as the favorite to win the east because the expectations are so high, you don't, you don't get any passes. Sometimes you'll get the team apologist. We get those calls too. But it feels like, all right, you're supposed to beat the Pistons. What are you lose to the Pistons for?

[Tim Bontemps]

So, right.

[Alan Hahn]

It does.

[Michael Rosenberg]

The four ends up being a lot bigger than the 15 because we strategically decided at times this is a big game. And the NBA tells us that sometimes these aren't as big as they're supposed to be.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, yeah, I mean, look, it's in an 82 game season. It is, you know, it is hard to single out specific games and you know, like in those Detroit games, like, yeah, it wasn't great that they played and Jalen Dern wasn't playing and they got smoked still. Right. Like, I can understand why Nick fans would look at this and be concerned about whether this team can actually do the things they hope to. But Last year I didn't think the Knicks were beating the Celtics and they'd gotten smoked by the Celtics every game in the regular season. And then they were on their way to being up 3:1 in four games even before Tatum got hurt. Right. So like, you know, it's just really just is going to come down to what happens in the playoffs and if these guys flame out early. Yeah. Then, you know, Mike Brown's seat is going to be really hot and if they make a run to the finals, people are going to be saying, man, what a, what a smart and bold move to move on and go get Mike Brown and it all.

[Alan Hahn]

So what about, what about middle ground? What about like a hard fought second round exit against Detroit, for example?

[Tim Bontemps]

That's a great question. And I think, you know, I think hard fought is a key thing there. If it's a seven game series against a really good team, I think, I think that's a really good, you know, it's hard to say that's a bad outcome given how wide the east open the east is. But at the same time, again, the standard has been set. You know, Dolan's on the record saying the Knicks should make the finals or, you know, have. They've got to make the finals and they should win the title. Like that's, that's the, that's the barrier. That's the, that's the barrier to clear and you know, we'll see if they're able to do it.

[Don Hahn]

I think it would be an unacceptable outcome, even if it's hard fought, just because it's the second round. I don't think a lot of people would, you know, would give a pass for not getting back to the conference final. You know, that's the part I think is the problem here is that, you know, Mike Brown comes in with that pressure on him and he's got to get him there. And that's why I think he has spent most of this season not really as worried like Tom. Tom would every game, he would drive them through. Every game mattered. Every game had to have the perfect outcome in every game. He only trusted who he trusted. Whereas I think Mike is experimenting with lineups, experimenting with different players. And I don't think he's as driven about game to game as he is about what does it look like? Because I think he knows it. We've got to be playing our best by the time we get to April because that's what we're going to be judged on. April, May and you know, who knows, June and so that's what I feel like the difference in the seasons has been. And by the way, they're 40 and 22 like they were last year. 40 and 22, same. Same scenario, record wise, but it looks different. So I completely agree that the playoffs is where the real judgment begins and the regular season, these game to game matchup judgments and all that stuff. The measuring stick, like what tonight is. I think that's why you hear him say things like, what does it really mean if we beat the Thunder tonight? I still have to prove it in the, in the spring. I feel like, Tim, that's where we are.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's also what you say when you keep getting smoked by the good teams. Right?

[Don Hahn]

Well, they aren't. So their record against the good teams this year is actually good.

[Tim Bontemps]

I understand. Certainly when you.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, they're 16 and nine against the top six teams in the east and the West.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean. Yes, but when you have the loud,

[Don Hahn]

that's better than last year.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, yes. When you have the loud losses, though, it's. I'm just saying, it's.

[Don Hahn]

They have three loud losses and they're all against the same team.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, that's, you know, the Cleveland loss is pretty loud too.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, that was a bad game by both teams. That was an ugly. It was.

[Tim Bontemps]

That third quarter is one of the worst quarters anybody played off.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, my God, that was. And you said Naismith was rolling over

[Michael Rosenberg]

and you said smoked by the Celtics. Last year, one game went into overtime and they won five of the 17 quarters. They've lost every one of the 12 quarters against Detroit. I mean, it's, it's next level. But do you buy into this fan theory that they're holding back, they're not showing everything because they want to save for the playoffs?

[Tim Bontemps]

No.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Or did they legitimately get beat?

[Tim Bontemps]

No. I mean, yeah, I don't think they're. I don't think that there's like some grand strategy to hide things away and show them later. And I'm not saying that as any disrespect to Mike Brown. I just think they've gotten pounded in these games. And like, you know, it doesn't mean. It doesn't mean it can't turn around. I bring the Celtics up as an example. Like, yeah, they won a lot of those quarters last year, but I was at all those games. They were not competitive games. Like the Knicks were not as good as the Celtics and nobody went to that series thinking it was going to be all that competitive. So, you know, that's why, like, I Do think, you know, the Knicks under Tom Thibodeau had a very clear identity. I don't think this team has a very clear identity yet. I think under Mike Brown, I think that's part of the. Where people get frustrated with the inconsistencies in their play. And it is why, like I even said on SportsCenter today, like, they are 15 and 4 in their last 19 games. You should be excited about that. But then three of the four losses in there are loud, ugly losses to teams you're fighting in the Eastern Conference standings. And that, you know, that is the kind of thing when you talked to Dom before about the games, people remember, like, when the standard is we have to get to the finals for the first time since 99, the games that are going to stand out are against the teams that are going to be in your way to get to the finals. And so that. That Cleveland game was ugly and these Detroit games have been ugly. And there's just. You just have to accept that, like, there's not a. There's not a way to varnish it and say, oh, well, you know, we hid some stuff, like, they just got beat and doesn't mean they can't turn things around later. But it's. It's going to be in everybody's minds until the playoffs now, for sure.

[Don Hahn]

Tim. I've always felt, because it's like Mike Brown in his first year, although we did see it many years ago, like, this feels like a Don Nelson kind of year if it doesn't go the way it's supposed to.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean, you're really, you're really. You're really given a lot of faith. The Nick fans doing that.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I'm just saying, like, that. That felt like.

[Tim Bontemps]

I agree.

[Don Hahn]

Don Nelson didn't even make it out of that season that first year.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

But that's what it had at times, especially during that stretch where they were just. They were losing, their defense was bad.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

I started worrying, like, oh, we're heading. We're heading to another Don Nelson type of result here. But if they, let's say they don't at least reach a level where you're like, all right, they still advance the cause. Is it about Mike Brown or is it about Giannis Antenokounmpo when we get to June and July, I think with

[Tim Bontemps]

where the Knicks are at and the lack of assets the Knicks have, it's going to probably be more about the coach than the roster, I would guess, because I just don't think, you know, like, look, if There's a real bidding war for Giannis. The Knicks don't exactly have a lot of assets to go get Giannis or to go get, you know, some player of that caliber. Doesn't mean they can't change things around with the roster. Doesn't mean they can't do some stuff. But, you know, I, I mean, there's a reason that they changed the coach after last year, right? It's like it's a lot easier to change the coach and you have barely any draft picks than it is to flip the whole roster around or you

[Michael Rosenberg]

got the Hoop Collective. So what are some of the topics recently that's been hot?

[Tim Bontemps]

What is hot these days? I mean, we're talking about Cav's corner all the time on the Hoop Collective because Windhorse is from Akron and he loves the Cavs, so we talked about that a lot.

[Alan Hahn]

So is he still like a fan in real life? Like, when he's not on tv, he's

[Tim Bontemps]

not a fan, but he, he is the mayor of Northeast Ohio, so what an honor. Whenever he goes back there, he's just. I mean, we did a podcast last year there in September in Akron at his high school, which was also LeBron's high school, and it was like the Pope arrived. I mean, there was a line. Oh, yeah, there's a line out the door to see him. I mean, it's. Yeah, he's. He's a legend there. So. And he does radio three or four times a week in Cleveland. Like, he's on there all the time. So. Yeah, like, there's, There's a lot of. And look, they've also been super interesting. Like, I thought they were dead in the water. They made this James Harden trade. I still have questions about their viability in the playoffs, but they're playing a lot better, you know, and then, like, the top of both conferences are super interesting, you know, like the Eastern Conference. I have absolutely no idea who's going to win. I think it's one of the most wide open conferences in the history of the league. Any one of these top four teams could win. If Charlotte or Philly gets one of these teams in the first round, I would be nervous about playing them. Like, Charlotte's been the hottest team in the league the last six weeks. You know, a young, athletic team that flies up and down. If they play the Knicks in the first round, for example, like that, they do some stuff that would give the Knicks some problems. Not saying the Knicks would necessarily lose, but it'd be a little more of a sweat than you would think. So we're talking about that, talking about the top of the west, all the craziness going on there. So, you know, it's been a really fun and interesting year and I'm excited to see what the stretch run looks like.

[Don Hahn]

First of all, for everybody to know, Hoop Collective is like the thing. I have no time for streaming, I have no time for podcasts. Everybody knows it's the one thing I actually do tune into regularly.

[Tim Bontemps]

He's got to get his knowledge somewhere good.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, where else? I got to steal all my good ideas somewhere. But, but, but the one I wanted to ask you, Tim, because as you know, when you're doing the get up circuit, like I'm back on now is we have these routine questions and it's always like, what's wrong with the Lakers? And it really feels like it's just an awkward fit. Are the Lakers in that weird? Like they're still sort of stuck in an old relationship while trying to start a new one? Does that make sense?

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And are they not going to really head in the right direction until they break it off with the old with the ex?

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, the Lakers are in a weird spot because they have these three guys in Lucas and Reeves and LeBron who all need the ball and they all don't really guard anybody. So they just have a very lopsided roster and there's really not a clean way to fix it, even in the short term. Like, let's say they do move on from LeBron this summer. Okay, they'll have some cap space, but they don't have a lot of draft picks. And if you go back to the what the Mavericks had when they got to the finals with Luka a couple years ago, they had Kyrie Irving next to him. If you want to say Austin Reaves can be Kyrie, sure, I don't think he's quite that level of player. But then they had two or three really good two way wing players and they had two big centers in Derek Lively and Derrick Jones Jr are at Derek Lively. Daniel Gafford, I should say, who were good rim protecting rim running centers to pair with Luka, that's like four or five pieces they got to get with some cap space and barely any picks. That's going to be really hard to do. And you know, when you look at San Antonio with Victor, you look at the Thunder with their juggernaut team. You look at Denver with Nikola Jokic, you look at Minnesota with Anthony Edwards, look at Houston with Kevin Durant now Peron Chinguna those guys like the bar to get into the top four in the west is really high and I just don't know how they're going to do it even if they do move on from LeBron with the limited assets they have.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, Tim, don't be a stranger, man. Good luck with everything.

[Tim Bontemps]

Whenever you guys want to have me on, I'm thrilled to come on.

[Alan Hahn]

We just want someone who knows basketball, you know, that's the thing for us.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Can we find someone to talk the game?

[Tim Bontemps]

I can always provide that.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Tim Bontemps]

You guys do a great job. Whenever I can. Come on. I'm always happy to.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Thanks man. And Alan is excited about the Sabres too. So Buffalo guy seeing his Sabres playoffs for the first time seeing since he was a teenager.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's right.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So we're looking forward to that, Tim. Thank you man.

[Tim Bontemps]

Of course. Thanks guys.

[Sponsor Voice]

Watching someone close go through loss really changes your perspective. You see how quickly grief can turn into financial stress, and it's something no family should have to deal with during an already difficult time. Experiences like that make people think differently about planning ahead and protecting the people they love. Life insurance isn't about expecting the worst. It's about being prepared and knowing your family will be supported if something unexpected happens. That's why life insurance through Ethos is worth considering. They make the process fast and easy. Everything is 100% online, so you can get a quote in seconds, apply in minutes, and even get same day coverage. There's no medical exam, just a few simple health questions. You can get up to $3 million in coverage, and some policies start as low as $30 a month. As of March 2025, Business Insider named Ethos the 1 no medical exam Instant Life Insurance Provider, and Ethos has 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot with over 3000 reviews. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos now by going to ethos.com sports in as little as 10 minutes, you can get your free quote and up to $3 million in [e-mail] sports. That's E T H O s.com sports ethos.com sports application times and rates may vary.

[Depop Advertiser]

Want to earn extra income for your business? Amazon Hub Delivery is looking for ambitious business owners to assist with local deliveries. When you become a partner, you and your staff will deliver packages to customers in your area on a schedule that works for you. With each package delivered, you'll gain extra income and exposure for your business. Plus, Amazon Hub Delivery makes it easy to get started. There's no upfront costs. Delivery experience or long term contracts required. Sign up to learn [e-mail] hubdelivery that's Amazon.com hubdelivery O'Reilly Auto Parts can help

[Rich Eisen]

take the guesswork out of your check engine, ABS or maintenance light with O'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE certified master technicians. O'Reilly Veriscan can identify the most likely problem with just one scan. If you need help, O'Reilly Auto Parts can recommend a shop for you. Don't ignore a check engine, ABS or maintenance light. Ask for O'Reilly Veriscan Today, a free service exclusively at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Michael Rosenberg]

Don I'm the Rosenberg hanging out with the old 6:30 that it's Knicks basketball. Knicks and the Thunder from the Garden. Alan's all over that. Monica McNutt will join us coming up at the top of the hour. I got a list that I curated earlier in the day.

[Alan Hahn]

Carrie, give us a hint.

[Don Hahn]

No, he won't, I'm telling you.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Don't you want to.

[Don Hahn]

He feels good about it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Don't you want to be surprised or.

[Don Hahn]

No, I'd like to be a little prepared because you like it when we offer ideas or suggestions or try to guess.

[Alan Hahn]

He's being very, very secretive.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Hey, I've always wanted to just give a straight list and you guys react to it. But I've been told that having you guys guess is more fun.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Michael Rosenberg]

So the lack of preparedness, I think makes it even more fun because you're in the moment having to decide go

[Alan Hahn]

scratch yourself is what you're saying.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, that's basically what I'm saying. Exactly.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, just say that, Don.

[Michael Rosenberg]

All right?

[Don Hahn]

Just say that.

[Alan Hahn]

If you want to say go scratch

[Michael Rosenberg]

yourself, let's go to Jacob in Queens. He gets us started here on Don Rosenberg. What's up, man? Hello, Jacob. Hello.

[Caller Jacob]

Oh, hey. I didn't know you could hear me. Guys, let me preface this by saying I used to be a big NBA fan, family, used to have season tickets, used to take my kids to games. I'm in my early 50s, but I gotta be honest, and I thought about coins or helping you guys make the comments about the NBA the last 10 years. The league has just become a regular season, not watchable. You got teams that don't care about regular season games. You got load Management, I mean you can guarantee at the end of the season half of the NBA teams that make the playoffs won't even have a winning record. You compare it to the other league, the NHL. Every single team that makes the playoffs has a winning record. For them, the regular season means. So I gotta admit, I don't even care about the NBA regular season anymore. And when you guys talk about games now, they mean nothing because these players, they don't do anything to the playoffs. Come along. It's a shame. It used to be a great league, but now it's just the regular season is just a joke in my opinion.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And listen and Jacob can't argue. Why would the NBA then not try to get away from that by making sure they schedule these big games where each team maybe had a couple of days off and there'd be less of a chance of load management. I think the NBA just has to acknowledge it. But I think they understand that there's little they can do about it. That's why they brought in the NBA Cup. But I just think there's certain. You knew, you knew the second that the Thunder won the championship last year that the Knicks and Thunder were going to be a thing. Tatum was already out. Halliburton was already out. There was already conversations about the Knicks being the favorite going in to this year. Thunder are the defending champions. So why would you have them play their first game of the season at Madison Square Garden and both of them had played the night before.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, midweek, second half.

[Don Hahn]

Well, we made a schedule and ESPN took the game and so they whatever moved it to a when. Like maybe this game was originally a Thursday, I don't know. But like I, I'm like whatever it is, they'll blame espn. Well, they wanted this game. Well, even more than if it's going to be a nationally televised game. Why the hell would you have both teams playing the night before on the road? And by the way, if the Thunder were in town to play the Nets and the Knicks were home and it's a back to back for both teams. That's different.

[Michael Rosenberg]

A little different.

[Don Hahn]

This is coming from Chicago, which we know. So we know the Thunder didn't get until well after midnight and you got

[Michael Rosenberg]

an hour time change and then the

[Don Hahn]

Knicks coming in from Toronto, which we know is probably landing around one customs after customs and everything else. Like this is maddening. Now it could end up being a great game. Who knows? Yeah, but it's still. This is an example. We're not saying just this game. This is not an Isolated incident. The problem is we spend so much time blaming players for load management or teams for not caring and a lot. And some other people were blaming the broadcast companies that. That are picking these games and putting this together. And I still say if you're the NBA, how do you not look at the master schedule once everything's picked out and go, all right, well, we need to do better with this game. We got to do better with this

[Michael Rosenberg]

game and not have a coach in the game tell you that it doesn't matter. It's.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I think that's. That's. Yeah, he sounded like he was trying to tamp it down.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah. Because.

[Alan Hahn]

Because we have some news here. Breaking news.

[Don Hahn]

Breaking.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. At the start of the.

[Don Hahn]

We'll fix it.

[Alan Hahn]

At the official start of the season, the New England Patriots will be without Taye Diggs.

[Caller Jacob]

Buffalo Bills went out and got who?

[Tim Bontemps]

Tay Diggs.

[Caller Jacob]

Stefan Diggs.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Because that's the only reason it's a story.

[Alan Hahn]

Because of the Tay Digs drop. Well, I mean, he's.

[Don Hahn]

He's still a decent player. It's a bad teammate. He just wanted to do this to you.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, I get it.

[Don Hahn]

Stefan Diggs being released was something I think we all knew was coming. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

But. Well, but the news is making the.

[Don Hahn]

You wanted the drop.

[Alan Hahn]

I love the drop. I love the drop.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I'm not gonna lie on the K.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that's one of the great drops we have on this now. Now we also have this if you

[Don Hahn]

are inclined to watch Wemby and company. They host the Spurs. Yeah. At 7:30. What he's doing. It's a bad guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Now hold on. Did we had it? What was the other. Can I hear what did his Jeter 1 sound like from yesterday? I don't think I ever played it.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that was bad.

[Alan Hahn]

Do we ever hear it?

[Don Hahn]

It was Jerick Jeter.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Here we go.

[Don Hahn]

Do you think Jerrick Jeter would have allowed this?

[Alan Hahn]

Who's Jerick Jeter?

[Don Hahn]

Jericho. Also in the tournament.

[Alan Hahn]

They made the dance already.

[Don Hahn]

Wait, how did that cheater have allowed this?

[Alan Hahn]

Who's Jerick Jeter?

[Don Hahn]

Jerick. Jerick Jeter. Is that good for as many clubs

[Tim Bontemps]

as you guys think you have this bracket, Not a lot of them are funny.

[Don Hahn]

All right, the bracket sucks then.

[Alan Hahn]

I want to hear. I want to hear one more time.

[Don Hahn]

You think Jerrick Jeter would have allowed this? Who's jerk Cheer jerk.

[Michael Rosenberg]

What was the other one?

[Alan Hahn]

The other. The other one?

[Don Hahn]

It was the.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, the Wemby.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah. If you are inclined to watch Wemby Co. They host the Spurs. Oh, that 7:30.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, because. Because we already Landerson Hooper tweeted me or us already to say he he believed in the previous segment before we had Tim on that there was another Southern Allen.

[Alan Hahn]

Really?

[Michael Rosenberg]

I did not notice.

[Don Hahn]

What did I do?

[Alan Hahn]

There's more Southern Allen.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I don't know if jets after Monica, but Blanderson said did Alan just slip into his Southern accent again? You never had to ask if SGA was going to play in the game. You remember that? We'll try to find it.

[Don Hahn]

But what did I say?

[Michael Rosenberg]

I guess when you said never, you gave a little Southern accent instead of never you gave a little never. Huh? I didn't hear it.

[Don Hahn]

I. I don't recall.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But now people know when people's radar is up for it.

[Don Hahn]

Now I never know when it's happening. It just happened.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It just happens.

[Don Hahn]

It's weird. That's how stroke why is happening, you know, Rhett Butler just suddenly appears within me.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's not. It's not good.

[Alan Hahn]

It's very strange.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to know how the

[Don Hahn]

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

[Alan Hahn]

Monster Energy.

[Don Hahn]

Everybody knows White Monster Zero Ultra, that's

[Alan Hahn]

the og it kicked off this whole

[Sponsor Voice]

zero sugar energy drink thing, but Ultra

[Alan Hahn]

is a whole lineup now.

[Don Hahn]

You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian Sunrise and Vice Guava.

[Alan Hahn]

And they all bring the Monster Energy punch. So if you've been living in the White can branch out. Ultra's got a flavor for every vibe,

[Don Hahn]

and every single one is Zero Sugar. Tap the banner to learn more.