Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Episode: Hour 1: What The Hali

Release Date: June 6, 2025
Hosts: Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Description: ESPN New York and New Jersey legends Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg discuss New York sports and beyond in an engaging, opinionated format.

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with Don LaGreca announcing that host Alan Hahn is on assignment in Boston, attending his daughter’s tournament. This absence sets the stage for Don and Peter Rosenberg to lead the discussion solo for the day.

Don LaGreca [00:50]:
"It's a Friday, nice day. Weekend's gonna be a little dicey, but we're here for you to talk some sports without Alan Hahn."

2. NBA Finals: Thunder vs. Pacers

A. Initial Expectations and Series Overview

Don and Peter delve into the NBA Finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. Initially perceived as a series favoring the Thunder, recent game performances have shifted perceptions.

Don LaGreca [02:00]:
"We touched on the baseball a little bit at the end of the show. Yesterday was a tough loss for the Mets... but let’s get into the basketball."

B. Game 1 Analysis

They analyze the dramatic finish of Game 1, emphasizing the Pacers' resilience and the Thunder's unexpected challenges.

Peter Rosenberg [04:26]:
"Tyrese Halliburton is a guy who, if you were giving him a Madden score, is like an 87. He's a really good player, but he's a 96 in crunch time."
Don LaGreca [04:20]:
"The Pacers have been a better playoff team than the Thunder have in a sense. They’ve never been deemed untouchable."

C. Clutch Performance Discussion

A significant portion of the conversation centers around Tyrese Halliburton's clutch performance, debating the existence of "clutch" players in sports analytics.

Don LaGreca [10:36]:
"How the hell do these analytic people in baseball say there's no such thing as clutch? Like, how can you say that? No, bull."

Peter Rosenberg [12:20]:
"Tyrese Halliburton is a top five player in the league when it comes to clutch performances. You can't deny clutch in sports."

D. Coaching Decisions and Team Dynamics

They discuss the impact of coaching decisions on the series, particularly focusing on the Pacers' strategy and the Thunder's potential.

Don LaGreca [12:54]:
"They didn’t have a great start to the regular season, but since January, the Pacers have continued to shock everybody."

Peter Rosenberg [35:35]:
"Everyone wants a simple conclusion and we know the answer is Tibbs, but the fact of the matter is we won't know the answer in a real way for a very long time."

3. Listener Interactions

A. Jay's Perspective on Pacers vs. Knicks

Listener Jay expresses frustration over the Knicks' decision to fire Coach Tibbs despite the Pacers' surprising performance.

Jay [31:59]:
"I think what's going to bother me even more about the whole situation with Tibbs in the Knicks is if the Pacers go on to win this series... just reliving that Game one scenario."

Don LaGreca [34:21]:
"So Peter, if the Pacers win the championship, it's a great point. But was anybody beating them?"

B. Luca’s Insights on Team Depth and Coaching

Luca discusses the perceived depth of the Pacers compared to the Knicks and questions the necessity of coaching changes.

Luca [36:39]:
"I don't think they're much better. I think they have a more complete 10 guys than the Knicks had."

Don LaGreca [38:12]:
"If Rick Carlisle were the coach of the Knicks, do the Knicks win the series?"

C. Griffin’s Views on Coaching Changes in Sports

Griffin criticizes the trend of firing coaches despite teams reaching conference finals, using the Carolina Hurricanes as an example.

Griffin [42:34]:
"You quit with every single year. And then you got Carolina, whose coach is still at a job..."

Don LaGreca [44:03]:
"I'm not going to say it's right, but DeBoer has been to six of the last seven conference finals and has not won."

4. Show Dynamics and Future Outlook

A. Technology Glitch and Its Impact

Don and Peter experience a technical glitch with Don’s iPad volume, leading to a brief humorous interaction about handling technology on air.

Don LaGreca [19:23]:
"I should have turned it all the way down to zero. I always have it turned down to zero by some reason. It jumps back up."

Peter Rosenberg [22:31]:
"I don't want anyone blanking with Don. Thank you very much."

B. Future of the Show Without Alan

The hosts discuss the show's future dynamics, considering Alan's absence and how it affects their chemistry and content.

Peter Rosenberg [48:59]:
"The reason our future is potentially bright is... we are getting more of that every day with Alan Hahn."

Don LaGreca [50:55]:
"Alan might end up being that guy who adds the unique flair to the show."

5. Advertising and Promotions

Throughout the episode, the hosts intersperse discussions with advertisements for sponsors like FanDuel, BetterHelp, Shopify, and Venmo. Notably, they mention upcoming segments such as "Fraud Friday" and promote events like the FanDuel offer and ESPN New York’s Fan Fest.

Don LaGreca [23:14]:
"We’ve got a big show at 4:30. We’re going to have fraud alert Friday..."

6. Conclusion and Final Remarks

The episode wraps up with final listener interactions and brief banter between Don and Peter, emphasizing upcoming shows and events.

Don LaGreca [52:15]:
"Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. Hear more of Don, Alan, and Peter weekday afternoons starting at 3 on 880 ESPN New York."

Notable Quotes

• Don LaGreca [10:36]:
  "How the hell do these analytic people in baseball say there's no such thing as clutch? Like, how can you say that? No, bull."

• Peter Rosenberg [12:20]:
  "Tyrese Halliburton is a top five player in the league when it comes to clutch performances. You can't deny clutch in sports."

• Jay [31:59]:
  "If the Pacers go on to win this series... just reliving that Game one scenario."

• Don LaGreca [34:21]:
  "If the Pacers win the championship, it’s a great point. But was anybody beating them?"

• Luca [36:39]:
  "I don't think they're much better. They have a more complete 10 guys than the Knicks had."

• Griffin [42:34]:
  "You quit with every single year. And then you got Carolina, whose coach is still at a job..."

Key Takeaways

• Underdog Resurgence: The Indiana Pacers have defied expectations in the NBA Finals, showcasing depth and resilience that challenge initial projections favoring the Oklahoma City Thunder.

• Clutch Performances Matter: The discussion emphasizes the importance of clutch players like Tyrese Halliburton, arguing against purely analytical dismissals of "clutch" as a valid performance metric.

• Coaching Decisions Are Critical: The episode critiques the trend of firing coaches despite strong team performances, using the Knicks’ decision to fire Tibbs as a focal point for broader discussions on team management.

• Show Dynamics Evolving: With Alan Hahn on assignment, Don and Peter explore their on-air chemistry and the future direction of the show, highlighting the importance of unique personalities in sports broadcasting.

• Listener Engagement: Active participation from listeners like Jay, Luca, and Griffin provides diverse perspectives, enriching the conversation and addressing fan sentiments directly.

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg offers a deep dive into current sports narratives, blending analytical discussions with personal insights and listener interactions, making it a compelling listen for sports enthusiasts.