Hour 2: Don's Book & The List

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 2: Don's Book & The List
Release Date: June 4, 2025

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1. Introduction to Don's Book of Lists

In this episode, the hosts—Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg—delve into the exciting prospect of transforming Don's extensive collection of curated lists into a published book. The conversation kicks off with Don expressing enthusiasm about the idea:

Don LaGreca [02:27]: "It's 100 things. It's 100 chapters of 100 things about the Knicks that you need to know."

2. Authorship and Collaboration

Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg discuss the logistics of authoring the book. Alan emphasizes his role as the writer, while Peter highlights the need for professional assistance to ensure the book’s readability and marketability:

Alan Hahn [01:15]: "All of it. Does he have them all written down?"

Peter Rosenberg [04:18]: "I have kicked around that if I was ever gonna do this, I wanted to do it right and actually get a professional author."

3. Publishing Plans

The hosts explore potential avenues for publishing, discussing the importance of garnering support to attract a publishing house. Don outlines the next steps, including reaching out to agents and preparing example chapters:

Don LaGreca [05:39]: "But regardless, if people are interested in something like this, let us know. Because the more support we have behind it, the more likely we got a publishing house to make this thing happen."

Alan reveals promising developments from agencies showing interest:

Don LaGreca [08:23]: "Already got a text from somebody who published a book recently."

4. Promotion Strategies

The conversation shifts to marketing strategies for the book. Ideas include featuring dynamic photos and involving the hosts in promotional roles. Peter suggests incorporating notable figures to enhance credibility:

Peter Rosenberg [07:22]: "We can have whatever the photo. Evans up being in the front, something about the lists or whatever."

Don emphasizes the importance of pre-orders and engagement with listeners to demonstrate demand to publishers:

Don LaGreca [06:49]: "Anybody's face has to be on."

5. Developing the Book’s Content

The core of the episode revolves around developing a compelling list for the book. The hosts brainstorm themes and potential collaborators, drawing inspiration from successful formats like Sasha Jenkins' "Ego Trip Book of Rap Lists":

Alan Hahn [01:31]: "The an amazing talent and writer in hip hop passed away a week and a half ago. His name was Sasha Jenkins... the Ego Trip Book of Rap Lists."

6. Historic Examples of Coaching Changes (The List)

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to a curated list showcasing instances where sports teams fired successful coaches, hired new ones, and subsequently won championships swiftly. The hosts provide detailed historical examples:

• New Jersey Devils (1999-2000 Season):
  Peter Rosenberg [30:00]: "They fired Robbie Fatoric and hired Larry Robinson... won that year's Stanley Cup."

• Detroit Pistons (2003-2004 Season):
  Don LaGreca [30:35]: "Rick Carlisle was the Detroit Pistons head Coach in the 2002-2003 season... they won a championship after hiring Larry Brown."

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001-2002 Season):
  Peter Rosenberg [33:22]: "Tony Dungy's team improved but didn't win until Jon Gruden took over and secured a Super Bowl victory."

These examples illustrate the potential for immediate success following strategic coaching changes, which the Knicks hope to emulate.

7. Listener Engagement and Feedback

The hosts encourage listeners to participate by sending emails and voting on potential book ideas. They stress the importance of listener support in making the book a reality:

Don LaGreca [06:02]: "You'll get on the list right away. Signed book. Once it comes out, we'll have a book signing."

8. Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Concluding the episode, Don, Alan, and Peter reaffirm their commitment to bringing Don's Book of Lists to fruition. They highlight ongoing efforts to secure publishing deals and express optimism about the project’s success:

Alan Hahn [37:05]: "I like this list, right?"

Peter Rosenberg [39:15]: "But you know, Toronto never won. I mean, Bulls never won either, but look at the dynasty they became..."

The episode wraps up with a teaser for upcoming shows and continued discussions on sports strategies and team management.

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Notable Quotes:

• Don LaGreca [02:27]: "It's 100 things. It's 100 chapters of 100 things about the Knicks that you need to know."
• Peter Rosenberg [30:35]: "They fired Robbie Fatoric and hired Larry Robinson... won that year's Stanley Cup."
• Alan Hahn [01:15]: "All of it. Does he have them all written down?"
• Don LaGreca [06:49]: "Anybody's face has to be on."
• Peter Rosenberg [33:22]: "Tony Dungy's team improved but didn't win until Jon Gruden took over and secured a Super Bowl victory."

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Conclusion

This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" provides an insightful look into the potential publication of Don LaGreca's Book of Lists, blending creative brainstorming with strategic planning. The hosts effectively engage in dynamic discussions about authorship, publishing strategies, and the impact of coaching changes in sports, offering listeners valuable perspectives and anticipating an exciting new addition to sports literature.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Sports are all about teamwork and so is insurance. Whether you need an in person or digital assist, State Farm is there to help you choose the right coverage for your home, car and more. Get a game plan that helps fit your life and talk to State Farm today. State Farm with the assist. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability and eligibility vary by state.

[Don LaGreca]

This is the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don LaGreca]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at three on eight eighty espn, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Four o' clock straight up in the big city nyc. Take capital seven. That's Ty Butler. We got a list. It's being curated.

[Don LaGreca]

This list might be one of the best ever.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I. I'm enjoyed.

[Don LaGreca]

I have a question.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And I want the. I want the listeners to consider this to tweet at the show, email the show even. Right, Peter, we have an email address.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, Dhrespn Gmail.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, sure. Cuz Don McGregor has done lists for a couple of decades now, right? Like big list guy. Sure we would thinking like wouldn't that make a great book?

[Alan Hahn]

All of it. Does he have them all written down?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Saved every one of all of all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of my lists during COVID are in a spiraling notebook.

[Alan Hahn]

Really could be turned. Well, I'll tell you this. I'll tell you this right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do it.

[Don LaGreca]

I think. I think we got a book.

[Alan Hahn]

The the an amazing talent and writer in in hip hop passed away a week and a half ago. His name was Sasha Jenkins. Incredible, incredible dude. Director, writer. Did so many things. The thing that really put him Elliot Wilson, Gabriel Alvarez, a few other people on the map was this book called the Ego Trip Book of rap lists.

[Don LaGreca]

I like that.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh no, you've seen it before, Alan. You've seen it. You've seen in the background. I'm sure you've seen people sitting in front of their cameras within the back. It's one of the essential hip hop books, Don. It's worth looking at. I'll bring it in because it's not really. You probably wouldn't necessarily love it in your home. Like you'll may not appreciate everything in it, but you really appreciate how they went into could give you a little bit of guidance on what to do with Don's book of lists because you got to do more than just publish the list.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm aware.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what I mean?

[Don LaGreca]

Well no, I did a list book.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh did you know that, Don?

[Don LaGreca]

No, the next one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh that's 100.

[Don LaGreca]

It's a hundred things. It's 100 chapters of 100 things about the Knicks that you need to know. Every single. I did 100 blogs, basically.

[Alan Hahn]

100 posts. Basically, yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And every one of them, there was just the. There's the slug, which is just the list, right? It's a list of a hundred. But then you got to expound on it. You got to expand upon it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You got to talk like, I'll have a list.

[Don LaGreca]

And that's what. And then the number one is what.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You kick around and then.

[Don LaGreca]

And what maybe or just kick around.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The reasons and then also the honorable mentions.

[Alan Hahn]

And so that's why this book will be. I'm going to. I'm going to bring it in tomorrow, show it to you. Because they did some really creative things. They would follow like a theme and then one chapter would be a theme, but within it there'd be all kinds. They like. They do their own list. But then it would be Chuck D's top five top ten reasons Radio today sucks. And they would get Chuck D to give you his list of things.

[Don LaGreca]

So there's what I like in our. I'm already spitballing.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, go ahead.

[Don LaGreca]

I like in our book.

[Alan Hahn]

Or is it hour now it's going.

[Don LaGreca]

To be, well, I'm the writer, but.

[Alan Hahn]

What happened to Don?

[Don LaGreca]

But now Don's the list guy. I'm the writer.

[Alan Hahn]

So co authors.

[Don LaGreca]

Are you okay with that? You.

[Alan Hahn]

You already.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. All right. I haven't asked him, but Michael's gonna do the forward.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, I mean, here's how we could also do it. I mean, we are a show, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Show book.

[Don LaGreca]

Right? Yeah, we do a show book now.

[Alan Hahn]

It'S a show book. It's a charger.

[Don LaGreca]

Now it's a ramp. I'm just saying.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, all you gonna do is just now leave me out. So you guys go on a promo roll.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want it to be a show book. The reason it's. Don't. I'm not an author.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm a ghostwriter now.

[Alan Hahn]

I know authors, you know, and you sort of know author.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. I'm friends with Gary Myers. I'm friends with.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, oh. He's gonna watch a big time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Connor.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, you know, Connor, wait a minute. I've kicked around.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I have kicked around that if I was ever gonna do this, I wanted to do it right and actually get a professional author.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh. Which means to be a part of it.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, boy.

[Don LaGreca]

Wow. And that lasted five minutes, people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Alan is my choice over. I'M bringing these people up to show you how much respect I have for you, that I can go with Ian o' Connor and I can go with Gary Myers. But I believe that Ian o' Connor. I believe that they're great guys. But Alan is just as good an author. I'm closer to him and he's enthusiastic about the book. I'd have to pitch this idea to Ian and Barry. I don't have to pitch this to Alan. He's all on board, so he's my guy.

[Alan Hahn]

So you want to go with a book? A Don legrecker's Book of Lists.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was the name we had taken out?

[Don LaGreca]

Who you taking out? The title.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on.

[Alan Hahn]

Written by Alan Hahn and by the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Way, Greca and Alan.

[Don LaGreca]

By the way, audiobook. With. With those pipes.

[Alan Hahn]

Go on.

[Don LaGreca]

Come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I could write. I mean, it's my list, right? And I will. Here's what I figure is I'll write the reason because my list. So my name has to come first. Don Lagrega. But Alan's going to be the one that's going to make it sound like readable.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't need my name.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you're willing to go straight to Ghost Rider?

[Peter Rosenberg]

People not to know it's you. Yeah, but now they know, so you should get credit.

[Don LaGreca]

Just going to get the check, man. That's all I want. But anyways, if people are interested in something like this, let us know. Because the more support we have behind it, the more likely we got a publishing house to make this thing happen. And then by Christmas, you could be having something like that under your tree or your Festivus Poll or whatever it else you celebrate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Festivus for the rest of us.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. So just wanted to ask the people. That's all. Curious.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would love to hear what people have to say.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, lists are great. This one's going to be phenomenal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But as much as I'd be excited about the fans, I think they'd like the list. I.

[Don LaGreca]

We.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The publishers are the ones I really want to get.

[Don LaGreca]

That's why. But. But publishers also want to know that there's energy behind.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think there's going to be energy behind.

[Don LaGreca]

Now, Don, will this sell?

[Alan Hahn]

Now, don't be offended by this. I don't want to be offended by this. But how do you feel about. How do you feel about Don's Book of Lists? But you put Alan's face on the back of the book.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just back of the book.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just to sell it.

[Don LaGreca]

What am I, Vanilli?

[Alan Hahn]

Look at this punum. You got to sell this guy. You know what I mean?

[Don LaGreca]

Milli Vanilli.

[Alan Hahn]

Now just put that handsome face. And you know what? Put your name on it. Slap your name. Don legreco right on it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anybody's face has to be on.

[Don LaGreca]

By the way, did you see this? With what SportsCenter did yesterday morning.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, man, look.

[Don LaGreca]

Did you see. Look at it.

[Alan Hahn]

Huh? Handsome.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Handsome.

[Don LaGreca]

Did you see this?

[Alan Hahn]

But why'd they do that?

[Don LaGreca]

This is what they. How they brought me in Gary Stripsy, man. He's just like those two guys. He and Randy are characters.

[Alan Hahn]

And they called you Hans. But why Hansa? Blueprint.

[Don LaGreca]

The blueprint. Because I had a blueprint of how the Pacers could win.

[Alan Hahn]

This was the Hans.

[Don LaGreca]

This is how they.

[Alan Hahn]

Because they think you're very Hansa.

[Don LaGreca]

They made the graph. They also used the photo from like 10 years ago.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, guess what? It's a good photo, but I think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We can have whatever the photo. Evans up being in the front, something about the lists or whatever. And then maybe just a famous athlete or something. And then the back could just be, you know, me and. Me and Alan.

[Don LaGreca]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like just two of us hanging.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, now. Now that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

On the roof.

[Don LaGreca]

Up on the roof.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Up on the roof.

[Don LaGreca]

We already got the photo, actually.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And. Yeah. And that's it. And then we just got to clear some pictures because I think that adds a little.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Variety.

[Don LaGreca]

Got to get.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You'll be thanked, Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You'll be in the acknowledgement. Well, I'm now going to be actively working against this book. Why, in fact, you know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

People got to be on board. I'm just.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, you know what?

[Don LaGreca]

And we can employ Ms. Hatton to take.

[Alan Hahn]

And I've been. Well, now. We'd have a conversation now if she. She takes the COVID art and gets a nice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't hate that.

[Alan Hahn]

A handsome check.

[Don LaGreca]

Of course I don't hate that.

[Alan Hahn]

As long as the family's benefiting, then I'm fine.

[Don LaGreca]

Exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. I think that's what we're looking at.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. I like. I like it. We're covering some grounds.

[Don LaGreca]

The idea is out there and we are in pursuit now. I've actually already reached out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nice. And I've got to put the example chapter. I got to send that to you.

[Don LaGreca]

Already got a text from somebody who published a book recently.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So this is gonna happen. So you guys are.

[Don LaGreca]

I can help turn this list book into a published book format, picks illustration, the works.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They know the idea.

[Don LaGreca]

Got another Text another one from an agency.

[Alan Hahn]

Really? What's this one saying?

[Peter Rosenberg]

We're good.

[Don LaGreca]

I will hook you up.

[Alan Hahn]

We're all set. You're clear.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, definitely not all set. I will hook you up to talk to an agent. They will guide you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, you know what?

[Alan Hahn]

This is gonna get this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Get ready.

[Don LaGreca]

All right. Making things happen, boys.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, if he really wants to shove it, you know where it becomes a New York Times bestseller.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, why else are we doing this?

[Alan Hahn]

Can you imagine what a Santa if he really want. Because Michael wouldn't. You mean. You mean Michael wouldn't take.

[Don LaGreca]

Would you go to Barnes and Noble and move it in front of this stage?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Michael feel better if he does the forward?

[Alan Hahn]

No, He'll. He'll be rooting against it no matter what.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or.

[Don LaGreca]

He doesn't like lists, though. You said.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, can I just. Can I throw some thoughts?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He didn't like our list since I'm.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, exactly. He was checked out. Since. Since we're going behind the scenes now anyway. Can I just get. Tell me, tell me. Give me credit for one thing.

[Don LaGreca]

What?

[Alan Hahn]

Tell me that I'm not right about this. I reached out to a certain executive friend of mine last year of ours.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

When I was still working my deal out and trying to figure out how to, you know, get some more appearances on espn.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And I said, I have a real hunch about the way things are going. Help me become the commander's guy for. At network. Like the person who has big opinions inside information and can talk about the. About the commanders. And this person was like, I gotta tell you, I just. I just don't see there being anything there. I just don't think there's gonna be. The amount of times when I look up and what's happening right now is a report on the commit. Don. Tell me that hasn't aged poorly. For the person who told me that.

[Don LaGreca]

There'S a lot of there. There.

[Alan Hahn]

There's a lot of there there.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, you could. You could say they're winning the Super Bowl. You could say they're gonna flame out, but they get a lot of talk.

[Don LaGreca]

You have two ways you can go now. You could be spiteful, or you could just send a little reminder, oh, no.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm going back after.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You should have lied and said at some point in your life you played for the commander, because then I'd be back up punter.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, it's such a great point being that I was on the commanders, and maybe they don't even check yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

More believable is I was an intern in the front office there. Yeah, you could turn that into something.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go. I was. When I went to Maryland, I was there.

[Don LaGreca]

I worked in that front office.

[Alan Hahn]

I know where all the bodies are buried. Yeah, yeah. I saw all Snyder's dirt.

[Don LaGreca]

You'd be amazing people in media that it's like, you know, spent six months as a, you know, a front office intern.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, that's all you need.

[Don LaGreca]

And that's all you need.

[Alan Hahn]

A cup of coffee.

[Don LaGreca]

Cup of coffee.

[Peter Rosenberg]

1-800-919-3776. We'll get a pre order. Wouldn't that be great if all of a sudden we just get people pre ordering a book that hasn't been written?

[Don LaGreca]

That's why I wanted the email. Send your emails if you want. You'll get on the list right away. Signed book. Once it comes out, we'll have a book signing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, why don't we run it up the poll because we can show them how many people are interested in it. Right, Right.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, would you buy this book, yes or no? Anthony Pusick is on it now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Would you buy Don list book called.

[Don LaGreca]

Who you taking out? Hell yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Co written with Alan Hahn, available by Christmas. Where you buy your books, Mike Long Beach. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, baby?

[Don LaGreca]

Hey. How you guys doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just wanted to see. I want to throw a name at you guys. I actually thought you were going this way earlier when you were talking about.

[Don LaGreca]

The G League, about the Oklahoma City coach.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What do you think, Alan, about Scott King? Do you know him at all for your time with the Knicks?

[Don LaGreca]

I know Scott. I know Scott very well. Great respect. Might get an opportunity or do you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Think we might see him up in the league anytime soon?

[Don LaGreca]

I think at some point, I think he does have NBA head coach. You know, I think he's, he's made of that kind of stuff. I think he still needs some time, though. And this is a job that you could get, you could drown easily in this job. So I just. He's. He's on his way. I have great respect for Scott. He fantastic. He was very good with video review. It's a reason why San Antonio brought him in. I think they see him as a, as a development coach and a coach that you want to develop. But this, Yeah, I would not want that to be his first job. Hey, hey, kid. Come in and win 50 games and make sure you get to the NBA finals in year one or else that's not the job you want. To give to him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's go to Kyle and Patchog here on Don Hanna, Rosenberg.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, wow. Out in Patchog.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, what's going on, guys?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Kyle, I wanted to ask you guys.

[Don LaGreca]

Can I ask you something first? Kyle, can I ask you something first? Yeah, you're out in Patchog. Are you listening on 880 or are you listening on the app?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listening on the app.

[Don LaGreca]

Nice.

[Alan Hahn]

Beautiful.

[Don LaGreca]

You love to hear it. All right.

[Alan Hahn]

Gets the ding.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Gets the ding.

[Don LaGreca]

Awesome.

[D]

I want to say, I guess it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A wait and see question, but like.

[Alan Hahn]

This year, the past years, right. Everyone's loved watching the Knicks because like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, everyone plays every game possible. Do you think that if they get.

[Alan Hahn]

A new coach that that'll change or do you think that's the team's like.

[Don LaGreca]

Energy that's still going to try to play every game? Because that's a fantastic question. No, I tell you what, that's a fantastic question. Would. Would the next head coach have a different philosophy on how much he plays his players and whether or not they buy into the idea of load management? Think about that for a second. Where you won't see Brunson in the second game of a back to back play. San Antonio. Remember that trip I told you guys about? I was on that trip. San Antonio back to back. Charlotte got in at 2am and had to play Charlotte the next night. It was an abomination. And yet those guys wanted to play and tips played them. They lost both games. That was not great. But would a. Would the next head coach have a different philosophy and say, you know what, we're going to punt the second game. Charlotte's not very good. We're going to play our young guys and just see if we can steal one with our young guys and our older guys. We're going to give them a rest. You know what I mean? Like, that's an interesting. Like is that an organizational philosophy of no, no, no, we don't load manage or is that the head coach's philosophy and the next head coach might have a different philosophy?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a great question. Because what I loved about this team.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes. That's what Kyle said, is that every night you knew who was playing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why do I have a feeling that they'll just fall into that? That might be one of the things that they didn't like about Tibbs. They think the player. Because let's be honest, most players want load management. Most players don't want to have to play three games in four nights. It just happens around the league. They're doing it for a reason. They're doing because it works analytically. But also I think a lot of the players dig this. Yeah, I, I don't. I don't know. You'll go from one extreme to the other, but I think you'll be trending into being just like every other NBA team. That's what I would fear.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm going to give you my greatest fear.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

And I don't. I don't believe this is going to happen. I don't want to believe it because I don't think they have the players that will let this happen. But you know what my recent experience greatest fear is? What do the Islanders look like after Barry Trots left?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just chasing their tail.

[Don LaGreca]

They were a back to back Eastern Conference finalist.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

The best years, consecutive years that franchise has seen probably since the Dynasty era.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And he had a standard about him. What was the word about it when he left? Players really weren't thrilled. He was kind of wearing on them. Barzell and he did not mix.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The star player was a situation.

[Don LaGreca]

And they decided to move on. Right? Yeah. They went with the assistant coach who was there, knew the players. They thought, you know, some continuity. The problem is the assistant coach, a lot of times can be like this, like the substitute teacher where the players just walk all over you. And that next season, what were they? They were soft. They were no longer that tough. Hard, hard playing. Always come back, never out of it. Fight you tooth and nail. They lost that identity. It was gone forever. And it still hasn't come back. Same players still hasn't come back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And what's happened, I.

[Don LaGreca]

That's my greatest fear with this move.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And so you're talking the last year was that that was 2020 and 2021, right?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. Both times losing to Tampa.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. And the one time it wasn't the Eastern Conference final because there was no Eastern west because of the bubble.

[Don LaGreca]

But it was the third round Final four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. They made it to the final four back to back.

[Don LaGreca]

That was the bubble. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And since then, now you're on your second coach, maybe a third. We'll see what they decide to do. With Patrick Wilder.

[Don LaGreca]

It looks like he's feels like he's staying. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's what happens. You chase your tail, you know. Same thing with the Rangers. Gallant to Laviolette. Now you're going to Mike Sullivan.

[Don LaGreca]

Like that's what standard was. Was what? I mean, the coach set the standard. There was an identity. This is who we are. This is how we play. And once that guy left the room and everybody kind of exhaled because that intensity was gone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

So was the intensity of the team. And that's what I don't want to see happen. Which is why whoever you bring in it better have the intensity about them as well, because if you do, dial it back. Okay, let's load, manage. Let's make sure the players are. Are not tired. Everybody happy now. Everybody's good. Once that kind of element comes in. Yeah, that, that. That coming back from 20 points twice in a playoff series, you'll never see that again, by the way. That's what I worry about.

[Alan Hahn]

Speaking of the. Of the bubble year in the NHL buble, I heard. I listened to a report today on the BBC World News. They did like a whole feature on the success of the NHL this year. Very interesting.

[Don LaGreca]

BBC.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that's what's interesting. Hearing the perspective from people who are covering it from like, hey, you might be interested in this sport that no one here cares about. It's called hockey.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And in England, and they were talking.

[Alan Hahn]

About just how big a year it is and the $6 billion in revenue. And it was. It was an interesting. It was an interesting perspective to hear on the NHL that I honestly had not heard about it being here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what they needed on there, Guys, you know, you. You know who they needed on there? Anthony.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, I know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think anything. Doesn't know. I do you know who I'd like to. I don't know if you got the drop there.

[Alan Hahn]

Dominic McGregor.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no, no.

[Alan Hahn]

Where's he going here?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the hockey player that. The drop that when I say. I would love to.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, Mike Madonna.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, Owen Nolan.

[Alan Hahn]

Owen Nolan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because Owen Nolan was from.

[Alan Hahn]

He's originally British.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Great Britain, because I think he was in Northern Ireland.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't know that about Owen Nolan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I guess so he's occupied territory more than technically. He was British. Right. Or that. I'd love to sit down and talk to Owen Nolan. See, that's what I asked him about.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Six billion, though, in revenue.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You thought the sport was still in its. It was about wing lock age.

[Alan Hahn]

It just. It was. This was specifically about how from 2020, where it was. How good a comeback it's been.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I'll tell you the bubble. I'm surprised there hasn't been any books about. In both the NBA and the NHL.

[Don LaGreca]

Just. You can't write. You can't write the NBA one.

[Alan Hahn]

Too much was going on.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, my God. No, that's That's a book that you couldn't sell. You couldn't write it. But if you wrote it and it was missing all the real stories, nobody read it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm just saying.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you got to wait longer to put.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But the idea again, I'm not. Obviously there's that end of it. But just how they were able to throw that together and finish the season. Listen, there were a lot of heroes during that time that this pales in comparison to, you know, the nurses and the doctors and the people that worked their tail off. But I didn't think it was possible. It almost felt like a joke at the time. But you look back at it and I know there's asterisks. People think those weren't real champions. Those Lakers and Lightning weren't real champions.

[Don LaGreca]

Summer league championships.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But there is a side too that was so different and so odd. You gotta give them credit for surviving it. Right? I mean the Dodgers. I always talk about the COVID championship. You're playing baseball in front of cardboard cutouts. The thing that bothered me about that was it was a 60 game schedule. That's what bothered.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But just what. That was just a crazy time.

[Alan Hahn]

The 30 for 30s are coming.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm sure they'll be at some point. There'll be something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Peter, Doug and Clifton's got a great idea about the next. Next head coach.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay, what's going on guys?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's up, Doug, what do you got?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, first off, I just want to say you guys are great and you guys really are part of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Part of my day in my life.

[Don LaGreca]

You're really kind of. You're just really good at your jobs. All three.

[D]

And just randomly was saying the search is over. I was thinking Freddie Kitchens could step.

[Don LaGreca]

In as a New York Knicks coach, solve all the problems.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, I love to hear Doug and thank you. And the reason I went to it is I'd love Peter to give us what it would.

[Don LaGreca]

Interview Freddie Kitchens.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I was gonna say oh, the press conference if he was. If Freddie Kitchen was introduced as the next head coach of the New York Knicks.

[Alan Hahn]

First of all, I want to thank Mr. Tom Dolan for making a decision that is frankly overdue. I would say truly gonna change the game of basketball. Because you know, my PA used to play basketball back in the day when it would simply be the way he played was in his neighborhood down in Georgia was they didn't. Couldn't afford a basketball hoop. It would be a milk crate and instead of a ball they would use a piece of a deer carcass. And you would shoot the carcass. And if it went in the basket, you got two points. But if the blood from the carcass hit hit another player, you got four points. And we used to call it carcass ball, but that's neither here nor there for Freddy Kez. Now I'm here, ready to take over New York. I'd like to name some of my assistants that I brought on board here. My defensive coordinator is a man you're all going to be familiar with, Mr. Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants and my offensive ball coach. And I think some people here be very pleased to hear. This is Mr. Albert Hahn from ESPN New York. We're gonna put together a good team. I got Mike Robinson, gonna do a lot with him. Carl Anthony, the Carl Anthony Feller I'm not so sure about. I don't know about that. Carl Anthony Feller, we're gonna figure that out. But I'll tell you what. Jason Brunson, Michael Robinson, we got a team. And if my father could be MVP of the Carcass Ball League, there ain't no reason that this Knicks team can't run wild in this conference or my.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Name is Freddie Keith. Now, does that move the needle? I think it moves the needle.

[Don LaGreca]

It moves something.

[Alan Hahn]

I've got movement.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So good job. Thanks to Doug for coming up with that idea.

[Alan Hahn]

Although I think Alan had the idea yesterday. It's a shame Don doesn't listen to you. Didn't you say this round?

[Don LaGreca]

I. I tried.

[Alan Hahn]

You tried. He tried. But, you know what happened was Alan threw it out there and no one played the Kiki music. And so it died on the vine. If the music dies on the vine, Alan gets good. Now it's all Doug.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't like the way he said Freddy Kitchen.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, that's what happened.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was like, all right, we got. That's Wednesday. So we got the list.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, this is going to be great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don Hahn and Rosenberg take up to 7:00. Then it's Ty Butler here on 880 ESPN New York and the ESPN New York Apple.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

Race the sails.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Race the sails.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[E]

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[Don LaGreca]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

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

[Alan Hahn]

You just made the list buddy.

[Don LaGreca]

This is the list with Don Hahn and Rosenberg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's Wednesday. That means it is list time and the list is brought to you by bet365. This was a Allen Hahn vehicle and Al and I worked at it. He does it all earlier today and we got it because what the what the Knicks are trying to do with the tips firing and the next hiring is to go from really good team and then firing the coach because you didn't think that he was the guy to lead you to the promised land and then immediately get led to the promise. But the coach that you got was able to get you there immediately. Right?

[Don LaGreca]

So. So the whole idea is teams like the top five teams who fired a successful coach, hired a new coach coach and immediately won the championship like right away. Instant impact. And believe it or not, when people say well that doesn't happen that often, you'd be surprised.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's a few that actually does left off the list. Yeah, number five. And this is not your ordinary one. We're going to go with the New Jersey Devils firing Robbie Fatoric and hiring Larry Robinson in the 992000 season. Now ironically enough, the Devils had fired Jacques Lemaire and gave Robbie Vettorek the job in 98:99.

[Don LaGreca]

Lemaire had won, helped them win the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cup in the 95, missed the playoffs in 96, 97, bounced in the. They were bounced in the second round by the Rangers and then lost in the first round. They let Lamar go and Robbie was supposed to be that guy. They finished as a one seed under Robbie, got bounced in the first round again. And then with eight games remaining, the Devils went on a losing streak and fell out of first place. They fired for Torrick and they hired Larry Robinson, who was an assistant coach. Was the assistant coach and they won that year's Stanley cup and went to the cup final the next year. So it really worked. So we've got Fatoric to Robinson, number five.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. And I covered that as a sportswriter. That was the year I covered all three teams. And I remember when that, when that move was made, I was sent to New Jersey for the press conference. And then I stayed with them for the entire run. And it was remarkable, dramatic. Larry Robinson never expected that. He was caught off guard as well. Lou lamarillo basically didn't ask him if he wanted the job. He told him he was getting the job. But it was the perfect moment that woke that team up and they won the cup.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. He did not have a say and it certainly worked out into their favor. So I've got that or we have that. At number five.

[Don LaGreca]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At number four.

[Alan Hahn]

Talk to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dwayne Casey.

[Don LaGreca]

This is amazing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

59 win season with the Toronto Raptors was the NBA coach of the year.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I remember one seed in the Eastern Conference.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they lost in the semifinals. Got swept by Cleveland.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he was out.

[Alan Hahn]

Bang, bang.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they give the job to Nurse. And what do they do the very next year?

[Alan Hahn]

Good night, Nurse.

[Don LaGreca]

They. They get Kawhi Leonard.

[Alan Hahn]

A lucky bounce.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

They get an unbelievable bounce.

[Alan Hahn]

An injury to Durant and hey, it.

[Don LaGreca]

All came together and they won a championship.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's why we got him at 4. Because there were some extenuating.

[Don LaGreca]

But still, like that's one of those. Like Dwayne Casey's a terrific coach. Coach of the year, fired.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now one of them is Topical Allen because he's coaching in the NBA Finals this year.

[Don LaGreca]

This is wild.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rick Carlisle was the Detroit Pistons head Coach in the 2002. 2003 season.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, boy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they just couldn't get him over the hump. So the next year they let him go. And they bring in Larry Brown.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And what do the 04 pistons do, Peter?

[Alan Hahn]

Win a championship. Shock the world with Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rip Hamilton.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's always the team that when you talk about can you win without superstars? That's the one back to the 04 pistons. Yeah, I've got that at number three now.

[Don LaGreca]

Now just again, context, why Don said that that one really feels like the mirror image. And coincidentally it's Rick Carlisle. Rick Carlisle, the previous two seasons 02 and 03 won 50 games. In the first 50 win season. They lost in the second round. In the second one, they lost in the conference finals. Sound familiar?

[Alan Hahn]

It does.

[Don LaGreca]

Then they let him go. They bring in Larry Brown. Boom all the way to the finals. And the Shaq Kobe Lakers were hemorrhaging at that point. They were falling apart. They were. They were splintering all over that locker room. And the Pistons took advantage of it and won a championship. So it's, it's all. It's. If you're a Knicks fan, that's the formula you're hoping for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Number two, we've got the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tony Dungy takes over the Bucks in 96 losing season. But 97 goes 10 and six.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they lose in the divisional round and 98, they go eight and eight don't make the playoffs. But then in, in 99 they're 11 and five and they lose in the championship game to the Rams on that catch, no catch deal. In 2000 they go 10 and 6, get bounced in the wild card. And in 2001 they go 9 and 7 again, losing the wild card.

[Don LaGreca]

So starting to feel like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Starting to feel like Tony's not the guy. So they bring in Jon Gruden who ironically couldn't get it done in Oakland, but he goes to Tampa. And they win instant the super bowl with Keyshawn Johnson.

[Don LaGreca]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

And Mike Allstott. Cetera.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. And. And the quarterback, Johnson.

[Don LaGreca]

Brad Johnson. Brad. Yeah, Brad Johnson. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Former Redskin.

[Alan Hahn]

A former Redskin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was Kern Buck probably, if you get it, like top five, like worst quarterback matchups in the Super Bowl. Though Rich Cannon did win an MP MVP still.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, Gannon was fun in that era.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was.

[Alan Hahn]

He had Tim Brown. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Johnson is not exactly.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then, and it's funny, kind of similar to the Detroit situation is like do you need a franchise quarterback to win a Super Bowl? People always go back to that oh, two point Buccaneer team, the 2000 Ravens and all that. But Dungey Degruden winning the Super bowl is number two. But number one with a bullet. I don't think anybody can touch number one.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't know.

[Don LaGreca]

Show Walter to Torre. Amazing Buck.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Showalter takes over a fledgling Yankee team that can't get anything going. And then he gets them into the playoffs.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, remember 94, second best team in baseball. They were going to the World Series. They could have won it. They could have beaten a great Expos team. That was the strike year. No World Series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

World Series.

[Don LaGreca]

But then what happened the next year? They're not the best team in baseball or second best team in baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don LaGreca]

They get in on the brand new wild card. Newfangled wild card.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hot. Late in the season to get there.

[Don LaGreca]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they come within a whisker. They blow a two, nothing serious lead against the Mariners. Everybody remembers the Edgar Martinez double scoring King Griffey Jr. And Buck's out of a job.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. Stunning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And K talked about it today. Fires Buck, hires Joe Torre. The fans go nuts because it's clueless Joe. He didn't do anything with the Mets, didn't do anything with the Braves. What are we doing? We love Buck. Buck's great story. So Buck, but. So George flies to Florida, waits outside his house and says to Buck, I made a huge mistake. I'm gonna hire you back a Billy.

[Don LaGreca]

Martin all over him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Buck's like, well, wait a minute, you hired Joe Torres? Like, don't worry, we'll make him president of baseball operations or something. And Buck, which this part of the story I didn't remember or didn't know. Buck had never met Joe Tor. Didn't know Joe Tor, but still said, that's not right. That is not right to do that to him. I'm gonna pass. Now, the reason Buck wasn't home was he was in Arizona interviewing for the Diamondback job. So Buck landed on his feet, ended up being the manager of the Diamondbacks. Tori, of course, not only wins the World Series in 96, rattles off four championships in five years.

[Don LaGreca]

It worked out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Greatest managers of all time, that worked out. That's what the Knicks are hoping for. That's what the Knicks are hoping for. Exactly that.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That the next coach wins four out of five.

[Don LaGreca]

But I think everybody would take the Detroit Pistons situation. Rick Carlisle gets you only so far. And then Larry Brown, who's, you know, there's a guy. There's a reason why next town. Brown is what he was called because he always moved every time he had a job. He was always looking for the next job. But yet that year, magic happened and they won their championship.

[Alan Hahn]

What's interesting, I like this list, right?

[Don LaGreca]

Everybody like this list?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it was fantastic.

[Don LaGreca]

Everyone? No. All right. Jake doesn't like It. Jake, what are we missing? I feel like, I mean Steve Kerr is one that popped in my head.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Pat Riley's maybe another one that popped in my head because the Laker. Pat Riley replacing Westhead.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

Back in the 80s and he did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It with the Heat with van Gundy.

[Don LaGreca]

In 06, I think with D. Wade. So that's another one that popped in my head. All right now, now the what? I'll say the current Mark Jackson one is this. Mark Jackson's teams never got out of the first round. They were good, but they didn't got a first round. So it's similar. But these, these five that we chose, these are teams like Dungy's team went to the conference championship game.

[Alan Hahn]

But not the year before.

[Don LaGreca]

Not the year before. But he still, they still got there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And, and fatoric. They were the, they were the ones in the East.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they were a first place team like up like five minutes before he was fired.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. Amazing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, it's debatable.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean that's comparable to when, when, when Pat stepped in for Stan Van Gundy in, in Miami and then won the 06 championship with Wade and Shaq. That, that Fatoric Larry Johnson 1 is very similar to the 06 Miami Heat champion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now Collins to Jackson too. But as that, that's, you know, you do have Jordan, but Collins had Jordan too.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So listen, it's debatable.

[Don LaGreca]

It's debatable.

[Alan Hahn]

But there is another list too, though.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh.

[Alan Hahn]

Of the coaches who left a situation because the team was like, we can't get far enough with you.

[Don LaGreca]

And then it just deplored and then.

[Alan Hahn]

They go in a championship somewhere else.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, the coach goes somewhere. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Because that, that's, that's. There's a flip side to that coin, right? I mean, Jon Gruden wasn't able to do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I guess that's la old Dungy, right.

[Alan Hahn]

Indian gets it, Reed leaves, Philly becomes the man. Sometimes it's. By the way, Larry Brown was a. Never wins the big one. Great coach till he ends up in Detroit. So for every story where they're like we just can't get it done with.

[Don LaGreca]

You, Larry Brown was in Indiana, wasn't it? He not. No Larry Bird. No Larry Bird.

[Alan Hahn]

No. But Larry Brown was.

[Don LaGreca]

Brown was early 90s. Bird was already.

[Alan Hahn]

There's 11 teams for Larry Brown.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's so many.

[Don LaGreca]

Wait, that's right. Brown had the Sixers in the finals in the one repeatedly.

[Alan Hahn]

That's another list.

[Don LaGreca]

That's a good one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that was the list Brought to you by bet365, whatever the moments list. Ordinary at bet3, 6 5. No, the Collins and Jackson is. Is really interesting too. And there's so many ones that you could put in there. But you know, Toronto never won. I mean, Bulls never won either, but look at the dynasty they became. And Michael kind of makes things interesting. But yeah, it's fun. It was a fun list. But that's the question, guys, is are the Knicks as close to that? Like, are they a coach away? Because what they are suggesting. I know they are, but are they right? Is this roster, as presently constituted good enough to win a championship or did they take it as far as they go? Because let's not forget, guys, let's not. It'll be very interesting to see how this ages. Please, let's not forget. No one is going to give them a chance against the Thunder. I mean, the Pacers are in all likelihood are going to lose in like five games. So it's not like Thibodeau cost them a championship. I don't think anybody was going to take this Knicks team and beat the Thunder. That doesn't mean it can't change next year. But is this roster as close as the Knicks think it is?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. I noticed in my replies yesterday on Twitter because I put up a tweet like everyone's obligated to do, retweeting the original news of the. Of the move and said basically something along the lines of, I don't know, man, this. This guy got pretty far with this roster. Let's see where this goes. It was so split, the replies that I got of people saying, I can't believe they did this and they absolutely had to do this. Like, let's not forget they were. They. They were a better team than the Pacers. They should have beaten the Pacers. They shouldn't have struggled with Detroit there. It was so split. It's fascinating.

[Don LaGreca]

It's true. And that that's what you heard all year. You remember the calls we were getting? Oh, yeah. That was the prevailing reaction anytime they lost the game. But I always say, be careful what you wish. And the cautionary tale is Barry Trots leaving the Islanders. And that's something that I want to see. So the next coach, it doesn't have to move the needle when it comes to selling newspapers and selling tickets, but it does have to be a hire that you feel like that locker room, that locker room will feel it and there'll be a standard here and everybody will know. There'll be no questioning because if this is a hire where now it's hey, the the players are have a say and there's a collaborative and all that stuff. I don't know if I love that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'd like to hear from you on that 1-800-919-3776. We got ENN coming up at 6:00 clock, Ty Butler at 7 right here on 880, ESPN New York and the ESPN New York app.

[Don LaGreca]

Hey everybody, Alan Hahn here to tell you about my friends at Bath Fitter. So they remodeled the bath in my house. My wife Stephanie is so excited because we updated a bath by our pool, converting this old tub that we never used into this wonderful shower. Now we use it for the summer months and also when guests come over and when the kids have sleepovers. It's a useful bathroom. Now Bath Fitter consultant took us through the process with their free in home consultation to pick the style and color as well as all the specifics accessories to update our bath. Customized just the way Stephanie wanted it. Bath Fitter worked fast, delivered the highest quality work without delay. Now Bath Fitter is a permanent solution. A one piece seamless wall for a watertight fit and a lifetime guarantee. You can trust the Bath Fitter team like we did. They have been in business for 40 years with millions of happy customers. Right now you can get 0% interest for 30 months. Start designing your bath like we did. Visit bathfitter.com for more details. There's only one bath fitting.

[Alan Hahn]

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.

[Peter Rosenberg]

More ranch and creamy chili.

[Alan Hahn]

McCrispy strip dip now at McDonald's. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying. No judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment. Anyway, give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro.

[Don LaGreca]

Rate first 3 months only, then full.

[Alan Hahn]

Price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail] it's the Smuckers Uncrustables.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Podcast with your host Uncrustables. Okay, today's guest is rough around the edges. Please welcome crust.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for having me. Today's topic, he's round with soft pillowy Bread.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey. Filled with delicious PB and J.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you talking about yourself? And you can take them anywhere.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why'd you invite and we are out of time.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you really cutting me off?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Uncrustables are the best part of the sandwich. Sorry, crust.

[Don LaGreca]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mets fans, get ready to roll with DP Ron Rothenberg for the third annual pregame party. It all happens on Thursday, June 12th. Come join Rick Dave live at Publicans in Manhasset from 6 to 10am for the ultimate pregame party. Then ride the train with them from Manhasset Station to Citi Field. The fun keeps going on lot e, starting at 11:30, right up into the first pitch. Then the Mets take on the Nationals. It's all brought to you by Yingling. Traditional lager legends stand the test of time. London Jewelers and Tullamore do. Because when it's Tully time, when it's game time, it's Tully time. 1-800-919-3776. As the Knicks make the change, we'll get some baseball to get into as well. Enn coming up at 6 o' clock. Let's get back to the busy phones here and let's go to John, who's down in Miami. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, John?

[D]

Gentlemen, good afternoon. I got to tell you, I'm 1500 miles away, but the aftershocks 24 after 24 hours after this firing.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[D]

Still numb. And we can feel it here in overcast Miami. But want to go ahead and share with you guys a hunch, a theory that I have. And you know, it's the more I think about this, I think the more it's somewhat validated. But, you know, you look at Leon Rose, you look at the time that he's been with the Knicks, and he's been very methodical in the way that he's constructed this team, whether it's the perfect team or the imperfect team. My point being he's been, he's been very methodical. He's been in a sense, very slow to go ahead and obviously get the right players that he believes are going to help this team. And when I look at this firing, right, obviously right before the finals, when I look at the fact that we're now going to have anywhere between three to four weeks before they potentially make a new hire, and it just Being frankly just a very haphazard approach to the firing. Because you're not going to hire someone one, obviously during the Finals. To me, given the track record that I see with James Dolan, I think this has more to do with James Dolan firing Tibs that I think Leon Rose, given the track record that at least Rose has had with the Knicks where he's. It just, it doesn't, it doesn't seem like his characteristics of obviously this firing. So I think Dolan had more to do with this than what's being let on. I just want to get your opinion on that.

[Don LaGreca]

I completely disagree. I feel like this was a collaborative and it is something that the owner sat in on, of course, but he follows and he has said this many times, he doesn't want to step in and do things, but he also doesn't want to have to do his. Fire a coach midseason and he.

[Peter Rosenberg]

$30 million.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. So you got to understand that if you're telling me that Leon Rose, everything he does is calculated. This would be a calculated move, would it not? Like an emotional move would be, oh, well, we love him too much, let's give him another chance. And then halfway through the season realize we made a mistake. We should have made this move sooner. If the players are letting you know that they have concerns about where they are right now and whether or not their head coach is interested in input, is utilizing the team as best he could, and all the things that you're hearing about that the players were concerned about in the, in their exit meetings, if that's the case, what would you do if you were sitting there and taking all this in? It's $30 million. The easy thing to do is to say, well, we just gave him an extension. We gotta ride this out. This is not a rogue thing. He was on the Roommates podcast with Brunson and Hart during this past season talking about Dolan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

And in it they talked about it, he admitted he doesn't like to get involved. He has to trust his basketball people. That's why he hires them. But there are times he has to. People got mad because he waited so long on Phil Jackson until finally it was like you had to do something, cuz Phil Jackson was. It was a disaster. And so he had to finally step in. But there are a lot of people that argued he waited too long. And so that's why you have to understand that this does feel calculated. This feels like the band aid you rip off because you know it's better to do it now. Than later. And if you feel like that's where it was headed, that's why you have to do it. It's a difficult decision that I feel like there was not one person that demanded it be done, and it had to be done. There was a collection of people that, you know, whispers from one. Comments from the players.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

Leon Rose taking it in and saying, well, it sounds like this is what we're gonna have to do. Then looking at the owner and the owner saying, if you feel like we gotta do this, then let's do it. And that's it. That's generally how that stuff goes down.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that's why Michael's report, the World Wide west got into the ear of Dolan.

[Alan Hahn]

Could still be factual.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes, but it could be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It didn't necessarily happen yesterday. This could have happened at the end of the playoffs last year that west.

[Don LaGreca]

Wasn'T in his ear before the extension was given.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the thing, is that that report could be right. Everybody assumes it was, like, within the last couple of days or since Saturday when they were beaten. When. No, it was actually something that had been in the works for a while now. Could it have changed had they won game one? Had they won this series and played the Thunder? Maybe they would have been like, all right, you know, not now. Now's not the time. We're in the NBA Finals. Let's ride this out. But it was probably on the radar for a while, and people look at Jim Dolan eating $30 million as him being irrational. You could look at it the other way and say he really wanted to do what's right for the organization. Look how much money he's willing to eat.

[Don LaGreca]

Wouldn't. The easiest thing to do is say, I just gave him an extension. You told me to give him an extension. You make it work. Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

An owner that would like. If I'm the owner, that's what I would say. Wait a second. You told me to give. You're gonna make me now eat all this money? You told me to give him this extension. Now it's a mistake. No, no, you figure it out, because that's 30 million that I got to spend. He's coaching. You figure it out. Like that's the thing. But again, William Wesley's role in this whole thing is he's close with the players and he's got the pulse of the players. At least that is what he tries to do. He wants to know what's going on. And his whole idea is to make the players happy and give them the environment that they feel the most comfortable in and if they are telling him things, it's upon him to make sure he shares that. That's what I think is going on here. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.