Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 2: Fraud Alert Friday
Release Date: June 6, 2025

Overview

In "Hour 2: Fraud Alert Friday," the trio of Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delves deep into the New York Knicks' recent performance, coaching decisions, and their implications on the NBA playoffs. The episode also features interactive segments with listener calls and the recurring "Fraud Alert Friday," where the hosts judge the authenticity of fan behaviors. The discussion is rich with sports insights, passionate debates, and engaging listener interactions.

1. Knicks' Performance and Coaching Decisions

The episode opens with a heated discussion about the Knicks' early exit from their playoff series against the Pacers. Don and Peter analyze the impact of the Knicks' Game 1 loss and Coach Thibodeau's strategies.

• Don La Greca emphasizes the severity of the Knicks' Game 1 loss:
  "The way that they lost game one in the Pacers series was particularly brutal. It set a tone for the entire series." (06:27)

• Peter Rosenberg concurs, questioning the efficacy of Thibodeau's coaching:
  "I didn't like it. I wouldn't have fired Tibbs. But we'll find out if they got it right or not." (08:12)

The hosts debate whether the loss was a fluke or indicative of deeper issues within the team. They explore potential coaching changes, including the rumored interest in Jason Kidd, and discuss the Knicks' chances in the upcoming season.

• Peter Rosenberg speculates on the possible hiring of Jason Kidd:
  "Jason Kidd is almost itching to get out of Dallas... it's a recognizable name and it might be a sexy enough hire." (15:39)

• Don La Greca adds perspective on the team's future:
  "Jalen Brown is not leading this team on his own to a title. They're probably going to have to part ways with either Kristaps or Jrue Holiday." (12:01)

2. Listener Calls and Team Analysis

The segment transitions to listener interactions, where fans share their thoughts and questions about the Knicks and other sports topics.

• JJ from North Carolina discusses the Knicks' strategy and the impact of a single loss: "The Knicks, if you think about the oilers or the Rangers, a bad loss doesn't necessarily end the series because the better team prevails." (02:54)

• Chad from Long Island praises the coaching of Thibodeau while acknowledging his shortcomings: "Tibbs was the right guy. He brought the team together in a uniform way." (08:30)

Chad also touches upon the broader NBA landscape, mentioning the Celtics and their potential decline in the next season.

• Chad states:
  "I'm not worried about the Celtics. Jalen Brown is not leading this team on his own to a title." (12:01)

3. Fraud Alert Friday

The highlight of the episode is the "Fraud Alert Friday" segment, where listeners submit scenarios to determine if their fan behaviors classify them as "frauds." The hosts use humor and personal judgments to make their rulings.

a. Chargers Relocation and Fan Loyalty

• Don La Greca presents a submission from a Southern California Chargers fan upset about the team's move from San Diego to Los Angeles.

• Peter Rosenberg rules no fraud for both the fan who stayed loyal despite the move and the fan who stopped supporting the team due to relocation: "I don't call a fraud on both... it's more about how you feel about your community." (30:48)

Don remarks:
"This makes Don such a great judge and jury." (32:21)

b. Knicks Fandom Journey

• Don La Greca shares Deion Dion's story of fluctuating Knicks fandom, questioning if his intermittent support labels him a fraud.

• Peter Rosenberg decides no fraud, recognizing Deion's genuine passion despite periods of disengagement: "He just discovered it and fell in love with the sport organically." (33:58)

c. Gamblers Turned Warriors Fans

• Don introduces a caller who became a Warriors fan through gambling success, questioning his authenticity.

• Peter firmly labels him a fraud due to the superficial nature of his fandom: "He's a fraud Warriors fan and fraud basketball fan." (41:17)

4. Additional Discussions and Updates

Beyond the main topics, the hosts engage in various light-hearted and anecdotal conversations:

• Restaurant Health Inspections: Don and Peter share personal experiences regarding health violations in restaurants, stressing that occasional lapses don't necessarily tarnish their loyalty to favorite establishments.

• Tennis Commentary: Don briefly discusses the evolving landscape of tennis, highlighting players like Djokovic and Alcaraz, emphasizing the competitiveness and changing dynamics of the sport.

• Upcoming Events: The hosts promote upcoming pregame parties and events, hinting at Michael K's presence to engage with Mets fans.

Notable Quotes

• Don La Greca:
  "The way that they lost game one in the Pacers series was particularly brutal." (06:27)

• Peter Rosenberg:
  "Jason Kidd is almost itching to get out of Dallas... it's a recognizable name and it might be a sexy enough hire." (15:39)

• Chad from Long Island:
  "Tibbs was the right guy. He brought the team together in a uniform way." (08:30)

• Peter Rosenberg on Fraud Alert Friday:
  "He's a fraud Warriors fan and fraud basketball fan." (41:17)

Conclusion

In this engaging episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," the hosts offer a nuanced look into the Knicks' playoff struggles, potential coaching changes, and the broader implications for the NBA landscape. The "Fraud Alert Friday" segment provides a unique and entertaining way to interact with listeners, blending humor with genuine sports debates. Whether you're a die-hard Knicks fan or a casual sports enthusiast, this episode delivers insightful discussions and lively banter that encapsulate the passion of New York sports culture.

Timestamps

• 06:27 - Don La Greca on Knicks' Game 1 loss.
• 08:12 - Peter Rosenberg on coaching decisions.
• 12:01 - Discussion on Jalen Brown and team dynamics.
• 15:39 - Peter Rosenberg on Jason Kidd's potential hiring.
• 02:54 - JJ from North Carolina's call.
• 08:30 - Chad from Long Island's call.
• 30:48 - Chargers relocation submission.
• 33:58 - Deion Dion's Knicks fandom story.
• 41:17 - Warrior fan turned bettor submission.