← Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
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- [00:01]
Alan Hahn
This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [00:05]
Peter Rosenberg
That sounds like heaven to me.
- [00:06]
Alan Hahn
Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.
- [00:14]
Peter Rosenberg
Nick fans, join us for the ultimate outdoor watch parties for the remainder of round two, Presented by Chase.
- [00:19]
Ian Bagley
Oh, yeah.
- [00:20]
Peter Rosenberg
Join fellow Knick fans at Nick Plaza, located at Plaza 33, to watch the Knicks take on the Celtics. Head to knicks.comblockparty to learn more. People filing in already. Doesn't officially begin till 5:30, but we're here, and people are getting excited about what is an incredible game for. You know, Joe Torre used to always talk about game three of a best of seven being pivotal. But for some reason, this has been an odd series. And very rarely do I say the team that's up to one at home must win.
- [00:51]
Don Hahn
This is a. This is a game that objectively. Because you guys know I'm in a weird place about the series objectively. It's a thrilling game to tune into tonight.
- [01:00]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, it should be a lot of fun. And covering it as he's covered the NBA like no other for a long time. So Iz and Bagley joins us here. How are you, sir?
- [01:07]
Ian Bagley
Don, what's happening? Alan, Peter, what's up?
- [01:11]
Don Hahn
Ian, how you doing, buddy?
- [01:12]
Ian Bagley
It's a good setup here.
- [01:13]
Alan Hahn
You guys know I raised him, right?
- [01:14]
Ian Bagley
He did.
- [01:15]
Don Hahn
Is that why you call him Bagels? Well, I mean, is that your general name?
- [01:18]
Alan Hahn
Nobody calls you Bagels. Right?
- [01:19]
Ian Bagley
Bagels. My. My friend's growing up. Bags. Bagels. Yeah, so I'm used to that. But Alan thinks he made it up, so I'm just gonna go with, you know, he thinks Originator.
- [01:29]
Don Hahn
Now, where did he. Where did Alan. Where did Alan raise you up in the biz When.
- [01:33]
Alan Hahn
When I was still on the beat, right? I was still on the beat when he got started. Where were you?
- [01:38]
Ian Bagley
2010, maybe.
- [01:39]
Alan Hahn
Yeah, but where.
- [01:40]
Ian Bagley
Where were you at that ESPN New.
- [01:41]
Alan Hahn
York you were doing? You were writing on the website, like.
- [01:43]
Don Hahn
The website, when we were doing the website.
- [01:45]
Alan Hahn
And. And, you know, young pup, aggressive. I loved it. And he came in and it was like, all right, young padawan, bring him in. Teaching the ways of the force. And then he's become a force all unto himself.
- [01:57]
Don Hahn
Now, let me ask you. So we were just talking with Spike, who's our loyal listener, and Nick, obsessed human being, and he doesn't have a lot of hope here for this team. What level of optimism do you think Knicks fans should have heading into this game for?
- [02:12]
Ian Bagley
I mean, if you zoom out, right, it's 2:1. I just want to say quickly, couldn't have had a better mentor than Alan Hahn. My buddy Frank, I saw it too.
- [02:19]
Alan Hahn
Great. Yeah.
- [02:20]
Ian Bagley
So anyhow, Frank, yeah. You zoom out to one. Anybody would have taken two one before the series started. But it's just the way Boston did what they did at the Garden, the way Boston has played at the Garden the regular season. I think the concern is they've got some confidence going into this one. They don't feel like, you know, their three point shot is that off because they started seeing it go in, in game three. So I think there's reason to be concerned. I thought game three was very pivotal and for it to go the way it went, I think you should be concern if you're a Nick fan.
- [02:50]
Alan Hahn
Post game. Jalen Brunson, I brought this up at the start of the show. You don't normally hear him say a lot. He's big on. He's like a lot like Aaron Judge.
- [03:00]
Ian Bagley
Yeah.
- [03:00]
Alan Hahn
He's not going to give you a lot in those situations. He's not giving you a headline, he's not giving you a lead quote. But I found it interesting that he kept going back to a lack of urgency and intensity. A lot of things he said, I can tell you things now, but we need to talk about it tomorrow. He sounded like he was annoyed and then he left it. The last thing that he said that really felt like the punch was, it's not about schemes, it's not about that stuff. It's basically, do you want it? Do you feel like that's a strong message from the captain after that game? And will that resonate in the locker room?
- [03:34]
Ian Bagley
Yes and yes. I mean, for Brunson, you said it, Alan. Like, he doesn't give you. He's not going to give you a headline. He's not going to say anything that, you know, makes Twitter get on fire. He's very polished in his media. I liken him to Derek Jeter. You said Aaron Judge similar. Yeah. So for him to make statements like that after that game, that means something and it tells you that he had the same message for his teammates. I'm sure recently he's the captain. I'm sure there was a way that he delivered it in a way that he felt comfortable, but I'm sure he got that across. You also heard the same kind of theme of the Knicks not being aggressive coming out of it from Josh Hart, from Mikhail Bridges, from Tom Thibodeau. So that's correctable, right? That's something you can correct. And let's See how they look first quarter tonight.
- [04:17]
Don Hahn
Now, we can say what we want about the Celtics offense and how they do it, but it is what they do. They are committed to it. They won a championship with it and they were very good this season with it. I think it's a lot harder to pinpoint what the Knicks do offensively. To me, like, that's such an underrated part of the story is just what is the game plan there? Do you have a sense, like, were there any changes really made going into this series? Do they have concerns internally about the fact that when you watch them on offense, I don't know, every game kind of feels like a crapshoot. With the Snakes offense, you know, they.
- [04:51]
Ian Bagley
Were taking the ball out of the basket a lot in game three. And I think in the half court, especially against a team like that, that's very good. Defensively, the half court offense is not going to look good. You're not creating enough advantages. When the defense is set, I think the key for them get stops, get a rebound and go, or get turnovers and go. They're at their best when they're in transition, taking advantage of a numbers game. But again, you get set there, it could be a slog. And it starts with Brunson, it starts with Towns. And then, you know, I just wonder every night, okay, where's OG Anunoby in this? Where is Mikhail Bridges in this? Because they're important pieces, but they're also secondary pieces and it's a little bit of a tricky fit on some nights. So that's what I look at when I look at this offense.
- [05:32]
Peter Rosenberg
I feel for Mitchell Robinson. It's really, it's really tough what he's going through and the fans try to encourage him, you know, to a point. But how do you, how do you see this going down? I don't think it's going to change his shooting. Is there anything that can be done? Take him out of lineup, start him different place? What do you do?
- [05:48]
Ian Bagley
I mean, look, part of it is it can be used to a nick advantage to a degree because you're getting them closer to the bonus. But that's, that's a very small advantage in the bigger picture. I don't know how much you could do. I do know this. The thing that confounds me is in high school and it's just high school, so I don't want to make too much of it. He was a very good perimeter shooter and he, he had a great stroke and I don't know what's happened. What hasn't happened in the six plus years in the NBA here. But I can say this. I'm sure Mitchell Robinson, very proud guy, very confident guy. I'm sure he's struggling with it and I'm sure he's doing his best in between games to get ready.
- [06:25]
Don Hahn
Do we know if they did anything like anything kooky over the last couple.
- [06:29]
Alan Hahn
Of days in the gym and have him shoot until his arm falls off?
- [06:31]
Don Hahn
Yeah, a little hypnosis. I don't know. I would try literally anything at that point.
- [06:36]
Peter Rosenberg
But is the a mind game, right?
- [06:37]
Ian Bagley
It is.
- [06:38]
Don Hahn
Pray to Jobu, whatever you need to do, get the chicken in the locker room, whatever the hell you gonna do, make it happen.
- [06:46]
Ian Bagley
Oh, the Louisiana guy. So there's some of that, you know, voodoo.
- [06:49]
Alan Hahn
Absolutely. You never know when it comes to. We, we, we love to play this game of when you go into a series like this because they are playing the defending champs and it becomes, okay, you got out of the Detroit series, which was the exhale. Because there was a moment in Detroit series like, well, if they don't get out of this series, you got to fire this guy. You got to trade everybody. You know how it goes when it comes to fans and sports talk radio. But they get into this series and they go up to all the expectation. Vegas didn't have it. No one had the expectation wasn't to win this series because you saw the regular season matchup. But now all of a sudden, when you go up 2 0, it's like, wait a second, you can win this series. Do you view losing this series, whether it's in six or it's in since can they get one more? Whatever it is, is it still considered. Well, you know what? They, they went toe to toe with the champs. They took a couple off them. Or is it. No, this is a failure. Like, this is a failure. And this off season is going to mean that they're going to have to regroup and reconsider what they built that they thought was going to be good enough to take on a Boston Celtics team.
- [07:51]
Ian Bagley
Well, specifically to Tom Thibodeau, in my mind, these first two games take him off the hot seat. And look, my opinion doesn't matter whose opinion matters or the guys sitting upstairs in there. But what I was told was, you know, you don't get out of the first round, there's going to be hard conversations with potential changes. They got in the first round and you're showing well against Boston. So look, if you lose three straight here by 35 points and you're non competitive. Maybe the conversations around Thibodeau start again. But, but I do think that he's gotten kind of out of the woods there. From a roster perspective though, you know, I think anything is, is on the table and you know, we were talking about it before, maybe we'll get into it a little bit later. But I do think, you know, this is a championship or bust play here and Mikhail Bridges has played better. OG Interob has played really well. I don't think in a perfect world they trade either of those guys or towns. But if an opportunity presents itself where you think you get better, you're aggressive.
- [08:48]
Peter Rosenberg
In it and that opportunity would be, I guess, Giannis. So what is the realistic possibility of that?
- [08:53]
Alan Hahn
Now Giannis Shams reported today, which is great timing because the draft lottery is tonight, but did report today that that Giannis is now for the first time, and this sounds very Dame Lillard of him, considering whether or not his future should be in Milwaukee. When you, when you hear reported that way and the things that you've heard, how do you read that? What is, what is the truth underneath the sort of vague headline?
- [09:22]
Ian Bagley
I think this is step one of a rollout of the process to where at a certain point it's going to be. Bucks are listening, Giannis has asked for a trade, Giannis has delivered a list and then it's does Milwaukee want to do right by Giannis in this trade? Do they want to send him somewhere where he wants to be or are they going to operate in the best interests of themselves and maybe, you know, send him to the team with the best pickback?
- [09:47]
Alan Hahn
He's got two years left before he can opt out.
- [09:49]
Ian Bagley
Yeah. So really Milwaukee is in essence in the driver's seat. I do think though that there's a level of respect and admiration there between Antetokounmpo and the Bucs where they would work with Giannis and trying to figure out a place where he wants to be. And obviously it goes without saying 29 NBA teams here are going to be interested in Giannis and some way shape or form. You look at the Brooklyn Nets, ton of first round picks, cap space, they will be aggressive there and trying to get in on Giannis. And I thought if the just go Sacramento if their point guard, I can't believe I'm misremembering his name right now. I traded to San Antonio De Aaron Fox. Thank you. De' Aaron Fox. If that had gone into the offseason, Brooklyn would have been aggressive there. So they want to be in on Top players.
- [10:35]
Peter Rosenberg
So would it be, if the Knicks are in, everybody but Brunson, would that be everybody on the table but him?
- [10:41]
Ian Bagley
Look, if the Knicks are in, it's got to be one of those big salary guys. It wouldn't be Brunson, and it probably wouldn't be hard, but it's got to be one of those big salary guys to make the math work. You know, you can't do it without one of those three. And so that's. That's the challenge. But I think from a Nick perspective, if this thing had gone sideways in the regular season, I think they would be all in Giannis, and I think it's. It's foolish, I think, to count them out just based on where they are with their roster. I think they would be aggressive if they think it's the right move, even after this series. But certainly if it was shaky in the regular season, they would be all chips on the table.
- [11:17]
Alan Hahn
What's his. What's if. If they wanted to go with a place, he prefers to go because, like Wendy, Brian Windhorse is pointing to tonight's lottery. And watch if San Antonio somehow wins, which, by the way, enough right now, didn't they do. Okay, the Houston Rockets have a pick that could be a number one, and that would be another team that has young players and all kinds of things that you could trade. Those are two areas that he's saying, everybody keep an eye on. Those two teams. You mentioned Brooklyn. They obviously are going to want to get back in the game, so they're going to be aggressive and they have assets to trade. Just draft picks, though, not really players, but they have draft picks. Is there a market, though, if, if the Bucks are like, where do you want to go? Because with only two years left, it still feels like a rental, doesn't it? Like, you get him for two years, but if he's not signing an extension, what am I doing?
- [12:06]
Ian Bagley
Right?
- [12:06]
Alan Hahn
So he. He can sort of control it by saying, I will sign an extension or won't.
- [12:11]
Ian Bagley
Right.
- [12:12]
Alan Hahn
If there's a preferred market or is there one? I should ask. And if there is, what?
- [12:17]
Ian Bagley
So, I mean, just based on reporting over the years on Giannis, not specific to today, you know, you've heard that he would like to be in New York if there was a destination for him to go to. You heard. You hear that he likes the idea of playing in Miami if there's a destination to go to.
- [12:34]
Alan Hahn
You heard Pat Riley say, yeah, he's. The other day, said, like, well, yeah, we can't leave it like this. Yeah. And, you know, when he gets aggressive, the rings go on the table and all bets are off.
- [12:45]
Ian Bagley
Absolutely. And then I look at Toronto, too, surprisingly, maybe to some people, but he's got a relationship with Messiah Giri that is. Is bigger than basketball. And so I keep an eye there as well. In addition to the teams that Brian.
- [12:59]
Peter Rosenberg
Had mentioned, talking to ian Bagley from SNY here on Don Hahn and Rosenberg on 880 ESPN New York at the ESPN New York app. All right, let's say the Nets, they got a 9% chance of winning the draft lottery tonight. They get the number one pick. Would they use that to get Giannis, or would you want. Especially since you talked about extension, would you want to roll the dice and have Cooper Flag be the face of your franchise?
- [13:19]
Ian Bagley
I just don't think you have the structure in place to bring in a Giannis and to say, all right, we're ready to go. Let's go win a championship. So in my mind, I'm taking Cooper Flag.
- [13:27]
Alan Hahn
Yep.
- [13:28]
Don Hahn
Start slow, start playing the beginning.
- [13:29]
Ian Bagley
Yeah. You got the coach in place with Jordy Fernandez. Did a fantastic job.
- [13:34]
Alan Hahn
Very good coach.
- [13:35]
Ian Bagley
And so you have picks, like, just do it the right way, because, I mean, look, if they had some veterans and you could see a pathway to Giannis getting you a title immediately. Sure. But I don't see that in Brooklyn.
- [13:45]
Alan Hahn
San Antonio, though. Right. San Antonio would pass on a player with all the promise of Flag, because you got Wemby.
- [13:51]
Ian Bagley
Yeah.
- [13:51]
Alan Hahn
But you feel like with him, Stefan Castle, Darren Fox, like, that's. That's a team that could take that step.
- [13:57]
Don Hahn
Oh, yeah.
- [13:57]
Ian Bagley
With Giannis, they'd be ready.
- [14:00]
Alan Hahn
And they'd also be disgusting, by the way. I mean, you have a 74 guy that can do anything, and then Giannis, 611 guy. Oh, my God.
- [14:07]
Don Hahn
Where. Where does Giannis sit in the most, like, championship? Potential free agent. When was the last person there was? Because I believe he is the kind of guy. And by the way, Giannis does not have my preferred kind of game. Like, I wouldn't buy season tickets to watch Giannis play every night. It's just not my favorite kind of basketball. That being said, the level of impact he could have on a team that's already pretty ready, to me, I believe he is. Absolutely makes you a championship contender in one situation. Second, I'm trying to think of, when was the last free agent middle of their prime. Healthy player.
- [14:43]
Alan Hahn
Kevin Durant, 2019.
- [14:45]
Ian Bagley
Yeah.
- [14:45]
Don Hahn
Kevin Durant. When he went to Golden State. No, no, Post Golden State.
- [14:49]
Peter Rosenberg
To Brooklyn.
- [14:49]
Alan Hahn
Yeah, yeah.
- [14:50]
Ian Bagley
Or or tradable. I would go Anthony Davis, too, in terms of a player who was going to be traded, who was going to make that kind of seismic impact. And yeah, it's a short list.
- [14:59]
Don Hahn
When Davis went to la. Yeah, yeah, got it.
- [15:01]
Ian Bagley
Yeah, it's a very short list. But from an age perspective, with Giannis and the contract perspective, it's obviously, if you can do it, you're going to go do it. If you feel good about it, it.
- [15:11]
Peter Rosenberg
Feels like parodies hit the NBA. We haven't had a repeat champion. You're seeing all these road teams win, which you never saw in the playoffs before. Do you like where it is right now? Or did you like it when you kind of knew that they had the Cavs, Golden State, you had the big kahunas to have to go after, or do you like the Paris?
- [15:27]
Ian Bagley
Yeah. Look, I think from a fan perspective, I would like this, because what you want to see is the games matter. You want to see teams competing every night you turn on a tv and if you have parry, that's what you're more likely to see. If there battles for playoff seating over the course of a season, if every team feels like they are a player or two away, I think that just what it does to the product is it makes it more watchable night in and night out. So I think parity is good for the sport.
- [15:56]
Alan Hahn
When it comes to another name after Giannis, because this feels like a summer where we're going to see some big names.
- [16:02]
Ian Bagley
Yeah.
- [16:02]
Alan Hahn
And Giannis is starting this summer. We believe Kevin Durant is another name. Right.
- [16:06]
Ian Bagley
Yeah.
- [16:07]
Alan Hahn
And that. That feels like that is inevitable in Phoenix. Feels like Zion could also be a guy that if. If somebody wants to take a chance and take that contract, it feels like that could be another one.
- [16:18]
Ian Bagley
Yeah.
- [16:18]
Alan Hahn
I mean, when we're laying these names out there, any others you want to throw on the table?
- [16:22]
Ian Bagley
Well, what happens in Atlanta? The guy who gets hired, the executive who gets hired in Atlanta, what do they do with Trey Young? Do you commit that money to him or do you reset, you know, around the young talent that you have? So Jalen Johnson, Zachary.
- [16:38]
Alan Hahn
Yeah, thank you.
- [16:39]
Ian Bagley
And then Jalen. Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels. So, like, maybe you do that because those guys are young. So that's another name that I keep an eye on. Yeah. It's a crazy league. There's always. It feels like fantasy basketball always feels.
- [16:53]
Alan Hahn
Like something like every other summer feels like this crazy fantasy basketball summer where just the biggest names are available and you always want to see them end up in places that are, like, spectacular. The Luca trade would blew everybody away. But when you saw where he went and who he went with, you were just like, oh, my God, like, what other sport are you getting? Something like that. And then there are times where there's a player goes somewhere, you're like, oh, my God, that was terrible. Like. Like, it doesn't live up to it. So if I was gonna. So you. You laid out Giannis, connect the dots on Kevin Durant. What. What. What would be, like, a most likely landing spot for him? And does Giannis, like, set up? Okay, that's a domino. And then something else opens up for kd. Will he have to wait for a guy like Giannis and see where he ends up?
- [17:35]
Ian Bagley
It's funny. It's like free agency.
- [17:36]
Don Hahn
Yeah.
- [17:37]
Ian Bagley
I would think Giannis is the first domino. And then you get to Kevin, which is crazy to think about.
- [17:41]
Alan Hahn
Right?
- [17:42]
Ian Bagley
But, yeah, you look at Dallas, that's a team that I'm keeping an eye on, because I was told that even after Durant had said, you know, publicly, privately, that he didn't want to get traded, they were still being aggressive ahead of the trade deadline, trying to figure something out. So that's where I look. Houston, obviously, is well positioned to do anything, including satisfy Phoenix's demands there. Miami wanted to be in on Durant with the Butler stuff, but they didn't have what Phoenix was looking for. Maybe they circled back. You know, a lot of talk about the Knicks, and I get it, because Kevin Durant makes you better right away.
- [18:16]
Alan Hahn
Him and this. Him on that stage would just be insane.
- [18:18]
Ian Bagley
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. If he's healthy. And depending on what you give up, it doesn't even matter. He makes you better and he puts you in the title conversation. I just. I've seen reporting around it. I've seen the speculation. I would not put the Knicks near the top of the Kevin Durant list right now. I just wouldn't.
- [18:33]
Peter Rosenberg
Who's coming out of the West?
- [18:37]
Ian Bagley
These playoffs have been amazing.
- [18:38]
Alan Hahn
Right.
- [18:38]
Ian Bagley
I'm still going okc, despite what I've seen, really, against Denver, I'm still going to lean towards okc.
- [18:47]
Don Hahn
Yeah, it is. It is a bizarre playoff. Right? Like, and for a moment, you thought Golden State. Now, that appears to be in a unlikely situation for them, probably to overcome the step injury.
- [18:57]
Peter Rosenberg
There's likely game six for Curry. Right.
- [18:59]
Ian Bagley
By the way, we didn't mention Golden State, but you can be sure that they'll be interested in the players that we're talking about. Probably not Durant. Maybe More so Giannis because of their timeline.
- [19:07]
Alan Hahn
Yeah, it feels like it, too. You heard Steph Curry talking once the hamstring injury happened and how he almost kind of suggested knowing that the sands are almost done in the hourglass for him and he doesn't want, you know, you don't know how many more chances you're going to get at it. And so, yeah, I do think that if they're going to be aggressive, this would be the time. Now, there's been a lot of talk about Boston, how this could be like the last dance for this group because of new ownership, an ownership change, and also just how expensive this payroll is going to be for them. Right. With the extra taxes and the. All the different permutations of what the salary cap brings or the salary the tax situation brings, could we see that whatever they end up doing, does this offseason also look like a bit of an exodus from some players that have made them a championship caliber roster?
- [19:59]
Ian Bagley
You know, you talk to teams around the league and they mention Chris Apps, Porzingis is a guy that could be available because he is a bigger salary guy, and maybe they could break that up into a few salaries and it makes it less onerous from a tax perspective. I can't see them moving either Tatum or Brown. That would be too much.
- [20:17]
Peter Rosenberg
Thank you.
- [20:18]
Don Hahn
Thank you for saying the right thing. Because every year we have gotten this down, what, three straight years, they're going to break them up.
- [20:23]
Ian Bagley
Yeah, they won. What are you going do to do? So I think you have to keep those two together. But yeah, I think Porzingis, I'm, I'm pretty sure that, you know, conversations will be had there. I don't know if they get to the finish line on it, but a player like that, that's making a good amount of money where you can chop it up into two or three players, I think that helps you financially.
- [20:39]
Alan Hahn
What do you know about Towns's finger that's been an issue all year. I think I've seen that thing taped all year. But we also. The video of him mouthing the words, I broke it.
- [20:49]
Ian Bagley
Yeah, yeah.
- [20:50]
Alan Hahn
But after the game, he wouldn't talk about it. He said, I'm going to do whatever it takes to play. I'll leave it up to them to tell you.
- [20:56]
Ian Bagley
Yeah.
- [20:57]
Alan Hahn
And he said, it is what it is. What do you know about that?
- [20:59]
Ian Bagley
Yeah, I was just asking around a little bit. Said to a couple people that didn't look good and they said, no, it didn't.
- [21:05]
Don Hahn
We're.
- [21:06]
Ian Bagley
We're not. We don't think it's great. So it's there. Obviously it's not going to keep him off the court. He did say I'm going to do everything that I can to be on the court. But you know, it's something that he's dealt with the right and the left hand injuries pretty much all year long and he's played through them. But you look at the three point percentage and the attempts, I think he has one make over the last couple of games. That's. Yes, that's troubling because that's why one of the reasons you brought him here, to spread the floor out and to have him do damage. So yeah, I think it's, it's certainly a concern. Let's see if there's anything more on his hand tonight when he's playing well.
- [21:40]
Peter Rosenberg
Incredible work all year long, man. Really appreciate you. Appreciate you guys for the minutes here. I know you're busy. Swinging by Ian Bagley from sny. Check out all of his basketball work taking up to game four. Fans are starting to pile in here between 6th of 7th and 8th Avenue on 33rd Street. The watch party. Things officially get underway at 5:30 but people are already showing up. John starks in the five o' clock hour.
- [22:02]
Don Hahn
That's right.
- [22:03]
Peter Rosenberg
We got ENN at six.
- [22:04]
Don Hahn
Oh yeah.
- [22:05]
Peter Rosenberg
On 880 we're taking up to the Mets and the Pirates and of course our coverage of Game 4 between the Knicks and the Celtics will get underway at 6:30 with Pat O' Keefe on 10:50am it's all happening right here on 880 ESPN New York and the ESPN New York app.
- [22:19]
Alan Hahn
Hey everybody, Alan Hahn here to tell you about my friends at Bath Fitter. As I've told you about this, they remodeled the bath in our house. My wife Stephanie is so excited about this. So we updated a bath by our pool. We converted a tub to a shower so everybody can use it. You get out of the pool, you want to wash off all the chlorine. Everything else we have our guests that come and hang out for the summer. We have kids in the sleepovers that you know, happens all the time in the summers. Now we don't have a bathroom that is discussing it is gorgeous. A 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 and accessories to update our bath customized the way Stephanie wanted it. Bath Fitter worked fast, delivered the highest quality work without the delay. Bath Fit is a permanent solution. By the way everybody. It's a one piece seamless wall for a watertight fit and a lifetime guarantee. You can trust the Bath Fitter name like we did. They've been in business for 440 years with millions of happy customers and right now you can save up to $500. Start designing your bath like we did. Visit bathfitter.com for more details. There is only one bath fitter. Starting a business can seem like a daunting task unless you have a partner like Shopify.
- [23:30]
Peter Rosenberg
They have the tools you need to.
- [23:31]
Alan Hahn
Start and grow your business. From designing a website to marketing to.
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Peter Rosenberg
Selling and beyond, Shopify can help with everything you need. There's a reason millions of companies like.
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Alan Hahn
Mattel, Heinz and Allbirds continue to trust and use them.
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Peter Rosenberg
With Shopify on your side, turn your.
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Alan Hahn
Big business idea into Sign up for your $1 per month trial@shopify.com SpecialOffer thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [23:57]
Don Hahn
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [23:59]
Alan Hahn
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
- [24:06]
Peter Rosenberg
Game Time is brought to you by. Tell Mordew Irish Whiskey because when it's.
- [24:10]
Alan Hahn
Game time, it's Tully Time.
- [24:12]
Peter Rosenberg
The Knicks, like anybody doesn't know, is looking back on track against the Celtics at Game 4 with coverage on 1050 starting at 6:30 with Pat O' Keefe. Mets start their series with the Pirates with coverage immediately following us right here on 880 at 6:30 and the Yankees open up a series against the Mariners in Seattle at 9:40. Tullamore due the original triple distilled triple blend in triple cast matured Iris Whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew honey during today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. Sign up for the Knicks Fan first program to receive priority access to playoff tickets for future rounds. Head to knicks.comfan first to register today at 5:30. John Starks is going to be here so we're looking forward to talking about. Oh yeah, a nothing better than an ENN just outside Madison Square Garden before a pivotal Game four now.
- [25:04]
Don Hahn
And also let's say while we're outside and on speakers playing in New York. If you do not have the ESPN New York app you got to make sure you go download the ESPN New York app. It is the most convenient, easy way to listen to our show every single day. I don't know what was crazier, the fact that Alan when we got coffee drinks Alan Wanted no drink today.
- [25:22]
Alan Hahn
No.
- [25:23]
Don Hahn
Or Don, who at the time it felt about 15 degrees hotter. Went full hot coffee. Even on a hot day.
- [25:30]
Peter Rosenberg
It's not really a hot day. It's.
- [25:33]
Don Hahn
It was. No. But when we first got here in the sun, it was.
- [25:35]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. And then now it's breezy.
- [25:37]
Alan Hahn
The tent is up. They did a great job protecting us from.
- [25:41]
Peter Rosenberg
There. You know how much I want to bed until I see the way.
- [25:44]
Don Hahn
That's right. You all night. You're staying up to wait for that weather. I know how you do it.
- [25:48]
Peter Rosenberg
People, people like. Has anybody tested you're in my life.
- [25:51]
Alan Hahn
Has anybody tested you in the wild yet?
- [25:54]
Peter Rosenberg
No, I was checking it out.
- [25:56]
Don Hahn
What was the score last night, Don? I was busy.
- [25:59]
Peter Rosenberg
The Mets final score.
- [26:00]
Alan Hahn
Yeah.
- [26:01]
Peter Rosenberg
Yesterday was. Was six two. Hold on. I'm not Cubs.
- [26:06]
Don Hahn
I'm not clapping yet.
- [26:07]
Alan Hahn
I can confirm. I can.
- [26:08]
Don Hahn
He is, right?
- [26:09]
Alan Hahn
Yeah.
- [26:09]
Don Hahn
Now tell me how many hits he had.
- [26:10]
Peter Rosenberg
We really.
- [26:11]
Alan Hahn
Listen.
- [26:11]
Peter Rosenberg
That's not part of the. But in case anybody missed it.
- [26:13]
Alan Hahn
This is great.
- [26:14]
Peter Rosenberg
If you meet me or see me in the wild, I will give you a crisp $1 bill. If you ask me what the Met score is and I can't. I can't give you an answer if they're playing score.
- [26:24]
Alan Hahn
Right?
- [26:25]
Peter Rosenberg
Right. So like tonight you bump into Don.
- [26:26]
Don Hahn
At 9:05 tonight in the Garden and he's watching the Nick game and they go, hey, what's the score of the Met game?
- [26:32]
Peter Rosenberg
Right. And if I can't give you an answer, I give you a dollar bill. Now. If you ask me now, this is outrageous and it would never happen. But just in case you asked me what the score was yesterday and I don't give you an answer.
- [26:42]
Alan Hahn
$100 right there.
- [26:44]
Don Hahn
So I would have gotten 100 right now if you didn't know 16 hundo on the table.
- [26:48]
Alan Hahn
But if he. If he's. And he did stammer but he got it.
- [26:51]
Peter Rosenberg
I just wanted to make sure I got it right. Of course, I don't have to listen. If you see me looking through my phone to give you the answer, then just take. Take my watch.
- [26:58]
Don Hahn
You're not Dave Rothenberg.
- [26:59]
Peter Rosenberg
No, but I think because I. There's. The whole thing is I'm kind of on top of what the Mets are doing. But life does get in the way. You got to be out and about.
- [27:06]
Don Hahn
You don't know how hot the Mets are right now. You don't get this every year. I was Natalie and I went to the the park for a little Mother's Day hangout. Yesterday there you go, and I left my phone at home intentionally. And I brought a New Yorker magazine because like every wannabe smart Jewish person on the Upper west side, I have to have a subscription to the New Yorker. And for people who have never read the New Yorker, it is a bit of a dense read. So it piles up thousands at a time that you will never get through. You find me someone with a subscription to the New Yorker, I'll find the stash in their house were next to the fireplace where they have 75 issues. I'm going to get to them. No, I'm going to get to. Because the articles they write are generally kind of like long term. It's not like weekly news very often. Do you know that in the most recent issue there's a New York Mets, like a long New York Mets article in the New Yorker about basically the overall place that the team is in a lot of focus on. I'm not going to call him Uncle Steve Cohen. Also a lot on Juan Soto, but also the history in general. It's a really interesting, it's sort of, it's fun to read as an actual sports person because you know most of the things that are in there. But reading it from the perspective of the outside, pointing out why this Mets team is no longer the little sister here in New York, but is legitimately now standing on the same foot as the Yankees, at least in this season.
- [28:31]
Alan Hahn
On the same foot right now.
- [28:33]
Peter Rosenberg
The point erase 30 years of history.
- [28:35]
Don Hahn
But, but that's the thing.
- [28:36]
Alan Hahn
But remember, did they get up one rung on the ladder? I'll give them that.
- [28:40]
Don Hahn
It's not that though. The point.
- [28:41]
Alan Hahn
You're not there yet.
- [28:42]
Don Hahn
No, no, no, hear me out. The point is not that they are an equal franchise and now all of a sudden they have 27, same foot. But right now, because of what's changed, the combination of the way the Yankees operate and the way this Mets regime operate, they are now going to be playing in a different space than they were before.
- [28:59]
Peter Rosenberg
I will say this. We'll get back to the Knicks, but.
- [29:01]
Don Hahn
We'Re allowed to take a break.
- [29:02]
Peter Rosenberg
Two first place teams here, forget about the popularity and all, you can't control that. And in one season, two seasons, a decade, you can't wipe away what's happened over the last 30 years. And that's been an inconsistent Met team and a perennial winner in the Yankees. But where I see equal footing, Alan, is you've got, you've got the ownership that is prioritizing winning and there's money to be spent if needed to make sure that your team is going to be in the best condition it can be. And, and we got a long way to go. But I believe Stearns is a smart guy.
- [29:36]
Alan Hahn
Yes.
- [29:36]
Peter Rosenberg
That understands baseball and they haven't had that combination in forever. Ownership that's willing to spend and baseball minds that know what they're doing. All right. No offense to Brody Van Wagenen, but these were guys that are just not on the same platform. Plateau is a guy like Stearns who seems to really know what he's doing. So equal footing in the sense of whether Yankee fans want to admit it or not. There is very smart baseball team that usually makes the right decisions to make them competitive every year and an owner that seems to care. Maybe not to the level Yankee fans want to see, but it's there. The Mets can be in that situation where Cohen's willing to write the check and there's a baseball guy there to make sure they don't have to. These are the best players that we can go out and get.
- [30:18]
Alan Hahn
That's it. Yeah, he can write the check. But you have a GM that says we don't have to. Because I can find a Griffin Canning because I see something in Clay Holmes that I think could be starter worthy.
- [30:30]
Peter Rosenberg
Right.
- [30:30]
Alan Hahn
And how have they both been?
- [30:32]
Peter Rosenberg
And I get. Yeah, because I, I, I'm looking.
- [30:33]
Alan Hahn
They've both been very good. You know, by the way, it was a lock that Holmes had given up a home run.
- [30:38]
Peter Rosenberg
But he won the game.
- [30:39]
Alan Hahn
Absolutely. No, but it was. He's giving up a home run after what Jeff Passon said to us.
- [30:43]
Don Hahn
Oh yeah, he did. He forgave one up that day.
- [30:46]
Alan Hahn
I'm surprised that Anthony, I thought Anthony was going to play that one on.
- [30:49]
Peter Rosenberg
Was like in the fourth bang. Oh yeah, yeah.
- [30:51]
Alan Hahn
Home run for sure.
- [30:52]
Peter Rosenberg
But that's where I say because again the popularity that's all out of everybody's control. And the Yankees have had a nice head start of not finishing under.500 in 30 years. But as far as hey Yankees have, you know, you the haves and the have nots and both the Yankees and the Mets are in have in both baseball mind and financial wherewithal. And I do think you want to be fiscally responsive and I think both franchises have that ability but also just looking for bargains.
- [31:19]
Alan Hahn
You ever noticed too the Mets and Knicks tend to have success at the same time. 69, 73.
- [31:26]
Don Hahn
Yeah.
- [31:27]
Alan Hahn
Right. In that era.
- [31:28]
Ian Bagley
Yeah.
- [31:29]
Alan Hahn
I guess 86, you know, was a little before things got better for the Knicks. 88 and 89, 98, they started getting good. But if you think about it, Patrick Ewing, they won the draft at 85 and 86. The 85 season for the Mets was like the beginning. And in 99, the Knicks had a run. Late 90s, Knicks had a run. Mets kind of came back. League championship 99. Right. And then World Series in. In 2000. Yeah, that's true. It's a lot of it is along the same time when. When one's. When one's good. They seem to have success around the same time. Orange or blue, maybe it's in the colors.
- [32:02]
Peter Rosenberg
Orange, blue skies, right?
- [32:03]
Alan Hahn
Yeah. Who knows?
- [32:04]
Peter Rosenberg
But listen, it just. It's great to be in New York to know that you have so many different options. Right. You got a basketball team that's good. You got two baseball teams that are in first place. And it makes up for what's going to be coming probably in the fall when football kicks off.
- [32:15]
Don Hahn
Well, that's the thing. You need everything else to try to balance out.
- [32:18]
Alan Hahn
And then there's football.
- [32:19]
Don Hahn
Two football teams that can't amount to a good game.
- [32:22]
Alan Hahn
Although Jackson Dart, he is. He's become the prince of the city all of a sudden. Did you see him when he came out to. To meet the media?
- [32:29]
Don Hahn
Yeah.
- [32:29]
Alan Hahn
He asked them all if they can. He did it with that little draw.
- [32:33]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
- [32:33]
Alan Hahn
You know, can you tell me your name so I get to know y' all, like, like all sweet and syrupy.
- [32:38]
Peter Rosenberg
That's cool.
- [32:38]
Alan Hahn
And it's like he, Like, I'm telling you, he. He has come in as the prodigal son, and it's as if Abdul Carter sort of like, oh, yeah, we got him too. Right? Like, it feels like he's the big prize.
- [32:50]
Don Hahn
Quarterbacks are quarterbacks.
- [32:51]
Alan Hahn
Not the guy that got it.
- [32:53]
Peter Rosenberg
When you trade back into the first round to get a quarterback, it's. It's almost like drafting him high. Like we're. Honestly. If the giants had the 24th overall big. Let's say they came into the draft with the first, with the third and the 24th pick. Jack the dart would have been a big deal because they needed a quarterback and they drafted a quarterback in the first round. First round quarterbacks are still important, even late in the first round. But the fact that they traded in to the first round again means we want this guy, we need this guy. And the reaction was the complete opposite of the reaction in Cleveland.
- [33:24]
Alan Hahn
Bernie Sanders was taken, and everything's been wonderful. The little clip clips they send out between him and Dable, you could just see already Dable's giddy about him. His personality is just exactly what you're looking for. He's got humbleness to, he's got, he's humble, he's sweet. If he's good, that'll be nice. But it's like all the things like he's done everything right, everything's looked right and it has been a magical start so far. And that's why I think a lot of fans quickly, easily falling in love with him now. It's, of course, let's, let's get to some football and see what he looks like.
- [33:52]
Don Hahn
But yeah, when, when there's a new quarterback that you didn't think you were going to be able to get and you got him and you haven't seen him be terrible yet. There's a lot of excitement around.
- [34:01]
Peter Rosenberg
Absolutely.
- [34:02]
Don Hahn
I've seen him multiple times with no volume. So when I see him. What I'm taking aback by. No, it's just the, the amount of ice this kid wears. He wears a. For a quarterback who, you know, you.
- [34:14]
Alan Hahn
Know there's an IL in college. Yeah, he does have some change and.
- [34:17]
Don Hahn
Guess what, he spent some on some Cuban links because he definitely shows up with a nice big diamond chain every time he's talking. Hopefully can back that up on the football field.
- [34:25]
Peter Rosenberg
God, it's amazing you said that. I cannot tell you the amount of television I consume with no volume between being in the studio seeing things for four hours or on the air and then just being home where I have to lower the volume just to be able to hear the things that are being barked at me by my kids because they're. But by seven now it's like now, now not just my wife is barking orders, but the kids.
- [34:45]
Don Hahn
You're getting asked to do.
- [34:47]
Peter Rosenberg
Do things. Yes, a lot.
- [34:48]
Alan Hahn
I watched, I watched the, the Thunder Nuggets game yesterday on mute because it's Mother's Day and we had the house filled and it's, you know, it would have been rude. Thank God. Because that was. You talk about a game that should have been on mute. Probably shouldn't even be on.
- [35:01]
Don Hahn
No, it mutes the wrong. It should have been a black screen.
- [35:04]
Alan Hahn
That was that set basketball back. Even, even like James Naismith was rolling over in his grave at that game.
- [35:10]
Peter Rosenberg
I had a really. I, I, I. Being married for going on 20 years. I had a really bad moment.
- [35:15]
Alan Hahn
Oh no.
- [35:16]
Peter Rosenberg
So we, we had people over for Mother's Day. My sister in law Susan, Nancy out with the kids, obviously.
- [35:23]
Alan Hahn
Nice.
- [35:23]
Peter Rosenberg
All in the pool and Nancy's out there and we're Sitting at the table. And I had to. I had to shut the Alexa off for something we were doing. So I put the Alexa back on, and I go, alexa, play New York Mets on SiriusXM. And she shot me a look like, that's not what I want to listen to.
- [35:41]
Don Hahn
The election.
- [35:42]
Peter Rosenberg
It's Mother's Day.
- [35:43]
Alan Hahn
Yeah.
- [35:44]
Peter Rosenberg
My wife did not. The Alexa. The Alexa does what it's told.
- [35:46]
Alan Hahn
Yeah.
- [35:47]
Peter Rosenberg
All right, you're saying that like you.
- [35:50]
Don Hahn
Wish your wife had something in common.
- [35:51]
Peter Rosenberg
But I'm just saying, wouldn't it have been nice if I. If the. The husband would just say, you know what? It's her day. Maybe I'll. Maybe I'll check the score on the phone instead of having it bellow through the backyard on her.
- [36:02]
Alan Hahn
That was probably a mistake.
- [36:03]
Peter Rosenberg
That was a no.
- [36:04]
Alan Hahn
So what did she. What did she want to play? What. What was in the playlist?
- [36:07]
Don Hahn
Oh, Dave Forgetti's podcast.
- [36:08]
Peter Rosenberg
No, Dave doesn't have a pod.
- [36:10]
Alan Hahn
No, no.
- [36:11]
Peter Rosenberg
It's probably music she wanted, you know, a little first wave, something like that. A little 70s on seven.
- [36:16]
Don Hahn
Sure.
- [36:17]
Peter Rosenberg
So anything but believe me, Mets, Cubs was probably a thousandth on her list of things that you want.
- [36:22]
Don Hahn
I had some missteps yesterday. There's no question, you know, you're a kid with this. Tried, tried my best. Had made some mistakes, but, you know what.
- [36:30]
Alan Hahn
What was your biggest mistake?
- [36:31]
Don Hahn
I. I'd probably.
- [36:32]
Alan Hahn
We've all had a Mother's Day mistake. Right. We've all done it where it's. It's like what Stephanie said to me yesterday at one point when I just was sort of slacking, and she went, never mind, I'll do it. And I was like, oh, boy.
- [36:44]
Peter Rosenberg
You don't get up.
- [36:45]
Alan Hahn
No, no, you're down for. Never mind. I'll do it. Oh, boy.
- [36:50]
Don Hahn
I'm not going to get into specifics because it's. It's a little personal, even for me, but I'll say. I'll say this. I went ahead and looked at the calendar, looked up where her birthday is, went, all right, let's go ahead and. Let's go ahead and punt. Think about the next thing. You know what I mean? Let's live to see another down. Let's punt this thing away. August 30th, it's gonna be here before you know it. Let's just start planning. August 30th.
- [37:11]
Peter Rosenberg
You do take it in a loss, too. Like, there's the victory formation, but then there's like, you know What? We're down 30 with a minute to go. Let's not get anybody here.
- [37:17]
Don Hahn
That's it.
- [37:18]
Peter Rosenberg
All right. We just dribble it out.
- [37:20]
Don Hahn
I'm gonna go to sleep right now. I know there were good moments, but by the time we got to the end, it was taking me time real.
- [37:25]
Peter Rosenberg
Quick as I brought up the Alexa that there's actually a movement where people are encouraged to thank Alexa after Alexa does something for you. Are you nuts? It's a machine. Yeah, but you know AI, but it's getting into good habits of like.
- [37:39]
Alan Hahn
No, but also there's a sense that one day they're going to want to take over the world and they'll know it was good to them and who wasn't?
- [37:47]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, then I'm dead. Because I got to tell you, sometimes of a lot, Alexa doesn't respond.
- [37:49]
Alan Hahn
Curse it, Alexa.
- [37:50]
Peter Rosenberg
And the my volume the second or third time usually because our Alexa in the kitchen, I'll be like, alexa off. Alexa off. By the third one it's like alexa off. And then I gotta pull yank the club, yank it out of the wall.
- [38:07]
Don Hahn
Wait, so then you're killing her?
- [38:08]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, yeah. See? Three times and then death. So by the way, this is gonna.
- [38:13]
Don Hahn
Be bad for Dom when the robots come.
- [38:15]
Alan Hahn
Come.
- [38:15]
Peter Rosenberg
Oh yeah, it's over.
- [38:16]
Alan Hahn
Yeah, it's over. They're coming for you first.
- [38:18]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I'm dead. But you know what?
- [38:19]
Ian Bagley
Thank you.
- [38:20]
Alan Hahn
I said thank you.
- [38:21]
Peter Rosenberg
That was, that was a nice little respite, kind of get some things going. But we've got a ton of calls on the Knicks. Game four coming up. 5:30, John Stark, 6:00. And then it's Don Han and Rosenberg live outside Madison Square Garden here on ESPN New York. ESPN New York.
- [38:36]
Don Hahn
Oh me. Let's talk better help, shall we? Oh, can we? Alright guys, May is mental health awareness week. Let's encourage everyone to take care of their well being and break the stigma. Because the world is better when people are healthy and happy. Mental health awareness is growing, but there's still progress to be made. 26% of Americans who participated in a recent survey say they've avoided seeking mental health support due to fear of judgment. I totally understand what that's like. It's something I've seen with a lot of my friends when I've recommended therapy as well. So it's a very real and natural feeling. But BetterHelp is full online, which makes therapy affordable and convenient. Serving over 5 million people worldwide. Easily switch therapists anytime at no extra cost. We're all better with help. Visit betterhelp.com timeout to get 10 off your first month. That's betterhelp.com timeout thanks for listening to.
- [39:24]
Alan Hahn
The Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.
- [39:27]
Don Hahn
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [39:28]
Alan Hahn
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
- [39:36]
Peter Rosenberg
City soccer fans, the Hudson River Derby is coming to Queens. New York City FC takes on their rival, the New York Red Bulls at Citi Field, Saturday, May 17th. That's my mom's birthday. At 4:30pm you could be there for free. We're giving away two pairs of tickets to this massive matchup between the Boys in Blue and their crosstown rivals. Get there early for Fan Fest with music and family fun for supporters of all ages. Don't miss your chance to be there. Enter now at espnnewyork.com or on the ESPN New York app. Just find the contest tab and submit your entry. Don't miss the action. Grab your seats now@ticketmaster.com NYCFC Don Han and Rosenberg outside Madison Square Garden. This is where the watch party is going to be talking to a lot of fans that are going to the game are going to be watching it here and just hyped up for the this huge game four. Let's hear from you at 1-800-919-3776. Let's go to Brandon in South Carolina. You're on ESPN New York.
- [40:34]
Ian Bagley
Hey guys, how we doing?
- [40:35]
Peter Rosenberg
It's all good, baby.
- [40:36]
Don Hahn
Hey buddy.
- [40:38]
Alan Hahn
All right.
- [40:39]
Ian Bagley
So tonight I really I just want to see one adjustment and Alan, I'm curious if you think it's a possibility or likelihood at all, but can we just start Mitch over Hart make it take the hack of Mitch away from them. Still get him is only 18 to 20 minutes a game or whatever. But this way where if they foul him it's just going to hurt them.
- [40:58]
Alan Hahn
Later in the quarter when he's on the bench. Anyway. I just don't see them making a dramatic change to the starting lineup. But that doesn't mean that you don't change things start of the second quarter like when you bring them into the game and you know, mind the fact that if you're in the bonus you know what's coming and then the other part of it is make your free throws.
- [41:20]
Ian Bagley
Yeah.
- [41:21]
Alan Hahn
And, and it's not even you don't be seven of eight before of eight. Like would you take half just give me 50 enough that it just you're give me a point. Like Wally Zerbiak said this on the postgame show the other night. It was a great point that he made. It's simply this point per possession is all you're looking for in an NBA game. Can I get a point or more possession? Right? So if that's now a zero point possession in there, now how many of them did you lose? But if he's giving you at least one free throw, at least it's up something. That's all you're asking. So you're asking NBA player to hit 50% of your free throws. But I also think there are ways strategically that you can avoid where they'll hack him because they're not in the bonus yet. And that's, that's how you substitute pattern. I just don't think you make dramatic changes to the starting lineup.
- [42:09]
Peter Rosenberg
God, it's just such a mess. I remember dating back to the games that we called last year, Alan like these line drive shots to the basket.
- [42:16]
Alan Hahn
The one in Boston was. I think it's 15ft to the free throw line. That one probably sailed 12ft.
- [42:22]
Peter Rosenberg
And I think that's why he line drives it because I, I wonder because he's actually the couple he's gotten in have been like those line drives skim the front of the rim, go in.
- [42:29]
Alan Hahn
He's just got to get arc on.
- [42:31]
Peter Rosenberg
But I, I think that, but I think to your point about how short he was on the one the arc, there's a chance there'll be an airball. I think if he just feels like if I fire it up there, at least I'm hitting rim.
- [42:41]
Alan Hahn
Here's where it got crazy in the game in game three, it not only was the crowd like cheering them on, the ABC cameras were going to little kids in the crowd who were almost like going like, like this. Doing like, like little kids were showing them how to shoot a free throw.
- [42:58]
Don Hahn
Is it, is it Rick Barry time?
- [43:01]
Alan Hahn
Rick Barry has talked about, about it. There's not an NBA player alive or dead that would ever do the, the underhand.
- [43:09]
Don Hahn
Nobody wasn't there just a college player who's doing it. There was a, there was a D1 player doing it, I believe.
- [43:14]
Peter Rosenberg
I know Richie Cunningham did it in.
- [43:15]
Alan Hahn
Happy Days and he missed the second one. Now there was Jeremy Soan with the Spurs. He was so bad at free throws that he started shooting them lefty. He's a right one hand lefties. And he's actually making him at a much higher clip than he does right.
- [43:34]
Peter Rosenberg
Anything's better than one.
- [43:35]
Alan Hahn
Like you just try something but you can't do in the middle of the season. You got something you do in the Offseason, but he cannot get in his head. You got to know it's coming, be ready for it, be determined. And just if you make half of them, I want half.
- [43:47]
Peter Rosenberg
Eddie, Steve and Pearl river on ESPN.
- [43:50]
Alan Hahn
New York, man, that guy asked the same question. I was going to wing it on Nick fans. Nick fans are obviously solution oriented. We're kind of on the same page with this. I mean, that dude. I, I, I, I call Michael. I offer to be the, the basketball caddy for him. Let him shoot 500 shots. I'll go and I'll go rack the.
- [44:13]
Peter Rosenberg
Balls, the basketballs and chase him down.
- [44:15]
Alan Hahn
You got to pay me.
- [44:17]
Peter Rosenberg
You know, the scary thing about it, Steve, is it's not about practice because I'm sure, you know, out in Westchester, you know, he's probably hitting 70, 80% of his free throws. You told me that there's like video of him in the summer, like hitting.
- [44:32]
Alan Hahn
Threes and step back threes and pick up basketball. So it's not that he can't shoot. It's whatever happens in a game for.
- [44:38]
Peter Rosenberg
Him, it's just mental. It really is. And I just wonder if doing it more like during practice is just doing more of the detriment, accentuating what the problem is live.
- [44:48]
Alan Hahn
But I understand what Steve is asking is the same as the previous caller. And Steve, it's, I don't think you change the starting lineup, but I do think you might have to change the way you bring them into games. Now, in game two, it was not an issue. In game one, it was game two, it wasn't. What was the difference? They were already in the bonus. Yeah, they weren't in the bonus. Whatever it is, you've got to figure out ways to avoid that because you know it's coming. And Joe Missoula has made it clear. I'm gonna do it.
- [45:17]
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, he's doing it.
- [45:17]
Alan Hahn
I'm gonna do it in the first quarter, I'm gonna do it. Up 30. I don't care. I want him to be a puddle on the court and be useless because in the first two games of this series, he was plus 32 and 43 minutes, and I don't want that on the court.
- [45:30]
Peter Rosenberg
If he could, he'll do it on the flight back to Boston. They're just going to continue, foul him everywhere he wants.
- [45:36]
Alan Hahn
Thanks for listening to Madon, Han and Rosen 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.