Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – March 10, 2026

Hour 2: Knicks Concern & Peter Schrager
ESPN New York (Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don Hahn)

Episode Overview

In this episode, the trio dives deep into the state of the New York Knicks as the NBA season enters its final stretch, discussing the team’s fluctuating identity, regular-season importance, fan anxiety, and what recent games mean for their playoff readiness. They engage with listeners, debate hot topics like the World Baseball Classic etiquette and marathon medals, and wrap up with insight from NFL insider Peter Schrager on free agency and NY football teams.

Knicks Discussion: Identity, Inconsistency, and Fan Psyches

Are the Knicks Ready for the Stretch Run?

Main Theme: The Knicks' inconsistent performances have heightened concern as the playoffs approach, especially regarding their ability to “lock in” across all 48 minutes and against both good and bad teams.

• Opening Frustration (00:49)

  • Rosenberg expresses the exhaustion of overreacting to each game:

    "I can't dissect and analyze every game like it's Game 7…"

  • Alan Hahn urges a balanced perspective, warning against extremes but emphasizes that as only 16 games remain, trends are meaningful.

• The Identity Crisis (01:14)

  • Alan Hahn critiques Josh Hart’s comment about still “figuring out their identity” this late in the season—calls it a red flag.
  • Points out that big wins (Denver, Spurs) show potential, but mental lapses (Lakers, Clippers) expose lack of focus and effort.
  • Quotes the embarrassing post-game comments from Lakers’ Austin Reaves:

    “We just played harder than they did.” (01:11)

• Effort & Mentality Issues (02:54, 04:26, 05:55)

  • Hahn and Don detail games where the Knicks faltered due to turnovers, lack of defensive intensity, and “chasing the game.”
  • Hahn says:

    “When you’re this late in the season, the game to game does matter…” (07:10)
    “You had an 18 turnover game against the Lakers… your defense got soft early in the game…” (04:26)

• Regular Season Relevance (08:16, 09:06, 09:43)

  • Rosenberg challenges the narrative: “If you’re not scared, then these games… what matters?”
  • Hahn insists every game matters for trends, playoff seeding, and revealing team identity:

    “Because every game leads to trends. Every game leads to… your identity.” (09:20–09:23)

  • The team’s drop-off in three-point shooting post-All-Star break worries them:

    “If I told you… they were one of the best three-point shooting teams in the NBA going into the All Star break and since then they’ve been one of the worst, wouldn’t that concern you?” (10:01 – Hahn)

• Fan Delusion vs. Realism (11:17, 12:35, 16:26)

  • Rosenberg thinks fans and some hosts are trying to convince themselves not to worry:

    “They’re trying to convince themselves. I think fans are worried… they just don’t want to admit it.” (11:21)

  • Hahn and Rosenberg agree: trends in March affect May, especially for seeding and playoff headlines.

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• Hahn on late-season focus:

  “How you’re playing now—yes, in the playoffs, matchups matter too… but the games reveal it. Especially the big ones and the deeper into the season you go.” (09:20)

• Hahn on missed opportunity:

  “When the playoffs come, you can't just flip the switch. Eventually you flip it on and it doesn't become the breaker.” (16:34)

• On Knicks’ emotional approach:
  • Questioning if the team ever uses anger/focus the way other contenders do, especially after “flat” losses in LA.

Listener Calls: Realistic Optimism & Patterns

• Jimmy from Flushing (17:15–19:23):

  • Blames slow starts, turnovers, and Mikal Bridges’ low-scoring as warning signs.
  • Says: “The only thing they should be worried about is themselves… But the Knicks… I hope that the next several games will wake them up because I do… believe they will recover. But… every time when they win it’s like… championship intention. But when they lose, said this siege is over…”

• Jimmy from Connecticut (19:43–21:23):

  • Balances concerns over consistency with faith that the team can “elevate their game in the playoffs,” but admits recent lapses are troubling.

• Panel’s Reflection:

  • Rosenberg summarizes: as a fanbase, Knicks fans are among the most confident, sometimes bordering on delusional given the team’s actual accomplishments.

Notable Moment

“What has this team done other than you just being super fan to give you that kind of confidence? What have they accomplished?” (21:49 – Rosenberg)

Broader NBA & Eastern Conference

• Boston’s Rise, Detroit’s Fatigue (13:08, 13:12):
  • Celtics are peaking at the right time with Tatum’s return;
  • Detroit hitting a “fatigue wall” and key players facing injury and energy management.
  • Importance of the Knicks securing a top-3 seed:

    “…if they end up in the third seed or the fourth seed and they don’t have home court in the second round or they have to play a team that really matches up well with them earlier…” (13:21 – Hahn)

Offbeat Sports Talk: Etiquette, Recognition & Food

WBC Handshake Drama (27:25–35:12)

• Main Story:

  • Mariners’ Cal Raleigh refuses handshake/fist bump from teammate Randy Arozarena during USA–Mexico World Baseball Classic.
  • Panel mocks Raleigh, deems it “try-hard” and “performative,” noting WBC isn’t war.
  • Arozarena’s reaction:

    “That guy can go bleep himself… No, we're teammates.” (paraphrasing Arozarena, 29:24–29:59)

• Food Debates:

  • Jokes about the “best food country Final Four” based on baseball matchups—Italy, Mexico, China, Japan.

LA Marathon Controversy (36:07–41:42)

• Issue: Runners offered finisher medals for completing only 18 of 26.2 miles due to warm weather.
  • Unanimous disapproval from hosts:

    “The whole idea of the race is… I finished… Are you showing people the medal? …Well, I didn’t quite finish…” (39:05–39:22 – Alan Hahn)

  • “It’s so ridiculous. If you can't do it, you can’t do it.” (39:44 – Rosenberg)

Peter Schrager Talks NFL Free Agency (44:53–53:51)

Jets & Giants News

• Biggest Storylines (46:58):

  • Raiders’ massive contract for interior lineman.
  • Malik Willis getting a starting QB nod with limited NFL passes.

• Geno Smith to Jets (47:42):

  • Describes trade as a “stopgap move,” not a long-term solution:

    “Geno Smith is not the answer to all these problems. But when another team is paying him his entire salary… it is a huge upgrade from what the situation was.” (48:59)

• Jets’ Offseason (50:16):

  • “You could put them out there on the field… five first round picks the next two years, you better get a quarterback.”

• Giants’ Moves (50:59):

  • Adds Isaiah Likely at tight end, other Ravens connections, and fills needs, but nothing splashy.
  • “Very Raven feel to it.”

• General Trend:

  • Teams, including Titans, favor familiar coaches/players but “you didn’t win free agency in the first two days.”

• Commanders (52:59):

  • Decent but unfinished. Advises to watch for possible signings.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Fan Confidence:

  “Knicks fans… are the most confident and most positive… but all you did… was beat the Celtics… that does not mean… they’ll show up when they have to.” (21:46 – Rosenberg)

• On “Flipping the Switch”:

  “Dangerous place to be, flipping the switch on and off. And eventually you flip it on and it doesn’t become the breaker.” (16:34 – Alan Hahn)

• On Marathon Medals:

  “I don’t want to finish your medal. I didn’t finish. The whole idea… is I finished.” (38:01 – Alan Hahn)

Key Segments & Timestamps

| Time | Topic/Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:49 | Knicks’ inconsistent effort & fan overreaction | | 01:14 | Josh Hart’s “identity” comment & Team’s defensive lapses | | 02:54 | Effort v. talent debate; importance of “big boy” wins | | 09:06 | Regular season importance, trends, 3pa woes | | 11:17 | Fan mindset/discussion with callers | | 13:08 | Celtics’ and Pistons’ updates in the East | | 17:15 | Jimmy from Flushing: Fan perspective on concern | | 19:43 | Jimmy from Connecticut: Positivity, playoff mentality | | 21:46 | On what Knicks have actually achieved compared to confidence given by fanbase | | 27:25 | World Baseball Classic: Cal Raleigh handshake snub | | 36:07 | LA Marathon “finisher medal” debate | | 44:53 | NFL free agency insight with Peter Schrager (Jets, Giants, Commanders) |

Tone & Style

• Energetic, candid, and at times irreverent (especially in non-basketball segments)
• Deeply informed, with Hahn and Rosenberg doubling as both analysts and lifelong fans
• Blunt honesty with both praise and criticism of NY teams and fans—never skipping tough realities

Takeaways

• Knicks’ success hinges on rediscovering consistent focus, offense, and perimeter shooting.
• Regular season is crucial for playoff seeding and establishing identity—trends can’t be ignored.
• Fan confidence is high, but not always backed by performance. Reality checks needed.
• In free agency, NY football teams made smart but unspectacular moves; expectations should be measured.
• Fun offbeat debates and moments (WBC etiquette, food, marathon medals) break up heavy sports talk.

For die-hards and casuals alike, this episode dishes out tough Knicks truths, sports radio agony and joy, plus a one-stop snapshot of NY sports anxiety and optimism.