Hour 2: Knicks Contenders?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Knicks Contenders?

Release Date: January 30, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Episode Title: Hour 2: Knicks Contenders?

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Introduction

In the second hour of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, the trio delves deep into the New York Knicks' prospects for the season. Hosted by ESPN New York legends Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg, this episode offers an engaging blend of sports analysis, fan interactions, and candid discussions about team expectations.

Caller Gil’s Insight on Knicks as Contenders

The episode kicks off with a call from Gil in Brooklyn, who is optimistic about the Knicks' championship potential.

• Gil (01:06): "This Knicks team, Allen, I think we're going to make it to the championship. I'm not saying we're winning. I'm saying we're going to make it."

Gil emphasizes the Knicks' strong defense, particularly praising OG Anunoby's impact on the team's performance.

• Gil (01:39): "The best move they made was acquiring OG. When he plays, the record is insane."

He reflects on the previous season's injuries that derailed their playoff run, highlighting the crucial role of key players like OG and Jalen Brunson.

Hosts' Discussion on Setting Realistic Expectations

Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg engage in a thoughtful debate about the dangers of setting expectations too high for the Knicks.

• Alan Hahn (02:24): "I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment and certainly don't put this team on a pedestal that doesn't deserve to be there just yet."

Peter counters by acknowledging the team's impressive record but cautions against premature championship declarations.

• Peter Rosenberg (06:01): "The Knicks have had some really good teams in their career. This is one of the better ones and probably one of the best we've seen in the last championship."

Caller Bob’s Perspective on Knicks' Progression

Bob from Florida joins the conversation, questioning the rationale behind comparing last season's playoff injuries to this year's potential.

• Bob (17:07): "Why can't I say that based on last year, if they were healthy, they could be in the finals now?"

Alan and Peter discuss the concept of team progression, emphasizing that overcoming a strong opponent like the Celtics doesn't automatically guarantee championship success.

• Alan Hahn (18:14): "If you knock the Celtics off in the second round, you are now the favorite."

New York Fans' Championship Fever

The hosts explore whether New York's long championship drought intensifies current fan expectations.

• Alan Hahn (21:11): "It's all about the chip. Championship or bust. It's just what a generation of sports fans are all focused on."

Peter adds that this mentality overlooks the importance of enjoying the team's journey and gradual improvement.

• Peter Rosenberg (22:19): "Is it because it's been so long since any sustained good sports were being played here that now every time we find one team that looks like they're close, we clamp on and go. You gotta win it."

Tribute to Marianne Faithful and Music Discussion

Shifting gears, the podcast pays homage to the late Marianne Faithful, celebrating her contribution to music. The hosts discuss her iconic voice and its perfect fit for metal music collaborations.

• Peter Rosenberg (24:09): "This is Dalton Kincaid just couldn't come up with it. Is that what you're telling me?"

The segment underscores the hosts' diverse interests, highlighting their appreciation for music alongside sports.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg reinforce their commitment to providing in-depth sports analysis and engaging discussions. They remind listeners to stay tuned for upcoming games and continue sharing their thoughts through calls and interactions.

• Don Hahn (28:56): "Hear more of Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers."

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Notable Quotes:

• "The best move they made was acquiring OG." – Gil (01:39)
• "I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment." – Alan Hahn (02:24)
• "This is one of the better ones and probably one of the best we've seen in the last championship." – Peter Rosenberg (06:01)
• "It's all about the chip. Championship or bust." – Alan Hahn (21:11)
• "You gotta win it." – Peter Rosenberg (22:19)

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Key Discussion Points:

• The Knicks' strong defensive lineup and the pivotal role of OG Anunoby.
• The impact of last season's injuries on the Knicks' playoff performance.
• Balancing optimism with realistic expectations to avoid fan disappointment.
• The cultural phenomenon of New York fans' intense focus on championships.
• A heartfelt tribute to Marianne Faithful, showcasing the hosts' multifaceted interests.

This episode offers a comprehensive look into the New York Knicks' current season, balancing expert analysis with relatable fan perspectives. Whether you're a die-hard Knicks supporter or a casual sports enthusiast, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg provide valuable insights into the team's journey toward potential championship glory.

Transcript

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[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, to the 4:00 hour, we go with Don Lagreca and Peter Rosenberg.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm Alan Hahn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don Hahn, Rosenberg, 880 ESPN. And on the ESPN New York app, lots of calls to get to 800-919-3776. I feel like we should keep talking to the people today. We got lots, of course, lots of different topics to get into with you, but right now, everybody wants to talk. Nick. So we go to Gill in Brooklyn now. Hey, Gil.

[Gil]

What's going on, guys? That was a good interview. I like that. That was. That was very motivational.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Frank's a good story.

[Gil]

Yeah, real good story. This Knicks team, Allen, I think we're going to make it to the championship. I'm not saying we're winning. I'm saying we're going to make it. The defense that these guys play, smothering the best. Peter, you asked earlier what was the best move they made? The best move they made was a acquiring OG if you look at the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Record with OG it's ridiculous. When he plays and he's in the lineup, it's. It's like an insane record.

[Gil]

Yeah. And the other thing is, if you go back to last year, they could have made a run last year had they not all gotten hurt. But the key one that went down that really killed the run was OG when he blew out his hamstring.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Y.

[Gil]

That, that killed. That killed the str. Because Jalen went down right after that. But OG was the. The defensive stopper. And then with the team that they got this year, you have two stoppers with him and Bridges, this team is going to go. I got a funny feeling, Alan, they're going to make it to the, to the. To the championship.

[Alan Hahn]

See, that's where I think. That's where I think you get in a little bit of trouble. Okay. Because now you set the expectations a little too high. I don't think it has to be about this Year. I don't. I wouldn't get caught up.

[Gil]

It's the defense.

[Alan Hahn]

I know, but Boston still is the defending champions. I. The only team I worry about. Like, I don't worry about Milwaukee. I don't worry about Cleveland because you've had Cleveland's number, but you got. You got. I wouldn't get caught up on just being a game back of Boston and all that. I still think you got to respect the defending champions, and heck, if you got to the final. I probably fear Boston more than I fear, you know, OKC or anybody coming out of the west, but I think just take it in stages, man. It's very difficult to go from a team that couldn't get out of the second round to now, all of a sudden winning the championship. I'm all for being excited, but I think this is where, especially in New York, you get caught up, and then they don't live up to the expectations, and you can't really enjoy the journey. Don't start labeling this team a championship team. Alan, I think you've been dead on. They're probably not ready to do it. If they do it, all the better. But to start now on January 30th, to say they're going to the championship now, I think you're kind of setting yourself for disappointment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think you put your. Right now. Now you're setting a bar, and then when you don't reach it, everybody will go, well, you failed. And it's like, well, you're the one that set that bar, right? Like, it's not like, we set that bar on ourselves. And I asked a lot of them in the locker room afterwards about, like, statements, you know, like, you just. The two games you just played, The. The. The. The winning streak you're on right now, where you're just rolling through opponents five straight games, like, where they are in the standings. This is 32 and 16. That's 32 and 16. They haven't had 32 wins at this point in January, in. I think it's been like, 30, 40 years. I don't think, like, this has been a hell of a run. So when you ask them, and I'm actually just grabbing my phone because I have some of the stuff jotted down from my notes, like, here's Tom Thibodeau. It's a good win. We don't want to get carried away with ourselves. You know, like, they keep saying that these are good tests for us. It tells us where we are and what work we still have to do. You know, Josh Hart Even said to me, I don't think we're making a statement. We're just playing better.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think there's anything left for them to accomplish in the regular. Like to prove in the regular season. Yeah, you love to get the two seed, get home court advantage for as long as you can. This team is a good team. Just get me to the playoffs because that's what you want to see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Healthy.

[Alan Hahn]

Because you know what? And healthy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

But you know what? You beat a Denver team. Amazing. In order to win a championship, you got to do that four times. All right? You know, so you could beat this. Any given night, you can beat a team. But when you get into a series, especially against the seasoned opponent like the Boston Celtics, now you got to. And you beat them, then you got to do it again and again and again and then, oh, by the way, move on and then beat whoever you got to beat there. We've seen greatness in regular seasons. You've got to kind of build up that, like, I call it that scar tissue when you get into the playoffs of being able to look back and say, we're not going to make the mistake we made last time. And I still think there's another step to go. So I'm happy, Bill's thrilled. But just don't get too. Don't set yourself up for disappointment and certainly don't put this team on a pedestal that doesn't deserve to be there just yet. Believe me, that time is going to come, man. That's going to. That. That time is going to come where you know what? Getting into playoffs isn't going to be enough. Winning 50, 55, maybe even 60 games isn't going to be enough. It's going to be about making a run. That's when you could start making those proclamations. I don't. I think it's just a little too early yet.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You'll know it in May. Then you can start saying, this team's good enough to win a championship. I think right now what you're saying is this is one of the best teams the Knicks have ever had. And I think that's you. You can say that without putting expectations on it, because I'm telling you what I'm seeing right now. Last January, people will love that team. You remember January of 2024. They were insanely good. They were 14 and 2 in that month. And then everybody got hurt. But at that moment, you could say, wow, this team's really special. And they were fun to watch. Well, here we are in a Month of January, they went nine, six. It was supposed to be a very difficult month. And they've just won five in a row. They're 32, 16. They have one of the best records in the NBA. They have one of the best offenses in the NBA. They have one of the top scoring defenses in the NBA. And you just say, you know what? This is not just a really good team for this year in this league. This is one of the best teams the Knicks have ever had. And that's not saying a lot because let's be honest, the Knicks have not had a lot of really good teams.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's right there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I'm not saying it. That's the only reason why I'm saying that. So I am not trying to set that bar of, this is such a great team. They can end the drought. I'm just saying the Knicks have had some really good teams in their career in their lifetime. This is one of the better ones and probably one of the best ones we've seen in the last championship.

[Alan Hahn]

Peter, are you worried about this Nick team?

[Michael K]

As a Celtic fan, I think it would be silly not to be. You know, I think the Celtics caught a break last year in the path that they ended up getting. Because we all saw. I mean, the Celtics. Don, what was the line I used all last year's playoffs? They had a tendency to play with their food, right? Oh, yeah. And you see a little bit of that right now. Alan, you alluded to that yesterday. They get a little bit bored coming off a championship. What's to really play for in the first 50 games? I think that the Knicks will present a real challenge for this team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can I.

[Michael K]

And they've kind of been presenting that challenge for the last couple of years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can I see if you guys would be interested in a boys night out?

[Michael K]

Talk to me. I think I know where you're going. Saturday night with Ratter day. Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Then bright book for the February 8th Madison Square Garden.

[Michael K]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Celtics, Knicks. I don't have to work. It's on abc. Moth.

[Alan Hahn]

There's no Rangers. No, no, no, no. I'm sorry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is there a hockey.

[Alan Hahn]

Roger, there is hockey. I say hockey Ranger because you're going with the French.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but they don't. They don't throw the ronger. Like. Sounds a little more like fun.

[Michael K]

Okay, you know, listen, we can do both guys.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, let's. Both can exist in this world. No, Rangers are in Columbus. I'm sorry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why? Well, but, But Alan, get Grassa to do that one. Can we get Grassa to just pick up that game. Please.

[Michael K]

Don. Don doesn't miss.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don. You. You can't.

[Alan Hahn]

I kind of missed four because they're. They're going to be playing at home against the Penguins. I got to give that game up because we're going to be at the outing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Peter, giving that.

[Michael K]

You're giving that up for you really.

[Alan Hahn]

Get in my pocket. I'm just saying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Look, I don't want to be.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, I do. Well, but you're asking me to for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want. I. I don't want to get in your pocket for something.

[Alan Hahn]

Peter knows what I'm talking about. Believe. Peter's going to find out. Peter's very well to do. This kid's gonna really take care of a hunk of his cheese.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's gonna realize that you don't make as much as you think you make once you have kids.

[Alan Hahn]

But you know what? The excursions to blondies are gonna cut down dramatically.

[Michael K]

Well, they already have. Well, that's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's.

[Michael K]

Well, here's my question. So, Alan, you're allowed to on Saturday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you have nothing Saturday, this Saturday, or next Saturday? Because the next two Saturdays, they're on abc and we are. MSG does not have the broadcast, so.

[Michael K]

So there's nothing to do for MSG the next two Saturdays.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Michael K]

And your wife will still give you full approval to gallivant into the city to just watch the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, if I told her, I'm meeting the boys, we're gonna watch the.

[Michael K]

Game, but you'd have to say, like, hey, it's the new show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's.

[Michael K]

It's camaraderie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's.

[Michael K]

It's something, like, worthwhile. You're not gonna just say, I'm meeting up with a pal of mine, grabbing a beer.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's not gonna be good, fellow. She's not gonna get, you know, mad and throw your keys out the window.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, Stephanie is a partner in this whole.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but she wants to show my wife. And it's not. Believe me, it's nothing romantic. Usually family stuff. She'll look and go, oh, that Ranger game. You're not doing that game. Oh, on a Saturday. Eyes light up like, all the possibilities.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm waiting for the text that. Because I know she's listening. I'm waiting for the text that, oh, by the way, that day, Cali has hockey in New Jersey and Gracie has volleyball in, you know, in Pennsylvania. And then I'm like, all right, well, that's out. Because what she thought would be splitting up a day now turns into I'll go here and you go there, but I haven't heard that yet. So I was just thinking it might be fun if we just kind of gathered at the Garden and watched the game.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it would be fun.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But unfortunately, you will be doing a road game pre intermission and post.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. Rangers, Blue Jackets. Like you read about. It's a rivalry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How could you miss that?

[Alan Hahn]

05.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a shame, because that would have been fun.

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[Alan Hahn]

Well, why can't. Well, listen, Peter owes you one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait a second. Yeah, no, that's.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, Peter owes you one. We had the excursion to the Garden. Now you take Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Peter didn't even offer. You notice how he. Just. The minute you said you couldn't do it. He's. He.

[Michael K]

No, no, no. Listen. You know exactly where I'm at right now. I do. I would like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think you need a night out. You're gonna need a boy's night out. By then, she's gonna be, what, almost a month old? Come on.

[Michael K]

By then, she'll be right around a month old.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, like that. You're gonna need it.

[Michael K]

I mean, listen, I might. We'll see how that's viewed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You just gotta let Ms. Hatton know. Like, it's for the show. It's for the show.

[Michael K]

Just keep in mind, Ms. Hatton also is going to be alone Saturday night when I'm in Indianapolis for the Royal Rumble this weekend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're really.

[Alan Hahn]

You're. You're. You're asking. Now you're asking him to miss two weekend now, That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nobody wants to go with me now to the game.

[Alan Hahn]

There was almost like, trying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe Michael K will want to meet me and watch the ball. The Knicks and the Celtics. Can I ask him? Hey, Bart, would you like to come to the game? Because I know you might.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, what are you doing that for? You're the one that came up with.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, a fun timeout, a little excursion for the show, and all I'm getting is excuses.

[Michael K]

Listen, I'm just not gonna lie to you. I'd love to. It could be vetoed immediately, or it could be like, oh, no, sure, go. Have a good time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I really.

[Michael K]

This is my first kid. I don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

I. I just know that two weekends, Peter, is gonna be out of the question. You're going away to Indianapolis.

[Michael K]

I was gone the last weekend, too.

[Alan Hahn]

The three straight weekend. You're way too close to the sun.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my goodness.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you nuts? I know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And, oh, by the way, in five days later, it's Valentine's Day.

[Alan Hahn]

But. So. But you hear, he. It was Alan that made the rule, don't bring up the exes.

[Michael K]

Which I thought was a stupid.

[Alan Hahn]

But as soon as he feels away about not being able to go out with us on Saturday night, what does he do? So you do that with your wife? Like, hey, let's go out to dinner tonight. I'm not feeling good. I'm gonna call Sweet Polly Purebred from sophomore year, see if she's around.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who told you about her?

[Michael K]

Sweet Polly Purebred.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sweet Polly.

[Michael K]

Where did that come from?

[Alan Hahn]

From Underdog.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. What a night.

[Michael K]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What a night. All right, well, so much for that. I'll just watch from home.

[Alan Hahn]

It was a nice try.

[Michael K]

Give me a chance. All right? You don't give up on me.

[Alan Hahn]

When you really look at it, it's like. It's. It's the Daniels pass against the Bears right now. This one was incomplete. There was a chance. It does happen. The Hail Mary does work on occasion. This is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Dalton Kincaid just couldn't come up with it. Is that what you're telling me?

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, the opportunity to survive was there, but couldn't make.

[Alan Hahn]

But somebody's gonna look out for the women in our life.

[Michael K]

Give Me at least one commercial break to ask. All right? If I get shot down, don't even think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't, don't, don't. I didn't know that you. I didn't know you had the next you sandwiching the other two Saturdays with stuff you have to do and then just going, oh, I'm just going to frolic to the garden, have some brews with my boy, and watch, you know, some. Who.

[Unnamed Caller]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This answer could be solved in a Richard call.

[Alan Hahn]

We don't need a whole break. I'm living from experience. I'm living from experience. Right around the age of your daughter, I went to the super bowl in Minnesota like we did every year. And if you remember, Minnesota was like, minus 30.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

And I. I don't know about you guys. Whenever I'd come back with the Super Bowl, I come back sick because you. Because you're. You're shaking hands with everybody on Radio Row. All right? So I got the kids sick, so they had an upper respiratory thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, boy.

[Alan Hahn]

And then as they got sick, I went to Winnipeg. I'm in Winnipeg. Nancy's in the emergency room with the kids. Believe me, I'm. I'm lucky to still be married.

[Michael K]

Oh, my God, that must have not played well, dude.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At least that was Winnipeg. Can you imagine if you were, like, in Vancouver or Miami? Well, yeah, Fort Lauderdale or L. A?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And she's just going like, you know. Oh, how is it? Yeah, how's the weather? Oh, I'm looking already. Don't even lie. It's 75 and sunny. The one place while we're freezing here. Did I tell you the boiler's not working? You're gonna hear all that.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what kind of hockey fan you have to be to be jealous of somebody that's in Winnipeg, Right? So I was in Winnipeg, but can you imagine, Peter, that happening? I'm not in Winnipeg. I'm at the Garden with Alan and Peter watching Nick. Celtics.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Forget it. This game's awesome.

[Alan Hahn]

Forget it. There's papers on the kitchen table.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then you come home and she just does the rollover. Like she just turns the other way.

[Alan Hahn]

She's even in the bed to begin with.

[Michael K]

Yeah, you just gave her a lot of credit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my God. Well, I had somewhere I wanted to go here, but we run out of time. Just go calls. Let's go to Rashad in the Bronx. What's up, Rashad?

[Alan Hahn]

Sure.

[Michael K]

Come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, we had some definite energy, and that just sucked it all out of the room. Bob in Florida. What's up? Bob.

[Unnamed Caller]

Hello.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, we got you. Bob.

[Unnamed Caller]

Yeah, I want to see a question. Well, someone was saying before about how you shouldn't say Nick should be in the final if last season, if they were healthy last season, they would have been in the conference finals. So why can't I say that based on last year, if they were healthy, they were put in conference finals. And now, like, this year is the finals when. What should my expectation be? Conference finals. That was supposed to be last year. We were hoping.

[Alan Hahn]

So you're winning a championship.

[Unnamed Caller]

No, I know. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying get to the finals.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I get what you're saying. You want always to take the next step. And your belief was the potential of that team last year if you don't include the injuries, was that they could have reached the final four, but the injuries didn't allow them to get there. And so you're saying that now if they can also stay healthy, which is always the caveat, why not think they could go a step further? Yeah, I do think. Look, I don't think that's a crazy.

[Unnamed Caller]

Winning the finals because. Because, like, winning the finals is like going like two. Like, that's like too crazy, bro. Like, maybe next season, maybe just get the. Like just maybe this should get the feel of the final.

[Alan Hahn]

It just falls your way. But Alan taught me this too, and we get caught up in. In. In how far the run goes. If you play the Celtics in the second round and beat them, why wouldn't the championship be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You'd be the favorite.

[Alan Hahn]

Why wouldn't the championship.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You'd be the favorite. If you knock the Celtics off in the second round, you are now the favorite.

[Alan Hahn]

So I just. I respect the Celtics. They went to the finals two years ago. They went to the championship. There's a really good team. And Peter, it's one of the great ways to describe, you know, the dog days of just not maybe caring every single night, playing with their food. They don't have to prove anything to anybody. Sure, they want home court advantage. They're not going to kill themselves for it. They're still a very dangerous team. They've got nothing to prove in the regular season, if you beat the Celtics, I'd be disappointed. As a Knick fan, if you lost to Cleveland or lost in the final to whoever comes out of the West. But I understand the natural progression. Oh, we would have gone to the conference final. What would you have done against the Celtics? Maybe you would have gotten swept. And now maybe this year you go six or seven I guess maybe that's the progression.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They don't. If. No, they would not have gotten swept by that Celtics team.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But.

[Alan Hahn]

But would they have won the series?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know if they would have had enough because they had no. They had no answer for Porzingis and that was. That's why they got towns.

[Alan Hahn]

But my point is, just because you might have faced them in the conference final last year doesn't mean that automatically you beat them the next year, as Josh Allen was just talking about the other day. All right. So sometimes the progression takes a little while. I don't want to take away the excitement. I'm trying to add to the excitement. If you just enjoy the run, set your sights and your expectations more realistically, you can have fun. Because there's going to be a time where you're not going to be able to have fun because it's going to be championship or bust. And the regular season is not going to mean anything. You're not going to get any pleasure out of winning the first three rounds of the playoff. You'll become the Yankees. That day is going to come. But right now, it's not here yet. So enjoy your team being in the conversation. But when you start setting the expectations too high, I think you're setting yourself up for massive disappointment. And you should. That. That should not be what the season's about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can I ask this? I want to ask one question here to both of you. Do you think. Because I don't see this in any other market. Do you think it's because the city itself has had such a long drought without a championship? And, you know, there was a time where we always felt like there was always somebody. I mean, the 90s had a bunch of different championships and almost everybody was in a final four. At one point in the 90s, all of our teams, even the Islanders in 93, got to a final Four. Yeah. Like everybody was in a final four. So when you think about it, is it because it's been so long since any sustained good sports were being played here that now every time we find one team that looks like they're close, we clamp on and go. You gotta win it. And it gets now too intense because I don't ever remember it being like this.

[Unnamed Caller]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

But I don't think it has anything to do with the drought. I don't think it necessarily has anything to do with what Michael Cage to call the Yankee Ization of things where the expectations are always high. Several teams winning championships. I think in the world, it's all about the chip. That's all anybody seems to want to talk about. Championship, championship or bust. It just seems like that's what a generation of sports fans are all focused on. It's not about the journey. It's not about a process. It's about win me a championship doesn't matter unless you win the champion. No, it does matter for certain teams that are on the cusp. Yes, Yankees this year, it's all about the chip because they lost in the World Series. All right. But for other teams that are in the midst of a prior. How can a Knick fan sit there and go, we gotta win the championship? You haven't won a championship since'seventy three. Your team hasn't been out of the second round. There's still a lot the team has to go through. Sure, there are always runs that teams didn't have to go through, the growing pains, but most of the time you have to. But it just seems like there's a generation of fans, they don't pay attention to it unless there's a ring at the end of it. And I just, I think it's really, it's really hard to win, Alan. It's so hard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mm. We've seen it. I mean, nobody knows it more than us in New York. 800 now, 193776. I love the calls we're getting. We'll continue with those. We've got ENN coming up. But, Peter, I'm very interested in Bath Fitter. Tell me more.

[Michael K]

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Michael K]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now. It's a unique voice. I get it for a lot of people, but this is Marianne Faithful and she at one point was an iconic voice of the 60s.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, big time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And this is an unbelievable collab she did. This is Metallica, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Metallica. I want to Say it was, I think it was off the, the Fuel album. So we're going back to, like, the late 90s. So she was in her sick, late, probably early 60s at the time. And it was like, yeah, you can't even come up with anything close to it. But of, of just a heavy metal band in the 90s, going back to, like, a voice from the 60s.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that voice was perfect for that song.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't even know how to. It would be like, I don't know, tapping into, you know, Slayer, tapping into Tom Jones. Yeah, like something crazy like that is wild.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So we lost Marianne Faithful today at the age of 78. And, like, if anybody would say I've never heard of her. She did a cover of Rolling Stones as Tears Go By. Or did they cover her song? I can't remember now.

[Alan Hahn]

I think she covered her song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's such an incredible version of as Tears Go by the Rolling Stones. They made it famous. And her voice so iconic. But there's a song I want everybody. I sent it to Jake Jacob. I think you should have it in your. He does. And she did this song without blame. It's an acoustic version. This was maybe 20 years ago. She did this song. And I'm telling you, this is such a haunting, because her voice was perfect for it. Peter. It is like, these are one of these songs that you, if you have a great system, you sit in silence between the speakers, you crank this thing up and you just close your eyes and you feel it, you know, I tell you, I get emotional with music.

[Michael K]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is one of those songs that you just sit and listen to, and if you can't feel this song, everybody, you haven't lived your life.

[Michael K]

I, I, that was the first time I've heard that, that, that was something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's that song. But this one I'm talking about is Without Blame. You want to play it real quick, Jay?

[Michael K]

Oh, sure. Give me a taste. Put it right inside. You cannot be friend now it is in your eyes I am gone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now she's singing with Ismael Lowe, and I believe he's singing in French. And so it's. She sings English, he sings French, and it's just all about literally just loss, losing and trying to find your way back. I'm telling you. Look, it's on YouTube.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I gotta find that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I encourage everybody. Listen to it. Front to back, start to finish. And again, you'll feel it. You'll absolutely feel it. Anyways, but we really do get into music on this show, which I Actually love.

[Alan Hahn]

I. That's the, that's the biggest difference because Peter and I adore music and Michael was kind of just like he could do without it. Well, Michael.

[Michael K]

No, not without, not without it. But he was a casual, but very casual.

[Alan Hahn]

Here, here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is he like pop music?

[Alan Hahn]

No. Well, no. When you're, when you're a sports guy and you ask like, what's your favorite music? And they say Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, you're like, all right, not a big music guy. And that's not to disrespect. Those artists are great. But like, if that's your go to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Then you're not really that experimental. You kind of just. You like what people like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're in, you're in. You're in the four foot pool of music.

[Alan Hahn]

Now when we played the Metallica to open up the segment, Michael would have said something like, when you bought that album, were the drugs right there when you open? Like he just associated anything, like heavy or anything aggressive as being right. Peter is like, oh, drug related. Yeah.

[Michael K]

The second you mentioned liking music, he somehow associates it with wanting to do meth.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Must be great.

[Alan Hahn]

I'd love to see Michael high.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Imagine him just giggling his head off. Just giggling for no reason. You know what I mean? Like just sitting in the car, like just high, just giggling because he just can't control it. And he's got the smile on his face that he doesn't know he's smiling the whole time.

[Alan Hahn]

I've seen him laugh, but no, I'm not. Something about someone laughing at something that's not fun.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Good job. I feel like I'm experiencing it right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It is game time. Brought to you by Tully Mardu Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, of course it's Tully time. Only one local team in action tonight and you know who it is. You're New York Islanders looking for six straight. That's right. They play in the Flyers in Philly.

[Alan Hahn]

They.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So they're. That, by the way, that home stand they had, that was a hell of a home stand. They won five straight. It was a seven game. Home state lost the first two. And there was this feeling of, oh, it's, you know, the whole thing's coming off the tracks. They've made a few adjustments to the, to the lineup and the roster and it's starting to turn. So nice game tonight against the Flyers to catch up on. I'll be certainly doing that. That's at 7:30. We are also, by the way, covering or carrying rockets, Grizzlies So a team the Knicks just played and the team the Knicks are going to play on Monday, two very good Western Conference teams. We'll have that game for you tonight on 880. It'll start at 9 following who we all love, Ty Butler.

[Alan Hahn]

Ty filling in for Dan who filled in for Carlin today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, this is what, doing the shell game already?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, already.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anyways, that is game time. Brought to you by Tullamore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cask matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tulla Mordu or try the new Tulla Mordu honey during tonight's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Du responsibly.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.

[Don Hahn]

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.