Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary Episode: Hour 2: Knicks Fatigue
Release Date: March 21, 2025

Introduction to Knicks Fatigue

In this episode, hosts Alan Hahn, Don LaGreca, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the New York Knicks' recent struggles, attributing their performance issues primarily to extreme fatigue from a demanding travel schedule. The discussion outlines how back-to-back games, extensive travel across time zones, and insufficient rest have adversely affected both the players' physical and mental states, leading to subpar performances on the court.

Challenging Travel Schedule and Its Impact

Alan Hahn sets the stage by describing the grueling travel itinerary the Knicks have endured:

“[00:36] Alan Hahn: ...fly out to San Antonio after spending the previous week out west in LA. Home. We were home for a day and a half, two days tops. Came home Sunday, played a game Monday, left, Tuesday, right. All right, that's a legit thing.”

The constant travel between the West Coast and the East Coast has left the team with minimal rest, resulting in severe exhaustion. Don LaGreca echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the physical toll:

“[08:39] Don LaGreca: ...if you were ever an athlete... fatigue is a real thing. Why the hell do you think load management exists in the NBA?”

Critical Analysis of Recent Games

The hosts analyze the Knicks' recent losses, particularly focusing on the defeats against San Antonio and Charlotte. Alan Hahn criticizes Coach Tom Thibodeau's decision to stick with an eight-man rotation despite the evident fatigue:

“[06:17] Alan Hahn: ...this was a mistake. This was the game that you say to yourself, I got to give my guys a little bit of a break... But he played this thing straight.”

Don LaGreca adds that Thibodeau's reluctance to utilize bench players has hindered the team's ability to recover and perform optimally:

“[16:16] Don LaGreca: ...you are if you were ever an athlete... fatigue is a real Thing.”

Debate Over Coaching Decisions

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Coach Thibodeau's strategies. While Alan Hahn defends Thibodeau's legacy and past successes, he questions the current coaching approach amid the team's fatigue:

“[06:17] Alan Hahn:... you're heading in the wrong direction right now.”

Don LaGreca challenges the coach’s old-school mindset, advocating for more rotation and trust in bench players to mitigate fatigue:

“[20:45] Don LaGreca: ...Tibbs is still too old school. It's one game at a time, and tonight's game's the most important game.”

Player Performance and Team Morale

The conversation shifts to individual player performances affected by fatigue. Alan Hahn highlights how key players like Jalen Brunson are instrumental to the team's success and how their tiredness is palpable on the court:

“[14:08] Don LaGreca: ...they have to fight through fatigue... the loss is not a lack of talent, lack of effort, and that's fatigue.”

Don LaGreca emphasizes the mental toll on players, referencing post-game comments from Josh Hart:

“[19:25] Alan Hahn: ...Josh Hart worried about where the team is right now. Mental toughness... we have to come out next game with more intensity, more desperation.”

Listener Calls and Perspectives

The episode incorporates several listener calls, reinforcing the themes of fatigue and coaching decisions:

• Marco from Queens criticizes the bench’s defensive performance and supports the need for Coach Thibodeau to utilize bench players more effectively.

  “[25:35] C: ...your bench is terrible. Guys don't even play defense.”

• Dave from the Car discusses the importance of Jalen Brunson and expresses concern over the team's reliance on a limited player rotation.

  “[27:24] Don LaGreca: ...if you're already down your best player, any team in the league is going to be in trouble.”

• Dan highlights the physical and mental exhaustion from back-to-back travels and its impact on game performance.

  “[30:50] D: Happy Friday, boys... fatigue is certainly a factor in how you play.”

Implications for the Future and NBA Scheduling

The hosts and callers ponder the broader implications of the Knicks' fatigue on NBA scheduling practices. Alan Hahn draws parallels with other sports, questioning why the NBA hasn't adapted its schedule to accommodate the modern athlete's needs:

“[35:13] Alan Hahn: ...the days of Cal Ripken Jr. Playing every game, Michael Jordan playing every game, that just seems to be over now.”

Don LaGreca supports this viewpoint, suggesting that the NBA needs to rethink its scheduling to prevent player burnout:

“[36:10] Don LaGreca: ...they have a schedule of 16 days or 22 days where you're on the road for 16 nights...”

Conclusion and Forward Look

The episode concludes with a consensus that the Knicks' current trajectory is unsustainable without significant adjustments to coaching strategies and scheduling. The hosts express concern over the team's ability to recover and perform in the postseason, urging for changes that prioritize player health and effective rotation.

Additionally, the hosts hint at upcoming topics, including Sam Rosen’s retirement, signaling a shift towards celebrating long-standing sports personalities.

Notable Quotes:

• Alan Hahn [00:36]: “...fly out to San Antonio after spending the previous week out west in LA... that’s a legit thing.”

• Don LaGreca [08:39]: “Fatigue is a real Thing. Why the hell do you think load management exists in the NBA?”

• Alan Hahn [06:17]: “This was a mistake... give my guys a little bit of a break.”

• Don LaGreca [20:45]: “Tibbs is still too old school... tonight's game's the most important game.”

• Marco [25:35]: “Your bench is terrible. Guys don't even play defense.”

• Dave [27:24]: “If you're already down your best player, any team in the league is going to be in trouble.”

This comprehensive discussion emphasizes the intricate balance between managing a demanding schedule and maintaining peak team performance, highlighting the New York Knicks' current challenges and potential pathways forward.