Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – March 30, 2026 (Hour 2): Knicks, NFL Binge & Malachi Smith
Episode Overview
In this lively hour, Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg (with Don La Greca off) dig into New York sports headlines, a wild NYPD-FDNY hockey game, deep Knicks analysis following a contentious matchup with the Thunder, mock drafts and NFL quarterback debates, and close with a celebratory interview with UConn’s Malachi Smith after his team’s historic Final Four clinch. The tone throughout is energetic, opinionated, and loaded with New York sports flavor.
Highlights & Notable Moments
1. Kicking Off: FDNY vs NYPD Hockey Brawl (00:44 - 03:49)
- Hahn and Rosenberg recount the 52nd annual firefighter-police hockey game, where things got “old school 70s Broad Street Bullies hockey” and ended with a three-minute bench-clearing brawl.
- Rosenberg: “Who breaks up a fight when there’s already cops on the ice?”
- Hahn: “It’s such a rivalry... great passion. How good are the guys? Some are college-level, the rest are beer league—but all are ready to drop the gloves.”
[01:43] Rosenberg: “Just imagine officiating this game... the refs just stood there like, ‘Oh my God, I’m not breaking this up.’”
2. “Drops” Tournament and Show Tradition (04:14 - 05:37)
- Listeners get an update on the show’s in-joke “drop-off” tournament, ranking greatest show sound drops.
- Hahn & Rosenberg crack up over drops like "Filth bag," "Southern Allen," and “You suck Pusick.”
- Hahn: “Don’s all right, you’re a sex star. Filth bag is pretty great. It's kind of underrated great.”
- Rosenberg: “Anthony’s zesty. That was a good one... but 'you suck Pusick' ironically still in business.”
3. Knicks Recap: Frustration vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder (05:39 - 16:57)
A. Officiating Drama: Knicks, Thunder, and Foul Complaints
- Knicks lose to Oklahoma City and the show zeroes in on a recurring team flaw: over-focus on refereeing.
- Thunder labeled as the "Duke of the NBA":
- Hahn: "[The Thunder] are maddening to play against."
- Rosenberg: "Are they the Duke of the NBA?" (06:19)
- Hahn: "They kind of are right, where they're really good and you just gotta tip your cap."
B. SGA’s Style and the Art of Drawing Fouls
- Deep breakdown on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s (SGA) uncanny ability to get to the line even on off nights.
- Hahn: "You're talking about... the greatest players ever lived, that's who does it."
- Rosenberg: "It's understanding the game and being able to control it... the game is played at your pace." (08:23)
- They compare SGA’s approach to past greats and debate the entertainment value of his style.
- Guest Analyst (10:58): “We spent so much energy worrying about the officials... They had more turnovers, more second chance points... the officials had nothing to do with that.”
- On SGA: “His body control is amazing. He knows when and who to attack... gamesmanship to get the call. So I take my hat off to him.” (11:29)
- Rosenberg: “Does that sound like a compliment or a backhanded compliment?” (12:02)
- They equate the evolution of foul-hunting (“flopping”) from Ginobili to LeBron to Harden to SGA—questioning if it’s good for the NBA.
C. “Is SGA Fun to Watch?” – The Broader NBA Aesthetic Debate
- The hosts discuss which NBA stars are truly enjoyable (“breathtaking”) to watch.
- Hahn: “Luka – breathtaking. Ant Edwards – as fun as anyone. Tyrese Maxey – fast as hell. Jaylen Brown.”
- Rosenberg: “Do I want to pay to watch [SGA] play? I can name many I’d rather see first... He’ll be a Hall of Famer, but does that mean what he’s doing is great for the game?” (14:56)
- They broaden the discussion to Steph Curry, the copycat phenomenon, and unintended consequences for basketball’s next generation:
- Hahn: “As much as I love him, I don’t think Steph has been good for the game. I don’t need everyone else trying to do Steph Curry.” (15:51)
- Rosenberg: “Steph looks small on the court... He looks relatable—‘I can do that.’ But you can’t.”
- Allen Iverson is invoked as another “looks doable, but isn’t” Hall of Famer.
4. Knicks Fan Calls: Cat Critique & Team Confidence (18:37 - 24:54)
Ernest from Brooklyn
- NYC caller, a self-admitted Nets-turned-Knicks fan, doubts Knicks’ playoff ceiling and laments Karl-Anthony Towns (“Cat”) as "soft" and not capitalizing on mismatches.
- Ernest: “Cat... has a very low NBA IQ... they consistently put smaller people on him... he should dominate and he doesn’t.”
- Hahn: “There’s something missing with Cat and being aggressive. When he has a 6’5” dude on him... he doesn’t have that mentality. I can’t understand why, no one can.”
Gilbert in the Truck
- Chimes in with similar Cat skepticism, suggesting he needs a “smaller market” to feel bigger: “If I was that big, man, I’d be dunking over all them dudes… He’s too mild mannered.”
Host’s Response
- Hahn and Rosenberg defend Towns’ character but echo frustration with his tentativeness:
- Hahn: “If it’s not working with Cat, it’s not because he’s a me-guy. That is not what this is. ...Maybe it’s because he’s not enough of a me-guy.” (23:00)
- Calls for more assertiveness: “You’re an all-NBA player, six-time All-Star, probably four-time after this year. ...How about instead of focusing on how can I fit in to help us win, how about how can I make sure I’m not the reason why we lose?”
5. The NFL "Binge" – Mock Drafts and QB Debates (27:12 - 39:40)
A. “NFL Binge” Debuts: Jets Detours and Quarterback Search
- Anthony Pucic joins for an extended segment on the latest Matt Miller mock draft and QB prospect Ty Simpson’s draft fate.
- Lighthearted banter about Anthony’s role (“He’s my friend!”) before diving into draft mechanics.
B. Analysis of Mock Draft Developments
- NY Jets take an edge rusher and receiver in round one and nab Ty Simpson, Alabama QB, as the 33rd pick:
- Rosenberg: “If this is reality, that’s exactly where you want to take him, isn’t it?” (33:22)
- Hahn: “If you get him in round two...you can have Geno Smith bridge the gap.... The last thing you want them doing is forcing the quarterback pick.”
- They discuss pitfalls of “outside the building” pressure to start rookie QBs, and compare to Jalen Hurts’ trajectory.
- Hahn: “If you take a quarterback that isn’t ready that high, too many forces tell you he has to play and he doesn’t have to.”
C. QB Market Run-Down
- Where will other QBs land? Penn State’s Drew Aller to the Rams (if McVay likes him, “I change my opinion”) and Georgia’s Carson Beck projected as a third-rounder.
6. Malachi Smith Interview: The Bronx, St. Raymond, and an Iconic Shot (43:47 – 52:55)
A. Setting the Scene
- Malachi Smith, redshirt senior guard for UConn and Bronx native, joins after UConn’s buzzer-beater win over Duke to clinch a Final Four spot.
- Hahn: “Congratulations. A trip to the Final Four... What was going through your mind in that moment?” (44:56)
B. The Final Minute: In His Words
- Malachi Smith: “With a minute left, I was on the bench... I told myself in my head, ‘Man, I went out fighting. I had a great career.’ And then coach put me back in. We just wanted to get something up on the rim. Burling pulled it from half... I sprinted and jumped on him. That was probably the happiest I’ve ever been.” (45:44)
- On The Shot: “I’ve seen him make those shots [in practice]. He’s really a flamethrower. …[He] just missed four straight, then hit probably the biggest shot of his career.” (46:54)
C. Viral Moments and Team Resilience
- The hosts play him the Duke radio call, in which the opposing announcer accuses him of running off the bench (“That should be a technical”).
- Smith laughs: “No, I was on the court.”
- Smith recounts UConn's never-say-die attitude: “We’ve been in multiple high-energy, high-intensity games... at halftime, the coaches told us the right words at the right time... one war at a time, each possession.” (49:49)
- What’s next? “Everything just boosted up... I’m still shocked we won. I’m just gonna enjoy the moment... but tomorrow, make sure we’re locked in.” (50:38)
D. Bronx Roots and Sandwich Debate
- Hahn: “You’re from the Bronx. What’s your bodega or cart breakfast order?” (51:01)
- Smith: “Bacon and egg. I don’t eat cheese.”
- Rosenberg & Hahn: Both share they also don’t always go for cheese—solidarity ensues.
E. Closing Words
- Smith is savoring every moment, not feeling nervous: “Nothing but joy and excitement… We’re just ready to win these next two games.”
- Hahn: “Malachi Smith is the kind of story why you love the tournament so much. …He was part of winning tournament games as a starter and made sure he was the first one with that hug for when the shot went down.” (53:11)
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- Rosenberg, on NYPD-FDNY hockey brawl: “Who breaks up a fight when there’s already cops on the ice?” (01:47)
- Hahn, on SGA: “Name the player who has that skill set... struggling to score in other ways, and they find a way to grab 10 or 15 or 20 points from the line...” (08:01)
- Guest Analyst (Knicks): “We spent so much energy worrying about the officials. They had more turnovers... the officials had nothing to do with that.” (10:58)
- Malachi Smith: “When he made [the shot], I just sprinted over and jumped on him. That was probably the happiest I’ve ever been.” (45:44)
- Malachi Smith: “I just don’t eat cheese. I just don’t like the texture.” (51:28)
- Hahn: “Malachi Smith is the kind of story why you love the tournament so much...” (53:11)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:44 – FDNY-NYPD Hockey Brawl
- 04:14 – “Drop-off” soundboard tournament updates
- 05:39 – 16:57 – Knicks/Thunder Referee Debate, SGA, entertainment value of NBA stars
- 18:37 – 24:54 – Knicks callers, Karl-Anthony Towns: Strength, psyche, and assertiveness
- 27:12 – 39:40 – NFL Mock Draft deep dive, Jets, Ty Simpson, QB philosophy
- 43:47 – 52:55 – Malachi Smith on UConn’s Final Four-clinching win, Bronx pride, team resilience, and breakfast orders
Takeaways
- The hosts blend humor, candor, and real basketball analysis, offering both the casual fan and the serious observer a great slice of New York sports radio.
- They provide insightful commentary on evolving NBA play styles and what’s gained/lost for the league, and tackle fan frustrations over team stars like Karl-Anthony Towns.
- The highlight interview with Malachi Smith captures the joy and unpredictability of March Madness and spotlights the unique personal stories that make college tournaments electric.
Recommended for:
Anyone who loves high-energy New York sports talk, insightful NBA analysis, NFL draft obsessiveness, or the magic of March Madness.