Hour 2: Knicks-Pacers & Talk About It Tuesday

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Knicks-Pacers & Talk About It Tuesday

Release Date: May 20, 2025

Hosts:

• Don La Greca – ESPN New York and New Jersey sports legend
• Alan Hahn – Long-time sportswriter and New York Knicks broadcaster
• Peter Rosenberg – Highly opinionated Hip Hop veteran and WWE personality
• Guest: Kendrick Perkins – Former NBA player and sports analyst

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Segment 1: Knicks vs. Pacers Playoff Showdown

Timestamp: 00:44 - 20:56

The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic discussion about the impending Game 1 between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. The hosts delve into the strategic dynamics of the series, emphasizing key player matchups and the historical rivalry between the two teams.

Key Topics:

• Playoff Expectations: The hosts express excitement and anticipation for the conference finals matchup, highlighting the rarity of such high-stakes series in the NBA.

  Don Hahn (01:34): "Oh, boy."

• Team Strategies: Detailed analysis of how both teams plan to neutralize each other's star players. Kendrick Perkins and Peter Rosenberg discuss the importance of controlling key matchups, such as Siakam vs. Anunoby and Halliburton vs. Brunson.

  Kendrick Perkins (19:24): "Are you guys. That's where it all is coming in the building tomorrow."

• Player Focus: Emphasis on the performance and potential of Karl-Anthony Towns for the Knicks and Tyrese Haliburton for the Pacers. The conversation touches on their past performances and what they need to accomplish to lead their teams to victory.

  Don Hahn (12:08): "That's what all it takes. And I think car. Anthony Towns could have that moment."

• Team Familiarity: Don Hahn underscores the comfort level due to the familiarity between the teams from their previous seven-game series, noting improvements and changes since then.

  Don Hahn (15:30): "It might be a media thing, it might be something in New York, but I'm telling you the one thing that makes me really comfortable about this series, unlike the previous two, is the familiarity."

Notable Quotes:

• Kendrick Perkins (02:14): "He's Joe McEwen."
• Don Hahn (17:57): "There's definitely a sense of hatred for each other, so I think that makes a good rivalry."

---

Segment 2: Talk About It Tuesday – The Pressure of Sports Media

Timestamp: 20:56 - 37:16

In the "Talk About It Tuesday" segment, the hosts shift focus to the intense scrutiny athletes face from sports media, particularly tabloids. The discussion centers on mental health, the unrealistic expectations placed on players, and the impact of media narratives.

Key Topics:

• Juan Soto's Media Pressure: Kendrick Perkins initiates the conversation by criticizing the relentless tabloid coverage of Juan Soto, arguing that the media's desperation to generate stories often distorts the reality of athletes' lives.

  Kendrick Perkins (28:14): "But the desperation of the tabloids to sell newspapers is oftentimes the driving force in the actual conversation about our athletes in this city."

• Mental Health Awareness: The hosts emphasize the importance of mental well-being for athletes, advocating for breaking the stigma around seeking help.

  Kendrick Perkins (28:10): "Let's encourage everyone to take care of their well being and break the stigma."

• Listener Interaction: A caller named Ralph from New Jersey shares his frustration with Juan Soto's move from the Yankees to the Mets, feeling that it disrespects the Hispanic community and loyal Yankees fans.

  Ralph (49:31): "I was at the game Friday... I still feel like it was disrespectful. To leave the Yankees and now with all the rumors that are coming out that he wanted to stay and the things with the mother."

• Hosts' Rebuttal: The hosts respond by defending Soto, arguing that players have the right to seek the best opportunities and that blaming them for their career moves oversimplifies the complexities of professional sports.

  Peter Rosenberg (53:36): "And also like no Red Sox fans, what do they care? Like that he betrayed the. Wouldn't they be happy that he betrayed the Yankee fans?"

Notable Quotes:

• Kendrick Perkins (28:13): "It was a good rant."
• Don Hahn (28:40): "Playing in New York City, that's what makes it so difficult."

---

Segment 3: Offbeat Conversations and Humor

Timestamp: 37:16 - 43:12

The conversation takes a lighter turn as the hosts share humorous anecdotes and engage in playful banter. Topics include roadwork frustrations, the absurdity of certain Olympic sports, and imaginative product endorsements.

Key Topics:

• Pothole Repairs: Don Hahn humorously complains about inefficient road repairs, suggesting the use of Flex Seal as a quick fix.

  Don Hahn (28:40): "A one piece seamless wall for a watertight fit. And get this, a lifetime guarantee."

• Olympic Flag Football: Peter Rosenberg critiques the inclusion of NFL players in Olympic flag football, questioning the legitimacy and competitiveness of such a move.

  Peter Rosenberg (31:05): "Now you have NFL players, therefore they're gonna play against who?"

• Fanatics Games Promotion: The hosts briefly discuss the upcoming Fanatics Games, where professional athletes and fans compete in various sports-themed challenges for prizes.

  Don Hahn (47:13): "I like the washer dryer."

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg (33:07): "You're already out."
• Kendrick Perkins (36:05): "That's a great point."

---

Segment 4: Closing Remarks and Upcoming Features

Timestamp: 43:12 - 49:07

As the episode winds down, the hosts preview upcoming segments, including an interview with Kendrick Perkins about Knicks basketball. They also highlight sponsor messages and encourage listeners to engage with the show through various platforms.

Key Topics:

• Upcoming Interview: Announcement of Kendrick Perkins joining the show to discuss Knicks basketball in-depth.

  Peter Rosenberg (49:21): "So you're going to see NFL players. And we saw this, I think in the."

• Sponsor Highlights: Brief mentions of sponsors like Amazon Prime, Lowe's, Mint Mobile, and Fanatics Games, interspersed with humorous asides.

Notable Quotes:

• Don Hahn (49:21): "You know, it's good. Hear more of Don Hahn and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN."
• Kendrick Perkins (49:07): "I'm here with my family. Exactly. You never know what's, what's going to come up."

---

Conclusion

In this episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, the hosts provide an insightful analysis of the Knicks-Pacers playoff series, delving into team strategies and player performances. The "Talk About It Tuesday" segment shines a light on the mental health challenges athletes face amidst media pressure, using Juan Soto's recent career moves as a case study. Balancing serious discussions with humor and light-hearted banter, the hosts engage listeners with both sports commentary and relatable anecdotes. The episode wraps up with previews of upcoming interviews and promotional segments, maintaining an entertaining and informative tone throughout.

Overall Notable Quotes:

• Kendrick Perkins (28:14): "But the desperation of the tabloids to sell newspapers is oftentimes the driving force in the actual conversation about our athletes in this city."
• Peter Rosenberg (53:36): "You never lied to you ever. He never pulled a John Tavares."

---

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions on basketball playoffs, athlete mental health, and the interplay between sports and media, all while maintaining the engaging and dynamic style characteristic of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

At gmc, ignorance is the furthest thing from bliss. Bliss is research, testing, testing the testing until it results in not just one truck, but a whole lineup. The 2025 GMC Sierra lineup, featuring the Sierra, 1500, Heavy Duty, and EV. Because true bliss is removing every shadow from every doubt. We are professional grade. Visit gmc.com to learn more. This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, tomorrow's a big day. Knicks and the Pacers, game one, Madison Square Garden. Of course, if you're going to be in the Jersey area, Carlin and Bart. Bart. Bart. And I always say Barton Hahn, because that was the show before.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Hell of a show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right at it.

[Don Hahn]

We were Barton Hahn for a segment on get up this morning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bart and Carlin.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Oh, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Getting after it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Back together.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Back together. So you can go see them at Clifton, New Jersey, at Tommy's Tavern in Tap Tommy's. So check that out. Game eight o' clock.

[Don Hahn]

And.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And just to give you the lay of the land for tomorrow, guys, we're going to be on 880 to start, and then at 6 we're going to go to our coverage of Yankees, of the Mets and Red Sox.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, boy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But flip over to 1050 at 6 and of course you can listen to the app and you won't have to flip. But if you listen on the radio, flip over to 1050, we'll be there right up into Pat O' Keefe in the pregame at 7 o' clock for game one, Nixon Pacers.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And you know, they said to me, peter, we're gonna be off air. Then you know, Alan's gonna be working. They said, don, he'll do whatever. But we're gonna.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We.

[Kendrick Perkins]

We want you to not work. We think you deserve the rest. And I said, no. I said, no, put me on 1050, coach. I need. Yeah. I said, just again, just like today, he's no man.

[Don Hahn]

He's no Juan Soto.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No, no, no.

[Don Hahn]

He's Joe McEwen.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And they said, no. But Peter, it's not 880. You'll be just on 1050 in the app. I went, I don't care.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Keep me on.

[Don Hahn]

Am I on the air? Am I on the air somewhere? It's all I care about.

[Kendrick Perkins]

You know what? Podcast it. I don't care.

[Don Hahn]

The people need this.

[Kendrick Perkins]

So we will be on any. Anytime there's a game day. Even if we were going to be off early because of Mets coverage. We said no. So we will take it as up as close to tip as we can.

[Don Hahn]

Right? Right at the tip.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Yeah, Right there.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Kendrick Perkins]

It's my favorite part.

[Don Hahn]

Just the tip.

[Kendrick Perkins]

That's right.

[Don Hahn]

Are you guys. That's where it all is coming in the building tomorrow. Yeah. Game one of the conference finals. This doesn't come around much. You know, this is every quarter century you get this.

[Kendrick Perkins]

I know, I know.

[Don Hahn]

Like, no.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Well, I'd have to.

[Don Hahn]

Like, you got anything else to do?

[Kendrick Perkins]

I'd have to. Remember, guys, I'm not like you, okay? I don't have a thing in my pocket that says I get to go to Madison Square Garden whenever I want.

[Don Hahn]

Well, wait, wait. You are one of the co hosts on afternoon drive at the station.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And we're a partner of the Knicks, last time I checked.

[Don Hahn]

Which. Yes.

[Kendrick Perkins]

But I still think I'd have to do some work, and I haven't done the work.

[Don Hahn]

Well, we need to do this.

[Kendrick Perkins]

So I think the first one I'd be thinking about is maybe game five. Because Friday, game two, I'm starting my Memorial Day. Of course, it'll be in absolute garbage weather, Memorial Day weekend.

[Don Hahn]

Because Sunday night is game two.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Kendrick Perkins]

You're thinking of the finals. No, we're dealing with the conference finals.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Friday, Sunday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This starts game three.

[Don Hahn]

I'm sorry, three.

[Kendrick Perkins]

I'm here for you.

[Don Hahn]

You're saying Monday.

[Kendrick Perkins]

You're dealing with a lot of schedules.

[Don Hahn]

You were saying Monday, so.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No.

[Don Hahn]

So there's no game Monday.

[Kendrick Perkins]

There is no game Monday. I would be dealing with Thursday. No, I said. I said my first time in the building would be 5, which is next Thursday. I believe that will be my first time in the building.

[Don Hahn]

Let me see.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Because I'm currently working on a Tuesday.

[Don Hahn]

Thursday. Yeah.

[Kendrick Perkins]

I'm working on a watch party for game four on Tuesday.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And then maybe I'd be in the building. But here's the problem. My wife is the actual true school New Yorker, you know, fraud baseball fan. But when it comes to basketball, and that's the thing about this team, there's only one team. It's the Knicks. She loves the Knicks. Her Knicks are the. She's the Sprewell Allen, Houston Knicks. That's her childhood.

[Don Hahn]

Love it.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Yeah, she has some awesome printed photos of, like, old school, 35 millimeters from when she was a kid at those. When her dad got her tickets to a game once.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But.

[Kendrick Perkins]

So I'd kind of like to bring her if I go.

[Don Hahn]

Okay. Problem.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Not getting the sense that an Easy situation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You are a co host.

[Kendrick Perkins]

I know.

[Don Hahn]

On afternoon drive.

[Kendrick Perkins]

That's exactly what I said to our program director.

[Don Hahn]

Swing it one time. One time.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Listen, I'm gonna do whatever I can. I'd like to get her in the building at some point here, you know what I mean? But I just forked over the most money I've ever forked over for a ticket for Ms. Beyonce on Sunday. I did it. I bit the bullet. I actually, I'm gonna tell you guys right now, I've never done this. I've never spent my max for a ticket to anything. Was probably like 200 bucks. I went above that for the. And it hurt my. It hurt my soul. You know the song. The Beyonce has a song called Break My Soul. That's what buying her tickets did. It broke my soul.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Kendrick Perkins]

But I did it. So I have to just prioritize. And then what if they make the finals? Don't you want to save it? If you're going to go and this is a real problem for everybody. Don't you want to save it? There are Knicks fans out there going, am I going to wait and just try to splurge? But finals would be impossible to even do.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. That's why now you gotta be.

[Kendrick Perkins]

I heard it's two grand. I heard tomorrow if you want to get in the building, lower bowl. Two grand.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, God, yes. Yeah, yeah. Second mortgage.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Now you think you wait. What if you wait till tip again? Back to tip. What if you. What if you wait?

[Don Hahn]

Didn't we have a caller who said she waited like right before 600. Got in for 600. Got him for 600 for the clincher. Yes. That's a hot ticket. 600.

[Kendrick Perkins]

That's not that bad.

[Don Hahn]

Wait it out. And you just can't care where you're sitting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And if you freak and think they're not going to get anything and they'll.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And if. And particularly I recommend that if you're single parent tickets harder. People needing to unload the one. They had four tickets. One buddy bailed.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Kendrick Perkins]

They're getting rid of it at. At Tipo.

[Don Hahn]

And you also have to be in Manhattan, clearly because you. You can't do this at like four o' clock. This just. This feels like seven thirty tips games at eight you're. You're. Yeah. Seven thirty is when you check.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Oh no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. At.

[Kendrick Perkins]

If it's. If it's an 8 o' clock tip. You're watching it at 7:30 from home. You're like, oh, it's going down. You getting you're heading over, you're getting to the building. And I literally, I'm purchasing as I walk in. By the way, this is what people are doing with all the big events because the secondary market's such a ripoff everywhere, that the only way to try to beat these people is wait till they're desperate. And even the secondary market people, they're not getting nothing. They have to get something. And they're not gonna. If they have a $2,000 price tag on a ticket in section 107, they are not gonna let it not sell at 2,000. If that means they have to get down back to $500. They're getting down to $500 something.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Now, I'm also wondering this. Tomorrow, I don't think we're going to get the. I think the first two rounds, you saw a lot of people hanging around the arena and hanging around the area and waiting for, you know, all the frolicking and everything else.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Lots of frolicking.

[Don Hahn]

I don't think we're going to. We're going to see much more of this, really. I don't think the city wants it.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Well, you think.

[Don Hahn]

And I think there's a lot of Knicks fans that are like, okay, this was fun, but now it's sort of. This is not time for this. Now, if they get to the finals and there's a clinching game, all bets are off. We all know this, of course, but I just. For some reason, the vibe I'm getting for most people is that. That what happened after Game 6 was sort of a release, right? It was just a release. It was a Friday night, you know, like it was so much to it that it just felt like that was just pent up energy that finally got out. I don't think you're going to see that in this round.

[Kendrick Perkins]

I like the positive energy, I'm telling you.

[Don Hahn]

I don't, I don't.

[Kendrick Perkins]

It's wishful.

[Don Hahn]

I don't think you're going to see it at that level. Not until there's a clincher.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Until there's a clincher.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, clincher. Like I said, all bets are off.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Kendrick Perkins]

You know what?

[Don Hahn]

But there was something with you about a Friday night. There's already a blowout. Halftime. It was a blowout, which means people who weren't around could get in. They all came in in time for the end of the game. So there was a lot of that happening on a Friday night, I believe.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Get game one. There'll be a nice crowd, of course, at the Fan Zone. Fan Plaza, whatever. It will not be close to that original.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Kendrick Perkins]

But when it gets to clinch night. Yeah, you're going to have to really bring in level.

[Don Hahn]

Level four mobilization.

[Kendrick Perkins]

You're going to need level four mobilization. It's if they win again. And guys, I'm telling you. Q Tip from Tribe Called Quest, a friend of the show. Yeah, God bless him. Talk to him Saturday. He sounds completely different. I've never heard this sort of excitement from him.

[Don Hahn]

Like when Chuck D. Called in. Did you ever hear him other than in a song? I hear him.

[Kendrick Perkins]

So he sounded like welcome to the Terror Dome. I mean, so mad.

[Don Hahn]

He normally is just so calm. Like, I love talking to him. I've never heard him.

[Kendrick Perkins]

So I'm going to play when we go to break and maybe we can edit it. Q. Tip sent me a video today of him filming the first take when I was on and he didn't like one of my takes. I said that the question was who has the most to prove in this series and Halliburton or Cat? Yeah, I said cat. I heard you say cat and I mean that. I think you can argue it both ways, but I chose the Cat argument.

[Don Hahn]

It's not a terrible take.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No, I think you can argue it either way.

[Don Hahn]

But the Halliburton side of it was a really good.

[Kendrick Perkins]

It's a compelling side to it because.

[Don Hahn]

Of all the things that have followed him into this.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Yeah, but Tip was. He's cursing me out. He's apoplectic. He didn't like it that I even questioned that. Tyrese, that Cat hasn't proven himself. But I really think this series, when you look at what Cat has been since he got here, Don multiplied by what they gave up to get him here, plus the reputation that he had previously season that he had in the regular season, the inconsistency of the postseason. He had the one Detroit game where we just saw him become a man.

[Don Hahn]

And then we saw the Boston game one to two.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His.

[Don Hahn]

His game four was.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Yeah, he had two, really two good Boston games. But the. The rest of the playoffs, he hasn't been that guy. Miles Turner is a good matchup, but.

[Don Hahn]

This, yeah, this series is built for him.

[Kendrick Perkins]

This is built. He crushes them. He crushed them in three games this year. Drilled it from three point. This is a great moment for him to kind of. Jalen's already done. He's. He's a Nick hall of Famer. He's in the rafters. This series has the opportunity to do it now.

[Don Hahn]

But you know, we talk about having Your Yankee moment, having your Met moment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

This series because, like, Mikhail Bridges had his Knicks moment.

[Kendrick Perkins]

He did.

[Don Hahn]

He's had two of them.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Yeah, right.

[Don Hahn]

He's had him. Cat has had some, like, hints of it, but it's like early in the game he's like. And then it kind of fades. This series could be his Knicks signature moment. This is where you establish yourself, where you get roots. And the fans now are like, like, you know, again, Larry Johnson, four point play. Larry Johnson did a lot of good things as a Knick. Really, a lot of good things. But fans from that moment on embraced him. He can't leave. He can't go anywhere. He can do no wrong in our eyes. Right. Like that stuff. Alan Houston was highly criticized. Made that shot against Miami.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Big time criticized.

[Don Hahn]

That's it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, right. He had his moment.

[Don Hahn]

Right. That's all it takes. And I think car. Anthony Towns could have that moment. Now, again against Detroit, he made two shots that were just unreal that help them win a game. But this year, a whole series of you walking away going, oh, that was the Cat series. That was the Town series.

[Kendrick Perkins]

You're telling me, Don, he could have a series where he has 30 and 15 every night against his team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And let's not forget, guys, he was the main piece of that trade.

[Don Hahn]

Of course.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So now he comes over and in that first year, there's some place they haven't been in 25 years. So he doesn't have the pressure that Brunson has, because Brunson's the leader. But he was brought here for this moment.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Halliburton was drafted. You know, I don't think he feels the same.

[Don Hahn]

They traded for him. That was a. That's turned. Their. Their franchise got turned around when he got there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. He got there. That was his moment.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And so I think clearly Peter got that right.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Well, and Halliburton has sort of been this guy, if you really. I love Tyrese. I really do. He's like a. I, I don't know, we're certainly not friends, but he's the homie when I see him from WWE. Great guy, legit hardcore Mark for WWE. Love him. He's an 18 to 20 point guy who in big moments can hit big shots and bust out a 30 point game.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Kendrick Perkins]

He's not Jalen Brunson. He's not a superstar. He's a really, really good player, I don't think. Oh, by the way, he also is a stud in a secondary market. They love him there. All right. His Sacramento didn't even happen. He's a Pacer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know. That's what I mean.

[Kendrick Perkins]

He's locked in there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's locked into it.

[Kendrick Perkins]

It's different. Even if he's great, it's locked in. But Katie, it's a different situation. It's funny, I was reading the Indy star today because he doing the work. And even in the Indy stars breakdown of this series, they gave the edge to the Knicks in four out of five starting positions. You know, and I don't want to sleep on the Spacers team. They are a really good team who got slept on all year. But the Knicks are a better team at least 1 through 5.

[Don Hahn]

On paper.

[Peter Rosenberg]

On paper. Because this is what really scares me about this series. And I, and I brought it up yesterday about the comparisons with Detroit in a sense of defensively.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How well the Pacers play defensively. Number one, number two, how well they played at the end of the season. You know, we're all talking about well, how have you played recently? They only finished a game behind the Knicks. They played out of their minds at the end of the second best record and then. And they got better defensively. This, I think the Knicks are going to have to play a lot better than they played in the Boston series. And because even though the Celtics were better, I think this Pacer team is playing much. They're at their peak right now. They're, they're clicking. And we could talk about the injuries as the reason why they beat Cleveland. They still beat Cleveland, the number one seed, the best team in the Eastern Conference pretty much all year long and made short work of them. So I'm nervous. I don't believe the players are going to feel this, but don't look past this Pacer team. There is this, this sense of it's all laid out for you, but is it really? When you consider the fact that this Pacer team is really good, don't get caught up on what their seed was. They, you can make the case but for through 82 games they were right there with the Knicks playing great at the end of the season. Just had a great. They've only lost two games in the postseason time.

[Don Hahn]

It's not lost on this group.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. That's all that matters.

[Don Hahn]

It might be a media thing, it might be something in New York, but I'm telling you the one thing that makes me really comfortable about this series, unlike the previous two, is the familiarity. These two teams know each other. They had a seven game series last year. Now there's a different version of The Knicks this year compared to that team and that, that Nick team had, they. I mean, they were leaking oil. By the time they got to game seven, there was nobody available. Everybody's hurt. There was no Mitchell Robinson, obviously. Towns wasn't there. Randall didn't play at all in the playoffs. So it was a whole lot of Brunson until he got hurt in the second half of Game 7. Anunoby had no hamstring whatsoever.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

So he tried to come back in Game 7 and just couldn't. Couldn't move. Hart's dealing with some type of a core injury, so they, you know, they, they were not the same team they are now, but there's a familiarity because the Pacers haven't changed the way they play. It's what they do and they do it very well. The Knicks look different, so there's a familiarity that makes me comfortable enough to sit back and not be curious about how's this going to work. I know what to expect right just now to see it play out. Nobody's injured, everybody's healthy. There's no excuses. This, like I said yesterday, I am so looking forward to this playoff series because I don't feel any anxiety. I am really curious to see how.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This goes, but I just do think the narrative has been built up that the path is clear. They're the favorites and all that. They should be and they should be. But. And I'm not even talking about the Knicks taking the Pacers lightly. It's going to take everything, I think, to beat this team. So I don't think they're going to underrate them. The fans maybe do, but that doesn't affect them. Yeah, I just, I just be a little careful of this Pacer team. I think they're very, very dangerous. Team that went six that struggled at home against the Pistons, there's a better team than the Pistons and I think if you put up a similar effort that you did against Boston against this Pacer team, this Pacer team's not going to blow back to back 20 point leads. Okay. If anything, they could probably come back, as you said yesterday, from deficits more than.

[Don Hahn]

They're the team that you, if you take a big lead on, you can't ever think you're comfortable. That's the difference.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just be careful.

[Don Hahn]

Well, here's Carl Anthony Towns talking about the Knicks Pacers rivalry. There's definitely a sense of hatred for each other, so I think that makes a good rivalry.

[Kendrick Perkins]

They have a history of finding a.

[Don Hahn]

Way to end each other's season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you know, it's up to us.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Now to add our names into history.

[Don Hahn]

And see what we could do. Now, Towns is very aware of this because not only with his father, but his late mother was a. She loved the Knicks and it was the late 90s. Knicks was like her favorite team. Her dream was for her son to play for the Knicks. She always would think about it and talk about it. He grew up in, obviously in New Jersey and so very, very aware of that history. This is not him just making it up as he goes in his family, which they're all from this area. They are very aware of what this series means. So he's well versed in it. And then Brunson and Halliburton, I know nobody wants to hear this. I'm not going to say they're best friends, but they. They do have a group chat. Like they do know each other. He and Hart and Brunson and Halliburton all played together on not the Olympic team, but the Seattle summer before that, the world championship team.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And they have the. Brunson, him have the wrestling, and they have that connection.

[Don Hahn]

So there's actually a familiarity and also like an appreciation of each other. So Brunson talked about that in his head to head with Tyrese. Halliburt didn't really know Tyrese until we.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Played like USA Basketball together.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We knew of each other. Great player.

[Don Hahn]

He's done a lot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's quieted a lot of people. He's obviously their engine and they go.

[Don Hahn]

As he goes and he does a lot for their team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So it's going to be tough task, but I think as a team, we.

[Don Hahn]

Just got to sit together and do what we do and control what we can control. But happy obviously, for success. But this is, like I said, this.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Is a new challenge for us.

[Don Hahn]

Both teams have the same objective. Head of the snake. Aliburton's the head of the snake there. Mikhail Bridges is probably going to get that assignment. They're going to have a million screens for him, of course, and try to get Mikhail Bridges off him. And an OBI's job is not going to be him. It's going to be Siakam and neutralize that matchup, which he did for the first two games until he got hurt of last year's series. So you can't have what you had against the Pistons, which is Anunoby. And Bridges just took turns defending Cade Cunningham. So Josh Hart and Mikhail Bridges are going to get most of the work against Halliburton. So that take the head of the Snake. And you know, for Brunson, it's going to be Nemhard, Niecemith and some Matheran and even McConnell and they're going to pick him up 50ft, 52ft, 54ft from the basket and make him work his way up the floor against all kinds of physical defense. So both teams have the same objective and it's, that's why it's the secondary. Guys, is Siakam going to outplay Anunoby and score or is Towns going to win his matchup and be a leader? I think that's what you do. The head of the Snakes are both going to be tried to take out of the series. What are the second guys? The Raptors traded for Siakam, an all Star so that they can get a guy who could score, who has playoff experience. The Knicks did the same thing with Towns. Which one of those guys has the better series?

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, we're getting closer to it. 1-800-919-3776. We'll hold off on the calls for just a second, however, because we got let's talk about it Tuesday. I got a good one. Yeah, I think Alan's feeling it too. And Peter's always got something. So we're going to have that coming up at 4:30 at the bottom of the hour. And then we'll take you right up to Mets and Red Sox from Fenway right here on 880 ESPN New York and the ESPN New York Apple.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, it's Alan Haunt here to tell you about my friends at Bath Fitter. They remodeled a bath in our home. My wife Stephanie, we're so excited about this because we updated a bath that's by our pool. So we converted an old tub that nobody used into a shower so we can use it for the summer. Guests can use it and the kids have sleepovers and more. It is now a fully functional bathroom and it is wonderful. Bath Fitter consultant took us through the process with a free in home consultation to pick out style and color and all the specifics and accessories to update the bath customized the way Stephanie wanted it. Bath Fitter worked fast, delivered the highest quality work without delay. Now Bath Fitter, everybody, it's a permanent solution. A one piece seamless wall for a watertight fit. And get this, a lifetime guarantee. You can trust the Bath Fitter team like we did. They've been in business for 40 years with millions of happy customers and right now you can save up to $500. So start designing your bath like we did. Visit bathfitter.com for more details There is only one bath fitter.

[Kendrick Perkins]

This is an ad by BetterHelp for Mental Health Awareness Month. BetterHelp surveyed 1600 people across 23 countries for its first ever State of Stigma report and found that while 75% of people believe it's wise to seek support, only 27% of Americans are in therapy. When people hesitate to get help, it doesn't just affect them, it impacts families, workplaces and entire communities. Let's encourage everyone to take care of their well being and break the stigma. The world is better when people are healthy and happy. With over 35,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life, plus switch therapists at any time. We're all better with help. 72% of BetterHelp members report a reduction in symptoms. Visit betterhelp.com timeout to get 10% off your first month of therapy. That's betterhelp.com timeout.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Kendrick Perkins]

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. Sometimes you just can't take it anymore. This is let's Talk About It Tuesday with Don Hahn and Rosenberg sponsored by Better Help.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Oh yeah baby. Let's Talk About It Tuesday. It's sponsored by our Good Friends of BetterHelp Mental Health is health. And so, you know, on Tuesdays we have real conversation, real talk, serious things. I'm here with my family. Exactly. You never know what's, what's going to come up. And I'm going to start things off since I already kind of hinted at it earlier. And I'll pass the ball to you two great gentlemen. I'll pass it to Alan next because we've all learned you just don't go after Don. You never know what he's got up his sleeve. I'm not saying that there's not reasonable things to be concerned about with regard to Juan Soto. There. There are things to be concerned, disappointed in, and certainly to be hopeful that that will change. But I will say this is why it's so hard for us to have nice things in New York. Because any sort of problem that exists for a player in any market is magnified times 100. I get it, he's rich. It comes with the territory. He should have known, be thick skinned. Hey man, hustle out of the box, do the basic things. All of those things are valid comments, but it does not change the fact that more than anything, the desperation of the tabloids to sell newspapers is oftentimes the driving force in the actual conversation about our athletes in this city. And you can tell them they should be thick skinned and you should tell them that if you win here, it's unlike winning anywhere else, and it's a great story. But if I were an athlete and I didn't really care about the New York lore, it was a difference between a few more bucks and a little bit more clout to be in New York and, and to deal with the back page of the paper. I might deal with the property value in Milwaukee, have myself a nice old life, I don't know. But these moments drive me crazy. Guys, I saw KFC Barstool who said some things I didn't agree with. But one thing he did say that I'll quote, I thought was well said is that sometimes these things become like borderline fan fiction. There's truth in what we're saying, but there's a narrative and a whole story. And, and I love Michael. I consider him a dear friend. But even Michael's kind of part of contributing. I'm hearing from people that they think that no one is saying who knows these factual things. Klapish can't say it. Kay can't say it. No one knows exactly where it's coming from. It's kinda hearsay, the glumness, all these things and I've had enough. I'm done with the tabloids dictating the storylines of New York sports. That's my talk about it Tuesday. And I'll pass the mic to Mr. Alabama.

[Don Hahn]

Just put a. Put a bow on that and say, this, too shall pass.

[Kendrick Perkins]

It will and it will.

[Don Hahn]

That is always the case here. And the problem that happens with a lot of athletes is they never let it pass. And they end up doing what some athletes do, and it goes too far, and then there's no return. You know, there was no forgiveness. Like Julius Randall. Thumbs down. Right. Lindor Baez did a thumbs down. There was the lashing out. That does happen that you never come back from. And it's hard to do. It's not easy. But that's. That's.

[Kendrick Perkins]

It will pass.

[Don Hahn]

Playing in New York City, that's what makes it so difficult. But also, again, what makes it so glorious is the highs are highs and the lows are. It can be very low. Mine. I'll make this quick, Don, because I want to get out of the way of yours, which is. I know yours is newsy, so I don't waste any time. I just want to say this talk about it Tuesday. Is this moving? Road work should be banned. Should never be allowed. It doesn't make sense on a beautiful day in the middle of the day. You are punished because they decide we're going to do pothole repair today. But they're not really repairing the pothole. They're just taking out a lane, moving at a snail's pace. Five trucks, because we need five. Five trucks all in a line. There's always one poor guy that's got the shovel, and he's the one with the boiling hot asphalt dripping out of the truck with a shovel. And he's got to fill these potholes in the middle of the road.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And.

[Don Hahn]

And everybody's going slow. No one's happy. Everybody's mad. And the only guy you're mad at is the only one you could see, which is the poor guy with the shovel. I can't curse him out.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No.

[Don Hahn]

This guy doesn't want to be there either.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No.

[Don Hahn]

So I can't yell at him. It's the boss. It's his. It's his executive who decides, you know what? Today, randomly, we're gonna make this pothole repair day. Let's just take out seven exits. And you're trapped because the one exit to get out. Everybody's trying to get out. So that's backed up now. You're not moving at all. I got A solution. It's very easy. Flex seal, move on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Flex. Flex seal.

[Don Hahn]

It works on everything. It stops water. Don, you can't flex seal a hole because, you know, if you put asphalt in that hole, guess what's happening when it rains tomorrow. Another pothole. Flex seal, move on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They. They made a boat out. Out of a screen door with flex seal. I saw the commercial miracle.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And by the way, the guy was.

[Don Hahn]

With an oar in the boat, swimming around. It's great.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And no matter what, but we keep using asphalt.

[Don Hahn]

They got flex seal. They got millions of cans of this stuff. And this poor guy's got his shovel. His face is burning from the heat generating from the asphalt.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He might be dead now, this poor man.

[Don Hahn]

And I got. And everybody's beeping at him. He's probably like, what the hell you want from me? You. You think I want to be here with the shovel?

[Kendrick Perkins]

That's a great point.

[Don Hahn]

So anyway, that's my talk about it. Just get some flex seal, please. Don, floor is yours.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And by the way, if anyone in sales is listening, there should be a call to flex Seal. Go ahead.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Very exciting stuff today. I don't know if you guys have seen. The NFL owners have approved NFL players to play in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

[Don Hahn]

Football.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Flag football.

[Don Hahn]

Wait, what.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What has happened to the Olympics where we have, you know, break dancing and beach volleyball?

[Don Hahn]

What.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What is going on? Flag football is for the people that can't play tackle football. NFL players can play tackle football, so they're gonna do flag football. I'm supposed to care about this? I'm supposed to watch this. I know yo yos will because it's football, but honestly, I'm not even gonna get into the argument about what if somebody gets hurt. I don't. That's not what bothers me. What bothers me is flag football in the Olympics with NFL players. And exactly who are we playing? Who we playing?

[Kendrick Perkins]

What country?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dad and Tobago, man. They got a team there. Thank God we have the edit, because what would we do, Peter, if we didn't allow the NFL players to play? We have no shot against these other countries. So now NFL players are going to play against who?

[Kendrick Perkins]

Who?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who? I don't know.

[Kendrick Perkins]

What a great take.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't.

[Don Hahn]

I heard Germany. Germany's got a football team that you die for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm telling you, Trinidad and Tobago, because they're very protective of their flags. They're not going to let anybody take their flags away. What are we doing? It's the NFL. To the point. Now you Know what we're going to have our NFL players do?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Goal right now. 1-800-NFL's great. Patrick Mahomes going to poop in a box. $1,000. It'll have the NFL logo and he'll poop in the shape of a Chief logo. 1-800-NFL's Great Call now. Get your poop today. The NFL thinks that blank doesn't stink at this point, that they can just do anything. You know what we'll do? We'll have flag football in the Olympics. Who's watching that? Honestly?

[Don Hahn]

People. And you know what's gonna happen?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Somebody's gonna get hurt.

[Don Hahn]

Yes. And then it's like, who the hell. Like that's happening.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you crazy?

[Don Hahn]

But it's gotta be a one time only. Because the summer. It's in la. It's gotta be because it's in la. Because if the Summer Olympics is anywhere else in the world. Do you think they're doing this?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let me ask you.

[Don Hahn]

You're right. I don't know how they're going to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Have field teams for this gold medal game.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

USA versus Biafra. You're going to sit there and you're going to watch.

[Kendrick Perkins]

I love. I love Biafra.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. It's a great story. These are people that couldn't find food and now they put together a flag football scene.

[Don Hahn]

Listen, these people can run at what point?

[Peter Rosenberg]

At a thousand tonight. At what point do you turn it off, you know, and put the Met or Yankee game on? Because it'll be in the summer.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At what point you turning off when.

[Don Hahn]

Your moss is going to be slob from like, you know what country?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just want to know what country.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Has teams so made such a great point that. Yeah, who are the teams?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who they playing?

[Don Hahn]

Who are these people that is the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Greatest pumping your fist that they're like, oh, my God. Think about what we've seen in the Olympics. Russia versus the United States for the right to play in the gold medal game in 1980.

[Don Hahn]

Unreal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, the Dream Team. The Dream Team didn't have any competition, but they were playing basketball. They weren't playing water polo. Michael Jordan didn't go to Barcelona.

[Don Hahn]

Well, no, it's. It's a kick on the three on three thing. The three on three thing for the. In the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But at least they're playing basketball with two less people. This isn't football seven on seven. This is flag football.

[Don Hahn]

Do you think this is like, this is recess?

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Olympic recess. What's next?

[Don Hahn]

Dodgeball?

[Kendrick Perkins]

He's not wrong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait, we've already got break dancing. Peter. What else are we going to do?

[Kendrick Perkins]

He's not wrong. What if.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What else are they playing? It's recess.

[Don Hahn]

I got it. Wiffle ball. Major League baseball players playing wiffle ball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In the Olympics because everybody loves the NFL. I love the NFL. The NFL can't do anything again. They're peeing a cup. They're selling it for a million dollars. Get you. Get your urine. One in hundred NFL's. Great. I don't even know if that's a real number.

[Don Hahn]

People are calling that number now.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Imagine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Imagine Rob Manfred.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Oh, the Mahomes poop would be selling like hotcakes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Imagine Rob Manfred at a podium.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And says, you know what? We've just. The Major League Baseball owners have just approved that we're gonna allow our players to play wiffle ball in the Winter Olympics. We don't want to. We don't want to disrupt our season. So we're gonna play in gymnasiums. It's gonna be a winter sport. We're going to allow our great players, Aaron, Judge Ohtani, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso are going to play Olympic wiffle ball. How is it any different? Is it any different?

[Don Hahn]

No, it's the same.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wiffle and flag football are the same thing. Recess. When did the Olympics become recess? And you know what? I'm going to say it.

[Kendrick Perkins]

He's done it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll never get on. First day. I'll never get on. Get up. Why?

[Don Hahn]

Why?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't care for Roger Goodell. I don't like the cut of his joke.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Well, I've said it. I think you can still get on. Just don't say it when you're on that show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not a fan.

[Don Hahn]

Not a fan.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No, He's. No, me neither.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what?

[Kendrick Perkins]

Who's a fan?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I go to Netflix and say, give me money for games and they give me $6 billion. Doesn't make me a genius. I got NFL games. I'm sure I've met him. He's a nice man. I'm good.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Well, and not to mention the so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To stand at a podium and he's saying that you could see in his face. Everybody is going to have to sleep on their backs tonight because they're so excited about this.

[Don Hahn]

Sleep on their.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Sleep on their backs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No, no, I got it. Do the math. Yeah. And I figured you want it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ring toss. How about that? Have that be an Olympic sport. Right? Wiffle ball, flag football. Ring.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Wait. The sleeping on your back ring talks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We could play. What's the Other one that they.

[Don Hahn]

Well, if you think about it, sleeping on your back. You play T ball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, There you go. Well, it depends. A golf tee. It depends on.

[Don Hahn]

You also could just have a driving range.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's the other. The cornhole. Let's have Olympic cornhole.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, why not?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What else can we do while we're drunk? Is there Olympic bowling? Is there Olympic darts? Is there Olympic pool? Well, at least that's recreation. We've now lowered it to recess. It used to. It went from recreation down to recess. What else do you play? Recess? Gaga? Dodgeball? Hopscotch? Punch ball.

[Don Hahn]

Punch ball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, what if Rob Manfred said that they're gonna let their major league players play punch ball? That's, you know, punch ball. Peter.

[Kendrick Perkins]

No, I don't know what it is.

[Don Hahn]

They play punch ball.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Never mind.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I played it in grammar school. I was really good.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, you start off Peter, you get a super pinky. You know what a super pinky is? It's just. It's a rubber ball.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Super pinky.

[Don Hahn]

Super pinky.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Ok. The rubber Bruce. Super bouncy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Bouncy. Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We called it a super pink.

[Don Hahn]

Well, they also called the spaldine back in the day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was hollow.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Oh, right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This was.

[Don Hahn]

This was. It was dense.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it was dense.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So like, when he first started, I would you punch it underhand so your arm is your bat.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But then when you got really good, you throw it up in the air and you punch it while it was in the air. And I got really good at it. And we. And you just. Then it's the rules of baseball. Kickball, Kickball.

[Kendrick Perkins]

They probably already have it.

[Don Hahn]

But you know what, though? If you're playing kickball, are you taking Major League baseball players? Are you taking, like, soccer players? The best soccer players in the world. Maybe a couple of, like, punters.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Great point.

[Don Hahn]

NFL.

[Kendrick Perkins]

It's a great point. By.

[Don Hahn]

You know, you're doing that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, it's so. It's Olympic recess.

[Don Hahn]

Punch ball, though, that. That broke back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm just going to announce right now, LA Olympics 2028.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Here we go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Will not watch a second.

[Don Hahn]

Not a second.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're already out.

[Don Hahn]

Nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm out.

[Don Hahn]

Wait a minute. The Summer Olympics out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I only watched Winter Olympics.

[Don Hahn]

There's basketball. You have a dream team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm good. There's the NBA. I got basketball. I'm good.

[Kendrick Perkins]

I was wrong. I let you apologize.

[Don Hahn]

What?

[Kendrick Perkins]

Kickball is not yet an Olympic.

[Don Hahn]

Not yet.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What are they waiting.

[Don Hahn]

Working on it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We've already got flag Football.

[Don Hahn]

Do you want to take Ralph in New Jersey on this?

[Kendrick Perkins]

What, a T ball?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Only if he's mad at me.

[Don Hahn]

Well, let's see Ralph in New Jersey on the Olympics. Go ahead, Ralph.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I think the way it works is there's like 18 or 19 sports that are in every Olympic. Those are prerequisites. And then they vote on an additional four or five sports that they put in. And the host team, the host country, has a big say.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So America chose flag football, believe it or not. Softball is in this year, love. It was a trial sport for a while. Softball is an actual thing. Flag football is not a thing, Ralph. Flag football is not a thing, I'm saying. But also, lacrosse is in what? You know, what else is a legitimate sport?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. One of the oldest sports.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Well, crickets. A huge.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cricket's a huge sport. It's like the second most popular sport in the world. Flag football is not a thing. Flag football is what you do when you can't play football or your parents do Three flies. Let's be a member of three flies. We threw the ball up against the wall. You know why you did that, Ralph? Is because you had no friends. You had to play with yourself. When you get nine people, you get a field. You play baseball. When you can't play baseball, you play stickball. You play three flies, you play with yourself.

[Kendrick Perkins]

I mean that now, if that's an Olympic sport, I got a chance.

[Don Hahn]

So here's the. Here's the situation. So I'm talking about three flies.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You could play by yourself, right? Why you feel.

[Don Hahn]

Well, you said. You didn't say by yourself, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but there's nobody else on the field.

[Don Hahn]

Probably wouldn't go any further.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why, what do we.

[Don Hahn]

Summer Olympics in Los Angeles is in 2028. Every country that fields a flag football team in the Olympics has to have a tryout process.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they're trying out against who?

[Don Hahn]

It's active. NFL players will actually participate in a tryout process. Most trying out for Team usa, but some players with ties to other countries expressing interest as well. So you could have NFL players. As we know, not all NFL players are, you know, are strictly American.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I know, but.

[Don Hahn]

So you better get players from other.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Take places out of it, then. What are you doing? They have players standing behind whoever the yo yo is talking now. Well, representing the owners.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, it looks like a hostage video. The last place they want to be is there.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And by the way, it has to be only Gibronis who would play, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. And Jabroni is a great word because you can't.

[Kendrick Perkins]

You can't tell me that Patrick Mahomes.

[Don Hahn]

Like that he decided to represent his country. Here's another one. Every country with a flag football team will have a maximum of one player per NFL roster. So no teammates will be Olympic teammates. So therefore there's no Mahomes Kelsey kind of deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, thank God.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because, you know, you don't want to give the USA that kind of an advantage.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Well, again, because here's the thing you have to watch out for. Is that not bizarre, that Trinidad and Tobago matchup? It's not the Trinity. That part that I worry about, the Tobago. It's too much Tobago when it comes to flag football. There's just Tobago.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We know they play dirty when it.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Comes to their flag football.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're going to do whatever it takes.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. So, like, that's, that's how we're doing this. So you're going to see NFL players. And we saw this, I think in the. Remember when the Olympics were in Torino and you had NHL players who were American but had, like Italian backgrounds and they played for Italy because the host country, you just have a team better happen here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're going to.

[Don Hahn]

You're probably going to get a lot of it.

[Kendrick Perkins]

By the way, we should start a team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Michael. Okay. Don Legreck has no idea what he's talking about here. Flag football is huge right now on the youth scene. All the tackle kids play that. And seven versus seven during the off season. We were just at a tournament in Disney. Over 100,000 people. Do some research. I don't, I don't care. It's not an Olympics and NFL play. Who are they playing? Because with the tournaments you're talking about, they're playing. Americans are playing America. What country is putting together a team that's going to be able to compete with NFL players?

[Kendrick Perkins]

By the way, you want the mic drop? You know the mic drop. What use do they currently have for flag football in the NFL? But what, what, what's the current use for it? The Pro bowl that no one cares about. That's why they do it. It's not a real thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It could be huge. Bowling is huge. Okay. Dodgeball is huge. Is it Olympic sport with NFL? It's a recreate. It's a. It's recess.

[Don Hahn]

That's a good rant.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right.

[Don Hahn]

That's a good. Talk about Tuesday.

[Kendrick Perkins]

We got a break.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This episode is brought to you by Amazon Prime. From streaming to shopping, prime helps you get more out of your passions so whether you're a fan of true crime or prefer a nail biting novel from time to time, with services like Prime.

[Don Hahn]

Video, Amazon Music and fast free delivery.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Prime makes it easy to get more out of whatever you're into or getting into. Visit Amazon.comprime to learn more.

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Kendrick Perkins]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Kendrick Perkins]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities.

[Don Hahn]

So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you.

[Kendrick Perkins]

To Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail].

[Peter Rosenberg]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month.

[Don Hahn]

Required intro rate first three months only.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Then full price plan options available, taxes and fees, extra fee.

[Don Hahn]

Full [e-mail] thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Kendrick Perkins]

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]

The Fanatics Games Pitting a group of 50 pro athletes, celebrities and creators against 50 hand selected fans all competing in eight sport themed skill challenges for nearly $2 million in prizes. It's all going to be happening at the Fanatics Fest which will debut June 20th through the 22nd. First place takes home $1 million while second place wins a Ferrari 8 GTS. Third place earns a 200304 LeBron James tops Chrome Gold Refractor trading card valued at roughly $250,000. If no fan finishes in the top three then the highest scoring fan receives $100,000. Check out the three day festival. Competitors will navigate the show floor to to engage in challenges to try to accumulate points and climb the leaderboard. Challenging stations include for the NFL a Quarterback Skills competition in the NBA and around the world in FIFA Goal Scoring, MLB Pitching Accuracy, NHL Washer Dryer Puck Shooting, WWE Superstar Entrance, UFC Striking Challenge and Dick's Sporting Goods Golf Closest to the pin. The initial wave of talent competing in the event includes Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, Rob Gronkowski, C.J. stroud, Logan Paul, Liv Morgan, Alex Rodriguez, James Harden, Ray Ribley. All are going to be there and more to be announced. Potential fan competitors will submit an official application via Fanatics app by downloading a short video detailing their story and. And why they should be selected. I think we've got a few fans and listeners that can do that. The inaugural Fan Fest in 2024 hosted more than 70,000 fans. Fanatics games are being produced by Fanatics, OBB Media and Cheat Code Studios. So which of these would you think that you'd be the best at, guys? The NFL? The NBA? FIFA? Mlb? NHL, wwe? I think you could do a great entrance. Peter. UIC Strike Challenge. Closest to the pin. Well, you know how I feel about that.

[Don Hahn]

I like the washer dryer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The was, which is a cool thing because all they all came up. The. Sidney Crosby did that.

[Don Hahn]

I would have Cali do that. Cali?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Just. Just. I mean, she's 10 years old, but I'm telling you right now, she's got an absolute rifle. Like, I mean, she could tell you where she's putting it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's because we have the net.

[Don Hahn]

It'S got the pockets, and she could just bury it wherever you say, like, hit it there. She'll. She'll bury like, three out of five bucks in where she said, let her do this. Oh, I'm 100% gonna have her do this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How about the. Around the world, the NBA. That's cool. I loved playing that.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, those are. Those are the days, right? You play that striking challenge now, is that. That's you hitting, not being hit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I gotta tell you, I don't want.

[Kendrick Perkins]

To be struck, but it has to be hitting something. And they measure the challenge.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I did kickboxing today, and I was the only one that showed up, so it was just me.

[Don Hahn]

How do you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What do you do so he.

[Don Hahn]

You don't hit anybody?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I was like, he had the pads, right. And so he's telling me, like, all right. Like, he'd hold up.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, if he hold up his left hand, I jab, right hand, I cross or block, block. And he's shouting these things out. But then you get into a rhythm, and then you kind of know what's coming. And all of a sudden he says, jab, and I'm. I'm hooking because.

[Don Hahn]

Did you crack them on?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I. But it just. I got frustrated with myself because just shows you how a habit. You get in. All right, I know the third combination, but then he changes it up, and you got to be, like, on the fly.

[Don Hahn]

You got to be able to react.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Block, block, block, block right, block left. But then he comes back with a second left. And, like, I try to anticipate. And so if it's something like that, where you've got a strike, where, like, let's say a light, you got a jab at a certain.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, you've seen those. That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's harder than it looks. So that's a lot of fun. So check that out, man. I think that'd be pretty cool.

[Don Hahn]

It sounds awesome. Hey, we have Kendrick Perkins going to join us in the five.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love that.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Big perk.

[Don Hahn]

Big perk. He loves big body Brunson, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He loves Bronson.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Believe me, I know. We got it. We got to ask him. I have a. I got a lot.

[Don Hahn]

Of things to ask to talk to him about.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Yeah, I know. I specifically, I have questions that are pertinent to him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Pertinent to perks.

[Kendrick Perkins]

Pertinent. Pertinent to Perk.

[Don Hahn]

Perk.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And pertinent. Pertinent and. And also, like, pertinent to him and his love affair with the Knicks.

[Don Hahn]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because this is, you know, this is good. He's not surprised by any of this stuff, man. So he'll be coming up at the top of the hour. Ulysses and White Plains. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, man? Hey, you guys.

[D]

Good afternoon. How you guys doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[D]

So I'll just make a quick point for you guys. You know, I was at the game Friday. I'm a Hispanic, man. I grew up in Westchester county, and when it comes to Juan Soto and the Yankees, it's a complete lack of misunderstanding. I think you guys are seeing it as. I think he disrespected the culture of the Hispanic community and 80% of the Hispanics.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How? Who did?

[D]

Well, since he did decide to leave us and, you know, I was there. I was in the bleachers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He never gave you any indication that he was going to go do anything but go to the highest bidder? He never promised he was going to stay. He never guaranteed anything. So how. How did he betray you?

[D]

Well, because, you know, as fans, we do, you know, it's short for fanatic, like, you guys know. And unfortunately, we're not looking even me, I'm blinded by it. And I'm being honest. I still feel like it was disrespectful. To leave the Yankees and now with all the rumors that are coming out that he wanted to stay and the things with the mother.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But again, listen, I don't mean to hammer you, but how is it disrespectful? You know what would be disrespectful? If he said, don't worry, I'll be back and didn't come back. He never gave you any indication that it was anything other than going to the highest bidder when they lost the World Series. Right. He didn't have a Yankee hat on. He was, he was a free agent at that point. So I listen, you could be upset that he chose the Mets over the Yankees, but I don't understand how it's disrespectful. He never lied to you ever. He never told you anything other than we'll see what happens in free agency.

[D]

I understand. It's just the way that we're looking at him now. Regardless of how we look at it, we're going to always look at him like a Trey Young, like a Reggie Miller. And since the Yankees fans dominate New England and the Tri State area, this is not going to be a one year thing. And that's what you guys have been saying. And I guarantee you I'm going to call back all the time. I always do. Give it another two, three years. He will be hated every time he steps foot.

[Kendrick Perkins]

That's possible. Let me ask a question. Why would he be particularly hated by Hispanic fans?

[D]

Well, you know, I'm of Latin origin, I speak Spanish. I grew up in the Caribbean in my youth. And since it's just since the Yankee fans and even the Red Sox fans, we make up the majority of those fan bases, especially in New England and the Tri State area. So him leaving the Yankee Hispanic fans out to drive, regardless of the reason.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You got to get over it, man.

[Kendrick Perkins]

And by the way, I'm gonna, I'm gonna say something here that's gonna be very unprofessional. Popular here in New York, but very, very true. You can't even say this. And I don't know. This gentleman's specific background is a bit vague. It's like a politician's description of where he's from. But there is a contingent of Dominican fans from the Bronx who literally became big poppy fans and started rooting for the Red Sox just because he was Dominican and then went, you know what? They got the great Dominican in Boston. I'm a root for the Red Sox. So the idea of some sort of loyalty specific to national. Stop it. The Guy is a human being who played for the Yankees. And when he was there, we all knew. A hired gun for one year. Maybe he'll stay, maybe he won't. He left. He didn't betray anyone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And also like no Red Sox fans, what do they care? Like that he betrayed the. Wouldn't they be happy that he betrayed the Yankee fans? They hate the Yankees. And you know what? When the Mets play the. When the Yankees play the Red Sox or the Mets play the Yankees, they're probably rooting for Soto because they want to see the Yankees lose. That call made zero sense. I understand fans, short for Fnatic. And again, the Mets have tons of Dominican fans and Latino fans. And also don't make it seem like there are no Met fans. I know the Yankee fans dominate, but there's tons and tons of Met fans that are more pissed off at him that he's not hitting than anything else. He never lied, guys. He didn't pull a John Tavares. John Tavares lied to the Islander fan base, said he was gonna come back and then didn't. Allen, am I wrong? He never once gave you any indication that it was anything other than, I'll go to the highest bidder, the Yankees, pay me the most money, I'll stay.

[Don Hahn]

That was it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you know what? Obviously, if you're hearing rumors that he wanted to stay with the Yankees, you know why he didn't stay with the Yankees? Because the Mets paid more.

[Don Hahn]

Wouldn't you take more money? Of course you would.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow. No. These people would play for the Yankees for free. That's the difference. Kendrick Perkins is coming up next. Talk a little Nick basketball. You want to get the most for your money. That's why more Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda Lisa Do 2025 Mazda CX5 all wheel drive. Just 239amonth for 36 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda.com or at Ramsey Mazda, Route 17 north and Ramsey. Choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Excludes tax. Title, Registration 0 Security Deposit VIN S0571-604, MSRP 29990 and 6225.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but 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.