Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: Hour 2: Knicks & The NFL Binge
Release Date: April 28, 2025
Hosts: Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Description: The first voice of ESPN New York and New Jersey legend Don La Greca, long-time sportswriter and handsome New York Knick broadcaster Alan Hahn, and highly opinionated Hip Hop vet and WWE personality Peter Rosenberg dissect the latest in New York sports and beyond.

1. Knicks Performance and Strategic Analysis

The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of the New York Knicks' recent performance, particularly focusing on their showdown against the Nationals. The hosts dissect the game's pivotal moments, pitching strategies, and bullpen effectiveness.

Key Points:

• Bullpen Concerns: The discussion centers around Diaz's inability to secure back-to-back saves, questioning whether it's a strategic choice or indicative of underlying issues.

  Peter Rosenberg: "Is Diaz unable to close back-to-back days? Something is going on?" [01:13]

  Alan Hahn: "Is it that important to put him at quote unquote risk, whatever the reason is..." [01:42]

• Pitching Strategy: The conversation delves into whether the Knicks should prioritize Diaz's rest over pushing for consecutive wins in April, balancing short-term gains against long-term player health.

  Alan Hahn: "A 10th straight win in April versus just keep him on his rest. And if we. We blow it, we blow it. And that's on us." [01:58]

2. MLB Insights: Yankees and Mets Updates

Transitioning to Major League Baseball, the hosts evaluate the Yankees' recent sweep against the Nationals and their upcoming series against the Orioles. Concurrently, they touch upon the Mets' position in the league.

Key Points:

• Yankees' Offense vs. Pitching: Critique of the Yankees' pitching inconsistencies juxtaposed with a clicking offense.

  Peter Rosenberg: "The offense is the offense. Right. I mean that's just what the Yankees are going to be able to do." [02:36]

• Simulated Announcer Segment: In a playful segment, the hosts simulate announcing the Yankees' starting lineup, highlighting both the camaraderie and the competitive spirit within the team.

  Peter Rosenberg: "Here's your Yankee starting lineup for the game tonight against the Baltimore Orioles in Camden." [03:28]

3. Listener Engagement: Calls from Fans

The hosts interact with callers, bringing in diverse opinions and passionate support for the Knicks. These segments underscore the fervent fan base and provide real-time reactions to ongoing sports narratives.

Key Points:

• Optimism Amid Criticism: A caller from Manhattan expresses unwavering faith in the Knicks' ability to compete against the Celtics, countering negative forecasts.

  Caller Chris: "We got to play the Celtics and If I'm not mistaken, we wanted the Celtics last year, but we weren't healthy. The team that we put together this year is going to be..." [06:16]

• Host Support: The hosts back the caller's sentiments, emphasizing the Knicks' potential to extend the series and challenge expectations.

  Don Hahn: "A 10th straight win in April versus just keep him on his rest. And if we. We blow it, we blow it. And that's on us." [01:58]

4. NFL Draft Critique: Quarterback Evaluations

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting the NFL draft, particularly the flawed evaluations of quarterback prospects. The hosts express skepticism about the league's long-standing issues in accurately assessing quarterback talent.

Key Points:

• Systemic Issues: The hosts argue that the NFL has struggled for decades to properly evaluate quarterbacks, leading to questionable draft decisions.

  Peter Rosenberg: "The NFL has been clueless for 50 years when it comes to evaluating quarterback." [24:40]

• Shador Sanders Case: A detailed examination of Shador Sanders' late selection in the draft, attributing his downfall to both his performance and the overbearing influence of his father, Deion Sanders.

  Don Hahn: "Shador slid and slid and slid in the NFL draft. And for one, our very own Mel Kuiper Jr. Not happy with what happened with Shador." [24:07]

  Alan Hahn: "It's a worst kept secret. Teams didn’t want Deion's influence." [25:36]

• Parental Influence: The discussion highlights how Deion Sanders' involvement negatively impacted Shador's draft prospects, drawing parallels with past NFL draft missteps influenced by family dynamics.

  Alan Hahn: "He has got to cut the cord, and so does Dion. If this is going to work out and let him go through the trials and tribulations..." [30:14]

5. Prank Calls During the Draft: A Growing Concern

The hosts address the troubling trend of prank calls targeting draft prospects during critical periods, emphasizing the disrespect and potential emotional toll on the players involved.

Key Points:

• Impact on Players: The episode underscores how these prank calls undermine the integrity of the draft process and add unnecessary stress to young athletes.

  Peter Rosenberg: "This is a pathetic sign of society that we every now and then have to see the ugly underbelly." [37:26]

• Responsibility of Teams: Criticism is directed towards teams for not safeguarding their draft processes against such malicious activities.

  Alan Hahn: "Make sure he doesn't have access to the numbers." [38:54]

6. Future Outlook: NFL and NBA Predictions

As the episode progresses, the hosts offer predictions and insights into the future of both the NFL and NBA, basing their analysis on current team performances and strategic decisions.

Key Points:

• Washington Commanders' Move: Announcement of the Washington Commanders' relocation back to D.C., discussing the financial and logistical implications.

  Don Hahn: "They will be playing where RFK Stadium still stands." [39:20]

  Peter Rosenberg: "Another building that'll be better than MetLife." [40:05]

• NBA and NHL Playoffs: Predictions on playoff outcomes, emphasizing the challenges teams face on the road versus home turf.

  Alan Hahn: "You're going to have the bad teams again. Memphis didn't get it. They have a shot." [17:20]

  Peter Rosenberg: "10, 10 road teams have won and three in the Florida Tampa series alone because the home team hasn't won a game." [17:29]

7. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

In wrapping up, the hosts reflect on the discussions, reiterating the importance of strategic foresight in sports management and expressing anticipation for future episodes.

Key Points:

• Draft Decisions' Long-Term Impact: Emphasis on how draft choices, particularly quarterback selections, can shape the future of NFL franchises.

  Alan Hahn: "This is really a troubling, troubling story. It has so many tentacles, by the way." [31:30]

• Commitment to Informed Commentary: The hosts reaffirm their dedication to providing insightful and honest sports analysis, encouraging listeners to stay engaged.

  Alan Hahn: "Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts." [42:16]

Notable Quotes with Attributions:

• Peter Rosenberg: "The NFL has been clueless for 50 years when it comes to evaluating quarterback." [24:40]

• Alan Hahn: "It's a worst kept secret. Teams didn’t want Deion's influence." [25:36]

• Don Hahn: "Shador slid and slid and slid in the NFL draft. And for one, our very own Mel Kuiper Jr. Not happy with what happened with Shador." [24:07]

• Peter Rosenberg: "This is a pathetic sign of society that we every now and then have to see the ugly underbelly." [37:26]

• Don Hahn: "They will be playing where RFK Stadium still stands." [39:20]

Conclusion

This episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of current sports dynamics in New York, with a special focus on the Knicks and critical examinations of the NFL draft process. Through engaging discussions, listener interactions, and candid critiques, the hosts provide valuable insights for sports enthusiasts seeking depth beyond the surface-level analysis.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript sections provided and are included to highlight the placement of notable quotes within the discussion.