Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary

Episode: Hour 2: Knicks, Thursday Rewrite, Schoen
Release Date: May 15, 2025

1. Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into contemporary sports topics centered around the New York Knicks, political influences in sports fandom, and a speculative "Thursday Rewrite" segment exploring an alternate history of sneaker culture.

2. Politicians and Insincere Sports Fandom

The conversation kicks off with a heated discussion about politicians who adopt sports fandom as a strategic move rather than out of genuine interest.

• Peter Rosenberg expresses frustration, commenting on Mayor Eric Adams' public support for the Knicks:
  "I just hate when politicians do the fake sports stuff. And last night, Eric Adams tweeted Buck Foston. I'm just like, come on, dude, just do your job."
  [00:50]

• Alan Hahn reminisces about former Mayor Ed Koch's authentic Yankees fandom, contrasting it with current political displays:
  "What's really sad is that they actually think that's gonna get people to vote for them. I remember as a kid... my dad would just roll his eyes because he's the mayor. He's gotta be like Ed Koch now."
  [02:19]

• Don Hahn suggests that politicians should support their favorite teams subtly without the performative gestures:
  "Just wear the jacket, wear a hat when you're out in public. That's all."
  [03:50]

The hosts agree that overt displays of fandom by politicians often come off as disingenuous and fail to resonate with the public.

3. Listener Calls: Knicks Performance and Anthony Towns

The segment transitions to live listener interactions, focusing primarily on the Knicks' recent performances and player evaluations.

• Caller Nick voices disappointment in Anthony Towns' inconsistent play, citing offensive fouls and defensive lapses:
  "Can he set a single hard screen without it being an offensive foul? Dude doesn't space well at all."
  [09:24]

• Don Hahn acknowledges Nick’s frustration, highlighting Towns' potential and the importance of his performances:
  "We've seen games where he's just not there. And that's why Friday night, we all expect Jalen Brunson to show up."
  [10:18]

• Gary Oceanside, another caller, humorously shares his struggles with insomnia but also touches upon coaching decisions:
  "There's a specific play that made me sick... shouldn't a coach grab him by the collar and say, my man, listen."
  [13:57]

• Dave criticizes Coach Thibodeau's ability to motivate Towns, questioning his coaching tactics compared to legendary coaches like Phil Jackson:
  "When people see someone of his caliber... the expectation is to fight through everything."
  [18:38]

The hosts engage in a robust debate about the Knicks' strategies, Towns' role, and Coach Thibodeau's methods, emphasizing the need for consistency and authenticity in both player performance and coaching.

4. Thursday Rewrite: Michael Jordan and Adidas

In the "Thursday Rewrite" segment, the hosts explore a fascinating alternate history scenario where Michael Jordan opts to sign with Adidas instead of Nike, examining the potential ripple effects on sneaker culture and the NBA.

• Don Hahn outlines the scenario:
  "What if Michael Jordan never signed with Nike and opted for Adidas, which was his favorite shoe?... the Jordan brand is what suddenly took Nike from being... an industry leader."
  [21:42]

• Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg discuss the absence of the iconic Air Jordan line, pondering whether sneaker culture would have flourished without Jordan's partnership with Nike:
  "Would there even be a sneaker culture? It's a... totally fair question."
  [25:26]

• The conversation highlights how pivotal Jordan's deal with Nike was in shaping both his personal brand and the broader landscape of sports marketing:
  "He was the first athlete to become a true brand. That's the, that's the difference if you ask me."
  [32:35]

• They also speculate on how Adidas might have leveraged Jordan's talent differently, potentially missing out on creating a cultural phenomenon akin to the Air Jordans:
  "Nike on the shoe. That was the deal... nothing that we've learned today that we know about exists."
  [32:44]

This speculative discussion underscores the profound impact that individual athlete endorsements can have on brand trajectories and cultural trends within the sports industry.

5. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the intertwined nature of sports, politics, and culture. They emphasize the importance of authenticity in both political endorsements of sports teams and in athletic performance, while also appreciating the significant role that key partnerships, like that of Michael Jordan and Nike, play in shaping the sports landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg on politicians' fake sports fandom:
  "Come on, dude, just do your job."
  [00:50]

• Alan Hahn recalling Ed Koch's genuine fandom:
  "I remember as a kid... my dad would just roll his eyes because he's the mayor."
  [02:19]

• Don Hahn on authentic support:
  "Just actions, not words."
  [06:32]

• Caller Nick on Anthony Towns' performance:
  "Can he set a single hard screen without it being an offensive foul?"
  [09:24]

• Don Hahn on Michael Jordan's branding:
  "He was the first athlete to become a true brand."
  [32:35]

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the core discussions of the episode, providing valuable insights into the intersection of sports performance, political influence, and cultural phenomena for listeners who haven't tuned in.