Hour 2: Monica McNutt joins the show

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Monica McNutt Joins the Show

Release Date: March 6, 2025
Guests: Monica McNutt, NBA Analyst
Hosts: Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: 880 ESPN

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Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, hosts Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg welcome Monica McNutt, a renowned Knicks and NBA analyst, to discuss the upcoming Knicks vs. Lakers game. The conversation delves deep into the Knicks' current performance, defensive strategies, offensive strengths, and playoff prospects.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Knicks vs. Lakers Game Analysis

Monica McNutt provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Knicks' strategy against the Lakers, emphasizing the importance of strong defense and effective spacing.

• Defensive Strategy:
  [02:50] "The Knicks are going to have to shoot the ball well because they have to create the necessary space."

• Offensive Strengths:
  [02:43] "The Knicks offense is also one of the greatest in the league this season as well."

• Player Focus:
  [03:41] "I'm really curious to see what it looks like for Karl-Anthony Towns and how aggressive he can be against LeBron James."

Alan Hahn and Don LaGreca echo Monica's sentiments, highlighting the Knicks' need to maintain high shooting accuracy and leverage their offensive prowess to counterbalance defensive lapses.

2. Defensive Challenges and Improvements

Monica addresses the Knicks' defensive struggles compared to the previous season, particularly their performance in the paint and handling of the pick-and-roll.

• Paint Defense:
  [05:55] "They gave up 74 points in the paint to the Grizzlies... even that number is eye-popping."

• Pick-and-Roll Issues:
  [05:55] "Being able to protect the paint and work through that pick and roll has been a challenge."

• Potential Improvements:
  [07:28] "The rebounding energy can go up because that becomes a want-to, and maybe that's one of the secret sauces in terms of the late stretch."

Don LaGreca emphasizes the rebounding aspect, noting its critical role in transforming defensive stops into offensive opportunities.

3. Playoff Prospects and Team Dynamics

The hosts discuss the Knicks' position in the Eastern Conference and their potential playoff matchups, with a focus on the possible first-round face-off against the Detroit Pistons.

• Playoff Matchups:
  [17:43] “Don peeking at the Celtics in the second round, what you'd also have is you're going to get out of that series probably banged up.”

• Team Chemistry and Roles:
  [08:27] "There's some growing happening and some evolving and some chemistries and some other things."

Monica McNutt maintains an optimistic stance, advocating for patience as the team continues to gel and improve.

• [04:11] "I think sometimes when we do this as sports fans, as consumers, big trade happens, we forget that winning is hard and it takes time."

4. Bench Depth and Future Strategies

Alan Hahn brings up the importance of bench depth, highlighting the Knicks' struggles compared to rivals like Cleveland.

• Bench Scoring Disparity:
  [22:25] "Cleveland outscored us... that's ridiculous. You have no depth."

• Future Improvements:
  [23:05] "The bench is definitely something that you have to upgrade."

Don LaGreca concurs, pointing out the challenges posed by salary cap constraints and the competitive Western Conference.

• [23:52] "Because of the cap situation and that they are up against that second apron, which essentially works as a hard cap."

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Notable Quotes

• Monica McNutt on Knicks' Defensive Needs:
  “The Knicks are going to have to shoot the ball well because they have to create the necessary space.”
  (02:50)

• Monica on Team Chemistry:
  “There's some growing happening and some evolving and some chemistries and some other things.”
  (08:27)

• Monica on Patience and Team Development:
  “Winning is hard and it takes time.”
  (04:11)

• Alan Hahn on Bench Depth:
  “Cleveland outscored us... that's ridiculous. You have no depth.”
  (22:25)

• Don LaGreca on Rebounding Importance:
  “A defensive stop isn't a stop until you get the rebound.”
  (06:48)

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Conclusion

The episode wraps up with reflections on the Knicks' current trajectory and the importance of role acceptance within the team. Monica McNutt shares her enthusiasm for witnessing pivotal moments in Knicks history, expressing gratitude for her position in sports media.

Monica McNutt:
"I do not take my seat for granted at all."
(10:09)

Don LaGreca praises Monica's authenticity and passion, highlighting how her insights resonate with Knicks fans who share her fervor.

Peter Rosenberg concurs, appreciating Monica's ability to relate to the fanbase's emotions and her elevated analytical perspective.

---

Takeaways for Listeners

• Knicks' Defensive Focus: Emphasizing the need to protect the paint and improve pick-and-roll defense.
• Offensive Strength: Leveraging their high-scoring starting five to maintain offensive dominance.
• Playoff Strategy: Preparing for potential tough matchups and the importance of team health and depth.
• Bench Enhancement: Addressing the significant gap in bench performance compared to competitors.
• Team Development: Encouraging patience as the team continues to develop chemistry and solidify roles.

For fans and listeners, this episode offers an in-depth analysis of the Knicks' current season challenges and prospects, enriched by Monica McNutt's expert insights and the dynamic discussions led by Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg.

Transcript

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Tyler Murray]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3.

[Don LaGreca]

On 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers. All right into the 4 o'clock hour we go with Don Lagra and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. 800 now with 93776 is the number. Your calls are there. We will get to those. But right now priority is I'm in la. Knicks and the Lakers tonight. That's again on national tv, but of course you get one of the great voices of the sport right here on 880 ESPN on the radio call with Tyler Murray is Monica McNutt and she is joining us right now from LA. Hey, Mon.

[Monica McNutt]

Hi, guys. I'm gonna do my best not to be chewing and be a television professional in this interview.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What are you eating?

[Don LaGreca]

Tell me. All right.

[Monica McNutt]

Okay. So Han knows how this goes. A little tea meal, got a little fresh stir fry situation, some quinoa with some delicious zucchini. These zucchini are spectacular out here in California.

[Don LaGreca]

Nice.

[Monica McNutt]

Broccoli, peppers, carrots, spinach, little garlic, little olive oil, little basil. It's very refreshing. My mouth is watering. So let's get this interview done.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's up? Okay, let's do it.

[Don LaGreca]

Let's get this over with. This has big game feel, obviously. It's a nationally televised game. It's Knicks, Lakers always has that kind of feel. The Luka LeBron aspect of it all though. I mean, and we've all kind of watched from afar, but how curious are you to watch this thing like right live tonight in person?

[Monica McNutt]

Let me tell you, hon, I woke up in my delightful bed and was like eyes popped open. Luka lebron in person tonight. Like I get to see the experiment. I'm thrilled for it. Now, mind you, I was here for Celtics, Lakers nationally for espn ESPN radio call. And Celtics didn't really show that night. And obviously this was pre trade, but there was a defensive intensity there that was memorable in my mind. I mean, I'm watching Austin Reaves Guard up and Kristof Swerzingis on a switch. Like, I'm watching these guys play up because Porzingis and that point towards sometimes even Tatum to a degree has the advantage in terms of height. But that sort of capsule of defensive commitment and energy has certainly carried over in this new look post trade. And so I'm really excited to see it in person.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, so how they slow this machine down tonight.

[Monica McNutt]

How did the Knicks throw this machine?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Monica McNutt]

Or. Well, I was thinking about that too this morning. Right. Like, one of the things that they've been able to do is really grab the paint and make it difficult for guys to penetrate and score the paint. So the first thing, and this continues to be one of my keys as we go through the game, is the Knicks are going to have to shoot the ball well because they have to create the necessary space. Right. We've seen since the return of Mitchell Robinson, there's a little bit of a clunkiness evolving when Mitch and Josh Hart are on the floor. So I'm curious to see what the spacing is going to look like for this team. And they've got to come gum guns blazing in my mind from the three point line. Now for all of the metrics that will say the defense is so great. The Knicks offense is also one of the greatest in the league this season as well. So I'm really curious to see what it looks like for Karl Anthony Towns in that there is not a guy his height on the roster. Now, if he draws LeBron James, obviously there's plenty of versatility and power there, but I really want to see an aggressive game from him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you have any of the concerns this week? We came out of the Golden State game, there was a little bit of doom and gloom. Monica, you know, I. There are kind of two ways at looking at this team. The doom and gloom version, they're not built for it this year. They just aren't going to have enough. And then there are the people who feel like, hey, you know what, it's March 6th. Like, if everybody's healthy and this team's gelling, they could be an it team at the right time. Where do you fall on that spectrum, man?

[Monica McNutt]

I'm okay. So I'm. I'm certainly an eternal optimist by nature. But I will say, I think sometimes when we do this as sports fans, as consumers, big trade happens, I think we forget that winning is hard and it takes time. My personal philosophy, and this is why I've been so fascinated by the Karl Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson connection so quickly is that it doesn't happen in year one when you add a star. And the Knicks added two new starters. If you listen to Tom Thibodell earlier in the season, three new starters because he still felt like Ojednoby wasn't around long enough to really have gotten it right. So to me, I'm somewhere in the middle of those two approaches in terms of patience. Could this team get hot and continue in the pattern that we see post season? Typically, yeah, 100%. But also every rep to me of this group this year is figuring out what it looks like moving forward. I mean, you're the third team in the Eastern Conference against two and there's two juggernauts ahead of you. Like I was not doom and gloom coming out of that game in that I knew it was going to be difficult without Karl Anthony Towns. But I think if you step back and you look, you could not ask to be in a better position as far as the progression of it all outside of, you know, being Cleveland or Boston right now, which is just not where you are.

[Don LaGreca]

One of the great voices of the Knicks and also the NBA. Monic McNutt joins us right now. The Knicks and the Lakers tonight. It's on TNT, but you can hear it right here on 880 ESPN. Our coverage starts at 9:30. And Monica, the talk about the Knicks and the difference from the team from last year, as you know, everybody's observation is they don't play defense like they did the year before. They're now still bottom third in the league defensively. We see it night in and night. If there's. Is there one area to pinpoint of what's different about them defensively and is it correctable this season?

[Monica McNutt]

Oh, I think for me, I think I'm looking at. I think that pick and roll has been a problem, right. In terms of keeping teams out of the paint. They gave up 74 points in the paint, points in the paint to the Grizzlies a week ago. Now granted the Grizzlies killing the paint, but even that number is like eye popping. And just like that Miami game, same thing, right? I think being able to protect the paint and work through that pick and roll has probably been a thing. Can that improve? Yeah, but I think it's going to require not actually relying on the defense in that set per se. It's got to be more point of attack. It's got to be more on ball responsibility. Like rotations have to be sharp. But Yeah, I think it has room to improve. Are we going to get back necessarily to last year's defense? I don't know that that's a thing because I think you combine that, the defense part with the way that this team rebounded last year and that just hasn't quite emerged the same either.

[Alan Hahn]

So is that a fair chance?

[Don LaGreca]

I'm with you. The rebound, the rebound. I'm sorry, but just to follow up with Monica saying, I don't think enough people have talked about what Monica just said there. They're not the same rebounding team they were. And everybody knows a defensive stop isn't a stop until you get the rebound. And we have seen a lot of teams get to the long rebound faster than they did get that offensive rebound that second possession. And that's a big part of it and it's something that's missing this year.

[Alan Hahn]

So.

[Monica McNutt]

But yeah, but I think now here's the thing. Oh God.

[Alan Hahn]

So good. No, I want you to, I want to, I want to hear a response to this and I got a question. Go ahead. I'm sorry.

[Monica McNutt]

Well, I think to that end, can, can you like, if you ask me what can improve in the next 20 games, whatever we got left, the rebounding energy, what I think I'm on defense, right. The rebounding energy can go up to me because that, that becomes a want to and maybe that's one of the secret sauces in terms of the late stretch, locking in and focusing. So I think there's room to grow. And look, we all have fallen in love with sport in general because you got to play the game right? You go into, go into a series, the standings are what they made, but you got to play the game. And I don't know about y'all, but I'm very comfortable betting on Jalen Brussels.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

There's no way. And his clutchness is through the roof. But just getting back to the sacrifices you made defensively in rebounding to become an elite offensive team, is there a way, whether they mature as a unit next year or add pieces to stay high level offense and improve on the defense and rebounding, or does one have to sacrifice in order to get the other?

[Monica McNutt]

Greco, don't get me to preach it now. Don't get me to preach it honestly, honestly, for me, and I love this coaching stuff. I love these guys. If I could be big cousin mom for a second, there's a couple folks that I'd be like, yo, what's up? You have not lived up to the promise in terms of your role. And I think that if this unit really embraced the roles, like truly embrace the role, I think they got it. But I think there's some, there's some growing happening and some evolving and some chemistries and some other things and I'm not implying anything crazy, but this is a part of sport, right? Like people wanting to embrace their role, even if they believe that there's more in their bag. I'm not saying there's not more in your bag, but if you can give me a one at the top tier level, I really think they're right there now.

[Don LaGreca]

Monica, I'm with you. I don't think that's discussed nearly enough as well. It's. It is the acceptance of roles that, that you're seeing later in the season as part of the problem. Sorry, Peter, I'm just. Everything Monica's saying, I just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, listen, I get it.

[Tyler Murray]

She's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's very hard not to ad lib this woman. Everything she says is pure fact. I want to, I want to know on a personal level though, you're, you know, you honestly sound like you've been doing this forever and like you're listening to you over the last year and a half, whatever it's been, it's been awesome to listen to you grow into your role. It's fantastic. But let's be real, okay? We grew up watching this man named LeBron James and tonight you get to be at Crypto calling a game with LeBron James and Luka. How often? I mean, I know we're calling Nick's games is amazing every night, but when you get to call the all time greats at this stage of your career, how often do you pinch yourself, Bro, it's, it's.

[Monica McNutt]

Let me tell you the things I pinch myself over, Peter, because this is a great question. LeBron, epic performance, like being in person and now that this is a tandem. Yeah, this is a double pinch, right? Sitting next to Mike Green for bang.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Monica McNutt]

Like that's, that's a pinch moment. I think anytime something that is going, going to live in the legend of Knicks fandom or sports fandom, being able to be present for it, right? I mean, last year, obviously game five or game two, rather, versus Philly, the six piece by Jalen last year in Phoenix, even being on the floor, and I know this is a rival to the New York area, but even being at the finals, like in these clinching games, whether you talk about the Warriors a couple of years ago or Boston this past year, like all of these moments, to me, as A score Spanish. As a member of the sports media, it's not lost on me how unique and how special these things are. Like, these are the things that become the fabric of our water cooler conversations, our family conversations for people that are millions of miles away just watching at home. And so I do not take for granted my seat at all. And thank you so much for asking me that because I very much try to operate from a place of gratitude in my life and my job is one of the things that I'm really, really thankful for. Even though it's time that I'm like, I'm sick of this flight, I'm sick of y'all. I want to go home. But I do not take my feet for granted at all.

[Don LaGreca]

And Peter, I'll share this too about Monica. When she first came to New York and she was first popping on like post game shows with, with, you know, Bill, myself and Wally and we'd, you know, lose our minds in close games late and do it, everybody does. You get into it, you fired up, they lose. And she would look at us like it's just one game. Why do you get all upset? Like she never understood why we would get so crazy. And then we got to the end of that season and there's Monica like pounding the desk about a play or a shot or a decision and getting angry. And then she's like having to fan herself because she's sweating because she's so angry and can't wait to say something. And we just sat back and looked at her and go see, see what happens. It just once it gets you. It never lets go 100%.

[Monica McNutt]

I literally, Peter, Don was like, you guys relax like it's going to be fine. Just chill like it's fine.

[Don LaGreca]

It's going to be fine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right, right, right.

[Don LaGreca]

She couldn't understand, well, why are you so upset? You'll see. You'll see. It makes you crazy. And that's the best part of it. The, the, the genuine, which, which we all know with Monica, she's obviously authentic, genuine, all those things, but the genuine passion that comes from it when you're around it as much as she is now and how that's why I think with a lot of Nick fans is she's so relatable because they feel the same way she does. And her reactions to a lot of things are very similar to how they feel. It's just, I will say that her takes are a lot better than the average fan.

[Alan Hahn]

Interesting.

[Don LaGreca]

So most, most, most of them are.

[Alan Hahn]

Can you see the Lakers coming out of the west or would it be a shock to you?

[Monica McNutt]

Nothing would shock me outside of Oklahoma City not coming out of the West. I still have questions about the sustainability of this and what it looks like in the nature of the series because that's a long physical series potentially, right in terms of having to navigate your smaller roster versus some of the size in the Western Conference. But it would not shock me. Like the way LeBron James was playing. Luka Doncic was just there. I don't really think that he should be on a revenge tour, but I totally understand why he would be like it would not surprise me. It wouldn't surprise me the Lakers got out. I would be a little bit more surprised if the warriors got out because I think they would have an issue with OKC for real. But no, I think the west is up for grabs outside of okc.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, I think they're the best show in basketball right now, the Lakers with Luca and LeBron and it'll be real fun to watch it tonight and certainly fun to listen as Monica and Tyler have the call right here on 880 ESPN. Mon. Enjoy your lunch. I will see you later.

[Monica McNutt]

Thank you.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[Don LaGreca]

I knew she was going to take a bite. You knew it.

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Monica McNutt]

A keto friendly restaurant nearby and text.

[Don LaGreca]

It to Beth and Steve.

[Alan Hahn]

And it does without me lifting a finger so I can get in more squats anywhere I can.

[Monica McNutt]

1, 2, 3.

[Don LaGreca]

Will that be cash or credit? Credit 4 Galaxy S25 Ultra the AI.

[Tyler Murray]

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[Monica McNutt]

Compatible with select apps.

[Don LaGreca]

Requires Google Gemini account.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Monica McNutt]

Check responses for accuracy.

[F]

You don't wake up dreaming of McDonald's fries. You wake up dreaming of McDonald's hash browns. McDonald's breakfast comes first.

[Don LaGreca]

But I mean what I say though. Like, she is incredibly authentic and it, it did take her about a half a season to understand the, the ferocity of passion that is behind the Knicks, their fans and how really like, like the way you described it, Peter, is so true. When they win a game, all we're talking about is how, how far can this team go? Then they'll lose a game and it's can they even make a, can they even win a playoff series?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Don LaGreca]

Like we really are at extremes right now with this team and where they're at.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sometimes we got to just chill. I mean, in wrestling we have a. There's a phrase, let it play out because fans like to see something happen with a storyline and immediately kill it. And you have to let the story play out before you kill it because you may not know where it's going to land. It's the same thing here, man. Like, I understand why people get emotional and I understand why there are periods where you go, come on, why are we not where we're supposed to be? But the truth is we do not know what this team looks like when they are fully gelling. I mean, they have not been a complete team for most of the year. So let's at least give them till April 1. Let's see what they look like before we decide how far they could go.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, we know already that you know, with, with us in March. Now what you're talking about is, okay, the playoffs are 20 games away. Who will they play? What are the matchups? All those things. Potential first round matchups. Right now, potential first round matchup is Knicks Pistons. The Knicks have had a hard time with the Detroit Pistons this season because Detroit's a hard playing young team with a star in Kate Cunningham. They've got a ton of length. Like they have been some tough games. Listen to Draymond Green, who just saw the Knicks on Tuesday in his podcast talking about a potential Knicks Pistons matchup.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it'll be a very tall task for them to beat the Knicks.

[Don LaGreca]

Though, if I'm honest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I'll roll with Detroit.

[Alan Hahn]

You gonna roll with Detroit for sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's something about it being your first playoffs that you like, oh, man, I'm going for broke.

[Alan Hahn]

And then I'll tell you another thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Isaiah Stewart going to.

[Alan Hahn]

He going to bully Cat.

[Don LaGreca]

Like, he going to make it.

[Monica McNutt]

He'll try to.

[Don LaGreca]

He going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He would make it his mission for a playoff series where you got to see this dude possibly 7 games in a row. He would make it his mission to bully Cap. Will he be successful in doing it? I mean, that's what Isaiah Stewart does.

[Don LaGreca]

It's already starting. It's already starting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, come on. Listen, Draymond's going to.

[Alan Hahn]

Draymond, all right, but he's not wrong. Right? It's a. It's. It's an easy team to kind of climb on the back of. Right? Well, you know, the. You know, the Knicks haven't done anything yet. Pistons, a young team. They've kind of had the Knicks number. Nothing to lose. Knicks maybe sneaking a peek at Boston in the second round. Lose a game, you shouldn't give up home court advantage early. I don't see them losing guys. But would you be shocked if you're playing a tight game for six in the fourth quarter, sweating, having to go back to the Garden for a game seven?

[Don LaGreca]

Of course not. No, the games this season, just the games this season and even the games last season in the latter half of the year, remember that. That one game, that crazy game. Detroit had the game one, and Dante DiVincenzo dove into the legs. I forget who it was. Knocks the ball free, no fouls called. Like, Monty Williams was the coach at the time, and he was just beside himself after the game about the lack of any whistles. The Knicks ended up stealing that game. And then this year, the Knicks have lost two of the three meetings so far. And one of them, it was. It wasn't even close. Like, they just got beat up. And I'm. Here's. If. If I'm concerned about that matchup and it's right now, the 3, 6, the concern is this. Like you just said, Don peeking at the Celtics in the second round, what you'd also have is you're going to get out of that series probably, I don't know, banged up, fair. Like it's gonna be a physical series. Even, like, even if you want it in five, if you want it in six, it's going to be physical. And so what condition are you going to be in dragging your ass up to Boston to play the Celtics in a game one. You know what I mean?

[Alan Hahn]

Now, this also will be a conversation if the Celtics. If the Celtics play the Heat I think that's the best case scenario for the Knicks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Because the Heat will probably give the Celtics a handful. But let's say.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, if it's like other. If it's like other.

[Alan Hahn]

But let's say they play the magic or. And they sweep the series and the Knicks got to go six or seven with the Pistons, the conversation will be, would we have beaten the Celtics if we didn't have to go so many games with the Pistons in the first round? Like, that'll be a comp. These are the things you kind of worry about because you, you're going to probably. Unless you, you know, drop the four, which I guess if they have a really bad western swing and Milwaukee's playing better. So I guess it's not.

[Don LaGreca]

I just don't see it.

[Alan Hahn]

The table. I don't see it either, but I guess it's not technically off the table. But you're. You're most likely taking on the Boston Celtics in the second round. So I think even if you believe they've got a shot, you're going to want to have all your ducks in a row. You want to have to give yourself the best chance to win that series. You don't, you don't want the Celtics resting for a few days and then you're having to go live in die like you did against the Sixers in the first round last year. God forbid, lose a player in the process and then you're. You're going through all. We could have beaten the Celtics if we had more rest, if we didn't, you know, lose somebody in the series against Detroit. Like, those are the things you want to make sure that you are all in 100% for that second round.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. And again, that's why a series like that has got everybody already starting to make their comments about it. And, you know, look, you know, Jalen Brunson said it. They know what everybody's saying. They got to answer it. But they can't answer it in March. They got to answer it in April when it matters.

[Alan Hahn]

That's why I said dog days. Like, I know it's not technically the dog days, but it's like they. Nothing they can do in the last 21 games is going to change the narrative. Unless for some reason they caught the Celtics or completely bottomed out and didn't win very much down the stretch. But the way things are right now, they're not going to be able to check enough boxes in these final games, even if they beat the Cavaliers or the Celtics. You said it when you're playing them, they're probably not going to be completely engaged. So you're not really taking on those top teams where it matters that much to them. Just got to get to the damn playoffs, man.

[Don LaGreca]

800 now a 93776. Matt's in Westchester. What do you got, Matt?

[Alan Hahn]

Dan. Love your show, guys. I just wanted to quickly chime in about the Knicks and just say, you know, maybe this is conflating the whole thing and overly simplifying the issues, but I think the biggest thing for them to focus on really is, you know, in this upcoming off season, not to just, you know, squash the season, but thinking about the future, looking towards emboldening and getting that bench to be better. Looking for guys that can come off the bench and score. I mean, Cleveland outscored us. I think it was like 24 to 4 when it came to the bench spots. I mean, that's ridiculous. You have no depth. You can't compete. It doesn't matter how good your starting five are. So I wonder if we're asking a lot of this starting five when our bench has been in basic zero the whole season.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, the starting five, remember, is the highest scoring starting five in the NBA. So that part is answered. And the bench is definitely something that you have to upgrade. Here's the problem, though. Because of the cap situation and that they are up against that second apron, which essentially works as a hard cap. It's not going to be easy to improve your bench. You know, like, the Cavs made a great trade to bring in DeAndre Hunter. What an addition he was to a great team already. But they already had a guy, Ty Jerome, who wasn't a. Wasn't? No, he's a good player. He was a very good college player, but he's a good player. But he's become a guy that's going to push Peyton Pritchard for sixth man of the year. Like, he's not going to win it because Prichard, by the way, did you see him last night, Peter? And 43 points, 10 threes. Insane off the bench.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. I don't like, know.

[Don LaGreca]

Jerome has been so good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He may have made a deal with the devil. By the way, it's not off the table.

[Don LaGreca]

Who? Pritchard?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Don't get me wrong, he was a nice player. He wasn't this guy.

[Don LaGreca]

He's this guy now. How about this, too? In the history of the Celtics, They've never had two 40 point scorers in the same game until they did last night.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow, that's crazy.

[Don LaGreca]

That's hard to believe. Like, blew my mind when I saw.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That Walker and Pierce had dual 40s. No. Tatum and Brown.

[Don LaGreca]

Right. McHale and Bird. You want to go back even further? How about. How about Baylor and. And West? Like never, but apparently a lot. It's the first because for two guys to have 40 here, what is the average like?

[Alan Hahn]

Because you go back to the the 60s, teams weren't averaging over a hundred points every game.

[Don LaGreca]

So they were. They were getting 100. But to get 80 in the 90s, they weren't.

[Alan Hahn]

But still, to get 80 out of two players, you got to figure you're going to be scoring.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

At least like 100. You figure 115, 120 points. Was that something that happened a lot within the clearly not all era? I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, there's no Havlicek Russell 40 and 40 ads.

[Alan Hahn]

I wonder what the closest was. Peter was there like a 40 and 30.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It has to be. I would, I would put a. I would put a lot of money that it's. It's Pierce and Walker or Tatum and Brown would be closest.

[Don LaGreca]

It has to be. But still it's pretty amazing. But yeah, but just to get back to it. So. So this guy, Ty Jerome, who's actually a local kid from New York, I believe I own a prep. If I'm not mistaken. He, he has been a. What a find he's been for the Cavs. He's been a remarkable player who's out there sometimes closing games. He's that good. And so yes, having that dynamic off the bench player is probably the last step for a team that wants to be a championship team. You have to have something. And right now, you know Deuce McBride, everybody loves him. You hear his name all over the league. But he hasn't gotten to that status yet. Can he get there? Who knows? But they don't really have that. So what element would you need to find in the off season? That's certainly something they got to consider.

[Monica McNutt]

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[Alan Hahn]

On amextravel.com plus enjoy access to the.

[Monica McNutt]

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[Tyler Murray]

Some people just know they could save hundreds in car insurance by checking Allstate first. Like you know to check the Jumbotron first before attempting to eat a stack of supreme nachos in one bite. Now you're just a meme that everyone shares on game day. Checking first is smart, so check All State first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate Savings vary subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, IL thanks for listening to.

[Don LaGreca]

The Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. So the Road to the Big Game is Now open through March 30th at the Paley Museum in Midtown Manhattan. You can come see the Vince Lombardi Trophy from the New York Giants, all 58 championship rings, Super bowl three tickets signed by Joe Namath, artifacts from Eli Manning, Phil Sims and Tom Brady, unforgettable commercials, photo opportunities and a celebration of the Black heroes of football Biggest game Find the Contest Tile in ESP New York app for your chance to win tickets. Fans of all ages are welcome and free for Paley members and kids under 12. Visit paleymuseum.org for tickets and information. Let's do a Game time here brought to you by Tell them or do Irish Whiskey because boys, when it's game time.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's telly time.

[Don LaGreca]

Ambassador Johnson yes, the Knicks are in LA facing the Lakers. Coverage starts at 9:30 here on 880 following Ty Butler who has a show leading into the game right after us. The Nets also host The warriors at 7:30 game time brought to my Telemardu the original triple distilled triple blended triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemar Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey during tonight's action glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly ties quality oh he's it's always a good listen every.

[Alan Hahn]

Time I text him for, you know, something he said on the air or just something I need to know. Always asks how's the family? How the kids great human being. I've literally never thoughtful but he likes to start trouble.

[Don LaGreca]

He does exactly he loves to start trouble. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

But that but he's such a good talk show so I don't mind.

[Don LaGreca]

Let's get to some calls. 800 now we're down 377 6. Yeah, why not Adam in Putnam County Adam hey guys.

[F]

How's it going?

[Don LaGreca]

What's up?

[F]

Longtime listener and love to do Combination sounds great. Nice. I think you guys are blending well together, so thanks for that. I wanted to talk to Alan about last week when you guys were deciding discussing Gene Hackman, and at the end of Hoosiers, Alan, your take was, why would you use your star as a decoy? And I get that. It makes a lot of sense. But if you watch the movie carefully, and I coach he actually, after he. After he says that he's going to be the decoy, he looks right at Jimmy, and he's looking for Jimmy to give him that look back, saying, I can make it. That's what you want from your star. You guys say it all the time. You want your big guys to perform in the big spots. And that's what I think. If you. If you watch the movie and watch that scene again, you'll see Gene Hackman looking at Jimmy and saying. Looking for that, you know, affirmation that he's going to. He's going to do it.

[Don LaGreca]

So here's. Here's. Yeah, I'll push back and say. If you remember, he prefaces what he's saying to the group by, they're going to expect Jimmy to get the ball. He was expecting, like, a double team pressure. That's what the whole idea was. They know this guy's shooting it, so they're gonna be so focused on him, somebody else is gonna be open, and that guy is the one who's gonna take the shot. That was the plan all along. And then when all the players then stood back, the whole thing was, it wasn't Jimmy. The players looked at Coach like, are you nuts? This guy's shooting it. And then Jimmy said, I'll make it.

[F]

And he looked right, and he said, I'll make it. You know, that's what I'm.

[Don LaGreca]

Because he knew his teammates wanted him to take the shot. All right, I got it, Adam.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[F]

I get it. I see both sides.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[F]

Like, the reaction to the guys. But, like, you know, so I coach lacrosse, and if. When it's in overtime, sometimes I'll use my guy as a decoy. But I'm also looking for my guy to say, coach, I can do this.

[Don LaGreca]

And when you get that.

[F]

When you get that, there's nothing better as a coach to say, all right, any. Any changes to play. He could have said, no, I'm the coach, and we're going to do it this way. Right? He could have done that.

[Don LaGreca]

But remember, throughout the whole movie, he doesn't want. He doesn't want feedback. Remember, throughout the whole movie, what I say Is the law. And not. Not. No discussion. And then at the very end, he allowed. He changed his mind because what the players said, that was a kind of cool part of it, too. Thank you, Adam.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that was good.

[Don LaGreca]

See. See how we could break down movies? Like, is it amazing? It's a sports movie, and yet we can still find a way to analyze what happened in the game within the sport in the movie. You guys are completely checked out on this.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not.

[Don LaGreca]

Are you sure? I felt like that was like a me and Adam conversation. What the hell is this?

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not overly passionate about that opinion. You were. And he called you out on it, so you guys are having your moment. But I. I think anything you. You could break down anything. Movies especially. I mean, I've got. So Peter's heard him trap chapter and verse. It's, you know, like the end of Major League of their Own.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah. Did she.

[Alan Hahn]

Did she intentionally dropped the ball for.

[Don LaGreca]

So her Sister could win 100%, which it's so obvious. She intentionally let the ball go, right? Absolutely. She did.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, it's not what I took from it. And just what a spoiled brat piece of garbage she was.

[Don LaGreca]

Kit. Yeah, Kit was one of.

[Alan Hahn]

She was almost rose level. She didn't kill anybody like in Titanic, but she was such a bee. And the fact that she. To give her a little win. I mean, it is such a weak moment in the movie just makes me sick. Oh, my sister gets all the attention. Yeah, your sister's Babe Ruth, for God's sakes. You're lucky to be on the team. And you made it work for yourself. Good for you. But everybody's going to pay attention to the best player. So then you demand a trade just because you're such a pain in the neck. And then now your sister's got to throw the World Series just so you could feel good about yourself. Stop it. That's not how life works. Get in line.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't think she. She didn't demand a trade.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, she did.

[Don LaGreca]

They had it out, and they were good. No, I remember she said she wanted to be traded, right?

[Alan Hahn]

But. But. But then she said, yeah, like they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Were ever gonna trade you.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, they traded you because you're the easier one to move. Because you know what? They're not trading the guy or the lady, the woman that gonna help us win the championship.

[Don LaGreca]

But on the other side. On the other side, when we come back and we got a lot more to get to, we got some NFL news to get to. Of course, there's a There's a one position that the Giants have a need and there's options aplenty as business starts to open in the NFL. We got that Yankee injuries that are stacking up right now and Brian Cashman having to explain them away is one of the. I guess it's just a rite of passage almost every year now with the Yankees. But I gotta understand why Rose from Titanic just got astray while we were doing this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait, you haven't heard this before?

[Monica McNutt]

You're.

[Alan Hahn]

You said I need to hear Michael K. Show that you weren't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You weren't a P1.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh boy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You weren't a P1.

[Alan Hahn]

This did happen like 6:30 when he was doing pre games most likely.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, yeah. If this was a late in the show thing, you know I'm not getting it it so I gotta hear right.

[Alan Hahn]

Up there with, with Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

She's a villain.

[Alan Hahn]

Pure evil.

[Monica McNutt]

Oh. Oh.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm gonna give you everything you need on this. I love telling this story.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can't believe you haven't heard that.

[Don LaGreca]

That is Rose is a murderer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See.

[Don LaGreca]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Here, more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Tyler Murray]

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