Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 2: Monica McNutt & The List

ESPN New York | February 11, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca
Guest: Monica McNutt (ESPN NBA analyst)

Episode Overview

This dynamic episode is divided into two energetic halves:

• First half: Features ESPN’s Monica McNutt, now joining the show weekly for deep-dive Knicks and NBA analysis. Discussion is dominated by recent Knicks games, the team’s outlook, trade talk fallout, and the NBA's ever-evolving landscape.
• Second half: The hosts unveil and debate their “Top 5 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time,” navigating musical influence, taste, and controversy, while trading stories and friendly jabs.

Monica McNutt Joins: Knicks Talk & NBA State of Play

(Starts ~01:12)

Chemistry in Broadcasting

• Monica & Tyler Murray’s On-Air Rapport:
  • Monica reflects on the surprisingly strong chemistry she has with Tyler Murray, noting they haven’t worked together extensively but have smoothly synced as broadcast partners.
    • “Both Tyler and I feel that we lucked up tremendously in terms of how well we have clicked as broadcast partners.”
      — Monica McNutt [01:57]
  • Humor about Tyler’s youthful appearance:
    • “I legitimately thought Allen posted a picture when he brought his son with him to work.”
      — Alan Hahn [02:22]

Analyzing the Knicks’ Recent Loss

• Post-game Reflections:

  • Monica admits head-scratching over the Knicks’ loss to the Pacers, noting the matchup’s ongoing challenges.
    • “I was reminded that again, the Pacers continue to be a nightmarish matchup for the Knicks with or without Tyree Halliburton.”
      — Monica McNutt [04:00]
  • Draws a distinction between Utah and Indiana’s approach to winning, pointing out Rick Carlisle’s savvy as coach and the specifics of their roster management.

• On Knicks’ Defense & Rebounding:

  • Monica has been skeptical about the Knicks’ improved defensive stats, attributing the spike partly to their opponents during the recent stretch.
  • Highlights concern that specific matchups, like Indiana, can still exploit the Knicks’ limitations—especially without Anunoby or Robinson.

The 40-20 Rule & Playoff Outlook

• Historic Trend: Only three teams since 1980 have won the NBA title without reaching 40 wins before 20 losses; the Knicks already hit 20.
  • Monica and the hosts debate if this season might be an “outlier,” noting no clear favorite on either coast.
    • “In a year where there seems not to be a favorite, will that rule still apply?” — Monica [06:51]
  • Discussion of “outlier” qualities needed for title contenders—“extra, extra special” aspects, commonly elite defense.
• Impact of Youth vs Experience:
  • Monica muses on whether experience or stamina is the new currency for title hopefuls as younger teams excel.

Knicks’ Evolving Identity & Trade Deadline Aftermath

• Comparing to Previous Seasons:

  • Monica feels last year’s team was more of a “known quantity” defensively, but the current squad surprises with a late defensive surge.
    • “This year we’ve seen this defense have a surge... I don’t know that I thought was possible at the start of the calendar year.” — Monica [11:12]
  • Wonders if further offensive growth is possible, especially with Towns and Mike Brown needing better cohesion.

• Effect of Deadline & Missed Deals on Team Morale:

  • The lack of blockbuster trade may have offered some relief and stability to the locker room, Monica suggests, but she stresses the ongoing need for accountability and effort.
    • “Sigh of relief that you’re not getting traded, but it does not take your foot off the gas in terms of finding out how to be the best version of yourself.” — Monica [12:11]

Looking Ahead: Final Game Before All-Star Break

• Previewing the 76ers Matchup:
  • Monica and the hosts agree Philly remains a tough opponent, especially with Embiid likely back and OG Anunoby out for the Knicks.
    • “This one is not just about being focused to finish the break. It’s also about what you’re going to be looking at when the clock strikes April 18, when the playoffs start.” — Monica [15:52]

Segment Transition: “The List” — Top 5 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time

(Begins ~22:00, Main segment starts 26:11)

The crew embarks on their much-anticipated “The List” — each picking their five most influential/definitive rock songs. They debate chronology, criteria (cultural impact vs personal taste), and the fine lines separating genres.

Format

• Each host presents their list (non-ranked, oldest to newest).
• Selection justification follows.
• Clips (first few seconds) of each song played for reaction and nostalgia.

Peter Rosenberg’s List

(26:27 – 36:37)

• 1. Little Richard — “Tutti Frutti” (1957)
  • “I think it’s important to represent the true foundation of rock and roll.” [30:45]
• 2. Creedence Clearwater Revival — “Fortunate Son” (1969)
  • “When you hear this, you think… that is a specific sound of protest, 1960s, early 70s rock and roll.” [31:00]
• 3. Nirvana — “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991)
  • Praised for "reshaping the genre"; cultural, not just musical, impact.
• 4. Living Colour — “Cult of Personality” (1988)
  • Calls it an “absolute all timer” for energy, influence, and enduring popularity.
• 5. The White Stripes — “Seven Nation Army” (2003)
  • “A forever song”—ubiquitous at sports, parties, globally recognized.
    • “You can’t go three days without hearing it.” [36:19]

Alan Hahn’s List

(36:40 – 44:56)

• 1. Chuck Berry — “Johnny B. Goode” (1958)
  • “This is the tree — every rock song came from here.” [38:00]
• 2. Jimi Hendrix — “Purple Haze” (1967)
  • Notes studio guitar innovation, influence on heaviness in rock.
• 3. Led Zeppelin — “Immigrant Song” (1970)
  • Celebrates its “heavy” sound and influence on later hard rock and metal.
• 4. The Beatles — “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (1963)
  • Chosen for igniting the British Invasion and shifting global pop culture.
    • “If not for this song, is there a Rolling Stones?” [43:57]
• 5. Nirvana — “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991)
  • Cites origin of title, stresses generational explosion and sound.

Don La Greca’s List

(45:05 – 53:03)

• 1. The Beach Boys — “God Only Knows” (1966)
  • Lauded as complex, influential; Paul McCartney’s favorite.
• 2. The Beatles — “A Day In The Life” (1967)
  • “If I’m gonna go Beatles, I gotta go with… their best song.” [46:55]
• 3. Simon & Garfunkel — “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
  • Folkiness aside, chosen for enduring cross-genre reverence.
• 4. Don McLean — “American Pie” (1971)
  • “Why not a song that talks about three of those acts dying in a plane crash?” [49:27]
• 5. Bob Dylan — “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (1973)
  • Cited for universal appeal and countless covers.
    • “A garage band can make that song sound good… that’s how good a song it is.” [50:17]

Honorable Mentions & “Near Misses”:

• Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Eagles’ “Hotel California,” Black Sabbath, Green Day’s “American Idiot,” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Debate & Notable Moments

• Defining “Rock”:
  • Alan and Peter’s picks skew “visceral, literal rock sound,” while Don’s include more folk/crossover classics, sparking brief debate.
• Personal vs. Historical Impact:
  • All agree influence trumps personal favorites for this exercise.
• Audience Poll:
  • YouTube poll teased—anticipation of strong disagreement from listeners.
    • “You got to leave your personal taste out of it… these are my five.” — Don [51:25]
• Host Banter:
  • Light-hearted jabs about song choices, especially for departing from stereotypically “rock” territory.
  • E.g., “No War Pigs!” — Alan [51:08]
  • Discussion about “rules” for inclusion: crossover with hip hop/Beastie Boys/Run DMC even briefly considered.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Knicks & Pacers rivalry:
  • “Last night was more about the Pacers than it actually was the Knicks.”
    — Monica McNutt [04:00]
• On trade deadline relief:
  • “Sigh of relief that you’re not getting traded, but it does not take your foot off the gas in terms of finding out how to be the best version of yourself.”
    — Monica McNutt [12:11]
• On musical influence:
  • “This is the tree — every rock song came from here.”
    — Alan Hahn (about Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode”) [38:00]
• On changing eras:
  • “It could still hit even though you weren’t alive for it. I’m proud of all of it.”
    — Don La Greca [52:55]

Key Timestamps

• [01:12] — Monica McNutt segment begins
• [04:00] — Monica’s diagnosis of Pacers loss
• [06:46] — The “40-20 Rule” NBA debate
• [11:12] — Comparing Knicks across seasons
• [12:11] — Team chemistry & trade deadline talk
• [15:52] — Knicks-Sixers preview & playoff stakes
• [22:00] — “The List” segment set-up
• [26:11] — Lists formally begin (Rosenberg, then Hahn, then Don)
• [36:37] — Peter finishes; Alan’s picks begin
• [44:56] — Alan wraps, Don’s list starts
• [53:32] — Post-list reflection, genre debate

Tone & Style

• Conversational, energetic, and occasionally irreverent:
  • Friendly jabs, pop-culture references, inside jokes abound.
• Analytical with humor:
  • Deep dives on basketball and music, but always with a light, relatable touch.

Summary Takeaways

• Monica McNutt brings sharp, measured Knicks (and NBA-wide) analysis, highlighting matchup issues, defensive doubts, and the trade deadline’s psychological impact.
• The “Top 5 Greatest Rock Songs” bit is both a history lesson and a fun, debate-filled reminiscence—showing the hosts’ varying approaches to musical legacy, the definition of “rock,” and cultural impact.
• The episode blends New York sports obsession and offbeat pop culture, encapsulating what the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg show does best.

For listeners who missed it:
This episode is a must for Knicks fans craving perspective post-trade deadline, and for anyone who loves to debate what the true “greatest rock songs of all time” really are. If nothing else, you’ll be nodding along to the music (and maybe, yelling at your speakers).

Catch Monica McNutt with Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Every Wednesday at 4:00pm for the rest of the NBA season.