Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: Hour 2 – Monica McNutt + The List
Date: March 18, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: Monica McNutt
Location: Live from Calandra’s Bakery, Caldwell, NJ

Overview

This hour features a lively, engaging blend of New York sports talk, personality-driven banter, and thoughtful analysis. The episode includes a substantial interview with Monica McNutt, who breaks down the state of the Knicks and reactions around New York basketball, before the crew launches into their signature “The List” segment: a debate about the greatest athletes who lacked the "clutch" gene. Throughout, the tone is candid, self-deprecating, and playful, offering sports fans insightful discussion with a dash of humor and inside jokes.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Monica McNutt Joins the Show (01:22–19:40)

a. “Drop Madness” and On-the-Road Anecdotes (01:22–04:08)

• Monica is congratulated for making it into “Drop Madness,” a station tradition for favorite soundbites.
• Playful discussion about Alan Hahn’s ultra-health-conscious eating habits and his influence on others with his breakfast smoothie (half a banana only: “too much sugar”—Monica, 02:49).
• Monica teases about how Hahn, while careful, will indulge if it’s a true family dinner.

Notable Quote:
“He’s very influential with rigidity.” — Monica (02:58)

b. Knicks Anxiety & Fan Expectations (04:08–07:36)

• Hahn brings up the perpetual anxiety among Knicks fans despite their strong record since Jan. 21, best defense and consistent winning streaks.
• Monica suggests Knicks fans’ nervousness is cumulative—a “three-year chaptered story” reflecting past disappointments and raised expectations.

Notable Quote:
“You can’t tell the story of the Knicks fan base right now with this year in isolation…this to me is a three-year chaptered story at this point.” — Monica (05:20)

c. Playoff Outlook & Margins of Victory (07:36–09:11)

• Monica: The real test will be the playoffs—success happens “in the margins,” with adjustments and intangibles carrying outsized weight.
• The jury is still out on how this Knicks group will respond under maximum pressure.

Notable Quote:
“The winning happens in the margins, right? It’s in the adjustments… and the intangibles when the rubber gets toughest.” — Monica (06:36)

d. Mikal Bridges' Struggles & Role Clarity (09:11–14:39)

• Extended discussion about Mikal Bridges’ shooting slump and visible frustration.
• Monica prescribes a “personal mirror gut check”: “Get into the fight, get physical, focus on defense, drive for free throws, stop fading away.”
• The crew agrees impact on the court isn’t only measured by scoring—defense and energy are key, especially for wings.
• Debate about whether Bridges has internalized his role, compared to teammates who know and embrace theirs.

Notable Quotes:
“You got to go ahead and get into the fight. You got to get physical… stop fading from the basket.” — Monica (09:34)
“Can you get to the glass more aggressively? Slumps happen… the only way to shoot out is to shoot through them, literally. But there are other ways to get yourself going.” — Monica (10:57)
“I want to star in my role for this team.” — Cat’s mantra, cited by Don (12:59).

e. Karl-Anthony Towns' (Cat) Mindset & Conditioning (14:39–16:29)

• Monica praises Towns’ (Cat’s) professional growth, improved conditioning, and holistic approach.
• Towns learning to thrive within a double big lineup.

Notable Quote:
“I love Cat’s approach because I am also one who’s very holistic-minded, and I don’t think that necessarily takes away from how bad you want it.” — Monica (15:10)

f. WNBA CBA Deal (16:29–19:38)

• Monica celebrates news of a new WNBA CBA deal that includes a massive salary bump and improved working conditions.
• She calls the new deal “historic,” while also recognizing it’s only a step toward greater equity.

Notable Quotes:
“You move the ball forward… there’s a lot of good in this verbal agreement so far. The salary cap… is a huge deal.” — Monica (17:04)
“Each CBA moves you forward, right? And you can’t get to the next one without the last one.” — Monica (18:14)

WNBA New Deal Highlights (Don citing Sham Sharania, 18:33):

• Salary cap: $7M (up from $1.45M last year)
• Supermax starts at $1.4M (was $249,000)
• Average salary: $600,000 (was $120,000)
• Minimum: $300,000 (was $66,000)

2. “The List” Segment: Greatest Players Who Weren’t Clutch (25:15–38:49)

a. The Premise (25:15–27:15)

• Prompted by Aaron Judge’s recent playoff struggles, the crew lists top “all-time greats who were never considered clutch”—players with superstar status but haunted by big-moment failures.

b. The List, Debated & Built (27:15–37:20)

• Greg Norman: The consensus first entry, renowned golfer famous for high-profile Sunday meltdowns.
  “He was Tin Cup before the movie.” — Don (28:16)
• James Harden: MVP, regular-season legend, but postseason disappearing acts.
• Lamar Jackson: MVP NFL QB, dazzling talent, but yet to win big playoff games. “He’s got to be on this list… can’t get it done in the playoffs.” — Don (31:21)
• Patrick Ewing: Legendary Knick, outdueled by destiny and missed several game-deciding shots. “The problem is—never did [win the title].” — Don (32:17)
• Aaron Judge: Modern example—towering regular-season numbers, but little October magic.

Notable runner-ups discussed: Jim Kelly, Roberto Luongo, Tony Romo, Henrik Lundqvist, Peyton Manning, Tracy McGrady, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone.

Memorable Exchange:
“There’s a lot of funny headlines around James Harden. He is a sick player… but yeah, he’s a guy who kind of shrunk in the biggest spots.” — Jacob (29:39)

c. Listener Calls & Debate

• Listeners call in to argue for (or against) Tony Romo, Henrik Lundqvist, Peyton Manning, and T-Mac.
• The panel agrees true “list” candidates should have trophies/MVPs (or equivalent) and consistent postseason heartbreak.

d. Final List (37:20–38:49)

1. Greg Norman
2. James Harden
3. Lamar Jackson
4. Patrick Ewing
5. Aaron Judge

"Five best players… who just never were able to come through in the clutch.” — Don (37:27)

3. Notable Banter & Light Moments

“Drop Madness” & Inside Jokes (01:22–04:08, 19:40–25:11)

• Replay and debate of Monica’s out-of-context drop: “I sent you a picture of my toilet, by the way.” (21:21)
• Jokes about Don’s metabolic superiority and eating habits.
• Ongoing self-deprecation; Don texts “I suck” to the group after missing the show (37:00, 49:55).
• Playful jabs about the crew’s “large face era” and Wrestlemania body readiness (26:04–26:44).

Random Memories:

• Jacob’s surreal early-NYC memory playing charity softball with Queen Latifah, Funkmaster Flex, and Angie Martinez (42:20–43:37).

Timestamps for Core Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|---------------| | Monica McNutt Joins & Drop Madness | 01:22–04:08 | | Knicks Anxiety & Fan Psyche | 04:08–07:36 | | Playoff Margins & Team Expectations | 07:36–09:11 | | Mikal Bridges’ Struggles & Role Clarity | 09:11–14:39 | | KAT’s Mindset & Team Chemistry | 14:39–16:29 | | WNBA CBA & Women’s Sports Growth | 16:29–19:38 | | The List: Not Clutch Superstars | 25:15–38:49 | | Listener Calls & Debates | 45:32–50:25 |

Memorable Quotes

• “He’s very influential with rigidity.” — Monica, on Alan Hahn (02:58)
• “The anxiety is cumulative…this is a three-year chaptered story at this point.” — Monica (05:20)
• “The winning happens in the margins.” — Monica on NBA playoffs (06:36)
• “You gotta get into the fight…put all your energy on defense.” — Monica on Bridges (09:34)
• “I want to star in my role for this team.” — Cat’s mantra (12:59)
• “You move the ball forward; each CBA moves you forward.” — Monica on WNBA (18:14)
• “He was Tin Cup before the movie.” — Don, about Greg Norman (28:16)
• “Five best players…who just never were able to come through in the clutch.” — Don, summarizing the list (37:27)
• “I suck.” — Don, texting group after missing the show (37:00)

Tone and Style

• The conversation is candid, humorous, and deeply knowledgeable—very “New York” in attitude.
• The hosts and guests do not shy away from self-deprecation and invite the audience into the fun.
• Touches of personal storytelling add richness to the sports analysis.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This episode delivers exactly what fans of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg expect: vibrant New York sports debate, insightful basketball thought with Monica McNutt, playful rundowns of legendary sports “chokers,” and the kind of banter that only comes from true friendship and experience. Listeners walk away informed, entertained, and a little hungrier for Italian pastries and basketball redemption.