Hour 2: Monica McNutt & The List

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: Hour 2: Monica McNutt & The List
Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Guest: Monica McNutt

---

Episode Overview

This hour finds Don, Hahn & Rosenberg in classic form, blending lively New York sports rivalry talk with sharp opinions and side conversations. The episode’s focal points are Monica McNutt’s thoughts on the Knicks’ recent seven-game winning streak and team identity, a spirited movie debate about Oscar winner One Battle After Another, and Don’s highly-anticipated “List” on why Rob Manfred is a bad MLB Commissioner. The group’s humor, candor, and city-rooted sports knowledge are on full display, making this a rich listen even beyond sports.

---

Knicks Talk with Monica McNutt

Main theme: Are Knicks fans having trouble celebrating success? Is statistical dominance hiding deeper team questions?

Key Points & Quotes:

• Winning Streak Asterisk:

  • Monica acknowledges the value of a seven-game streak but says skepticism is understandable:

    “If there had been not seven wins in a row, city would have been on fire.” (01:35, Monica McNutt)

  • She details the team's recent "sluggish" play, despite results, and says even some players weren’t thrilled by their run against lackluster opponents.

• “Ruggish” vs. Sluggish – Nickname Origins:

  • Monica clarifies “ruggish” means rugged with swagger, contrasting it to just being slow or messy:

    “There's a confidence and an air of, like, swag about it... It's not too proper. It's what you need. It's colloquial. But it's on point… I didn't feel like they were on point. They were just sluggish.” (02:41, Monica McNutt)

• Bench Depth and Lineups:

  • Monica would “check the box” for bench development, commending minutes for Madi Award and Jordan Clarkson (04:55).
  • She praises the evolving “double big” look and tests with backup point guards like Alvarado alongside Brunson (05:26).

• Team Identity and Statistical Paradox:

  • Hahn notes Knicks are near historic franchise marks (top-5 in offense, defense, net rating); previous times this occurred, the team won the championship. Still, visually, “Sometimes after games, we’re going, what the hell was that first quarter?” (06:40, Alan Hahn)
  • Monica counters:

    “I don't think we're too close and I don't think the numbers are lying. But... the biggest competition... is what they have been in the past.” (07:49, Monica McNutt)

  • She cites the lost intangible toughness of Knicks teams from the recent past as the cause for fan suspicion.

• Impact of a "Weird" NBA Year:

  • Don suggests tanking and injuries make the stats less meaningful:

    “Is this year the aberration?... as many as eight to possibly 10 teams tanking.” (09:36, Don LaGreca)

  • Monica reasons it’s more a perception problem than a statistical fluke.

    “They're dealing with the ghost of Knicks teams past.” (10:16, Monica McNutt)

• Mike Brown’s Coaching Evolution:

  • Hahn credits the coach for adapting lineups and philosophy to suit current personnel. Monica agrees, calling it “a renovation not a demolition” (12:15) and praises his collaborative nature.

• New York Basketball Sentiment:

  • Monica sums up the die-hard fan perspective:

    “I have cheered for Knicks teams that won 20 games. I'm not going to complain about where we are now, even if they don't ultimately be the team that's holding the Larry O'Brien trophy. But they're good. So the magnifying glass is always on.” (13:04, Monica McNutt)

---

Women's March Madness & Tournament Structure

Key Points:

• Monica was “disappointed” by Syracuse’s big loss to UConn, but finds fault in focusing on tournament seeding/structure;

  • “If you go all the way out to the west coast and lose, are you then like, why'd they send us all the way out here?” (14:13, Monica McNutt)

• She supports current hosting rewards for top-16 teams:

  • “I think right now it is a perk to be a top 16 team. And so until that is neutralized, because crowds are that ravenous... I'm okay with that.” (16:15, Monica McNutt)

---

Movie Debate: One Battle After Another

Context:
The hosts and Monica dissect the recent Oscar-winning film, One Battle After Another, with opinions ranging from outright hatred to bemused approval. Monica suggests Don watch 1001 as a more worthwhile Teyana Taylor performance.

Memorable Moments:

• Monica’s Take:

  • “That movie could never, ever be made. And I want my time back... It's like sitting and looking at roadkill. I hated every bit of it.” (18:32, Monica McNutt)

• Don on Ambiguity:

  • “There was no hero. There was no one to root for... it just... I would never watch it again.” (17:58, Don LaGreca)

• Peter Defends It:

  • “I loved the first hour. I thought the first hour was tremendous. Loved it. And I absolutely love Leonardo DiCaprio's, like, anti-hero...” (19:04, Peter Rosenberg)

• Assignment: Monica recommends the film 1001 (21:00).
• Don’s Viewing Process: Don likens watching the Oscar winner to “eating kale,” and claims he needed to watch Happy Gilmore right after as a “palate cleanser.” (21:00, Don LaGreca)

---

Don’s "List": Top 5 Reasons Rob Manfred is a Bad Commissioner

(27:27–33:02)

The List:

1. Too Many Apps:
   “I’m a Yankee fan. There’s six, seven different apps to watch the games. Ridiculous.”
   (27:48, Don LaGreca)

2. Unstable Franchises:
   Cites A’s move/uncertainty, bad stadium situations for A’s, Rays, and Marlins. (28:21–29:00)

3. Ruined Opening Day:
   The league spread the action over several days, losing the “treasured holiday” feel.

   “Opening day used to be a holiday... Now we got one night game... stretched what was a tremendous holiday into three days.”
   (29:01, Don LaGreca)

4. Called the Trophy ‘a Piece of Tin’:
   Exposed as a “tone-deaf” comment about the World Series trophy. (31:10, Don LaGreca)

5. Never Punished Astros Players:
   “He never rightfully punished the Houston Astros for cheating. Those players all got away with it.”
   (31:11, Don LaGreca)

Hosts’ Reactions:
Hahn and Rosenberg are effusive in their praise:

“Put it in the Hall of Fame now... Unanimous vote...”
(32:14, Alan Hahn)

Hahn on MLB’s lost opportunity:

“There is something sacred about opening day... out of the four majors.”
(33:02, Alan Hahn)

---

Lighter Moments & Pop Culture

• Basketball History Tangent:
  The hosts reminisce about the legendary early 90s UNLV teams, contrasting player names and their city affiliations (42:00–43:15).

• Inside Jokes & Banter:
  The running joke about Peter “pretending” to love the movie devolves into them poking fun at one another’s tastes and emotional investment (44:32–48:12).

---

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Monica McNutt (on Knicks streak):

  "If there had been not seven wins in a row, city would have been on fire." (01:35)

• Monica McNutt (on team identity):

  "They're dealing with the ghost of Knicks teams past." (10:16)

• Don LaGreca (on Opening Day):

  “Opening day used to be a holiday... Now we got one night game.” (29:01)

• Monica McNutt (on hating One Battle After Another):

  “I want my time back. It’s like sitting and looking at roadkill.” (18:32)

• Alan Hahn (on MLB’s lost traditions):

  "There is something sacred about opening day... out of the four majors." (33:02)

---

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Knicks Winning Streak & Identity: 00:34–14:04
• Women's March Madness & Hosting Debate: 14:05–17:06
• Movie Debate (One Battle After Another, 1001): 17:20–21:49
• Don’s List – Rob Manfred Rant: 27:27–33:02
• UNLV Nostalgia & Banter: 42:00–44:05
• Movie Debate Part II (Peter vs. Don): 44:10–49:10

---

Episode Takeaways

• Knicks: Results impress, skepticism persists due to past scars and lack of a clear new team “personality.”
• MLB: Don’s enumerated frustrations show longstanding fan disconnect with current leadership and tradition loss.
• Pop Culture: Movie tastes spark fierce debate—honest, not filtered, and full of New York opinion.
• Tone: The hour exemplifies the show’s winning blend of impassioned sports debate, city wit, and killer camaraderie—a great listen for diehard fans and pop culture connoisseurs alike.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

The world moves fast. Your workday even faster. Pitching products, drafting reports, analyzing data. Microsoft 365 Copilot is your AI assistant for work built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Microsoft 365 apps you use, helping you quickly write, analyze, create and summarize so you can cut through clutter and clear a path to your best work. Learn [e-mail] M365 copilot this is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don LaGreca]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers. 404 in the big city with Don Lagreca and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. From Meredith Merakovich to another double M, Monica McNutt, Eminem into Eminem this time from baseball to basketball. And Mon, can you tell me or everyone else that after a seven game winning streak by the Knicks with last night's game, which was, I thought, a very entertaining game, I am still hearing that. Yeah. But after a seven game winning streak, can you tell me how you feel after a seven game winning streak by this team?

[Monica McNutt]

Is this a trick question?

[Alan Hahn]

No. Because two things can be true. You cannot like what you've seen, but you can also say seven wins in a row is still seven wins in a row.

[Monica McNutt]

Yeah. And if there had been not seven wins in the row, city would have been on fire.

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly.

[Monica McNutt]

I'm like, okay, all right, here we go. Last night I had a chance to walk and talk with a couple of the guys and the honesty of that exchange in terms of like, the consecutive opportunity to smack teams who are trying to do nothing and how they are human, which is what we witnessed and suspected. Right. Like, but they weren't exactly thrilled with that run of teams either. And so I thought last night was the step in the right direction to get out of the sluggish ball that we had seen over at least five of those games for sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Will you call it the sluggish ruggish ball?

[Monica McNutt]

That's cute. There's no ruggish about it. I just give it sluggish.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, I've never actually till this moment thought about the fact that in Thuggish Ruggish bone. What does ruggish mean?

[Alan Hahn]

Nothing. Just.

[Monica McNutt]

No, it does.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What is it?

[Monica McNutt]

No, no, no.

[Alan Hahn]

Ruggish.

[Monica McNutt]

No, it is. Okay, guys, let's do context clues. The last five games I would not call ruggish because to me there is an confidence and there's an air of like, swag about it. And like, it Just is, like. It's, like, cool. Like, it's not too proper. It's what you need. It's colloquial. But it's on point, like, and I didn't feel like they were on point. They were just sluggish.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what? You just didn't.

[Monica McNutt]

In.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not in us thinking you didn't understand what my question was. You actually answered the question.

[Monica McNutt]

Yeah, I understood.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't, though. I was saying. I was saying. I did. I didn't understand what Ruggish meant.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And she made it. Made me understand through the prism of the Knicks not playing rugged ball.

[Alan Hahn]

Ruggish.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That. That's what the ruggish means in thuggish. Ruggish ball.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not quite rugged.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ruggish.

[Monica McNutt]

It's ruggish. Right. But if we take the Knicks out of it, doesn't that fit in terms of, like, describing the group, describing the vibe of the song? Like, that works, Right?

[Alan Hahn]

I like it. And from now on, Monica, we're gonna use that word. Tell you what, we could use it tomorrow night as Monica. I want to tell the world we'll be taking a little break from the radio broadcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, to do what?

[Alan Hahn]

To come in studio and do a little Studio.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Whoa.

[Monica McNutt]

Yeah. Back to our sort of origin story. Yeah. That's how I got into the club

[Alan Hahn]

when I was young. I'm not a kid anymore. So tomorrow night, look at us. MSG. Monica McNutt in studio with myself and Bill Pedo. Wow. Fired up for this. So we're going to use Ruggish. We're going to find a way to put it in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Please do.

[Alan Hahn]

Can't wait.

[Monica McNutt]

I'm sure Peter is going to be like, what does that mean? That's not a word. But anyway.

[Alan Hahn]

But.

[Don LaGreca]

But you know, Monica, it's not their fault that the schedule had seven layups and you got to take advantage of it.

[Alan Hahn]

But.

[Don LaGreca]

But if Brown or the organization had a checklist of things they wanted to accomplish besides the wins, but just as they get ready for the postseason, do you feel like every box has been checked, or are there still some things you still want to see get better?

[Monica McNutt]

Let me see. Okay, so if I was writing the checklist, one of the things high on the list would be getting a chance to get a look at your bench. And so I think you check that box pretty well in terms of the minutes that you've gotten from Modi Award and Jordan Clarkson, frankly. Right. And then, of course, beyond that, you probably got some guys that might get spot minutes. Right. Like Kolik's been thrown back in the mix some Huck 40, we're seeing sort of less and less of him, but I would also add tinkering with like the guys that are in the rotation and I really like what we're getting from the double. Big minutes.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Monica McNutt]

As of late. That's really encouraging. I also think you're seeing a little bit of the lineups with a backup point guard, right. Like a little bit of the Alvarado action alongside Brunson, which is healthy. Have you gotten Bridges out of the slump? Most most recently, he had a solid 14 point performance in that Pelicans game. So I think you could check that box. I think. I don't know. For me, I really wanted to see this team step boldly and completely into their identity. I still have questions on that one. I think they deserve credit for winning these games, right? Like the ultimate slugfest is to be so goofy that you cannot pull out wins. And when it came down to it, they did manage to pull out wins. The defensive numbers, I mean, if you want to look at them with one eye closed because of who they played, like they did reach the top five, both offensively and defensively when it comes to their efficiency numbers, that is impressive. I think as much as things have changed, we're coming back to more of the same in that if Jalen Brunson is playing good ball and Karl Anthony Towns is being aggressive and you got at least one of your wing guys that can space the floor and hit threes and hold defenses accountable, like you're in it, like you have the best version, the formula for the best version

[Alan Hahn]

of the Knicks, it's really, to me, I look at this and I keep saying it's the Knicks are having. And I did this stuff yesterday for our notes and I kept checking it and I kept checking. I said, they're having one of the great statistical seasons in franchise history. When you consider the 117 point, I think it's point two right now, which is just 1 10th off of the all time franchise record for scoring in a season. They are top five in offensive rating, defensive rating and net rating. They've only done that, I think two other times. And those two other times they won the NBA championship. Like the last two NBA champions were top five in those three categories. Statistically. They're screaming at you. We are a legit contender. But yet you and I see them, watch them every single game. And you and I both look at each other sometimes after games going, what the hell was that first quarter right like, is it so, I don't know, are we. Are we too close to it to see them as what they are or are the numbers lying to us?

[Monica McNutt]

I think we've talked to this, talked about this since I've been joining you guys. This. I don't think we're too close and I don't think the numbers are lying. But I think their biggest competition in terms of people believing in them is what they have been in the past. And if we go back to thuggish, ruggish, right. Like part of New York and part of why we loved the team that was figuring it out two years ago. And even last year's team was like, it wasn't always pretty, but there was a intangible sort of toughness and grit about them and that was undeniable. Right. And so I think when you see some of these first quarter starts, you are back to identity and personality. And you know, that has been a comma this year. And it varies game to game versus it being a statement that ends with a period. And so I think that's kind of what we feel. And then of course, too, as Knicks fans are some of the savviest in the league, you are looking out at the Western Conference or Eastern Conference. Excuse me. And there's a Boston team that has experience and a Boston team who even when they didn't have both of their all Stars, like, they still had a very clear identity. Right. Like, I think for me, at this point, especially with the news around Cade, like, Boston is the only team that I'm kind of like, okay, how's this going to go? Right? Otherwise, I do think talent and personality wise, you're probably on par with the rest of those squads. And so I just think they are their own biggest enemy because we've seen the core of this group be guys that you didn't question the intangibles. And so for them to have remained the same, largely. But you've lost, as we can now probably identify some of the guys that were key to that cultural identity. Now you're trying to figure the rest of it out. So I don't think, I think it's healthy because everybody has a team or an athlete that you fell in love with. And it wasn't all purely about what they did in terms of their performances statistically. Like, we're humans, we're taking in the human side of the game as well as the superhero, incredible athlete side of the game.

[Don LaGreca]

But is this year the aberration? Monica, considering the fact that Tatum didn't play for over half the season for Boston. No Halliburton in Indiana. We did the number earlier in the week. There's as many as eight to possibly 10 teams tanking. I mean, how often do you see an NBA season where a team play seven consecutive games against teams that don't care if they win? Like, so does that skew the numbers a bit? If this was a normal NBA season with not everybody tanking, a healthy Halliburton, a healthy Tatum all year, this same Nick team, would it look differently? Would the stats be what they are? Is this just one of those crazy years because of that bond?

[Monica McNutt]

I think that's a fair breakdown, but I think even if we didn't have teams tanking, really, we're only talking about the Pacers not tanking. Right. The rest of them, teams that are bad, they've been bad for a while. So we're really only talking about that, which arguably probably could have skewed some of your defensive metrics in terms of trying to keep up with them. So that makes you, let's say you take a five position hit. That still puts you in the top dozen of the league. Right. I don't, I'm not going to call it an aberration because even without Tatum, Boston was as good as they have been. I just think that. I really just think they're dealing with the ghost of Knicks team's past in terms of people respecting them.

[Alan Hahn]

I think.

[Monica McNutt]

I just think that's it.

[Alan Hahn]

I think it's a great point because if what Don. What Don, what you're saying doesn't just apply to the Knicks, it also applies to Boston.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Monica McNutt]

It would affect the rest of the

[Alan Hahn]

league because you'd say, well, Boston's able to survive without Tatum because of all the same reasons you gave about the Knicks. Right. Detroit was able to have this unbelievable year they're having for the same reason, because look at their record against teams with a losing record. They destroy bad teams. Like, that's, that's the part that I think it just, that's the evenness of it, the type of season we're having. I wonder too, and Monica, again, you, you are with the team a lot. You travel with the team and you watch it as closely as I do, maybe even closer because you called the games, is the evolution of Mike Brown as the head coach from day one and all the ideas he had for this team versus last night when he's like, yeah, well, I had to change what I was doing offensively because I needed to get more out of cat. He didn't fit the way we wanted to play, so we changed it. He's a head coach that has. He did it with Josh Hart. He's done it. He's trying to do it with Mikhail now. He really has, throughout this whole season, just continued to evolve to find what works. And who knows if maybe by game 80, it's like, okay, I think we found what works. Isn't that what the regular season is supposed to be about?

[Monica McNutt]

Yeah, that is. But again, like, we're competing with ghost of team, right? Son, you. And I said this, like, when he got here, like, this is a renovation, not a demolition, and done right. And he came in kind of like, all right, warriors, spurs, whatever, whatever. And listen, Mike is. He's a great guy. I could say these things to his face and we could joke about it. And I think by his own admission, in terms of getting back to what Knicks fans that have watched this team the last two years knew, he's open to change, and he's always said he wants to be collaborative. But again, as much as things change, they have stayed the same. And so I just. I think it's. In a way, it is the highest compliment of an organization to have teams that people have held onto so closely because they resonated with the city. I mean, think about all that was happening, y'.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All.

[Monica McNutt]

That's like, also the ascension of Jalen Brunson. Like, he had not yet been appointed captain yet by that point. Like, he gets his first All Star year in the city. Like, he was a part of that team. I mean, for all that matter, y', all, like, the clip that endeared me to the city is, like. Is a part of those early teams. When you talk about what they did versus Philly at home in Game two, like, that season or those last two seasons, there was a lot to hold onto and get excited about. And so now. And a shout out to my guy, Andrew Claudio, over at Knicks film school, because he's one that always points out, like, I have cheered for Knicks teams that won 20 games. Like, I'm not going to complain about where we are now, even if they don't ultimately be the team that's holding the Larry o' Brien trophy. But they're good. And so I think we're entering an era of this team is good. So the magnifying glass is always on. And if the things that you point to that just have you unsettled as a fan are because you've watched a grittier team, like, I just. I Don't. I'm not going to ask anybody to ignore that feeling. If you've truly been around the way that we know this city lives and dies with this team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, true.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What did you make of that Syracuse UConn game on Monday?

[Monica McNutt]

I didn't make anything of it because I didn't watch it because they smacked him. And I was actually really disappointed. And I mean this with all the respect and love in my heart because Felicia Leggett Jack is an incredible basketball coach. She's won everywhere that she went. In my heart of hearts, I understood her post game comments. And she's not wrong. When you look at the three times that Syracuse has run into UConn. In fact, the year that Syracuse did get to the Final Four, they lost to UConn, she's not wrong. And as we were seeing in professional women's sports, it is, you know, a changing of the tide. And maybe you can think of things a little bit differently, but maybe you got get a 16 seed, a top 16 seed and you can host and then we're not having this conversation. I don't know. Next year I would imagine she would not have been on a collision course with UConn anyway because even though she's played them three times and she has not been at syracuse for all three of those, even though Syracuse has played them three times within the last 10 years, it's not back to back years. But right now, guys, like the women's tournament is still set up around trying to allow fan bases to go to locations so that we can have the best crowds and best attendance possible. The other thing as I was listening to that I found by y' all is like, so if you go all the way out to the west coast and lose, are you then like, why they send us all the way out here? I mean, like, you know what I mean? And I, and I truly mean this from a genuine place of loving and respecting Felicia. She's a great coach and I'm not saying that the tournament has it perfect, but I kind of was like, ah, like don't. And I didn't. The thing that bothered me about it is I didn't want her to be perceived at large by people that don't know her body of work as a whiner. Like people don't give you death, but they see headlights and they're like, oh, you just crying cause you got smacked. She did get smacked, but it's a little, there's a little bit more to it.

[Alan Hahn]

You could also like the sense of frustration after the game especially. Come on. The embarrassment of that first half. Yeah, you could just see that she had just reached a boiling point and was letting it out in that moment. But, but Monica, is. Is this the right thing to do, though, and not have neutral sight for these games? Like, is it you. You can still be in. In the area without being on campus, but do you still think it's the right way to do it?

[Monica McNutt]

I watched this first round and I'm saddened to report that campuses weren't packed. So I think as much as the women's game is growing and I think we've just come off of an incredible two year stretch in particular, maybe you could extend it out to three. And I don't believe in the grand scheme of things that that performance was a blip on the radar. I think there's real momentum and things are moving. But I also played in the tournament under this format. I'm looking at crowds in the tournament under this format. And I think right now it is a perk to be a top 16 team. And so until that is neutralized, because crowds are that ravenous. I also think that you should. It's okay to reward the top 16, right? Like, that's. I'm okay with that.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. The only way to do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Monica, you're the greatest. The only thing I need from you before we go is a movie that you want Don legreco to watch while he's traveling. Because I think now what's good for the goose is good for the gambit.

[Alan Hahn]

Great point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I think you should think about

[Monica McNutt]

Don as I know it's not going to be a super classic, but I got this for you guys. Did you watch. This is not my movie selection, but I do want your opinion. Particularly you, Rosenberg. Did you do one battle after another?

[Don LaGreca]

I did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don just watched it. I've seen it as well.

[Monica McNutt]

Hated it. Personally hated it. Just hate it.

[Don LaGreca]

I think it. I think it was well done. I think the acting was tremendous. And I don't have a problem with it being Best Picture. I would never watch it again. And okay, was just first of all, the, the Lockjaw character, very, very disturbing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was no hero.

[Don LaGreca]

There was no one to root for. You know, even though they were, you know, protesting, trying to do the right thing. They were bad people. Like everybody was bad. It just.

[Monica McNutt]

The karate instructor, he wasn't bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's true.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes, yes. But he wasn't a character. But you've got two sides, but. And I still. So where's the connection so these white Aryans, are they running the country? Are they running the military? Are they running the police?

[Alan Hahn]

All those things.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Monica, you hated the whole thing. You didn't enjoy anything about it.

[Monica McNutt]

Listen to me. And I am rooting for Teyana Taylor. That movie could never, ever be made. And I want my time back. I was literally had it on in my house. And I was so annoyed. Every 15 minutes or so, I was like, I'm turning this off. This is stupid. But then I was like, but he's winning all this award. It has to get better. Right? And by the end, it's like sitting and looking at roadkill. I hated every bit of it. I hate.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't. I don't. I'm not that passionate about the hatred, but I'm kind of with you that I just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love the first hour. I thought the first hour was tremendous. Loved it.

[Monica McNutt]

I hate it all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I loved. And I absolutely love Leonardo DiCaprio's, like, anti hero, like, stumbling, bumbling weed head. I just thought he was funny.

[Don LaGreca]

But it's just.

[Monica McNutt]

I don't.

[Don LaGreca]

Listen, maybe I'm stupid, which is definitely on the table. But you're releasing all of these immigrants to where, like, you're setting them free to where, like, that was explained. What exactly are you doing? That was so confused at the beginning of the movie? I had an idea what they were doing. They're supposed to be good, but it was like a plot hole to me. Okay, you freed them to where? Yeah, to just get captured again. To go back to the country that they wanted to flee in the first place.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is like, this very interesting takes from both of you.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't. Right. Monica, it's the beginning of the movie. Monica, what's going on here?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You didn't give an assignment, though. All you did was have Don now basically rant all over the place.

[Monica McNutt]

No, but this. Because this is my assignment because I was talking to a friend of mine who actually used to work on Teyana Taylor's team. And I very much appreciate his perspective. And I. As a name drop.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Name drop.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Monica McNutt]

As a. My super student. 16. Like, I remember Teyana Taylor, the skater girl. Like, I am rooting for her as an artist, as a creator, whatever. I was thrilled that she got the awards when I was one for the movie, but when I watched the movie, I was very disappointed. Now, he said to me. He said to me that she won. I have a whole different theory. We can talk about it another time. He said to me that she won. Because she should have been nominated for 1001. I 100% agree that 1001 is a far more compelling movie and a better performance from her. So I would like to offer to you, Don McGregor, please find 1001. I know that Teyana Taylor probably was not the character or the actress that hooks you to that show, but we've all seen the Leo and the Sean Penn movies. Whatever. Please go and check out 1001 and just tell me where you land on that movie.

[Don LaGreca]

All right. I'm between Nashville and Raleigh, so I will check it out. And. And watching that movie was like eating kale. Like, I. It felt like it's good for you. People are supposed to. I didn't like it. So what I did is right after that, I watched Happy Gilmore, which is like a big, big, fat, there you go, banana split. It was bad for me, but I enjoyed. I needed something. Right. I didn't want something. Good for me, good for my soul, good for my brain. I just wanted to shut down and enjoy for two hours some comedy. So that's how I made up for it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, so 1001 is the recommendation from Monica McNutt. We will talk to you next week.

[Monica McNutt]

Okay. I will preface it, though. 1001 is not like Happy Gilmore, but it is a. To me, it's a far more movie. It's a better story.

[Don LaGreca]

I needed a palate cleansers. That's what I needed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right? I get it. I get it. All right. Thank you, Monica. Donica McNutt. They are out on Alan. You now have to see it.

[Alan Hahn]

I literally am going, where can I see it? Okay, it's hbo, Max.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's already there.

[Alan Hahn]

It's on other places, but I'm on it. On it. Tremendous money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know what's up with these people.

[Alan Hahn]

You love it. To this. I have to break the tie. This is big, but I need to wait. Unfortunately, this is going to have to take to the weekend.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Monica McNutt]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

Is that all right?

[Alan Hahn]

Saturday night.

[Don LaGreca]

I have a theory on what Peter is doing, but I also want to let you know, I loved. I'm big on having the right game plan.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

On the ice and at home. Which is why I use Viking Pest Control myself as the pest control provider and proud partner of the New Jersey Devils. Viking has been protecting homes for over 45 years with expert pest control service and solutions tailored just for you. From ants and cockroaches to rodents, stinging insects and backyard mosquitoes, Viking keeps pests out of your home and out of the play Bundle. Pest control with mosquito services and save big one call one company total peace of mind. Visit vikingpestcontrol.com Viking Pest Control Protecting your home inside and out Amazon Hub Delivery

[Amazon Hub Delivery Announcer]

Wants to partner with your business? Help your business Help your neighbors Discover a new stream of income for your business. When you partner with Amazon Hub Delivery, you and your team will deliver Amazon packages to customers in your neighborhood on a schedule that works for you and you'll be paid for every package you deliver. Getting started is easy. There's no delivery experience required, no long term contracts and you receive the weekly direct deposits.

[Don LaGreca]

Earn more.

[Amazon Hub Delivery Announcer]

Gain exposure for your business. Apply today at Amazon.com hubdelivery that's Amazon.com hubdelivery know a local business that would make a great partner? A local coffee shop owner, florist, automotive shop, dry cleaner. You name it. Refer a business today and earn $500 when they successfully join the program. Visit Amazon.com hubdelivery to learn more or refer a partner. That's Amazon.com hubdelivery now looking for hub partners in your area?

[Don LaGreca]

Quick time out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Some breakfast intel you want to know about. Kodiak Frozen Power waffles and flapjacks are built for busy mornings. Heat it, eat it and you're out the door.

[Don LaGreca]

No long prep, no complicated game plan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're packed with 12 to 14 grams of protein per serving, a good source of fiber and crafted with 100% whole grains, not refined white flour. So you're getting something that actually fuels you and there's depth on the roster. Buttermilk and vanilla, blueberry chocolate chip. Even gluten free options. Breakfast that delivers, snack that delivers. Find Kodiak frozen waffles and flapjacks in the frozen aisle at your local grocery store. They're the ones with the bear on the box.

[Rich Eisen]

Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it and you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way, you hand everything off and then silence. Days pass, weeks pass. You start wondering, should I send another follow up email? It feels like you're chasing updates and getting nowhere. But now taxes are different because your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full service expert. With Intuit TurboTax you can match with your dedicated tax expert and hand off everything right in the app. And while you're more expert, checks for every deduction. You'll see real time updates on your phone so you always know exactly where things stand. Suddenly you're not refreshing your inbox. You're Going for a run, grabbing a coffee. Scrolling anything other than a just checking in message because your TurboTax expert is handling it and keeping you in the loop. So this tax season get your best possible outcome and every dollar you deserve without the guesswork. Visit TurboTax.com today to learn more. Real time updates only in iOS mobile app only available with TurboTax full service experts.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don LaGreca]

You just made the list, buddy.

[Alan Hahn]

This is the list with Don Han and Rosenberg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh yeah, Don.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm looking forward to this because we have no idea. We're left in the dark as per usual. This is all done full dawn vehicle. We are merely. What are we? Spectators? Listeners. We're in the audience right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, we're audience. But real quick before we do it.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because I'm ready. It is game time. Brought to you by telling me durish whiskey because when it's game time,

[Don LaGreca]

I like that it's dolly time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rangers Leafs with coverage following us on 880 at 7 plus we'll have coverage of the Hawks Pistons on 1050 at 6:30 like you dream about. Yankees season underway against the giants on at 8 on Netflix and the Nets at the Warriors. Oh, so you go. Wow, what a what a big night it is for the yes crew out in the bay nets. Warriors at 10. Also Tullamore do the original triple distilled, triple bended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a telemore doer. Try the new tell them or do honey during today's action glasses up to enjoy. Tell them or do responsibly. Don, the list.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, you ready? Because it's opening day. You know there's one big game later on tonight. Opening night, I guess you would call it. Top 5 reasons why Rob Manford is a terrible commissioner.

[Alan Hahn]

I love this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The man.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Manfred man.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Is a phenomenal. I don't care what's on the list. I love it.

[Don LaGreca]

Number five. Too many apps. I get everybody's got apps. But I need Netflix. I need Apple, I need Peacock, I need Amazon. I mean, give me a break already. Cord cutters were trying to kind of scale things down. Not all of a sudden have as many apps as they had cable channels. Ridiculous. And it's been on his watch. I know it's a money grab and the owners are happy about it, but I'M a Yankee fan. I have. There's six, seven different apps to watch the games. Ridiculous. That's number five.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, number four.

[Don LaGreca]

Too many unstable franchises. What's going on with the A's? Are they going to be in Vegas? They're in Sacramento. Two teams playing in minor league parks. I guess raise. That was an accident. But still, you know, Sacramento. Are they going to move to Vegas? They broke ground, but the building's not going to be ready. It's a. It's a disaster. The Marlins are still a mess. They're talking about expanding. And yet you have at least three teams that are in financial trouble in bad arenas, bad cities. It's all happening on his watch. He's not correcting it. That's number four. Number three. He has ruined opening day. Opening day used to be a holiday.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you.

[Don LaGreca]

The Reds would play the first game because they were technically the first Major League baseball team in 1869. And you'd have what we were talking about, Al, remember?

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

It'd be great if the NBA and the NHL had a full slate of playoff games. Afternoon right through night. That's what Major League Baseball had, an opening day. Everybody playing games from noon until, you know, 10:30 at night. That would carry over to 1:00 clock in the morning. Awesome. Now we got one night game. And Peter, you said it earlier when I was trying to get connected. Listen, I know they want the world to be into Yankees, Giants. And the Yankees are a national team, but it's not. They'll be football. It's not basketball. It's a regional sport. The majority of the people watching are going to be Giant and Yankee fans. And now you've got some teams playing tomorrow. Not everybody. And it won't be until Friday that finally everybody would have played a game. He has stretched what was a tremendous holiday into three days. Too much of an opening day. It's not even the weekend. Awful. That's number Don.

[Alan Hahn]

This could have been this, if I may, this could have been number one easily with a bullet. Could have been. And because think about all the opportunities you had on a day like today to just dominate the day from the afternoon all the way through. And then you have like on the network, you do your like whip around you just checking. First home run of the season. Right. All the different things that are happening in the different buildings, seeing the different weather in all the different stadiums. One place it looks absolutely delicious and gorgeous. Out in another place it's snowing. Like it just to me, that makes it feel bigger than just One game, right?

[Don LaGreca]

Like.

[Alan Hahn]

Like they really. The tradition of it was lost. Yes, yes.

[Don LaGreca]

All these sports have to realize you're not football.

[Alan Hahn]

You'll never be such a football.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Don LaGreca]

Never create a game like a football game. Accept it. Lean into. Lean into it, man. It's working for you.

[Alan Hahn]

Love it.

[Don LaGreca]

Local is working for you.

[Alan Hahn]

Now I gotta hear two and one.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, the reason, too, because it's irritated me to no end. It's what these guys live for. It's what these guys strive for. What an ignorant comment. To call the baseball trophy a hunk of metal. No. Piece of tin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Even worse.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, it was just ignorant, was tone deaf. It was just everything that's wrong with Rob Manfred. And number one, because it's still a thing to me, is that he never rightfully punished the Houston Astros for cheating. Those players all got away with it. Managers lose jobs, but the players, it's a standing up. The players walked. It was a joke. He showed and he thought, well, I knew in order to get the information, I had to give immunity. Well, you know what? You gave it up, man. You gave up your self respect. You gave up your power, you gave up your integrity. And nothing came of it whatsoever. The five reasons why Rob Manford is a bad commissioner. Number five, too many apps. Number four, unstable franchises. Number three, ruined opening day. Number two, calling the trophy a piece of tin. And number one, never punishing the Houston Astro players for cheating. That's my top five.

[Alan Hahn]

My God. Put it in the hall of Fame now. In the Hall.

[Monica McNutt]

Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

You hear that? Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Just.

[Alan Hahn]

Just don't even have to wait. No five year wait. Unanimous vote in the whole. This is the best you've ever made ever.

[Don LaGreca]

I never saw Alan so legitimately excited for the list. Just. Just the fact that I said what the subject was. I had him at hello.

[Alan Hahn]

You had me at L. You drew me in. I didn't care what you were gonna say after that. And then, you know, you did. You made it even better. You made me want more. You said three, and I'm like, whoa, if that's not number one, what else we got coming? Oh, I forgot about the piece of tin thing. And then the Astros thing. 10, almost 10 years later.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah. Like, come on. This. That was phenomenal. Phenomenal list. What a way to start off the season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it's so. And it's just so true. I mean, we really, like, we talked about this before the show. We don't want to spend open quote, opening day, because tomorrow's opening night.

[Alan Hahn]

Opening night.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This opening Night. We don't want to spend the first day of a baseball game, like, complaining and wagging our old man fingers all day long.

[Alan Hahn]

Right, Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But at the same time, doing this for cocktail. First night, one game, Netflix, Wednesday, Adams integration. All.

[Alan Hahn]

It's just the combo of it is,

[Peter Rosenberg]

who is it for me?

[Alan Hahn]

Sell this. Sell away the Sport on the 1. This. Don, I know we talk about, and you guys like to joke about how it's religion, right? How baseball, for some fans, it's like, it's just too much, you know? But there is something sacred in sports. Out of the four majors, there's something sacred about opening day. It always felt that way. Something sacred about it.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And they tried to become what the NFL and the NBA, like, they tried to become. Well, everybody else is doing this. These standalone games that start the season. And what you're forgetting is what you said in your list, Don, you're a regional sport. Lean into it.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, that's it. I mean, you're not.

[Alan Hahn]

Own it. Be better at it. Make other sports go, wow, that was awesome. They had the whole league playing at one time, and everybody was caught up in it. That was really cool. That's what it's supposed to be. So please, for the love of God, go back to that.

[Don LaGreca]

It's so funny because everybody. Everybody wants to be football, and everybody. And everybody's trying to capture the March Madness Thursday and Friday. Yeah, like, that's. That's. Those are the two things that I think everybody's looking for. All right? You're never going to be football. That's just the way that it is. All right? Accept that. You try to be, but it's not going to work. And it really comes at the expense of what you are and your identity, which is a regional sport, and we say that pejoratively, but there's nothing wrong with being a regional sport. You do well, you know, and it makes money. And in a lot of the regions, the sport is very, very healthy. But the. But the trying to duplicate the Thursday, Friday of March Madness is an easy do, man. You can make that. The reason that people get excited about all these games. Yeah, they're meaningful, but for the most part, it's like, hell, no, it's cool. I'm at work, and there are games on. You know, there's things that we saw it during COVID where you would see hockey games and basketball games being played during the day because they're trying to make up for. We saw it in the bubble, and. And I know it's not Going to get the ratings when a game's on at 3:00 in the afternoon. But you want people talking about your sport into it. And opening day, let's face it, it's not really an opening, it's an opening weekend in the NFL, they've got their Brazil game on Friday. They got the game on national television on Thursday, you know, so it's kind of spread out. NBA and the NHL don't do it. They kind of piecemeal it.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, the NBA does do one, because this year it was the NBC. Right. They had a double header.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And then ESPN had a double header the next night. And then you had to wait till Friday for everybody in the league to play.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

That's how that went down.

[Don LaGreca]

But if you could just find a way to just have a day and let's face it, if it was today or tomorrow, what else is going on? There's some important NHL and NBA games, but for the most part, we're in the dog days here. Yeah, people just getting ready for the play.

[Monica McNutt]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

You got a couple of nice races. I mean, obviously the Islanders, and that was a tough loss for them last night, that are playing meaningful games. But for the most part, overall, NBA and NHL fans just waiting for the postseason or their season's already over. Like in the case of the Devils and the Rangers, basketball, the same thing. You could own a day. You really could.

[Alan Hahn]

This was the day to own. Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

You know, and so.

[Alan Hahn]

But swinging a miss.

[Don LaGreca]

I understand money. See, commissioners are always judged by how much money they make for the owners. So I'm sure the owners will say, I don't know why he's getting on Rob Manfred, he's doing a great job. But I also think you got to think about the fans and growing the sport. And Rob Manford has never thought about that. I'll give him credit for the pitch clock. I think that's work for sure. But, you know, blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. But overall, I've been not, not happy with this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, now I have a couple of things for us to get to on the other side of this, including some, a little, little interesting tidbit about the jets and their possible interest in a quarterback. So we'll hit that on the other side. Okay, but Don, you said something that troubled me before the break, and I want an answer.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, you can also give me this on the other side. You said you knew what I was doing with regard to the movie conversation.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, I know what it is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I Don't know what he's doing, what he's talking.

[Don LaGreca]

I know exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know. I don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

But you know, by making me see

[Don LaGreca]

it, by him liking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By me liking it.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, saying you like it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know what he's.

[Alan Hahn]

I haven't seen the movies.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We're gonna, we're gonna find that.

[Don LaGreca]

Alan. You haven't seen the movie, but you're gonna 100% be on board. You're going to agree, it's all agree

[Alan Hahn]

with you that he's up to something?

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Then you can't talk about it until I see the movie. This has to be embargoed until I see the movie.

[Don LaGreca]

No, you don't have to see the movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't even have to see the movie to know. Oh, I just, I literally watched. I watched that movie with no idea what I was getting into. My friend Chauncey was in town. Me, Chauncey and Natalie watched it and I was just thoroughly entertained. They both like, liked it. And I was like, this is awesome. I was like so into it.

[Don LaGreca]

No, there's this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know what I'm so.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm nine. I. I just, I don't have the bandwidth today to watch this movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, they don't have to watch it, but we're gonna answer.

[Alan Hahn]

Can't. Tomorrow. I have a game. Friday night is the earliest I could do this. And that's Stephanie's night. She'll be out. She'll be with Gracie for volleyball Friday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Has she seen the movie?

[Alan Hahn]

No, that she doesn't like. Like Leo and not that stuff. She won't watch that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

She won't watch a good sort of action packed Leo movie.

[Alan Hahn]

Zero interest in that.

[Don LaGreca]

Really?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What is she. What's going on with ROM com? Just ROM com straight up.

[Alan Hahn]

Those. Yeah, that's it. That. Yeah. And documentaries.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rom coms and documentaries.

[Don LaGreca]

That's polar opposites.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I mean, anyways, there's a lot

[Rich Eisen]

happening if you're ready for an oil change. Trust the professional parts People at O'Reilly Auto Parts to recommend the best products for your vehicle. Right now, get five quarts of Valvoline, full synthetic motor oil and a Wix filter for 35.99 and receive a 15 O'Reilly gift card. After rebate, upgrade to a WIX XP oil filter for just $2. More limits apply. See store for details Stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts store or shop online@o'reillyauto.com I like things my way.

[Alan Hahn]

My coffee, my schedule and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self injecting with the Vivgard Hyrulo pre filled syringe which contains fgartegamide alpha and hyaluronidase qvfc. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment, my way. Visit vivgartmyway.com that's V-Y-V-G-A-R-T myway.com and talk to your doctor about Vivgard Hyrulo. Brought to you by Argenics this college

[Don LaGreca]

basketball tournament moment is brought to you by Marriott Bonvoy.

[Rich Eisen]

In a 2008 NCAA tournament, sophomore Steph Curry led 10th seeded Davidson on a

[Peter Rosenberg]

thrilling Cinderella run to the Elite Eight.

[Rich Eisen]

In the four games, Curry scored 40, 30, 33.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And in a final game against eventual

[Rich Eisen]

national champion in one seeded Kansas, he dropped 25 in a 59, 57 defeat.

[Alan Hahn]

Looking back soccer, I'm definitely proud of what we accomplished.

[Amazon Hub Delivery Announcer]

Marriott Bonvoy, where game day checks in.

[Monica McNutt]

Harry Douglas here.

[Alan Hahn]

Game day brings the excitement. Your stay should feel just as memorable.

[Monica McNutt]

With Marriott Bonvoy official hotel partner of the NCAA and U.S. soccer, you're connected

[Peter Rosenberg]

to a portfolio of brands designed for how you travel.

[Monica McNutt]

Some offer complimentary breakfast, others give you room to spread out space to stay productive or extended stay comfortable efforts. So whether you're a traveling fan or

[Peter Rosenberg]

part of the team, Marriott Bonvoy celebrates

[Monica McNutt]

the moments that live on before and after the game. Marriott Bonvoy, where game day checks in.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now Don can have an idea of what we're talking about.

[Don LaGreca]

I have no idea what you're talking about. You know what?

[Alan Hahn]

When Monica's on from now on, this is her intro, this is her walk. You know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I like that.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's remember that. All right, Just clip it, put it, call it Monica's theme.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now she, she, she defined ruggish without me even realizing what was happening here.

[Alan Hahn]

I, I never thought of it that way, that it was actually rugged. You're not rugged. You're ruggish.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, never thought about either like you're

[Alan Hahn]

trying to be, but you don't, you're not hitting the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No surprise Carlin just, I mean thrashing Richard.

[Alan Hahn]

I, I'm predicting Carlin is basically like night. What was it, 90, 92? UNLV was that the year?

[Monica McNutt]

91.

[Alan Hahn]

91.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, 90 was there. They won 91. They lost to Duke.

[Alan Hahn]

They lost to Duke. Yeah, but I'm 91. You know where they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just the unstoppable 30 machine. Yeah. Stacy Ogman.

[Alan Hahn]

Jam.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anderson Hunt for three.

[Alan Hahn]

No. Larry Johnson. Jam. Oh, just. That team was like special.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Special. Right now. Right now it's looking very chalk in drop madness so far. Very, very chalk up and down throughout the day. Just favorites kind of running.

[Alan Hahn]

It's funny. He just. I was trying to think of a strange pull off that unfl. The UNLV team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did I do it?

[Alan Hahn]

Was it Anderson Hunt's not it. There's another New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Greg Anthony.

[Alan Hahn]

No, Greg Anthony's a good one, too,

[Peter Rosenberg]

but not a strange.

[Alan Hahn]

Not a strange. No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He became a TV personality.

[Alan Hahn]

Wasn't there like a. Like a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like there's one more. Hold on.

[Alan Hahn]

Like a scooter. Wasn't there a scooter?

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's no scooter.

[Alan Hahn]

There's no scooter. There was no. Come on. He had no scooter. Are you sure? There was no scooter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Stacey Ogman.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anderson Hunt.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Larry Johnson.

[Alan Hahn]

Strange. Pull up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Greg Anthony.

[Alan Hahn]

Travis Bias. Elmer Spencer. Come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Elmore Spencer. I remember.

[Don LaGreca]

But no.

[Alan Hahn]

From New York. Come on. Very young. George Ackles. Great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

George Ackles. Great player. Keep going. God. This was a time for college basketball, buddy.

[Alan Hahn]

There was somebody on this team that had like a crazy name.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, well, Brian Emerserian.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Brian Emerserian.

[Alan Hahn]

Just killing me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that an Armenian player who Tark liked? I guess Tark found himself another Armenian guy. So we got to get this guy on the team.

[Alan Hahn]

Why? Why can't I?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that was. Those are the days now, Dom. While Allen's racking his brain, mad right

[Alan Hahn]

thing about the year before for Moses Scurry. Moses Scurry.

[Don LaGreca]

That's a strange poll, that is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't remember most.

[Monica McNutt]

I just love Moses.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just named a lot of players. I don't remember. Moses Scurry.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, he was on the year before.

[Alan Hahn]

That's why he was on that team. And that's that. That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So what's your theory?

[Alan Hahn]

Where is he from?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's your theory? Alan, you can do the rest of this in your head now.

[Monica McNutt]

That's it.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm done. I just needed to know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, okay, sorry. Where is he from?

[Alan Hahn]

Brooklyn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Brooklyn.

[Monica McNutt]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

I knew he was in New York. Moses.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So Don your theory on what's going on with me.

[Don LaGreca]

Get mad at me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Me in one battle after another, a movie that would. One Best Picture. So I'm not the only person who thinks it's good, but I think.

[Don LaGreca]

No, but so what? You won Best Picture. Well, that means you're a great picture. Doesn't mean it's an enjoyable picture. The thing is, is that we talk all the time. We're friendly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'd say. Yeah, I think so.

[Don LaGreca]

We meet and we never talk about the show. We talk about. You never said anything about how you love this movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I only saw it. I only saw it a few weeks ago. I mean, I saw it was already free on tv.

[Don LaGreca]

And I. I don't think you really enjoyed it. What is loved to enjoy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I loved it. There.

[Don LaGreca]

There's no. It's not. It's not quotable at all. There isn't one particular scene that you're anxiously awaiting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love.

[Don LaGreca]

I love nothing there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I loved the movie. Don, I don't know what to tell you. I think you want to love it is an insane.

[Don LaGreca]

I know. I'm going to tell you.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm getting. I'm. I'm getting flashbacks right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, nothing's gonna happen.

[Don LaGreca]

I told. I think now emotionally invested.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you sure?

[Don LaGreca]

Okay. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Alan, you heard me talking during the break with Anthony.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did it seem like I was putting on.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love.

[Don LaGreca]

I thought it was really like it. I think you genuinely believe you like it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, we're.

[Alan Hahn]

We're gonna end. No, somebody's gonna say you weren't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You weren't entertained.

[Alan Hahn]

Here it comes.

[Don LaGreca]

You did nothing. There was nothing at the only. I'm going to tell you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You didn't find the beginning entertaining the first like 40 minutes?

[Don LaGreca]

No, I don't make any sense. It didn't make any sense. It was just eye candy. It didn't make any sense. And then here's the thing. I am more than anybody in this room and maybe even listening to the show. There's no bigger Paul Thomas Anderson fan than me. I love him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

So I'm a fit. So if anybody wants to like a movie, it would be me. Sure. Because I'm a fan of him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But what if your expectations are too high? Is it possible I'm not a Paul Thomas Anderson guy. I didn't go in with some sort of expectations.

[Don LaGreca]

I literally just turned the movie unconsciously. It's. You want to like Anthony?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anthony, I'd like to bring you in for a moment. I'm not asking you on your overall rating of the movie.

[Alan Hahn]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Don does not believe I was entertained. I'm asking you as a person who simply saw the movie. Again, I don't need your overall rating. Were you entertained for the two hours you spent with the movie?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I'll just go with our conversation. You, to me seemed entertained by the movie. When you told me that you saw the movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, that's what was I part of why you saw it?

[Alan Hahn]

No, but you remember me telling you we had seen it.

[Monica McNutt]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Did you see it yet? And you said, yeah, I really liked it. That was the first thing you told me about the movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, but were you entertained when you turn on the.

[Alan Hahn]

I was entertained by the movie. I think that for Paul Thomas Anderson movies, Dom was underwhelmed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what I think.

[Alan Hahn]

I think that probably hurt him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it hurt him because I thought the Leo character was so funny. I love the scene also when they jump to the future and you see that the daughter is now a teenager and she's training while they're playing dirty work by Steely Dan. I just thought it was a well done.

[Don LaGreca]

Training for what? They should still be on the run.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're going like a little too Captain Literal man to the point that you can't even enjoy.

[Don LaGreca]

The whole idea is they're hunted by this whole Aryan race. They're not gonna give up. You know those people. They're gonna continue to hunt them down. But yet. Oh, instead of hiding, I'm now gonna go to Oakland and get involved in a protest. That's real bright. That makes no sense. There's no. There's a complete disconnect. It was just people doing things, but there was no conclusion. There was no anything.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So what you're trying to say is I'm gonna help.

[Don LaGreca]

Nothing happened in the movie.

[Alan Hahn]

That was the working title before another people doing things. This is they workshop.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think we're going to have to

[Don LaGreca]

move on from this one meaningless thing after another. That's what the movie should have been. It was. It was well acted, it was well shot, it was well directed. There's no story, there's nothing going on. So what's the end result?

[Monica McNutt]

What are they?

[Don LaGreca]

But we were entering 75 or 174.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We were entertained during the two hours that we watched it. Even if there were gaps in it.

[Don LaGreca]

What scene? The only scene I could see that you would like look at forward to if you watched it again would be the end. That was kind of unique.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thought the opening scene when you meet Sean Penn's character and Tiana Taylor meets him and as she's sort of doing this crazed terrorist Attack. She's also like sexually assaulting him. Was a bizarre and interesting scene.

[Monica McNutt]

Fine. You could make it stupid.

[Don LaGreca]

Makes no sense.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Done. You're allowed to think that, but it doesn't go anywhere.

[Alan Hahn]

Here we go.

[Don LaGreca]

It was a forced plot. It was.

[Monica McNutt]

It.

[Don LaGreca]

No, Don.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe we see it differently. Maybe we.

[Don LaGreca]

Because I think you want to see it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I want you to jump in.

[Don LaGreca]

There was nothing. Would you see it? You would actually see it again.

[Alan Hahn]

I want to see it again. What this jets news is all right. I have the jets desperately need to need a quarterback.

[Don LaGreca]

Big news.

[Alan Hahn]

What?

[Don LaGreca]

Man, that is stale. A 17 week old.

[Alan Hahn]

I know. And guess what? It's still freaking better than what you two are doing right now.

[Monica McNutt]

We can't.

[Don LaGreca]

We can't keep. Let's go see the quarterback. It's 1978. Namath just left to go to the Rams. Who's going to be the quarterback? Richard Todd? The answer.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Somewhere a 10 year old boy got a jersey for Christmas and now he's doomed for life.

[Don LaGreca]

It's actually the. Oh yeah. The plot of one battle after another. The jets looking for a quarterback.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One desperate search after another.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the

[Alan Hahn]

sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter. Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers. Monster Energy. Everybody knows White Monster Zero Ultra, that's the og it kicked off this whole Zero sugar energy drink thing. But Ultra is a whole lineup now. You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian Sunrise and Vice Guava. And they all bring them Monster Energy punch.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So if you've been living in the

[Alan Hahn]

White can branch out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ultra's got a flavor for every vibe

[Alan Hahn]

and every single one is Zero Sugar. Tap the banner to learn more.