Hour 2: More Knicks & Thursday Rewrite

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg - Hour 2: More Knicks & Thursday Rewrite

Release Date: May 22, 2025

In the second hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the recent New York Knicks playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. This episode, aptly titled "More Knicks & Thursday Rewrite," offers a comprehensive analysis of the Knicks' performance, the team's internal dynamics, and speculative scenarios that could have altered the outcome of their pivotal Game 1.

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1. Post-Game Analysis: Knicks vs. Pacers Showdown

Tense Final Minutes and Team Fractures

The episode kicks off with a detailed breakdown of the dramatic conclusion of the Knicks' Game 1 against the Pacers. The Knicks held a commanding 17-point lead with approximately six and a half minutes remaining, but the Pacers orchestrated a remarkable comeback to clinch the victory in the closing moments.

• Peter Rosenberg (00:48): "I had so many people, Peter, so many people. As I'm walking, you know, you leave the building and you see all the fans, and I had to hustle."

• Alan Hahn (01:32): "I went on with Dave and Rick this morning. I heard, and they were giving me a hard time about…"

The tension was palpable as teammates Carl Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby engaged in a heated exchange on the bench during a timeout, spotlighting underlying issues within the team dynamics.

• Don La Greca (02:51): "Listen, Natalie wants me to, I will not rescind and say like, I don't like the Celtics anymore. I'm now a Knicks fan. That would be fraudulent and absurd."

2. Defensive Lapses and Strategic Missteps

Critiquing Player Performance

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the Knicks' defensive shortcomings, particularly in the final minutes of the game. The hosts scrutinize the performances of key players, including Julius Randle (referred to as "Cat") and Jalen Brunson, pointing out missed opportunities and strategic errors.

• Alan Hahn (10:48): "He gets bullied on every pick and roll and… It's obviously hurting the team because, like, you know, OG and Cat are."

• Don La Greca (12:09): "I can imagine so."

The conversation highlights how Brunson's defensive play, which contributed to securing five fouls, adversely impacted the team's ability to maintain their lead.

• Peter Rosenberg (12:02): "He was not playing definitely defense, honestly, because he didn't want to get his sixth foul."

3. The Pacers' Resilience and Strategic Advantage

Indiana's Tactical Prowess

The Pacers' ability to overcome a substantial deficit is lauded, with the hosts acknowledging their mental toughness and strategic execution throughout the postseason.

• Don La Greca (05:29): "They only finished a game behind the Knicks. Their record now over the last 30 games now is 24 and 6."

• Peter Rosenberg (17:07): "Anybody."

The discussion underscores the Pacers' formidable performance, especially in high-pressure situations, contrasting it with the Knicks' unexpected unraveling in Game 1.

4. Viewer and Listener Interactions: Callers Weigh In

Fan Perspectives and Tactical Debates

Several listeners contribute their viewpoints, raising questions about coaching decisions and player responsibilities.

• Caller Patty from Lodi (10:23): "He had the foot on the line, so we're going into overtime."

• Caller Tony from Queens (43:15): "Why not ride that way till the end? That's my first question."

These interactions enrich the conversation, bringing diverse opinions on the Knicks' strategic choices and defensive strategies.

• Peter Rosenberg (45:21): "It's five minutes to go, up 14."

• Don La Greca (46:11): "Maybe save him for if I need him in two minutes and now it becomes the one."

5. Betting Odds and Series Implications

Shifting Predictions and Stakes

The hosts transition to discussing the evolving betting odds following the Pacers' stunning first-game win. They analyze how this alters expectations for the remainder of the series.

• Don La Greca (23:33): "Knicks now have dropped to second favorite to win the third favorite to win the championship."

• Peter Rosenberg (24:37): "They're feeling it."

• Alan Hahn (24:15): "They just made history. Right now you got to make history."

This segment highlights the increased pressure on the Knicks to rebound in subsequent games and the heightened challenge posed by the Pacers' consistency.

6. Thursday Rewrite: Hypothetical Game Scenario

Reimagining Game 1's Climactic Shot

In a creative twist, the hosts engage in the "Thursday Rewrite" segment, where they envision an alternate ending to Game 1 by altering the outcome of a pivotal shot by Tyrese Halliburton.

• Peter Rosenberg (27:02): "And you saw the different back pages, all referencing choking Reggie Miller and Halliburton."

• Don La Greca (30:38): "Let's say it all goes down the way it went down."

They explore how a missed shot would have changed the game's narrative, potentially reinforcing the perception of the Knicks' mental fortitude or shifting blame onto key players like Halliburton.

• Alan Hahn (29:35): "They were the favorites going into the series."

• Don La Greca (30:34): "Halliburton with the choke sign, thinking it's a three, but it's actually a two."

This speculative discussion underscores the thin margins in sports outcomes and their profound impact on team morale and public perception.

7. Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

Looking Ahead to the Series

As the episode wraps up, the hosts emphasize the importance of the upcoming games in the series, urging the Knicks to capitalize on their strengths and rectify their recent shortcomings.

• Peter Rosenberg (52:07): "This is all little things. But I wanted to show it was absolute chaos."

• Don La Greca (52:07): "You need to come back with a win. An emphatic win that can make you believe that could shut them up."

They express cautious optimism, recognizing the Knicks' potential to turn the series around while acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by the Pacers.

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Notable Quotes:

• Don La Greca (16:42): "Tell you, stop blaming and start giving credit."

• Peter Rosenberg (37:00): "How could you not be audible at that moment?"

• Alan Hahn (22:09): "Billy Crystal just texted me, okay, that's drop."

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Conclusion

Hour 2 of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" offers an in-depth and engaging exploration of the New York Knicks' playoff performance, dissecting both the on-court events and the off-court dynamics that influence the team's trajectory. Through expert analysis, listener engagement, and creative speculation, the hosts provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the Knicks' current standing and the road ahead in their quest for championship glory.

For those who missed the episode, this summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights shared by ESPN New York's legend Don La Greca, broadcaster Alan Hahn, and Hip Hop veteran Peter Rosenberg, ensuring fans remain informed and engaged with the latest Knicks narratives.

Transcript

[Don La Greca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don La Greca]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New.

[Alan Hahn]

York app, and your smart speakers like you dream about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like you dream or.

[Alan Hahn]

Or like you nightmare about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was, I had so many people, Peter, so many people. As I'm walking, you know, you leave the building and you see all the fans, and I had to hustle. I did a hit on the court, and then I had to go across the street to finish postgame show with Wally and Bill. So I have to cross 7th Avenue. No frolicking.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course, there was no need for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The police this time, but it was. It almost was heartbreaking how many fans were walking and there was just this. It wasn't even anger. It was more. Did that happen? And it kept so many people looked at me going, alan, what happened? How could that happen? Why did that happen? And I'm like, you know why? Because it's Nick's pacers. Buckle up and get ready for it.

[Alan Hahn]

So I went on, that's what this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Series and that's what this rivalry has been all.

[Alan Hahn]

I went on with Dave and Rick this morning. I heard, and they were giving me a hard time about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We got a little bit. You want to hear?

[Alan Hahn]

We hear a piece. They've costing me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They've going off on you, Don.

[Don La Greca]

Should put you in a chokehold and.

[Alan Hahn]

Strangle you until you can't raise your.

[Don La Greca]

Arm like Hulk Hogan.

[Alan Hahn]

This is awful. This is absolutely, unequivocally one of the worst moments you've ever had in your radio career. You cannot root for the Knicks if.

[Don La Greca]

You'Re a fan of the Boston Celtics.

[Alan Hahn]

So I went on to discuss the situation. I tried to do it with some calm and some poise and explain where things are and why I'm rooting for the Knicks and how I got here and, you know, whatever. Yeah, good, good, good conversation. Go listen to the podcast. It was fun. Love that show. But the one thing I did explain to him is, is that he goes, I heard there's a video of you on Instagram and you're and you're like unhinged about the. About the Knicks game. And I said, well, first of all, it's embarrassing that you weren't even able to watch the clip that you're referring to. It's not. It wouldn't take you that long.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I heard.

[Alan Hahn]

Great, great research, buddy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

It's on Rosenberg radio. It's right there. But the truth is, he didn't want.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To give you the click.

[Alan Hahn]

He didn't want to give me the view. But the truth is, any rooting for the Knicks fanship aside, that was legitimate. I didn't know what to say. I pulled out my phone. I've been trying to, after the games, hit a little recap video. Cuz a. That's what our listeners. We're building a show here and it's to promote people back to our show and to be involved in the conversation about the Knicks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

So I pull out my phone, I start recording and I. Obviously it turned into sort of a bit after 15 seconds, but it started completely in earnest. I didn't know what to say. I was slack jawed. I had never seen it before. And that was. And I explained it to Dave and he understood when I explained, I said that has nothing to do with whether you're a fan or not. It was one of those games even on TNT and msg. Afterwards there was a bit of a loss for words because we can analyze it till we're blue in the face, but. But some of it was a freakish thing. You know, my. My manager Dipperstein's in town and he always jokes that, you know, he doesn't watch competitive sports. He only likes sports where the outcomes are predetermined.

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So much easier.

[Alan Hahn]

And he loved last night because you would have thought that was predetermined. It was a story that's unbelievable.

[Don La Greca]

So that's the way Hoosiers would end. It would have went straight. Straight to dvd.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that is a great WWE script kind of end.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh my God.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Heel wins. Pisses off the crowd.

[Alan Hahn]

Recreating what happened once in. Yeah, I mean, if you look back at my thing, really think about it. My first take earlier this week where I said, he's going to be the ultimate msg. He. He played it out. I couldn't have written it better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. And now of course. Right. So this sets up for the next SmackDown or the next, you know.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

WrestleMania Friday for Brunson to now have to have his answer.

[Alan Hahn]

It's, it's. And I. But I will say it was quite a Way to get jumped into my Knicks era, You know, like my.

[Don La Greca]

You know what? I'm owning it immediately. Defending yourself. And listen, I don't want to disappoint.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Welcome to the fandom, by the way. That's how it is.

[Don La Greca]

You know, I didn't put you in a figure four or whatever, but I almost encouraged you to do it. I said that. Well, I explained it.

[Alan Hahn]

I said Don and Anthony said fraudulent to begin with.

[Don La Greca]

DC Kid growing up a Celtic fan.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Like what were we even talking?

[Don La Greca]

Come on, what do we do now?

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, as much as Natalie wants me to, I will not rescind and say like, I don't like the Celtics anymore. I'm. I'm now a Knicks fan. That would be fraudulent and absurd. What I'm going to be is just open about the fact that I'm sort of a fraud. And yes, I'm a Celtics fan, but I live here. And as the years go on, I'll probably get pulled more and more into.

[Don La Greca]

The news and maybe there will be a decision to be made at some point. By the way, if Maya turns out to be like a sick Nick fan and there are moments against the Celtics, you find yourself. You know what? I'm glad they beat the Celtics. Yeah. And it'll get to that point. Kofi sent the stat that you were talking about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

The Rangers 10 straight winner take all losses between 1937 and 1984. So what's worse, 10 straight or like only 10 opportunities in like 50 years? Because the Leafs are now eight straight from 2013 to present. And believe it or not, The Avalanche are third seven straight losses in winner take all games since 2002. However, they did win a Stanley cup during that period of time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Didn't have a winner.

[Don La Greca]

Didn't have a winner game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

But I don't know what's more embarrassing, the Rangers having 10 straight or only 10 in like a 47 year span. It's crazy. And the reason it's not Game 7, because a lot of series were best.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Some were fives, even threes. Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

You know, back when you start to talk about the. The late 30s and early 40s. So that was the stat. Thank you, Kofi.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If we can get back to now more things that happened last night at the Garden that, that need to be talked about. And while I do share a lot of the belief that there's. There's not a lot, not a great concern about this team, they have shown us. I think I've said this before, we saw it in the Celtics series after Bad losses or after these type, when you say how do you come up from that? Which is what a lot of people say. They have been a mentally tough team. But I saw something happen last night that is now starting to make the rounds that now needs to be acknowledged. It was on the bench. The Knicks were up five during a timeout, right? It was Carl Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby were having it out. You don't normally see like these guys. Now the fact that they actually are talking and holding each other accountable is a good thing because they weren't doing that for most of the season. And even P.J. tucker said, like, somebody's got to be the bad guy. He used a different word, but I think you know what I mean, right? And Cat was having it out with an obi and Anobi then started having it out with Cat. This is during a timeout on the. On the bench. Now, understand, players sit on the bench for a minute, decompress. The coaches figure out what they're going to talk about and they come over. Thibodeau was there when this was going on. Bridges and Robinson stepped in. Bridges sat between them to make sure it didn't get worse. Robinson went over and started clapping loudly in front of Kat as if to like. And impressive Sechua as well, as if to sort of snap him out of it. Like, stop, stop, stop. Like, let it go. Anunoby wouldn't let it go either. Brunson with his arm around Anunoby and starts kind of talking him down, like, just let it go. Move on next play. So defensive possession previous to that, they had a miscommunication and the two of them were kind of blaming each other for it. And Towns was furious. I've never seen him mad like this. He normally. First of all, he's always very happy. Go lucky. He never gets like that. But he was really furious about whatever was either being accused of him or what he felt like was a mistake by somebody else. Teammates trying to separate it when it started to feel like, okay, they're ignoring people and they're still going at it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Brunson stood up like a parent in front of children, faced both of them, looked at Kat and basically said and without mincing words, stop enough. And I mean, he looked pissed. Then they get to the timeout, but there's still. You're up five with, I think it was 30 seconds to go. That's still winning time.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So when you ask what happened to the team, look right there.

[Don La Greca]

Well, it's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They were getting Rattled. They were tearing apart. They were frustrated, getting mad at each other. This became the pressure that the Pacers applied with Neesmith making those threes. I think it affected them and it. I don't want to say that they're tearing apart in real life because I do think they're a close team, and I imagine on an off day like today, they'll get that stuff figured out. But that's a moment that we haven't seen all season. And that's one of those things that you. You watch for now going forward is, are they fr. How could they be fracturing after what they did with Boston in one game? So let's see where that takes them. But that's a moment you can't ignore. On why they seem to look rattled the rest of the game.

[Don La Greca]

And it's not just the fact they got into it. They wouldn't let it go. Yeah, like, it's one thing to get into. It's good. It's going to happen. Tense moments, Quiet.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

You need your teammates, multiple teammates have to finally, like, settle this down. Like, it was almost like was more important to get your point across than the task at hand. And trying to figure out what's the play going to be coming out of the timeout. That's a problem. Let's go to Ami and Paramus. You're on espn. New York. What's up, man?

[Caller]

Hey. First time, long time listener, first time caller.

[Don La Greca]

Really.

[Alan Hahn]

I actually, actually that was the point that I think Cat. I know we were all worried and complaining about the Randall handle, and he wasn't. He wasn't a good fit for New.

[Don La Greca]

York, but I actually think Cat is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Kind of soft and defensive lapses.

[Caller]

And I know Brunson is not the.

[Alan Hahn]

Best defensive player either, but like, you watch.

[Caller]

You watch OG and Bridges hustle on defense, and you. You watch Brunson hustle on defense.

[Alan Hahn]

Cat just kind of like stands there. He gets.

[Caller]

He gets bullied on every pick and roll and.

[Alan Hahn]

And it's obviously hurting the team because, like, you know, OG and Cat are.

[Caller]

Fighting because OG is probably frustrated that Cat's not.

[Alan Hahn]

Cat's not fulfilling his defensive responsibilities. I don't know, but was that a thing?

[Don La Greca]

Was that.

[Alan Hahn]

Was that an issue, hurting the team? Up until three minutes left.

[Don La Greca]

Up 14. Right. Exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Again, we. We try to find. And I don't know if he's a culprit. He's not by himself. Anunoby left Matheran. Matheran Neesmith to walk into one of the bigger ones, the third three. He was so far off of him. Let him walk right into it. You got to think at some point, take the threes away, pick up at three point line. If he beat you off the dribble, it's a two cares like that. I think there. So he was a culprit, by the way. I thought for sure he'd be all NBA, the all defense. He was not. They announced the team an hour ago. First team, second team, all defense. He was not one of the players named. You know how pissed off he's going to be today about that?

[Don La Greca]

I can imagine so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he was not great. Brunson not playing definitely defense, honestly, because he didn't want to get his sixth foul. That was not great. Heart slipping in one situation. That was not great. Like there was. There were every. There were several culprits on these defensive breakdowns.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, a lot. And Earl in Brooklyn's got another culprit. You're on espn, New York. What do you got, Earl?

[Caller]

Hey, guys. What's up, Peter?

[Alan Hahn]

Yo, buddy.

[Caller]

Alan and Don. Don, we know in games like this we have to, we have to have had some kind of adjustment, so. Kids never made an adjustment after Naismith hit his 4 for 3. You got to go to a matchup zone and you can't get picked and roll on a matchup zone. And you out past the three point line on the matchup zone. You got to make adjustments. We all know that. No adjustments was made in the last two minutes by the Knicks. None whatsoever. Again, you got it. You got a bench, you got, you got McBride and you got the. The other guard. Bring them in for ball handling. Mikhail Bridges is not a ball handling in those situations.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, it didn't seem like I had.

[Caller]

Ball handlers and free throws shooters.

[Alan Hahn]

But, but by the way though, but Brunson. But for the record, Brunson is supposed to be a ball handler and a free throw shooter.

[Caller]

Okay? But Brunson is not. If you double team Brunson, he. They take. They took that away from every time they stole the ball. They took Brunson away. They double team. He's not getting the ball back because he's not fighting hard enough to get the ball back.

[Don La Greca]

But.

[Alan Hahn]

And you have heart in the game too. Hart shouldn't be able to help get the ball up court and make free throws.

[Caller]

He's not a true ball handler. We need ball handlers.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, I'm not going to sit here and argue with you.

[Don La Greca]

I think it was just the one turnover Brunson had, right? That was it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it was really bad. He had other ones. He had two others that could have happened, but they ended up retrieving the ball.

[Don La Greca]

See, that's what I was going to ask you on that inbound where he bounced the ball hard in the air. He was trying to bounce it off a pacer and get it out of bounds. Right. That he didn't just blindly just fire it into the. Into the court. And that could have been a turnover.

[Alan Hahn]

But it was a desperation.

[Don La Greca]

Was he trying to, like, get it off the base?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think there was anybody there. I think he just tried to just.

[Don La Greca]

He was being. But why did he just. Because that could have just ended up anywhere.

[Alan Hahn]

It was an odd play.

[Don La Greca]

Very odd play.

[Alan Hahn]

It was a desperate play, but I.

[Don La Greca]

Think they even said it there, Brook. It almost seemed like he was trying to bounce it off a pacer's foot or something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wasn't somebody there? Yeah. I'd have to see it again because that where I was. I haven't had a chance to watch the game back, so I honestly don't. I didn't get a great angle on it, but it didn't look like. It just looked like it was. I have nowhere to go with this. Let me just bounce it and give my guys time to go get it.

[Alan Hahn]

It was hard to tell for me, Don, I see what you're saying. It sort of looked like he was trying to throw it off someone's leg. It also could have been an incredibly crafty play. I have nowhere to go. I'm going to spike it down.

[Don La Greca]

It was ugly, but it was. I forget who. The Knick that grabbed it, but it was. There was no pace.

[Alan Hahn]

Maybe. I think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thought it was Hart.

[Don La Greca]

There was no. There was no Pacer. Close. So I'm not going to kill Bryant, but. But the caller making the point of all these things, in retrospect, sometimes this blank happens, man. Everything was working until you got to the final minute, until a guy just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Started making ridiculous decisions and then you.

[Don La Greca]

Want to rip tibs for. You should have done this. Yeah, it's easy to look back and go, boy, I guess maybe you should have left Brunson on the bench or bring in more ball handler. But this is your team, and this was the team that for 47 minutes had a commanding lead in the game. And then it all kind of just slipped away. You don't want it to happen, Alan. And there were mistakes that were made, but from a coaching standpoint, so I could.

[Peter Rosenberg]

14. I can't trust my best players. Up nine with a minute to go. I Shouldn't trust my best players knowing 0 and 1,414. 0 and 1,414. Well, knowing what happened, I shouldn't trust him.

[Don La Greca]

Though I am sure if Tibbs had the ability to go in the DeLorean and go back to a minute left capacity, he might have done some things differently.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, absolutely.

[Don La Greca]

But in that moment, how could you think that's going to happen? It's got to be on the players sometimes to just go out there and execute. Don't miss foul shots, don't turn the ball over, defend better. When you know that the three is the only thing that's going to kill you. Give them twos all day, Alan, it doesn't matter. But if you're going to give them. If you could exchange twos for threes, it's simple math. If you're going to lose a point every possession, if you're lucky enough to score, that's going to be a problem. But it's all in retrospect, guys, I'm.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Telling you, stop blaming and start giving credit. That's what I want to say. Stop blaming and start giving credit.

[Don La Greca]

Well, maybe now all these people, Pacers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Were saying late in that game, I.

[Don La Greca]

Don'T want to get on Knick fans, but I think they all woke up and realized, you know what, maybe it's not going to be a walk in the park to get to the NBA Finals. That beating the big bad Celtics wasn't going to be the, the hardest part of this journey.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anybody.

[Don La Greca]

That maybe the Pacers are going to be a team. That's going to be a bit of a problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

Now I think that realization. I'm trying to tell you. I was telling you too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know you picked us the way you picked the Pacers.

[Don La Greca]

They only finished a game behind the Knicks. Their record now over the last 30 games now is what? Like it's, it's 24 and 6. In the last 30 games and the postseason, they're 24 and 6. This is not the first time they've overcome a huge deficit in the final minute of a game. Yeah, Milwaukee's not that good. Yeah, Cleveland was banged up, but this is a good Pacers team, man, and you just saw it firsthand. So maybe the players know that and that's all that needs to wake up. But all these fans who thought, oh, it's a Garrett, oh, it's gonna be a short series, oh, we're gonna wipe the floor with them, we're going to the NBA Finals, little bit of wake up. Call this Pacers team is going to have something to say about it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you're going to have to win a game on their floor.

[Don La Greca]

I mean now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but no, but you're going to have to win a game. You knew you would. This is. I have this thing going seven. You heard Rick Carlisle say this is one day out of the next 13. That tells you that he also knows that this thing's probably going the distance too. They all know.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is just one. There's going to be other drama. But this was, this was amazing theater. Amazing.

[Don La Greca]

Let's go to Patty. Lodi, you're on. Don Han and Rosenberg.

[Caller]

Hello fellows. Fellows. Alan, I love you, but as soon as that game end, I couldn't watch the postgame show, man. I think I put on some Anna Faris and Chris Evans rom com. That's all the press.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's not a bad rom com choice.

[Don La Greca]

But if you're going to pivot that. That's the pivot you need to do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You got to go with your comfort food kind of movie that just makes you feel better about life and make you say, you know what? I don't even care about sports. Trust me. I gotta be honest with you. I didn't want to do the post game show.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then this morning I get up.

[Don La Greca]

I'm like, I don't want to be here either. Patty. I'll let. You may finish your point. Usually we talk about how nobody wants to watch the post game show after a loss. That the ratings are probably higher for wins.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course.

[Don La Greca]

But like if you had the stomach and obviously Patty didn't, that's a, that's a post game you want to watch because there's so much I got to hear what you guys have to say about what went down.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep. Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

So I wouldn't be surprised.

[Caller]

100. Right you are. That's why I'm listening today. I'm like, you know what? I slept on it. I'm up. You guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At least you're here now.

[Caller]

100. I love you guys. I'm always listening. But the main, I think the main thing, like I think the, the challenge that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Caller]

We knew. I think everyone knew that wasn't getting overturned.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Caller]

I know he didn't want Brunson to pick up the foul, but we knew it wasn't getting overturned. And Alan, you made the point earlier rushing the clock at the end of the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Caller]

Why are we dribbling and just passing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Even though they were scoring? Like you didn't have to. They Were scoring it. Well, you didn't have to.

[Caller]

Look Aaron Nation Curry over there draining threes from. From Queens. Like, it's ridiculous. That, and then the one thing that I. The fouling up three when you're. We're up 3,000, which I get. But with 14 seconds left, I don't like it. At that point, I think you have to test your luck and let Nathan shoot the ball. Play defense.

[Don La Greca]

Play defense.

[Caller]

They make it, they tie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You mean when OG fouled him?

[Caller]

Yeah, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You had the take. Foul. You had to take foul. No, that was the right. That was the right play. That was the right play there.

[Caller]

But to me it was just with too much time on the clock. What was it, seven seconds to rush it up?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Wasn't it like seven seconds?

[Caller]

No, I think, I think it was like 14 seconds left still in the game when OG found Nathan on the. On like on the right corner almost.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. And then the next one, but then they inbounded. Then he hit the three.

[Caller]

Yeah, inbound to hit the three. But to me it's just falling too early. I understand, like, but he found him immediately.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. You knew they were going to try to get a shot up. You just didn't want to get the shot up, that's all. But okay.

[Caller]

Exactly. But thank you, fellows. Love you guys. I think the next one, the series is six or seven.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There you go.

[Don La Greca]

All right, thanks a lot, Pat. That's confidence, man. Because you're going to win it. If you're going to win it in six, then you're in really good shape.

[Alan Hahn]

Just don't.

[Don La Greca]

If you're going to lose, like, don't lose in seven. Where you're going to look back at game one and say that was the difference.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No matter what, if you lose the series, you will always go back to game one. It doesn't matter if you lose the series. Game one will always stand out as the one that you say, see, should that game cost you the series? This game now sets up for the reason why you lost the series before you've even gotten past game one.

[Don La Greca]

It's an easy tone set. We talked about. Tone set. Right after you left, Alan and Peter and I talked about, you know, I kind of fully expected this series to be 1:1 going back to Indiana, but there's just something about game one kind of just sets the tone. And now listen, you put yourself in desperation mode. I'm not going to say it's a must win tomorrow, but you're chasing. But dude, you go. You lose the first two games at home already. In the history of the Knicks, they've never won a series when they lost the first game at home. So now they're going to go 02. It's not impossible, but now you really put yourself up against.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, see, they just made history. Right now you got to make history.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, no less a man than the great Billy Crystal just texted me, okay, that's drop.

[Don La Greca]

Very well played.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not bad.

[Alan Hahn]

And said if the Knicks lose tomorrow night, a sweep becomes a real possibility. And I said to him, I still wouldn't predict that even if they were to lose tomorrow night. But I will say this, Knicks fans are going to be shook if they go down O2 heading back to Indiana.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. Because now you're. Now you're in all kinds of trouble. Now you got to win four to the next five, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Including. Right.

[Don La Greca]

A lot in India with a team that. Right now, that's the other thing, too. This Pacer team is now 9 and 2 in the postseason.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're feeling it.

[Don La Greca]

They're really. So if they're 10 and 2, if they win tomorrow and then expect to all of a sudden just drop for your next five, it's doable, but it's really, really tough. Really tough. You don't want. You don't want to put yourself in that situation. That would be a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he watched the game.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Are the Clippers or not?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You get him to call him.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll ask him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what I mean?

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, I know I do my part. I've tried once before.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We need some comic relief. Pun intended.

[Don La Greca]

What? How much did the odds. Obviously they changed dramatically. But what did they go to? What were the Knicks favored going in? They had to be a minus, what, 130, probably so plus 156 for the two in the championship.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, for the series.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, so. But they were. There were probably. But they were a minus going in, right? They were the favorites going in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They were the favorites. Yes.

[Don La Greca]

So they were.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it was like. We're talking about close.

[Don La Greca]

I'll say it's probably minus 110. So now it's plus what, 56.

[Peter Rosenberg]

156.

[Don La Greca]

That's not. It's not insignificant.

[Alan Hahn]

Wait, say it one more time because I'm happy.

[Don La Greca]

Favored by. Okay, they're now a plus 156. Probably negative. Like what, 110 to win the series in that range. That's how much. You know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Believe it or not, Pacers have now jumped to plus 500 as championship. Knicks plus 750. So the Knicks now have dropped to second favorite to win the third favorite to win the championship. I know.

[Alan Hahn]

Down one and they'll win it. They'll win. If they win tomorrow. If they win tomorrow, it'll be. It'll edge back the other way.

[Don La Greca]

It'll still be Pacers because it'll be Pacers.

[Alan Hahn]

Then if the Knicks steal one, the Knicks will take it.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, it'll be very fluid.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then on the series plus one far ESPN bet has plus 140 for the series winner for the Knicks and Indiana's minus 165.

[Don La Greca]

Interesting. So, you know, listen, it's not nothing losing the game at home in game one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don La Greca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don La Greca]

The time continuum has been disrupted, creating an alternate 1985. This is.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, Doc, are you telling me you.

[Don La Greca]

Built a time machine?

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Thursday rewrite. All right, the Thursday rewrite. Sometimes I like to go back in time.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks, Doc.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Today, though, let's just go. Go to this morning. Why not, right?

[Don La Greca]

Why not?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you saw the different back pages, all referencing choking Reggie Miller and Halliburton. But I want to take us back and wonder, what would the headlines be? More importantly, what would the mood be? And I'm not changing anything but one thing, so I'm gonna say this. Halliburton shoots that shot. Ball hits the back rim, goes straight up in the air. Somewhere in the 200s, a man decides, I'm leaving. Opens the door. It was a windy night last night in New York City. Was it not?

[Don La Greca]

Very.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rain was pouring. He opens the door just the right time, just enough of a breeze, goes through that door into the Garden, hits that ball, and it just moves a little to the right.

[Alan Hahn]

Clink, clink.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then it hits the rim and bounces to the court. Knicks win the game.

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they barely win the game. So if we're rewriting the story to say that the Halliburton shot bounced out, I'm listening. Is it still Knicks win game one? Hold on. To wit, like, is there still this feeling of they're in control of the series?

[Don La Greca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or is the feeling they got lucky. They almost gave that game away. And there's concerns that did the Pacers find something late in that game? And this series is like, the mood is amazing based on one bounce.

[Alan Hahn]

Correct.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So if we change the bounce.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do we change the mood?

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really?

[Alan Hahn]

This is a classic example of if my if was a spliff, or if my aunt had hair on her back, she'd be my uncle.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How could you say that when the niece Smith stuff still happens? All of it still happens.

[Alan Hahn]

Still happened. And it's a big scare. And you go, oh, my God, what do we do wrong?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the Reggie choke. That didn't happen.

[Alan Hahn]

But in the end, you're up one nothing, and you still only have to win three more games to get out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So it doesn't matter.

[Don La Greca]

Peter's right, because I think most Knick fans skew positive. So the narrative would be the Knicks survived because, you know, they, they just know not to lose these moments. You know, the Pacers are good, but you would spin it towards this is how mentally strong this team is. They didn't let the Pacers win the game. There wouldn't be that narrative. There'd be some scared people to be like, well, wait a minute, did you see what happened? We almost blew a nine point lead with less than a minute to play. But you didn't. Because the narrative has been from a lot of Nick fans that they found it in that Celtic series. Wouldn't that kind of add to it? That they bent but they didn't break. They still won the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Call that shot the Halliburton Heimlich.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. So I think that they survived, but I don't think it would be. Look, that they, that they caught a break, that they survived was that they found a way to survive, to hold on. Now I got one that might be just as good as yours.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, let's go.

[Don La Greca]

I don't want to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, please. Come on.

[Alan Hahn]

Jump right in.

[Don La Greca]

It's better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, this is. The water's warm.

[Don La Greca]

Let's say it all goes down the way it went down.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don La Greca]

Halliburton with the choke sign, thinking it's a three, but it's actually a two. They go to overtime, but the Knicks win the game. It's even better because now they can spin Halliburton as the villain, that he did the choke sign too early. You know, they got overconfident. Like, they would spin it. It's. He would be. He would look like. Not he's the villain right now, but he's the villain that did something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he's no Reggie.

[Alan Hahn]

No, he'd be a goat.

[Don La Greca]

He'd be the goat. Because he did the choke sign too early. Because that was my thinking throughout overtime. Is that. Boy, is that going to age poorly for the Pacers. Yeah, that'll be the back page. No, choke would probably be like the headline. Like, because the Knicks didn't choke, they end up winning the game in overtime.

[Alan Hahn]

Or choke that or double choke.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. Because. And you know, the Knicks score, who's the choke points? And I'm thinking, I know this is, this is going really well for the Knicks. All right, they survived, but they can make him be the pure goat instead of what turned out to be him being the hero. And that that could have happened because I think overtime's kind of forgotten about the way regulation ended. But the Knicks had a four point lead and I don't know how you feel? Obviously, you. You watch a ton of basketball. Those five minutes at overtime go quick, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

Like, you think, wow, another five minutes. It. Next thing you know, there's like a minute and a half to go. It's like, what. What happened?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Because you get into a rhythm of up and down. Then all of a sudden, it's like a missed shot, a made shot, a missed shot, made shot. Now it's like, oh. And then you look up and it's, wow, it's already two minutes to go.

[Don La Greca]

This game is going to be over soon. It's. It's. It's pretty interesting, Stuy. I like what you did there, because there's so much. So much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That ball, I'm telling. Like, it is, to me, one of those moments that felt like an eternity because it hits the back. Because the shot, he. When he takes the shot, you're like, oh, he's just chucked that. Like, that's not going in. Then it hits the back rim, and you're like, oh, that's like, all right, that's game over. Just wait for the ball to land now. But the ball, instead of banking, hitting the back rim and going out, it went up, up. So now. And I don't want to keep just repeating myself, but I can't explain to you the drama of being there in person and watching the ball go up and everyone collectively is just watching it, looking like everyone in the. There's not a single person that wasn't eyes on that basketball, waiting for it to land and decide the fate of one of these teams right then and there.

[Don La Greca]

What I did this morning was watching the different reactions from people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

Because like you said, they're all looking up. And then, you know, some people grabbed their face. Some people stomped their feet. Some people, like, collapsed into their chair.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Or just stared out in the space like. Or, you know, obviously, the few Pacer fans, but mostly the Pacer players, just how they reacted.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

It was almost like a college kind of atmosphere, the way they all just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Poured off, ran onto the court. Yep, it was.

[Don La Greca]

But that all would have fueled that narrative of celebrating too soon. Because, you know, you probably didn't notice because you were there, Peter, you might have noticed. I'm thinking the game's over because you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thought it was the three, but the.

[Don La Greca]

Bug on TNT had it right.

[Alan Hahn]

They did.

[Don La Greca]

They had 125. 125.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Immediately. Immediately in my ear because I had the IFB for the. For. For Turner. And it's. You heard. I don't know who Said it. But say. I think that was a two, like, right away. And then you saw the referees get together.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that's when.

[Don La Greca]

But in the moment. Here's. I'm watching edge of my seat, living room. Nancy's on the love seat. She's out cold.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Out cold.

[Don La Greca]

All right, but how could you not be audible at that moment? I don't know how that was repeater because he's got a, you know, infant sleeping. I don't know if Natalie was probably up because she's a Nick fan. She was watching, but how do you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not go, oh, did she scream?

[Alan Hahn]

No, she was too nervous. She wasn't screaming. She was silent.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So the ball goes through and she just stayed quiet?

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What did you do?

[Alan Hahn]

She was quiet most of the. We both were kind of just. It was definitely not screaming. The baby was just put down. We were both just staring.

[Don La Greca]

Honestly, I couldn't help it. Hits the rim. This is how long it is. Hits the back of the rim. I stand up because I'm immediately going to put on Channel 7 news for when Nancy does wake up, because the Giants were in the afternoon. And I'm going to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No MSG immediately. I'm going to.

[Don La Greca]

Msg is sleeping during this unbelievable game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You think she's going to watch the post game immediately.

[Don La Greca]

I'm going to bed. That was, like, 20 minutes past.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He could have faked it, though, Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

He could have faked it. Watch, I'll fake it. I went right to msg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. Not that hard. See, Don, that's all you got to do.

[Alan Hahn]

I got up, and by the way, great job.

[Don La Greca]

Kiss at night. Put on Channel seven for her so if she wakes up, she can catch the weather. I'm going to bed. All right. But as I stand up, then it goes right through, and it had to be a swoosh because it was so high up in the air that if it even glanced off the rim, it probably rattles out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Remarkable.

[Don La Greca]

I ow. And that wakes her up. And then I got to explain to her everything that happened. She didn't. She still didn't care. She loves her sports. She has less than zero interest in basketball. That's, like, none.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, well.

[Don La Greca]

So that's why. If I left the msg, she would. She would be a bone of contention during breakfast. Like, why did you put on msg? Because God knows what's on. God love you. I don't know what MSG's putting on after you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

You know, is it gonna be Serpico? What are they putting on?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I wish it was Serpico.

[Don La Greca]

I don't do that anymore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They don't do the movie thing this summer.

[Don La Greca]

One of the gambling shows, probably one of the gambling.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So.

[Don La Greca]

Or do they just put your post game on a loop? That's what.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sometimes they loop that. Yeah. This time of year, who knows until.

[Don La Greca]

Like, the next pre game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right now, Winthrop came up with a good idea for what the headline would be if the shot missed.

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Chokes on you.

[Don La Greca]

That's good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I like that.

[Don La Greca]

That's why he's the boss.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See?

[Don La Greca]

That's why he's the boss.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Found a use for him.

[Caller]

There you go.

[Don La Greca]

How about Merv in Winfield? He was over at the viewing party with Garland and Bart last night. How'd that go?

[Caller]

It was a lot of fun until that ball came down through the hoop.

[Don La Greca]

So what's the collective reaction? Because I'm sure they're all Nick fans there. So what was the reaction?

[Caller]

Oh, yeah, it was. It was a rowdy atmosphere. The guy next to me starts celebrating when the ball went up and then came down, went through the hoop. And he. So I'm like, bro, that just went in. I think we lost. And then my nephew's like, no, he's like, his foot was on the line. So we're going into overtime. And even that they had the, you know, the two baskets, so everyone's crazy. And then they just fell apart. But before that, I don't understand. Alan too, like, OG has the ball, like eight seconds left, two or three pacers coming at him, hearts wide open. Throw the ball. They can't foul. If they foul somebody away from the ball, it's intentional. We get the ball back anyway. Instead, he just holds it to go to the line. And I just don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was a lot of mental. Yeah, there were a lot of mental errors late.

[Caller]

A lot of them, you know, and then to me, like, some people calling in probably about, oh, you should have went to this type of defense. The Knicks don't play his own. Now you're going to run into a zone in the first playoff game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the other thing.

[Caller]

Just man up and. Yeah, and like you said, they should have been picking them up further out like they did with Boston. They made Boston shoot threes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Merv. They were doing it. They were doing it throughout the game. Then all of a sudden, they decided they were going to sit deeper in the zone and let them walk into three. It just like, it went against everything they were doing the whole game. So that's why everybody wants to make changes. They all want to say the things that the coach should have done, but there was nothing to change other than their, their approach mentally. They just started making mistakes.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, they just, that's what did. You hate to say it, especially for how well this team has handled these moments, but they had a meltdown.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, they did.

[Don La Greca]

They had a meltdown and it took.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And the Pacers took advantage of it.

[Don La Greca]

And that's why you got to feel good, because that's what it took for the Pacers to be able to win that game. And you would think those moments aren't going to happen again. And so can the Pacers win a game when the Knicks don't melt down and don't blow a nine point lead with less than a minute to play. 1-800-919-3776 more calls. Tim Legler is going to join us at five o' clock. We've got ENN at six. It's Don Han and Roseberg taking up until seven o' clock right here on ESPN New York and the ESPN New York app. But right now, Peter, help me.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm happy to help you, Don. It's the kind of friend that I am. And it's the fact that I care about you deeply, deeply in my loins. May is mental health Awareness month. Let's encourage everyone to take care of their well being and break the stigma because the world is better when people are healthy and happy. Mental health awareness is growing, but there's still progress to be made. 26% of Americans who participated in a recent survey say they have avoided seeking mental health support due to fear of judgment. All right, now I personally understand that.

[Don La Greca]

And I get it.

[Alan Hahn]

And certainly when I first started talking about doing therapy, I felt that judgment. So I get it. But things are getting better all the time. And BetterHelp has over 10 years of experience matching people with the right therapists from their diverse network of more than 30,000 licensed therapists with a wide range of specialties. BetterHelp is fully online, making therapy affordable and convenient, serving over 5 million people worldwide. Easily switch therapists at any time at no extra cost. We're all better with help. Visit betterhelp.com timeout to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp.com timeout. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

Please, for the love of everything good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

$15 a month, of course, if you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don La Greca]

But that's weird.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Don La Greca]

Of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

First three months only, then full price.

[Don La Greca]

Plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail] this episode is brought to you by State Farm. Knowing you could be saving money for the things you really want is a great feeling. Talk to a State Farm agent today to learn how you can choose to bundle and save with a personal price plan. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state. Hey there travelers. Kaley Cuoco here.

[Alan Hahn]

Sorry to interrupt your music great artist.

[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

Can save up to 60% off hotels and up to 50% off flights. So don't just dream about that trip. Book it with Priceline. Go to your happy price. Priceline.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don La Greca]

Game time is brought to you by TU Irish Whiskey because when it's game time fell, it's tolly time. Yankee shut out the Texas Rangers one nothing this afternoon. Swept series Mets have the night off so you can kind of focus on some playoff basketball and hockey. The T Wolves and Thunder will play their game too, and our coverage will begin here on 880 right after Pat O' Keefe coming up at 7:00 clock and then the NHL. You've got game two of the Eastern Conference final, which will be the Hurricanes taking on the Panthers and the Liberty. They're in action versus the sky at 8 o' clock. Tullamore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish Whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. All right, Tim Legler coming up at 5. So back to the busy phone lines and let's go to Tony. He's in Queens. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Tony?

[Caller]

Gentlemen. How we doing?

[Don La Greca]

Good.

[Caller]

So you know, like every Nick fan, I'm sick to my stomach of what happened yesterday. But I'm tired of hearing people mopping around. It's time to move on. I mean, all the credit to the Pacers. They caught fire. They made six threes in a row that Hollywood got a lucky bounce over there. But things happen. So like you said, Don, you know, you know, maybe sometimes you need to get punched in the face to wake up. And that's what I'm hoping for tomorrow. The question that I have though, and I just not criticizing anybody, but I wonder, Alan, maybe you could shed light on this. The Knicks had a 17 point lead with about six and a half or so to go with Bronson on the bench. Brought him back in with about five minutes when my bride was playing so well. And I believe the Knicks had like a block 12 with him on the court. Why not ride that way till the end? That's my first question. The second one is Carl Anthony Daniels was abusing them on the paint and so he meets the Robbies and they were toying around with them. Why stay away from Kyle Anthony down, down the stretch. I believe he had that reverse layup with about 245 or something like that. And then he didn't touch the ball again until he went to the free throw line. I missed one or two. I hung up and I listened to what you got. Thank you guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you, Tony.

[Don La Greca]

Thanks Tony, for the call again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll just keep referring to you. Always bring your star player back in the game. You just, that's what you do. It is. He is the best player on the team. He was having a 40 point night so there was no reason to say we're better off without him. I understand after the fact saying, well, you know, he played soft defense because he didn't want the sixth foul and they took advantage of it. That, that part's true. I can't argue with it. So after the fact, yes, you can look back and say to yourself, you know, you probably could have just left him on the bench and see if you can finish the game. But you'd have to answer the question if, you know, Neesmith still hits those six threes and you got to get Brunson out on the floor because your offense isn't keeping up with their offense. So I don't think there's really the right answer there. Well, the right answer is cover the freaking guy and don't let him get.

[Don La Greca]

Six Threes off the one, two minutes. Because you're saying it's aesthetics, right? He's our star player. It's just end of the game, put him on. Yeah, but you could answer it basketball wise, strategy wise, and say we got four minutes left in the game, we got a comfortable lead. He's obviously not our best defender. He's also playing with five fouls. And you brought it up. He didn't really be up at all because he wanted to get foul out of the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

So he's a liability defensively. All I'm thinking about at that moment is making sure that we've got the best defenders on to be able to protect our lead. Remember, that could be your answer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's five minutes to go, up 14.

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You got to remember those statistics because that's what matters most. Let me get my best players on the floor to close this thing out. He's the best closer in the game. Let me get him out on the floor and do exactly that.

[Don La Greca]

My counter to that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right.

[Don La Greca]

I want my closer on the floor. If I bring him in with four minutes to go and he commits a foul, I don't have him for the rest of the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I understand.

[Don La Greca]

Maybe save him for if I need him in two minutes and now it becomes the one, by the way. And you're right.

[Alan Hahn]

If it goes the other way and it balloons to 20. Enjoy your rest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah. No, no, like I said, I will not. I'm not arguing with you. I'm telling you, like I'm trying to say this without being argumentative. I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm telling you what the thinking is.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, no, absolutely.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You say, well, why did they do that? I'm. I'm trying to explain why it's done. And I think, I'm not saying it's.

[Don La Greca]

The right way, but I, but I do think that it's. It's certainly a debatable point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

And I do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Very fair.

[Don La Greca]

Tibbs, what do you say to the media why your best player wasn't on the floor? Well, here's why. He's got five fouls and I'm, I'm looking more of a defensive mode. And also we got this big lead while he was on the bench.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, here's Tibbs talking about all those last three minutes is from today. Now, Tom Thibodeau, about those last three minutes.

[Don La Greca]

Probably a compilation of things, you know, so we had a big lead, you know, so 14 point lead with 250 to go. So there's.

[Alan Hahn]

We filed in, you know, in the penalty.

[Don La Greca]

So we stopped the clock. We gave them open threes, we missed free throws, we gave them second shots. So. And that's why no lead is safe, you know, and you have to play for all 48 minutes. You got to challenge shots. You have to have awareness as to what's going on in the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, it's a lot of things that went wrong, some decisions making, not working the clock. By the way, again, at five o' clock, the last two minute report should be out. There's a couple of things I'm curious about. We all know about the goaltender that wasn't called that probably could have been called. Right? That's one we'll see if they decide. I'm just watching ESPN showing all the different replays of the Halliburton shot. There's an angle that shows that he double dribbles.

[Alan Hahn]

I saw that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I want to see if they, if they say that, that he should have been called for double. They won't because he, he dribbles the ball. The ball is not deflected. He stumbles with it, touches it with two hands, and then dribbles again. I don't know if there's some rule in there that's like, well, if you fumble it, it's. You're not considered to have possession so you can dribble again. That could be a thing. I don't know. But I am curious about some of the calls, if. Are there any missed calls at the end? Not that I want to put it on officiating. What I want to show is the absolute chaos that went on in the last three minutes.

[Alan Hahn]

I wonder with that, with what the play Allen's talking about is the final play when Halliburton hits the three on his way to the bucket. He, he, he fumbles as a defensive play is being made, but it doesn't look as if the, the hand hits the ball. Looks like he just kind of picks it up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know, though, Allen, what the rules are about. If someone is defending and it sort of forces you into an awkward thing and it slips into both hands. Is that a double dribble?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sometimes they say being dispossessed, you lost possession and then you regained the possession. Sometimes they'll say that to get away with what. What really seemed like a double dribble. So like I said, it's all little things. But I, I wanted to show it was absolute chaos. And there were things, including calls. There was also possessions. There was Defense, there was a lot of things that absolutely went wrong in those crazy last three minutes.

[Don La Greca]

Roy in Connecticut, you're on. Don Han and Rosenberg. What's up, Roy?

[Caller]

What's up, guys?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, Roy.

[Caller]

Hey, glad to hear from you. Listen to you all the time. I first call in, though, so I'm trying to give a little. The other guy before me alluded to it a little bit, a different perspective. I'm a Knicks fan, been a Knicks fan for 40 years. And listen, the Knicks played a great game, okay? We've all seen millions, you know, thousands. You guys seen millions because this is what you do. How many times have teams been down and it's the last minute or two and they're chucking up threes. The ball does not go in. They don't hit five, six in a row. I mean, that ball, that Halliburton shot, I mean, shot 30ft up in the air and came straight back down. Doesn't happen. So as a Knick fan, I'm, like, positive. I mean, if they play like that, like how they played. Kat played out. He showed out. Brunson showed out. They play like that the next four games. The Knicks win the next four games. They will not do that again. It doesn't happen. So I'm looking at it as a positive. Knicks played great. Yeah, the defense could have been better, obviously, in the end, but Knicks played a great game. This will only feel them, make them, you know, be hard.

[Don La Greca]

Well, that's.

[Caller]

The Painters should. Pacers should watch out. You know what I'm saying?

[Don La Greca]

From a physical standpoint, everything you said is correct. It's only one game. You still played great for 47 minutes. Play that way the rest of the series, you're going to win. But there is a mental aspect. We'll see how the Knicks recover from that. Must be tough. History tells you they should be fine, but this Pacer team is probably feeling it, man. The way they've played in this postseason, the way they played the final month of the season, they may now have developed an invincibility mentally wide, which. Which. That's tough to counteract the belief. You might have created a little bit of a monster here with that way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, belief.

[Don La Greca]

And make it even. Even tougher for what you did the first 47 minutes to happen again. Because now they might have a belief because that final minute they didn't have going into the series or at least strengthened more than what they had.

[Alan Hahn]

That's why you'd really love to come back tomorrow.

[Don La Greca]

Smack them around.

[Alan Hahn]

And smack them around to be like, actually, this isn't as close as everyone thinks. They needed everything humanly possible. They needed a perfect start. They needed a perfect finish. They needed a missed goaltended. They needed Neesmith to become Klay Thompson meets Michael Jordan meets Reggie Miller. They needed Tyrese Halliburton to make an impossible shot that that bounced higher than the 24 second clock and fell back through the net. And that's how they got out. With a win, you need to come back with a win. An emphatic win that can make you.

[Don La Greca]

Believe that could shut them up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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. 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.