Hour 2: NBA ASG Suggestions

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary: Hour 2 – NBA ASG Suggestions

Release Date: February 14, 2025

In the second hour of the “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg” podcast, hosts Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the current state and future of the NBA All-Star Game (ASG). The episode explores listener suggestions, the evolving nature of player engagement, comparisons with other sports, and nostalgic reflections on past sports moments. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

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1. Introduction to NBA All-Star Game (ASG) Concerns

The episode opens with Peter Rosenberg segueing into the main topic: the declining enthusiasm surrounding the NBA All-Star Game. He references a listener named Darren who provides his thoughts on the matter.

Notable Quote:

• Peter Rosenberg (01:43): "We are talking to people about everything, including Darren, who has a suggestion. Don. For the All Star situation, which is not hot in these streets for the NBA."

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2. Listener Darren’s Perspective on ASG Participation

Darren argues that players today may not value the ASG as much as previous generations, noting that many prefer taking a break over participating. He emphasizes the importance of player desire in maintaining the game's prestige.

Notable Quotes:

• Darren (02:00): "If you ask the players in most sports these days if they want to play in an All Star game, they'll be like, I'll just take the week off."
• Darren (02:59): "They have to want to play. And if they don't want to play, then maybe you don't have an All Star game."

Host Responses:

• Don LaGreca (03:02): Agrees with Darren, highlighting the erosion of conference pride due to player mobility.
• Peter Rosenberg (04:05): Notes the challenges in motivating top players like LeBron James to prioritize the ASG over crucial playoff games.

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3. Evolution of Player Engagement in ASG

Don and Peter discuss how free agency has diminished the traditional loyalty players once felt toward their conferences and teams, leading to decreased engagement in the ASG.

Notable Quotes:

• Don LaGreca (03:43): "Free agency killed it because there was a time, especially in baseball, where you really wanted to represent your league."
• Don LaGreca (04:29): "There's nothing you can do to get somebody to care about something they don't care about."

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4. Felicia’s Insights on Hockey Fan Engagement

Listener Felicia from Mississippi introduces a comparative perspective by discussing hockey. She appreciates how familiarity with player names enhances viewer engagement, making NHL games more compelling for casual fans compared to international leagues.

Notable Quotes:

• Felicia (07:00): "The level of play is going to be really good, but you don't know the players."
• Don LaGreca (08:20): Highlights that recognizing player names contributes to the excitement and investment in the game.

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5. Fatherhood and Personal Anecdotes

The conversation shifts to personal stories about fatherhood and involvement in children’s lives, sparked by Peter’s anecdote about sending flowers for his daughter’s first Valentine’s Day.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg (00:36): Shares his experience of sending flowers through Mulberry Florist for his daughter.
• Darren (09:26): Reflects on his own father’s lack of involvement and contrasts it with modern expectations of active fatherhood.

Host Reflections:

• Peter Rosenberg (10:14): Discusses societal shifts where modern dads are expected to be equally involved in parenting tasks.
• Don LaGreca (11:08): Comments on the balance between work and family, emphasizing the evolving role of fathers.

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6. Listener Darren’s Suggestions for ASG Format Improvements

Darren proposes two innovative ideas to rejuvenate the ASG:

1. Splitting Players by Years Played: Dividing the 24 selected players into categories such as OGs (Originals), Vets, and Rising Stars.
2. One-on-One Tournament: Introducing a tournament where players compete in one-on-one matchups, potentially earning a prestigious award like the Kobe Bryant Award.

Notable Quotes:

• Darren (15:05): "First one is after they selected 24, split them in half based upon years played and they have like a OG versus Vets versus the up and coming."
• Darren (15:25): "The second one is... having like a one on one tournament."

Host Responses:

• Peter Rosenberg (16:17): Expresses interest in a one-on-one format, suggesting it could foster genuine competition and pride among players.
• Don LaGreca (16:49): Raises concerns about the practicality and potential risks of player injuries in a more competitive ASG setting.

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7. Analysis of ASG Dunk Contest Decline

The hosts and listeners delve into the diminishing prestige of the ASG Dunk Contest. They trace its decline to the participation of lesser-known players and the lack of star dedication, which previously elevated the contest’s status.

Key Points:

• Early dunk contests featured legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, who were committed to showcasing their skills.
• Recent contests have seen winners who are not household names, reducing the event’s allure.
• Current stars may avoid dunk contests to protect their reputations and avoid embarrassment.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg (18:04): Discusses how early contests were memorable, citing Spud Webb’s victory over Dominique Wilkins.
• Don LaGreca (21:53): "I just think the stars don't want to go out there and lose."
• Peter Rosenberg (22:32): "But by the way, it's going to be interesting. It's up against four nations tomorrow and I'm sure it'll do better because it's basketball, but man, USA Canada in a competitive hockey game that feels like it matters."

Listener Insights:

• Jacob (17:41): Notes the WNBA's successful incorporation of three-on-three and one-on-one formats during the offseason, suggesting it as a model for the NBA.

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8. Nostalgia and Historical Sports Moments

Listener Nas shares his favorite ASG moment: Spud Webb’s unexpected victory over Dominique Wilkins in the dunk contest, highlighting the excitement and unpredictability of past events.

Notable Quotes:

• Nas (17:12): "My favorite moment of all time was in 1986 when Spud Webb beat Dominique Wilkins in the slam dunk contest."
• Peter Rosenberg (18:11): Praises Webb’s performance despite his stature.

Host Reflections:

• Peter Rosenberg (19:10): Critiques the current ASG format, suggesting that past moments were more impactful due to the genuine competition and star power.

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9. Discussion on Famous Baseball Moments

The conversation briefly shifts to baseball, focusing on the infamous "fifth inning" reference in Yankees lore, illustrating how certain moments become ingrained in sports culture.

Notable Quotes:

• Don LaGreca (29:02): "We lost."
• Peter Rosenberg (30:58): "Trying too hard, bro."
• Peter Rosenberg (30:58): Refers to ChatGPT’s explanation of a famous fifth inning in the 1956 World Series, contrasting it with the hosts’ own memories.

Host Banter:

• Don LaGreca (30:51): Differentiates between historical and fictional events related to the fifth inning.

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10. Richard’s Nostalgic Recollections

Listener Richard reminisces about nostalgic sports and cultural moments from the 1960s and 1970s, including referees, iconic players, and the evolution of beauty standards in media.

Notable Quotes:

• Richard (31:23): Shares memories of the 1966 NBA All-Star Game, highlighting Hall of Famers and memorable moments.
• Richard (32:07): Reflects on cultural icons like Batgirl Yvonne Craig and the portrayal of beauty in older media compared to modern standards.

Host Reactions:

• Don LaGreca (33:42): Responds enthusiastically to Richard’s nostalgic insights.
• Peter Rosenberg (34:10): Appreciates Richard’s deep dive into historical aspects, despite veering off the main topic.

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11. Closing Remarks and Final Insights

The episode concludes with the hosts tying together the diverse discussions, emphasizing the importance of player engagement in maintaining the ASG’s relevance and reflecting on how nostalgia shapes current perceptions.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg (34:50): "I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good."
• Don LaGreca (35:04): Shares an advertisement briefly before signing off the episode.

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Conclusion

This episode of “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg” offers a multifaceted exploration of the NBA All-Star Game’s current challenges and potential future directions. Through listener interactions and host expertise, the discussion underscores the necessity of player passion and engagement to preserve the ASG’s legacy. Additionally, by comparing insights from other sports like hockey and reflecting on historical moments, the hosts provide a comprehensive view of what makes sports events resonate with audiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Player Engagement: Essential for the ASG’s success; lack thereof diminishes the game’s appeal.
• Innovative Formats: Suggestions like splitting players by tenure and introducing one-on-one tournaments could reinvigorate interest.
• Nostalgia vs. Modernity: Past All-Star moments hold significant sentimental value, highlighting the difference between genuine competition and current exhibition formats.
• Comparative Insights: Lessons from leagues like the WNBA can inform improvements in the NBA’s approach to star events.

For listeners seeking a deeper understanding of the NBA All-Star Game’s dynamics and its place in today’s sports landscape, this episode provides valuable perspectives and thought-provoking discussions.

Transcript

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

This is the Don, Han and Rosenberg podcast. That sounds like heaven to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers. All right, Dom? Yeah. Han Rosenberg. Friday, February 14, 2025 so I need to get a flower for my daughter. It's her first Valentine's Day. What am I doing with my life? She did get flowers, beautiful flowers, but they weren't sent by me. We got them as a gift from Mulberry Florist. That's what it's called, right, babe? Mulberry Florist. They did a great job and sent my daughter flowers. But now I, now, Don, I feel like I need to get down with this tradition. So I'm gonna get myself together. We're talking to people about everything, including Darren, who has a suggestion. Don. For the All Star situation, which is not hot in these streets for the NBA. Darren, what do you got? Darren? Darren.

[Don LaGreca]

Did we, did he tell you the suggestion? Anthony?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Did he tell you his thought? We've had a lot of suggestions.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't remember his specifically.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Jim. Jim. And Inglewood has a thought. Hey, Jim.

[Darren]

Hey, guys. What's going on?

[Don LaGreca]

What's up?

[Darren]

So I think, I don't know if the leagues do this. I watched the, I watched the game last night. That was some awesome hockey. I'm a hockey fan. I'm a hockey player. Those guys really brought it. I think tomorrow night is Must see TV for anybody that's even remotely interested. I think it's going to be an incredible game. I don't know if these, you know, the, the, the whoever runs the league, if they go to the players and ask them what they think. Because I really think, I mean, if you ask the players in most sports these days if they want to play in an All Star game, they'll be like, I'll just take the week off, you know, just take a little bit of a break. I mean, they have to want to play. And if they don't want to play, then maybe you, you don't have an All Star game. I mean, maybe you don't get that honor on your resume when you retire and you want to go to the hall of Fame or, or whatever. Like either play, realize it's your job and do it or don't do it.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, free agency killed it because there was a time, especially in baseball, where you really wanted to represent your league. You were an American League guy, you were a National League guy. Even the NBA, NHL, All Star Games, there was a certain pride you took for the conference you played in because you never left and it was the same guys pretty much every year. So there was a pride factor. But you know, you could be Juan Soto and one minute you're in the National League, next minute you're in American League, next minute you're back in the National League again. Like, it's so. There's nothing you can do, Peter. To get somebody to care about something they don't care about. There's nothing more frustrating. Why don't you like hockey like I do? Or why aren't you into that song the way I am? Why don't you care about the NBA All Star Game? How do you get somebody to care about something they don't care about? There's not enough money to pay them. There's not enough to put on the line. What are you going to do to get LeBron James to care about that game this weekend? The same way he's going to care about the Lakers first playoff game. Can't. It's impossible. It's nothing wrong with taking a knee.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's an. Well, I can't say there's nothing wrong with taking a knee.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, when I say take a knee, like this is what it is. This is what we have. This is our All Star game. Like it or not. Like, stop with the whole trying to doctor it up with the draft drafting play. Now I don't even know who's playing who. At least I knew who was in every conference. Now I don't know who's on what team and captains and a draft that I didn't even know took place. Like, you try too hard, bro.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you realize that it could all just be fixed if one player came along who happened to be the best, like top two or three player in the league and said, I go hard at everybody, like they single handedly could change it. Like Don, let's suppose John Morant or Wemby was like, I play hard in the All Star Games and I put myself with a dunk contest or three point shootout. Like I go for it at the All Star weekend, right? Because you know we had talked about doing a list. I think we can just go over some of these throughout the day. But you talk about the greatest All Star moments. I mean, in 1988, Larry Bird wins the three point shootout, literally walking off the court with a finger in the air before the ball goes through the net. And then Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins duel in the dunk contest. Both are studs by that point already. By 88. You're talking about both of those guys. They're not trying to prove themselves. They're stars of the league. And if you're too young to remember, during his career, Dominique Wilkins was much more of a big deal than he gets credit for. In retrospect, he was the human highlight reel. He was the man. And they. They battled in the dunk contest with Larry Bird in the three point Shootout. We need Don to get back to when there's at least one player who says, I go hard for this all the time because Kobe was that guy and kept a lot of All Star Games interesting because you knew he cared that much. Jordan the same. We don't have that right now. So you're right. We can come up with 50 million ways to cut it, but in all likelihood, it's always going to fail from the same thing, which is lack of interest and lack of passion.

[Don LaGreca]

But let me ask you, though. Let's say there's somebody that did that in this day and age. You think, all right, that's great, because I don't think LeBron James wants to get posterized. He doesn't want to look bad, so maybe that'll get him to get back in the face of this supposed player. And then you'd have a game because nobody wants to get shown up. But at the same time, in this day and age, wouldn't that guy just look like a nozzle? Like this is an exhibition game? What are you doing? Trying too hard, bro. Now somebody, God forbid, gets hurt, and now they're lost for the second half of the season because this guy decided he wanted to, you know, be Jim Carrey from the cable guy. How do you think that would work? I hear what you're saying, but don't you think it's gonna come across like that guy's just trying too hard, man, Stop it. Get him off the court. He's gonna hurt somebody.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's go back to the phones. Felicia in Mississippi. What's up, Felicia?

[Felicia]

Hey, guys. How's it going?

[Peter Rosenberg]

We're great. How are you?

[Don LaGreca]

It's all going. How are you?

[Felicia]

Good. Hey, Peter, real quick, before I get to my point, maybe instead of a flower since she's so young, maybe do like a cute little teddy bear so that she has it and you can, you and Natalie can show it to her when she's old enough to realize they're like, hey, this is your first Valentine's present.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a very, very good idea.

[Don LaGreca]

That's a mom.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's. That's it. That's it.

[Felicia]

I don't have any kids, but I have a ton of animals.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I guess you know what you're doing.

[Don LaGreca]

It's the same thing, right? A lot of work for both.

[Felicia]

Yes, yes. But to my point. So I just wanted to talk about hockey. You guys know that like I consume hockey on every level. I like, I watch like KHL games, like everything. But I think what really has made this so compelling is like, especially for the casual NHL fan is that turn it on and you recognize every single one of the names. This, like, if you turn on a KHL game or another international game, the level of play is going to be really good, but you don't know the players. So like, I think that adds something to people, like for me that I don't understand. It's really fun seeing like Brock last night. You know, he's not one of the best players in ice, but it's just cool seeing someone represent your team and then other players that you're used to like rooting against, but actively really rooting for them. I'm just, I'm so invested. I've been so excited about it.

[Don LaGreca]

See, it's a perfect example. Felicia. And thank you for the phone call. Will be Peter. Peter's probably I would label a casual hockey fan. You're not a Die Hard by any stretch. You like the Penguins, but clearly it's your fourth sport. Yeah, you watched that game last night. You're going to know all the players for the most part. You know the Kachuk brothers, you know Auston Matthews, you know Jack Hughes. So yeah, even in the Olympics, yeah, you'll know everybody on Team USA and Team Canada, but there'll be a couple of guys on Team Sweden that maybe didn't the NHL or are low level guys. You get a tournament like this, you're going to know the majority of the players and that makes it interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Austin Matthews, McAvoy, J.T. miller, Brock Nelson. Yeah, I know most of the players on this team. Trocheck, the Kachuks. I'll tell you what.

[Don LaGreca]

And even if you looked at the roster for Finland, you'd probably know half of them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Knorbin, Knudsen. Knieben, Knorbin. Let's go to. Let's go to Eric in the car. Hey, Eric.

[Darren]

Hey. What's going on, guys? How are you?

[Don LaGreca]

What's up?

[Peter Rosenberg]

How you doing, bud?

[Darren]

Doing well. Doing well. I just wanted to chime in about the father's and Valentine's Day conversation for a little bit. My father. I can relate to you, Peter, especially being a not so great athlete, but playing two sports in high school, he never showed. Showed up for anything. But my mom was always there at the stand, so I can relate to that. But nowadays I'm 34 years old. But nowadays, my friends that are fathers that are around my same age, if they are not there for anything, they are definitely. I don't want to go over the edge and say crucified, but they're. They are, like, beaten up pretty bad for not being there for anything. So, like, where is the line between what you should do and what you shouldn't do as a father in this day and age?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's such a great. Eric, let me tell you something. Right now, you are, like, expected, if you're a decent dad, to skip anything for a recital or a game. Whereas when we were kids, Don, if your dad had something that was important at work. I can't speak for every dad. Maybe my dad was just different. I've never heard of him skipping something important at work to come to something of mine. Now, again, maybe if I was good at something, it would have been different. Like, maybe if I'd been, like, the quarterback of the football team, it would have been different. But I was playing, Don. 3 o'clock varsity games in which I'm barely going to play. I understand why my dad wouldn't take off work to watch me sit on the bench, but I feel like in this era of parenting, it's expected that you're supposed to be there.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, if you can, you know, I think you want to, right? You're gonna want to see everything Maya's involved in. But obviously work sometimes is gonna prevail. Just because you got a job, what are you gonna do? But I'm talking about. There was a time, like, right now, as a father, I'm expected to do everything Nancy does. I might. I might not be able to do it as well. But there was a time if I. If I got sick as a kid, my dad wasn't coming in the room to help me out. Mom was gonna come in. You know, like, that was just the stuff that mom did. Mom took care the father was the breadwinner and the mom was the one that got down and dirty with everything from cleaning this or fixing this situation that just. You always said, dad is mama, Jace. That's what you mean.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I meant it.

[Don LaGreca]

I nailed it. But now, no, you're equal partners. You're going to be expected to do like. There was probably a time where the father never changed the diapers. Mom did that. Now it's like whoever's closest to the crib is gonna do it, you know, it's not like I don't do that. No. I do everything and then she does everything. And it's an equal partnership trying to figure out how to take care of the kids, you know, So a lot of times and because sometimes I wasn't there because I had a game or I had the show or remote or something, meant that the next day I had to double up to make up for the time I wasn't there. That didn't happen back in the day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

The other day I facetimed my mother in law when I was like burping the baby and she's like wow, pizza. You're so involved.

[Don LaGreca]

That's where it comes from. Involved. You're burping your child.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I said what are her expectations for me? I mean, I get it. I've Been traveling on weekends, I have been gone. Unfortunately, the way that things have shaken out, I will be gone one day a week for like, you know, six out of seven weeks here at the beginning of my daughter's life, it's not ideal and I don't like being gone. And Don, I've arranged my travel where I'll leave like if I have WWE on a Saturday where I have to be on camera, let's say at 6:00, I leave that morning at 9:00am and I come back first thing the next morning. Like I normally I would do an extra night, kind of like relax, get up at the place, blah, blah blah. I don't do that anymore. Right, right back. But still I, I, I, I gotta go do it. But like when I'm here, I'm, I'm doing everything I can. But again, the dads of yesteryear, they set such a low bar for us. All right, Darren's back on the line with his All Star game suggestions. What do you got Darren?

[Don LaGreca]

What's up?

[Darren]

What's going on? So I have actually two suggestions. I'm gonna make it real quick. So the first one is after they selected 24, split them in half based upon years played and they have like a OG versus Vets versus the up and coming. The second suggestion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, they are doing, you know, this year they are doing something, they're doing this like multiple team thing and there is one of the teams will be the rising stars. That is they are involving the rising stars in the All Star game this year. But I find it to be a kind of confusing mess. But, but sorry, go ahead. Your next suggestion.

[Darren]

Oh yeah, the second one is I'm a teacher, so I teach young men and I know one of them, they love basketball and the biggest thing is I can beat you, right? They love ball and they just like to trash talk like I can beat this person one on one. So I think to the core of all these basketball players in the NBA, they have that same feeling like I could take anybody on. So definitely having like a one on one tournament. And yeah, whoever wins get the Kobe Bryant award for now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you for your call there. Now I will tell you Don, some sort of thing at the all star break where guys got to had to play one on one. Now that would be fascinating because if they were forced to play one on one in some way, even if they were like said like, you know, don't go too hard, blah blah blah, whatever they said, Don, then there'd be such a level of pride involved. That it would matter. That could be a fun thing to do. I don't know how you would do it, like some sort of king of the court among the all stars, but that would at least be fascinating to watch.

[Don LaGreca]

But because they wouldn't look bad, would they want to do it? You can't get people to do the dunk contest. Not because they don't have the time. They just don't want to get embarrassed. They don't want to lose. So if you go one on one and you break your ankles figuratively on a move and you just look awful, I don't want to do that again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jacob, what's the. Jacob, what's the WNBA doing that's similar to that?

[Jacob]

So the WNBA is doing like a three on three and one on ones. It's like they're unrivaled league. They've been doing it during the off season, so it just kind of started up. So like Brianna Stewart, who just won the championship with the Liberty, she got knocked out early and like it looks good for I guess the players who, for the ones that you don't know, but for the ones nameplay is like, I guess the big name plays like a LeBron James. If he was to lose something like that, it wouldn't help him much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's the problem if you're someone like a LeBron James. Do you have anything to gain from something like that or is it literally all terrible? Nas And Pine Brook has a favorite moment from all star lore. Hello, loves, how are you? Hi, I'm good. I have a bit of a cold. But other than that, I just wanted to share. My favorite moment of all time was.

[Felicia]

In 1986 when Spud Webb beat Dominique Wilkins in the slam dunk contest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you know what, Nas, I hope your cold feels better. You are the current reigning MVP caller for the day. Because if you all understand how crazy it was that spud web at 5 foot 7 beat his teammate Dominique Wilkins in the dunk contest. Don, you talk about things that would never happen today for a variety of reasons. I mean, that just drop dead sexy. And by the way, Spud Webb didn't do anything spectacular when he did. When he dunked, all he did was go up and dunk. I think, Don, he hit a 3, 6. I think he hit a 360, like a two handed kind of 360, jumped up, spun around and put it down. But like just the fact that at 5, 7 he was jamming looked so crazy.

[Don LaGreca]

And do you think, you know, this is. You think egos of today would handle that. Do you think a superstar player today would handle Spud Webb beating them in a slam dunk competition?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, again, it wouldn't matter because they wouldn't have been there in the first place, so it wouldn't be a conversation to be had. But I wonder, Don, if the dunk contest. Hold on, I'm going to look up, see if this stat backs me up. I wonder if the dunk contest started getting ruined. Like a lot of the winners of the dunk contest we look back at fondly. But in reality, the problem is those same level of players are who are now always in it. And by that I mean someone the other day recently brought up Kenny Skywalker, who won in 1989. Kenny Skywalker was the beginning of the end of the dunk contest. He was an absolute, respectfully, an absolute no name in the years prior that led up to it, you had Jordan Jordan, Spud Webb, Dominique Wilkins, Larry Nance of the first, like seven dunk contests. The only person I haven't heard of, Darnell Hillman of Milwaukee, Dr. J, Dominique, spud Jordan twice, and then Kenny Skywalker. Dominique comes back the next year and wins. But Don, then the year after that was guess who? My guy, pump him up. Dee Brown, who hit the pump on his Reeboks. And don't get me wrong, dope moment. He pumps his Reeboks, he puts his arm over his eyes, and he's a backup Celtic point guard and he wins the dunk contest. But Don, he's another nobody. And then everybody afterwards are guys who are like, I mean, Cedric Ceballos, okay, player, Harold Miner, baby. Jordan didn't exactly turn into Jordan. Isaiah Rider, another Harold Miner. Then Brent Berry won and it was a novelty. Then we get a comeback, period, thanks to you know who. Young Kobe Bryant, who is not yet a big deal. Don. So you can't even quite say that. When Kobe did it in 97, it was like getting co. Because it wasn't like Kobe did it in 2003. It's 97, Kobe, 2000, Vince Carter, and now Don. If I go over the list of winners, for the most part, it's whack. Desmond Mason, Fred Jones, Josh Smith, respectfully, Nate Robinson, but at least he was short. Gerald Green. It's just that Kenny Walker, one at the beginning, Don, it kind of set the tone that you could be a no name. And I think in a lot of ways, respectfully, the dunk contest never recovered. And now it's Mack McClung.

[Don LaGreca]

And I just think the stars don't want to go out there and lose. So that's why the idea of a one on one, yeah, there'd be pride. You'd think they'd be into it. But do they really want to lose one on one, Nowhere to hide all your fault in something that actually means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

[Jacob]

I would say too, like some of the dunks, I guess the notable ones who went early like a Jordan and Dominique, they did the same two to three dunks. So I mean even in the grand scheme at the time, it might have been innovative and like nice. But looking back at it, some of the no name guys who probably, you don't know, probably had better dunks than those guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But by the way, but here's the thing. This is the problem. See, Jacob, you just said something that I think is unintentionally genius. The problem is we focus too much on the dunks being dope, when really we don't care how dope the dunks are. That's something everyone says, Don. Keep your amazing dunks. Give me amazing players. I'm sorry, would you rather see Mac McClung hit an insane dunk or Ja Morant hit a mediocre dunk, but it's up against three other huge stars.

[Jacob]

Of course I'd rather see Ja.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the like. So I think the standard of dunk got so high because you have these guys who are not big stars, but they could practice crushing dunks and it scared out the real players who frankly don't have the time to sit there and practice dunks all year. So they're like, well, I'm not even gonna do it then. I don't want to risk losing. And now Don, I dare you to pronounce the names of the people in the dunk contest tomorrow.

[Don LaGreca]

Can't do it. And that's the problem right there it is. If I don't know who they are, why would I bother?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That that's the thing that makes it hard. And by the way, it's going to be interesting. It's up against four nations tomorrow and I'm sure it'll do better because it's basketball, but man, USA Canada in a competitive hockey game that feels like it matters.

[Don LaGreca]

That would be. I'll be interested on Monday to see what the comparison of the numbers. I wouldn't be so quick to say that automatically the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The.

[Don LaGreca]

The Skills would win just because the. It's going to be over the air. Abc. What is it? TNT for the All Star? Yeah, Skills Yeah, tnt. We'll see. You're right. It's basketball to hockey, but it's not. Is it really basketball?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's basketball or chance. Yeah, but I do enjoy that. But there are things about the skills you enjoy even though the dunk contest stinks. Just to be clear, I want to explain this. The three point shootout still good? Like the three point shootout is still fun and I've actually grown to like the other stupid stuff that they do as well. I think it is generally fun. Phone lines jammed. We'll get to everybody. We are hanging out and having a good time. Happy Friday Holiday weekend. Peter and Don and guys, I got to talk to you about fanduel because when the game tips off, the NBA action is just beginning on FanDuel, America's number one sportsbook. Because FanDuel is your home for NBA Live betting. So even if you miss the first few minutes of the game or you want to be on a fourth quarter comeback, you can make your picks from the first whistle until the final buzzer. Plus, you can even combine your live bets into a same game parlay for a shot at a bigger payout. However you want to play, now is the perfect time to join new FanDuel customers. Get started with $150 in bonus bets. If your first $5 bet wins, just visit FanDuel.com Peter today. That's FanDuel.com/Peter for your shot at 150 in bonus bets. Make every moment more with FanDuel, official sports betting partner of the NBA 21 and over in physically present New York. First online real money wager only. Five dollar first deposit required. Bonus issued is now withdrawable bonus bets which expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See [e-mail] for help with a gambling problem. Call 877-8-HOPE NY or text openy467369. Have you ever spotted McDonald's hot crispy fries right as they're being scooped into the carton? And time just stands still. This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Some people just know they could save.

[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I didn't listen to anything you just said. Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Song had a big resurgence with ghost.

[Don LaGreca]

That's right, 1990.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. So like I, for example, I got bar mitzvahed October 31, 1992, and this was one of the first slow songs, like the DJ played at my bar mitzvah, because it was in that period of a couple of years after Ghost, where it had gotten so big. Now, question. Is that what you think of first when you hear that song?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. Now there's an Elvis version and make you weep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love the Elvis version. Sure, sure.

[Don LaGreca]

Like that's what I thought of before Ghost. But then sometimes there's a. It's such an iconic scene that you can't get it out of your head. It's like stuck in the middle with you and Reservoir Dogs. Right. Every time you hear that song, you think of the cutting the ear off scene. There's just. If you. If you place a song in the right spot, it's. It Lives Forever.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That might have to be another top five.

[Don LaGreca]

It was a top five during COVID What?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Songs that are synonymous with movies.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes, we did that, too. Oh, yeah, we did everything. Covid was a B man. So we did a lot of top five.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We really did. We did that, too.

[Don LaGreca]

I got a book full of them. Yeah, like goodfellas with. With Layla. Come on. How iconic is that when they get to the slow part of Layla and you see the pink Cadillac and. Oh, come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I think we talked about that, too. It is Peter and Don. Now, listen, after 5:00, we got to dig into just some. We got to do some of the sports. Got to talk about the Brian Cashman of it all.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, because there was more to talk about there, too. Just about where they stand as opposed to last year. I don't know if you know, last year they went to the World Series, Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I do know that. Here's the question. I missed the end. Turned it off in the fourth inning of game five. Was it game five? Yeah. What happened, man?

[Don LaGreca]

You know, I never brought this up with Michael, you know, because of what happened with the Buckner play and the way the Mets won game six of the World Series. Like game six. You just say game six. Everybody thinks about that Yankee that met Red.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I know where you're going. I know where you're going.

[Don LaGreca]

And I agree is Fifth inning to that level, fifth inning. And I think. I think in Yankee, Yankee universe, it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is in Yankee University, Anthony.

[Don LaGreca]

We lost.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When Anthony's not busy on the phone with people, I think he would say the same thing for Yankee fans, for the Yankee world. All you got to say is fifth inning. And it's like. It's like hearing the name Freddy Krueger, man. It's the boogeyman.

[Jacob]

I mean, I just like, first thing on Google, I type in fifth inning. I don't type in anything after that. Immediately it's just Yankees, Yankees, Yankees, Dodgers. So I mean, Google knows to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, it's. It's. Yeah, I think it's one of those things.

[Don LaGreca]

And it's like. It's like Game six. Do you know there's a movie called Game six with Michael Keaton?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don LaGreca]

And it's wrapped around events happening while that game is being played.

[Peter Rosenberg]

From when?

[Don LaGreca]

2005. Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Never heard.

[Don LaGreca]

Of this in my life.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is this even real? You were awake when you saw this?

[Don LaGreca]

It is real.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, in chat GPT, I asked what's the most famous fifth inning in baseball history? And according to chatgpt, they said one of the most famous fifth innings in the baseball history took place in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. The game is best remembered for Don Larson's perfect game, the only one in World Series history. But the fifth inning stands out because it marked the moment when the Yankees defense solidified Larson's dominance.

[Don LaGreca]

That's trying too hard, bro. That's two very different fifth innings.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that. Yep, trying too hard, bro.

[Don LaGreca]

Game six, 2005 combined real and fictional events. This movie centers around the historic 1986 World Series and a day in the life of a playwright who skips opening night to watch the momentous game that is. It's Michael Keaton. It's not nobody.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Believe me. You don't have to tell me. I know the hell Keaton is and I respect him greatly. You know who else I respect? Richard in Manhattan.

[Richard]

Hi, Don. Hi, Peter. Doobie Brothers, Don. I put them up with the Beach Boys. They were that good. Iconic. They were good. They. Yeah, they were great. They were great in that music in the early 70s. Forget about it, fellas. My highlight of NBA All Star Games, 1966, Sunday afternoon. Jack Twyman, Krish Schenkel doing the game and the base versus West. These guys were there. Baylor, Lenny Wilkins, Oscar Wilt, Bill Russell, West Lucas, Rick Barry, all Hall of Famers There must have been 12 to 15 hall of Famers in the game. The MVP was this no name guy. He was Oscar Robertson's backcourt mate at the Cincinnati Royals, Adrian Smith. Probably the only time he ever made the all star team. And he just had a great game. I just remember I. 11 years old, 66. And that was unbelievable Sunday afternoon. And of course, Twyman and Schenkel were the greatest. Now Don, you talked about Batman and Yvonne Craig was Batgirl. She was unbelievable. You had Julie Newmar. Catwoman, who was replaced by Lee Merriweather, as you might remember, was Barnaby Jones. His daughter in law in the Barnaby Jones. Anyway, back in the 60s, the 50s, the most beautiful. There were no such thing as supermodels. You know, there was no such thing. The most supermodels came after the Sports Illustrated started with Cheryl Jeegs and all of that. That's when the names supermodels came. But in the 50s, 60s, probably even back to the 40s and TV took at movies place. The most beautiful women in the world were on TV and movies. So I mean, you go back and you look at those women, they were unbelievable back then. Now what am I doing this weekend? I'm only worried about one game. One game only. It's my super bowl. And that's the St. John's Creighton game. They gotta win this game, fellas. They're playing at home. It's gonna be 19:5, as we used to say it Madison Square Garden. I don't know if it's still 19:5, but that was the expression, 19:5 at the garden. And they got tough games left after this in St. John's all at home, though. I think they play Marquette and UConn at home. But they gotta win because they've lost. Great. Always a pleasure, fellas. Thank you.

[Don LaGreca]

Thank you. Richard. That was something. That was a thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, it's like I fight really hard for Richard. I mean, just. Just full disclosure, I'm a Richard guy. Not everybody's a Richard guy. I'm a Richard guy. And sometimes he brings it. And sometimes. I mean, he started out taking, you know, Don, the All Star game, which has so many mainstream things you can talk about and just goes right into mid-60s Adrian Smith. You're just off and running down a path to nowhere. And we end up landing somehow. He described. He informed us that beautiful women were on television. I think that was pretty well documented.

[Don LaGreca]

He mentioned everybody but Eartha Kitt that played Catwoman.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You were referring to Evon Craig, the Batgirl.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I see what you're talking about.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Oh, yeah. I understand now. What the. The sensation that you. That you had. I never said that.

[Don LaGreca]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but 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 News York app, and your smart speakers.

[Don LaGreca]

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