Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: NFL Schedule & The List
Podcast Information:
- Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
- Host/Authors: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
- Episode: Hour 2: NFL Schedule & The List
- Release Date: May 14, 2025
1. NBA Playoffs: Knicks vs. Celtics
Timeframe: 00:21 – 05:36
The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the NBA playoffs, focusing on the potential of the New York Knicks overcoming the Boston Celtics. Listener Dave shares his insights, referencing Dennis Haslam’s endorsement of the Knicks as a team "absolutely needs to be thinking they got a win right now" (01:03). Dave emphasizes the Knicks' strategic team assembly and their resilience, noting, “the Knicks had much less and still took them seven games” (01:03).
Alan Hahn counters Dave’s optimism by pointing out the Celtics' constrained salary cap: “The Celtics have no salary room to add anybody. That's not happening” (02:11). However, Peter Rosenberg offers a different perspective, suggesting that the Knicks' window for contention is actually opening rather than closing. He states, “This is the infancy of what could be a fun three, four years here” (03:03).
The discussion highlights the Knicks' current three games up in the series, their strategic trades to match up against Boston, and the Celtics' lack of flexibility due to salary cap restrictions. The hosts agree that the Knicks are sending a strong message to other teams, making them a formidable playoff contender.
2. NFL Schedule Analysis: Jets and Giants
Timeframe: 07:43 – 23:10
The conversation transitions to the NFL, where the hosts analyze the upcoming schedules of the New York Jets and New York Giants.
Jets Schedule:
- Peter Rosenberg outlines the Jets' schedule, noting their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 7th (08:16). He humorously predicts, “Let’s call it 1 and 7 and move on” (10:58), expressing skepticism about the Jets' chances with a challenging schedule.
Giants Schedule:
- The Giants' schedule is examined in detail, with Peter forecasting a tough season where the team may finish with a record around 6-11 (13:01). Key points include:
- Opening against the Washington Commanders
- Prime-time games against top teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles
- Concerns about quarterback performance, particularly with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston’s impact (21:02)
Notable Insight: Peter emphasizes the Giants’ reliance on defense to compensate for a young offense, stating, “I want to see a team that can function” and expressing concerns about quarterback play affecting overall team performance (21:02).
Quotes:
- Peter Rosenberg: “The thought was, what’s a list of the times where New York got the better of the city of Boston?” (25:07)
- Alan Hahn: “It is a very daunting schedule.” (rephrased for flow)
3. The List: Top New York Sports Moments
Timeframe: 25:06 – 36:13
In the signature "List" segment, the hosts recount some of the most iconic moments in New York sports history. This portion is lively and filled with nostalgic anecdotes, blending personal stories with historical highlights.
Top Highlights:
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1978 Sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees – Discussed as the catalyst for the Yankees' dynasty, forever altering the balance of power in baseball. Peter Rosenberg remarks, “How could it not be for No. Nanette, which a play that I think closed very quickly ends up being number one” (30:34).
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Super Bowl 42 – The Helmet Catch – Celebrating David Tyree’s miraculous catch that secured the New York Giants' victory, Alan Hahn notes, “He brought it again” (36:05).
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1986 Mets’ Comeback Against the Red Sox – Highlighting the dramatic turnaround where the Mets overcame a deficit in the ninth inning, Unnamed Speaker 1 shares, “Imagine if there was social media back then and you have this video surfaced” (27:58).
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1993 Knicks’ 73-Win Season and Celtics Rivalry – Focused on how the Knicks dominated the Celtics, leading to a memorable Game 7 victory, Peter Rosenberg states, “Number five, let's go. We've got to go with the 73 Knicks on their way to a championship” (25:07).
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Additional Historical Moments – Including the Islanders’ physical dominance in the NHL and other significant upsets that shaped New York sports history.
Quotes:
- Unnamed Speaker 1: “That was one of the greatest fights now. It’s on grainy video.” (34:00)
- Peter Rosenberg: “This is on metlife. Giants, Chiefs like you dream about.” (14:53)
4. Listener Interaction and Personal Stories
Timeframe: 36:13 – 42:54
The hosts engage in a more casual conversation, sharing personal anecdotes and interacting with listeners. Topics include:
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Family Time and Sports Viewing: Discussions about watching games with family members, dealing with bedtime routines, and balancing sports enthusiasm with family life.
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Youth and Sports Fandom: Peter Rosenberg talks about his child, Marco, developing his own sports interests, particularly with the Mets and Yankees games (38:40).
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Emotional Stakes: Emphasis on maintaining an organic passion for sports without external influence, especially when it comes to supporting teams as family members grow older (39:10).
Notable Quotes:
- Alan Hahn: “You don't believe in bedtime. Well, let me say this. Don't act like Don’s the weird one for having a bedtime.” (40:48)
- Peter Rosenberg: “I want this to be organic. It’s actually going to stick if he’s the one that’s making the decision.” (39:14)
5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Timeframe: 42:54 – End
The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the discussed topics, reinforcing the excitement around current sports seasons and upcoming events. Peter Rosenberg hints at upcoming segments and maintains an engaging rapport with his co-hosts, ensuring listeners are left anticipating future episodes.
Closing Remarks:
- Emphasis on the unpredictable nature of sports and the importance of staying engaged with upcoming games.
- Encouragement for listeners to participate in giveaways and contests, fostering community interaction.
Final Quote:
- Peter Rosenberg: “This list brought to you by bet3.5. Whatever the moment, it’s never ordinary at bet3.5” (36:13)
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Dave: “...the New York Knicks. And I've been on that vibe for a while...” (01:03)
- Alan Hahn: “The Celtics have no salary room to add anybody.” (02:11)
- Peter Rosenberg: “This is the infancy of what could be a fun three, four years here.” (03:03)
- John: “...the refs are swallowing the whistle and letting the physicality reign free...” (05:42)
- Peter Rosenberg: “The three is here to stay.” (07:05)
- Alan Hahn: “You want a ring.” (30:36)
- Unnamed Speaker 1: “You need a ring.” (30:37)
Summary: In this engaging episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, the hosts delve into the intricacies of the NBA playoffs with a spotlight on the Knicks' potential to dethrone the Celtics. Transitioning to the NFL, they meticulously analyze the challenging schedules of the Jets and Giants, offering predictions and expressing both skepticism and cautious optimism. The highlight of the hour is "The List," where they reminisce about pivotal moments in New York sports history, blending heartfelt stories with legendary plays. Personal anecdotes about family and sports fandom add a relatable touch, making the discussion both informative and entertaining. The episode concludes with anticipation for future topics, leaving listeners eager for more in the next hour.