Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Rings & The List

Release Date: June 18, 2025

In the second hour of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the significance of championship rings in evaluating the greatness of athletes. Titled "Rings & The List," this episode explores the nuanced debate surrounding individual excellence versus team success, particularly focusing on New York's top athletes who never secured a championship ring.

1. The Significance of Championship Rings in Defining Greatness

The episode kicks off with a robust discussion on the role of championship rings in determining an athlete's legacy. The hosts debate whether true greatness can be measured without the ultimate team achievement.

• Don La Greca introduces the topic by highlighting Connor McDavid's impressive statistics:

  "Connor McDavid's got 10, 82 points in 10 years. Mike Bossi's third with 11, 26. Mario Lemieux is third, is second with 12, 11. And then Wayne Gretzky, 18, 37." [02:22]

• Peter Rosenberg emphasizes the importance of rings by comparing sports:

  "It's like saying Peyton Manning can't be in the same room with Brett Favre or Mahomes because he only has one ring." [03:03]

2. Comparing Championships Across Different Sports

The conversation transitions to how different sports value championships. The hosts discuss the unique challenges in hockey, basketball, and football regarding team dynamics and championship opportunities.

• Don La Greca points out the evolving nature of the NHL playoffs:

  "The sport's different. There's more teams. You play best of seven now for four rounds." [02:03]

• Peter Rosenberg critiques the NBA's ring culture influenced by LeBron James:

  "LeBron is trying to change the narrative because he creates the ring culture by chasing them." [03:38]

3. LeBron James and the Evolution of Ring Culture

A significant portion of the discussion centers around LeBron James and his impact on the perception of championships in the NBA.

• Peter Rosenberg argues that LeBron has exacerbated the ring-chasing culture:

  "He created the ring culture by chasing them, right? By leaving teams to join forces with one intention, to win a championship." [03:52]

• Don La Greca counters by emphasizing individual effort within team constraints:

  "Team's not good enough. They didn't have a good goaltender. That's their problem." [09:42]

4. Transition to "The List": Top Five New York Athletes Without Rings

Shifting gears, the hosts announce the segment "The List," where they rank the top five New York athletes who never won a championship. This list aims to honor athletes whose individual talents were overshadowed by team shortcomings.

5. Top Five New York Athletes Who Never Won a Ring

1. Patrick Ewing (Timestamp: 29:14)
A basketball legend for the New York Knicks, Ewing is lauded for his exceptional skill and leadership. Despite his illustrious career, he never secured an NBA Championship, which often dims his legacy in discussions about the greatest players.

2. Roger Ball (Timestamp: 28:37)
Known as the most prolific goal scorer for the New York Rangers, Ball's career was marked by outstanding performances but lacked the ultimate team success of winning a Stanley Cup.

3. Henrik Lundquist (Timestamp: 28:24)
Despite being one of the top goaltenders of his generation and a Hall of Famer, Lundquist never captured a Stanley Cup, representing another high-caliber athlete without a championship ring.

4. Joe Klekka (Timestamp: 28:01)
A versatile defensive lineman for the New York Jets, Klekka's career was distinguished by his Pro Bowl selections across multiple positions. However, he never won a Super Bowl, placing him on the list of greats without rings.

5. Curtis Martin (Timestamp: 27:22)
An illustrious running back for the New York Jets, Martin's outstanding career includes numerous accolades and a Hall of Fame induction. Nonetheless, he never achieved a Super Bowl victory, earning him the fifth spot on the list.

6. Audience Calls and Ongoing Debates

Throughout the episode, listeners contribute their opinions via phone calls, sparking lively debates about who deserves a spot on the list and the fairness of equating rings with greatness.

• Caller Chris argues against labeling athletes without rings as less great:

  "It's all about winning a championship. To consider yourself the greatest, you got to win a champion." [37:07]

• Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg discuss the balance between individual talent and team success, considering various scenarios where talented players could potentially secure rings under different circumstances.

7. Concluding Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the complexity of measuring athletic greatness solely based on championship rings. They acknowledge the importance of team dynamics, player contributions, and situational factors that influence championship outcomes.

• Don La Greca emphasizes the need for nuance:

  "We just want people to understand that rings aren't the end-all-be-all, but they do carry significant weight in legacy discussions." [15:20]

• Peter Rosenberg reaffirms the accountability and team success aspect:

  "In professional sports, there is accountability to team success, and it should be the most important thing of your career." [37:52]

Key Takeaways:

• Championship Rings Matter: Rings are a tangible measure of success in team sports, influencing how players are remembered and celebrated.

• Individual vs. Team Success: Great individual performance doesn't always translate to championships due to various team and situational factors.

• Impact of Super Teams: The creation of super teams, exemplified by LeBron James' moves, has intensified the focus on championship rings in evaluating player greatness.

• Honoring Unsung Greats: The "List" segment highlights the importance of recognizing athletes who excelled individually but lacked team success, ensuring their legacies remain celebrated.

For fans and listeners who haven't tuned into the episode, this summary encapsulates the rich discussions and debates that make Don, Hahn & Rosenberg a must-listen for sports enthusiasts.