Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 2 – Rod Strickland Joins the Show

Date: December 12, 2025
Episode Focus: Basketball legend and LIU head coach Rod Strickland discusses his coaching journey, reflections from his playing days, thoughts on the modern NBA, college hoops challenges, pop culture moments, and much more. The episode blends New York sports banter, heartfelt career transitions, and classic personality clashes from the hosts.

Episode Overview

This episode centers around Rod Strickland’s in-depth guest appearance, delving into his transition from a standout NBA player to college coach, the unique demands of coaching at LIU, the evolution of the NBA (including thoughts on the new NBA Cup), and his influence on—and reflections about—the game. The conversation is peppered with classic banter among Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg, touching on everything from New York sports fandom to personal radio milestones.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Peter Rosenberg’s Departure from Hot 97

Timestamps: 04:24–09:34

• Peter Rosenberg discusses, sometimes humorously and at other times with candor, learning at 10am on a Friday that his long tenure at Hot 97’s morning show had come to an end.
  • Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 04:28): “I found out today at...10am on Friday when I'm going on vacation next week. Merry Christmas.”
• He reflects on nearly 20 years with the station, his love for the team, and hints that he, Ebro, and Laura will continue working together on new projects:
  • Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 08:27): “Yeah. I would expect Ebro, Laura and I to continue to do things...We'll pick the place. A place that is more excited to have us there.”
• The hosts reminisce about big career moments and radio changes often coinciding with the station’s holiday party, keeping the mood both light and self-aware.

2. NFL Round-Up & The “Philip Rivers Comeback Hypothetical”

Timestamps: 12:48–23:19

• The crew reviews the latest NFL playoff scenarios, coaching hot seats, and upcoming must-win situations:
  • They dissect Todd Bowles’ frustrations in Tampa Bay and shifting playoff odds in the NFC and AFC.
  • Extended speculation (15:00 onward) about backup quarterbacks and the unprecedented scenario of a five-years-retired Philip Rivers potentially returning for a playoff run.
    • Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 17:23): “If the Philip Rivers thing actually happens...It will become must-see TV. It becomes like a Hallmark football movie in two seconds.”
• They compare this possible Rivers comeback to historic sports return attempts, debating if any sporting precedent compares, and discuss player pride versus public entertainment.
  • Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 18:29): “If Philip Rivers were to go to the playoffs...the vast majority of people would be locking in to see can this 44-year-old grandfather...win a game.”

3. Rod Strickland’s Coaching Path & LIU Basketball

Timestamps: 27:07–32:50

• Rod details his post-playing “lost” period, how a call to John Calipari led him into college coaching, and his journey through Memphis, Kentucky, USF, the NBA, and eventually to LIU.
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 29:28): “I need a why. And I'm calling my friends. They got to go to work. So everything was kind of off tilt. And then I went to college basketball.”
• He’s open about the mental adjustment from being an NBA player focused solely on competition, to mentoring and developing young athletes:
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 31:14): “As a player, I have that ball in my hands...As a coach, you know, you got a whole totality...university administration, coaching coaches, players, culture. It’s just a little different.”
• Rod discusses the early season success at LIU (5–4 overall), highlighting four road wins and LIU’s preseason #1 in the NEC.
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 28:16): “We're off to a pretty good [start].”

4. Coaching at the Mid-Major Level in the Modern Era

Timestamps: 31:57–32:50

• Rod talks candidly about recruiting challenges, the transfer portal, and NIL at a mid-major program.
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 32:18): “It's all relative. It trickles down. The money may be different...But wherever you're at...I got to try to figure out how do I...become the best at that part where I'm at.”

5. On Aging, Comebacks & Athlete Self-Perception

Timestamps: 32:50–35:53

• Rod reflects humorously but honestly about the reality check after his own NBA retirement, relating it to Philip Rivers’s scenario.
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 33:27): “What I realized after I retired, my last three or four years, I wasn't as good as I thought I was.”
• He shares a poignant story of his brother texting him after a rough stint with the Houston Rockets:
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 33:41): “Man, it’s hard watching you out here.”
• Rod says he’d be drawn to watch such a comeback out of “curiosity as an athlete and competitor,” but doubts whether he himself could have pulled it off after being away from the game.

6. NBA Evolution & The NBA Cup

Timestamps: 38:16–39:12

• Rod is positive about the NBA Cup, appreciating its injection of “excitement to the beginning of the season” and relishing the concept of an early trophy.
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 38:54): “I thought it was a great addition to the NBA, kind of bring a little excitement to the beginning of the season...I would have loved to be a part of that.”

7. Money as a Motivator in the NBA Cup

Timestamps: 39:12–40:29

• Discussion of the cash bonuses offered for Cup wins, especially for bench players and those on non-star contracts.
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 40:28): “If I was a vet and I was making so much more money and we're in the championship game, I can guarantee you I would want to win it, to get those guys...the guys with the lower [salaries].”

8. Rod Strickland on His Former Coaches and Career Growth

Timestamps: 40:44–43:51

• Peter Rosenberg lists the array of legendary coaches Rod played for, including Patino, Riley, Adelman, Larry Brown, and Flip Saunders.
• Rod singles out Rick Adelman as most pivotal to his personal game development:
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 41:28): “Rick Adelman was the guy who took my game to another level...He started me posting up and bringing me off screens, so he kind of balanced my game.”
• Rod describes Pat Riley as “hard but fair” and someone he profoundly respected. He notes that Riley’s straightforwardness, and Adelman’s player-first approach, inform aspects of his own coaching style.

9. Reflections on Playing in Early Three-Point Era Knicks, Facing Michael Jordan, and the State of the PG in NY

Timestamps: 43:51–45:53

• Rod recalls playing under Rick Pitino in the Knicks’ pioneering uptempo, three-shooting scheme, and shares memories of matching up against Michael Jordan:
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 43:58): “You play against Jordan knowing who he is. But once you step on the court, you compete...He was like a rock star back then.”
• Alan draws a connection from the NYC point guard tradition to Jalen Brunson, asking Rod to evaluate Brunson's unique footwork and intelligence as a modern Knicks PG.
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 45:44): “When you watch him...his footwork is ridiculous, like, he's a technician...He's strong, he knows how to get separation...He's patient.”

10. Coaching Philosophies & Takeaways from Legendary Mentors

Timestamps: 47:41–49:14

• Rod talks about picking traits from various great coaches but not mimicking any one style strictly.
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 48:04): “I just kind of pick from certain things. Like, I love Pat Riley because he was so straightforward. I love Rick Adelman because he was a player coach...But more importantly is my experiences. You know, how I felt like a player.”
• He stresses the importance of instilling confidence in young players—and the tricky balance between being tough and being supportive.

11. Pop Culture Moment: Wu-Tang Shoutout

Timestamps: 49:18–50:36

• Peter plays Wu-Tang Clan’s “Triumph,” which immortalized Strickland in its famous closing line.
  • Quote (Wu-Tang, song lyric, 49:58): “Made ‘em jump like Rod Strickland!”
• Rod expresses pride at being woven forever into hip-hop history:
  • Quote (Rod Strickland, 50:15): “That’s big time. Like I tell people now, like, they put me in the mix forever.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peter Rosenberg on radio’s unpredictability:
  “Radio only ends one of two ways...You either decide you're leaving early or you wait till it's done.” (07:52)
• Rod Strickland on returning to purpose after NBA:
  “I need a why...So now I'm in the bed early in the morning in the movie room with the lights out. Don't know what to do. So now I'm getting bored.” (29:28)
• On Jalen Brunson’s rise:
  “His footwork is incredible. And he's patient. So he's not a speedster, which I think helps him.” (45:53)
• On NBA Cup bonuses motivating bench players:
  “If I was a vet...I can guarantee you I would want to win it, to get those guys, the guys with the lower [salary].” (40:28)
• Strickland on being enshrined in hip hop:
  “They put me in the mix forever. Forever. That song will go on and on and on.” (50:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Peter Rosenberg’s Radio Farewell: 04:24–09:34
• NFL/Rivers Speculation: 12:48–23:19
• Rod Strickland’s Arrival/LIU Talk: 27:07–32:50
• Mid-Major Challenges & NIL/Portal: 31:57–32:50
• Reflections on Retirement & Comebacks: 32:50–35:53
• NBA Cup Discussion: 38:16–39:12
• Coaching Influence & Career Highlights: 40:44–43:51
• Knicks, Brunson, Old/New PG Traditions: 43:51–45:53
• Wu-Tang Pop Culture Moment: 49:18–50:36

Tone & Style

• Conversational, candid, sometimes irreverent
• Warm, with banter and gentle roasting between hosts and guest
• Honest and reflective, especially regarding career transitions and the evolution of basketball
• Full of New York flavor—a blend of sports passion, nostalgia, and pop culture

Conclusion

This hour of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg captures not only the evolution of NBA basketball and life after pro sports but also offers a rare, unguarded look at Rod Strickland’s mindset as a player, coach, and enduring New York hip-hop icon. The hosts keep things lively with their classic banter and a heartfelt review of radio industry rollercoasters, while the episode is peppered with sharp cultural and sports insights—making it a must-listen for any NYC sports fan or basketball junkie.