Hour 2: Steve Novak & Fraud Alert Friday

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 2: Steve Novak & Fraud Alert Friday

Date: June 5, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Guest: Steve Novak
Location: Stout NYC, near Madison Square Garden

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Episode Overview

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg dives into New York sports with a heavy Knicks focus ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Key discussions explore the impact of Aaron Judge’s injury on the Yankees, an in-depth pregame with former Knicks player Steve Novak, team mentality and playoff adjustments, and the ever-entertaining “Fraud Alert Friday,” where the hosts judge listeners’ fan credentials and sports allegiances.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aaron Judge’s Injury: The Yankees’ Outlook

Timestamps: 00:13 – 06:56

• Context: Aaron Judge’s rib injury generates concern; he’s facing a 4-6 week evaluation window, possibly a longer absence from the lineup.
• Alan Hahn (01:25): Expresses anxiety over Judge’s recurring injuries. Concerns are less about the Yankees’ playoff hopes (“they have the pitching to do it”) and more about Judge’s career narrative and postseason impact:

  “My concern is that we won’t see Aaron Judge until September… It’s another postseason where Aaron Judge maybe faces some criticism about not coming up big in the clutch. This creates all these narratives I don’t want for a guy who’s supposed to be the face of your franchise…”

• Peter Rosenberg (04:17): Downplays the American League’s strength, still sees Yankees as division favorites even if Judge is out until September. However, he argues Judge must move to DH soon to protect his offensive value:

  “Eventually he’s going to become your full time DH… at some point has to come sooner than later.”

• Notable exchange:
  • Rosenberg and Hahn debate the timing of Judge's transition out of the outfield.
  • Hahn’s concern about Judge’s “moment” as a Yankee great is a recurring theme.

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2. Knicks Pre-Game & Steve Novak Interview

Timestamps: 06:56 – 25:16

Wardrobe Banter

• Light-hearted banter about Novak’s signature “team issue” attire, weather-irrelevant commitment to Knicks gear, and MSG vibes.
  • Steve Novak (08:35): “We’re in air conditioning now. That’s stout. Okay, in my defense, we’re in air conditioning. I have a quarter zip and I’m in the right colors right now… should be all in Knicks colors.”

Playoff Mindset & Identity

• Steve Novak (10:37): Praises the Knicks’ unwavering identity and ability to execute in high-pressure situations:

  “What’s been so impressive is that it just seems that they really do have that mindset… No matter how good we play, if we’re up by 20, down by 20, we can maintain that mindset… The Knicks were willing to be who they were…”

• The hosts and Novak discuss the Knicks’ composure, resilience, and penchant for clutch fourth quarter play:
  • Novak (12:32): “Everyone else has had to catch up and no one has yet.”
  • Alan Hahn (14:12): “What this team has done now throughout this run has been applying pressure and then saying… we just need to be around it.”
  • Several references are made to the Knicks’ ability to come back from large deficits (e.g., Christmas Day vs. Cavs, NBA Cup games).

X-Factor: Teamwork & Roles

• Novak (19:01):

  “It’s this X Factor piece… I don’t see teamwork, any teamwork on this Knicks team. I see every single guy playing their role and having a ceiling that’s higher than most other team starting fives have…”

  • Praises willingness of stars like Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns (“Cat”), and Brunson to adapt their roles game-to-game.

Spurs Adjustments

• Novak (13:23): Analyzes San Antonio’s need to diversify offense, get better 3-point looks, and run more actions for Wembanyama inside.

  “[San Antonio] had 89 field goal attempts in the game and 43 of them… that’s almost half of their shots were threes… Let’s find the big fella, let’s get him on movement… when he gets in there and can shoot over guys, he’s unlike any other.”

Leadership & Coaching

• Novak credits Knicks coach for fostering this flexible, role-happy chemistry and leadership maturity.
  • “Guys are willing to have three points and 15 rebounds… because they believe in each other, they’re playing their roles, and they’re playing their best basketball at the right time.”

Officiating — Should Finals Use the Same Ref Crew?

• Peter Rosenberg (21:15): Asks Novak if he’d rather see the same officiating crew throughout the series.
• Novak (21:33): Noted physicality impacts, importance of officiating consistency, but prioritizes team execution regardless of the whistle:

  “If the Knicks can come out and put their chest on San Antonio… if the whistle doesn’t blow and you start the game like that, you’ve got this in the first quarter… But if [the refs] get up to 40 free throws again, it’s hard to beat a team…”

Notable Quotes

• Novak (16:41): “With this team, they’ve proven they’re the best they are at the end of games, and specifically now at the end of seasons.”
• Hahn (17:48): “It’s a team that has proven it doesn’t need to be Jalen Brunson… that’s the wrinkle that people — I don’t think enough people have caught on to how powerful that is.”
• Novak (19:12): “I don’t see teamwork, any teamwork on this Knicks team. I see every single guy playing their role and having a ceiling that’s higher than most other team starting fives have.”

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3. Fraud Alert Friday – Sports Fan Allegiance Court

Timestamps: 27:20 – 39:52

The Elmo Controversy

• Elmo, of Sesame Street, wished both teams to have fun — is that fraudulent fandom?
  • Rosenberg (28:21): “No fraud. All he did, and it’s Elmo… He doesn’t get into competitiveness. He doesn’t get into winners and losers… Not a fan.”
  • Hahn (29:07): “There can’t be a single person on the island of Manhattan… that can say they don’t care. No, it’s not possible.”

Ron Darling as New York Sports “Fan”

• Ron Darling claimed he roots for all NY teams — fraud?
  • Rosenberg (31:52): “Not a fraud… If he’s not a fan, he’s not a fraud… If you declare, then that’s what you are.”

Listener “Bandwagon Fraud” Cases

• Example 1: Listener moved from LA (Lakers fan) to NY, married into a Knicks family — wants to switch allegiances.
  • Rosenberg (34:31): “I’m sorry, fraud. You’re a Laker fan.”
  • Hahn (34:54): “That’s where… you gave yourself up.”
• Example 2: Self-admitted former Bulls “die-hard” who now wants to celebrate with Knicks fans.
  • Group judgment (36:29): “Fraud!”
  • Hahn (37:07): “I didn’t really like basketball, I just liked winning.”
  • Rosenberg (37:24): “That’s not even a zipper key [fraud]. That’s just classless fraud.”
• Example 3: Philadelphia Eagles/Phillies fan never followed Sixers, wants to support Knicks after moving to NYC.
  • Rosenberg (39:01): “Absolutely zero fraud in this. She never declared. She was never a Sixer fan.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Alan Hahn (01:25): “My concern is that we won’t see Aaron Judge until September…”
• Steve Novak (12:32): “Everyone else has had to catch up and no one has yet.”
• Steve Novak (19:01): “I see every single guy playing their role and having a ceiling that’s higher than most other team starting fives have.”
• Peter Rosenberg (28:21): “No fraud. All he did, and it’s Elmo… He doesn’t like competition. Not a fan.”
• Rosenberg/Hahn (36:29): In unison: “Fraud!”

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Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |-------------------------------------------|---------------------| | Aaron Judge Injury Discussion | 00:13 – 06:56 | | Steve Novak Joins, Knicks Talk | 06:56 – 25:16 | | Fraud Alert Friday | 27:20 – 39:52 | | Listener “Fan Fraud” Rulings | 33:26 – 39:52 | | Miscellaneous/Closing & Family Stories | 41:00 – end |

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Episode Flow & Tone

• Language & Style: Candid, rapid-fire, funny, and true to authentic New York sports radio.
• Tone:
  • Playful ribbing (Novak’s wardrobe, family stories)
  • Passionate and opinionated about sports narratives
  • Judgmental but fair in “Fraud Alert Friday”
  • Deeply connected to the NYC sports pulse—proudly parochial

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

You’ll get a real feel for the stakes and camaraderie of NYC fandom:

• REAL anxieties over Yankees’ playoff fate and Judge’s legacy
• Informed, accessible NBA Finals preview from a beloved Knicks alum
• Camaraderie and inside jokes about following the Knicks
• Entertaining, relatable takes on what “real” fandom means (and doesn’t) during “Fraud Alert Friday”
• Vivid sense of place: live at Stout, right at the heart of the Garden energy

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Final Takeaways

• The episode is a perfect NYC sports radio encapsulation — blending deep-rooted concern for hometown legends (Judge), infectious Knicks Finals fever, and playful but pointed judgments about what makes a “true” fan.
• Steve Novak contributed tactical insight (“be who you are,” adaptability in roles, Knicks’ endgame confidence), demystifying why this Knicks Finals run has the city buzzing.
• “Fraud Alert Friday” remains a must-listen segment for any fan—with hilarious, tough-love verdicts and authentic sports heart.

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For more, catch the full show or join them live every weekday afternoon on ESPN New York!

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Game time is brought to you by Tullamardew Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, guys, it's telling time. I like that, Nick. Spurs game two coverage immediately following us with an extended pregame from Pat O' Keefe at 7:00'. Clock. Mets Padres could be heard on 10:50 at 9 and the Yankees and Red Sox first pitches at 7:05 over at the stadium. Tullamore due the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew honey during today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. Steve Novak on his way here. So in the meantime, while we wait for Steve, let's get in the Aaron Judge situation. He has got the rib is a problem. It's not tos, which is good because many people thought that that would be what it was. And that's a 10 month recovery that not only kills this season, but the beginning of next season. That was the worst case scenario. It's a stress fracture of the rib, four to six weeks and then he'll be evaluated. So you're looking at the possibility of two months without Aaron Judge. You're the Yankee guy.

[Steve Novak]

How do you feel about this?

[Alan Hahn]

Not great, obviously, because he's the catalyst of the offense. This reason why he bats second, I mean, it's also been the thing that people have used against him when it comes to his career is that he's had these injuries that have cost him a lot of time. I also don't want it to become something that I think it was John that brought it up and we were talking about it during the meeting is now it takes him out of right field. It becomes this thing of, you know what, he's too fragile, can't have a play outfield. Because while I don't think they've said specifically when the injury happened, there have been, of course, our Internet sleuths who found him catching a ball against the wall and wincing in pain after he hit the wall, his back into the wall and he didn't seem right. And from that game forward, he really, he just had no power left in his, in his bat and he struggled at the, at the plate. You know, the fact that he'll be back at quote, some point this season also doesn't sit well, with me, because it doesn't give you a time. It gives you a evaluated in. Right. Evaluated doesn't mean he's back and we all know ramp up and everything else. My concern is that we won't see Aaron Judge until September. And if we don't see him until September, and I mean him, him not, you know, he might be back in August, but not ramped up, you know, using him as a D, whatever it is. But September's late. You get the playoffs. Fortunately, if you can get to the playoffs, they have the pitching to do it. So I'm not worried about the season going into Tank like it did a couple of years ago, right when he hurt his foot on the. On that stupid curb at Dodger Stadium. But I'm more concerned about postseason when they get there and he's back and now it's like, didn't really have a full year, not feeling right. And it's another postseason where Aaron Judge maybe faces some criticism about not coming up big in the clutch. This creates all of these narratives. I don't want for a guy who's supposed to be the face of your franchise and carry your team when it matters most, he's got to have a run. What Jaylen's doing right now, like Judge kind of didn't do it. When the Yankees went to the World Series a couple of years ago, he didn't really have. He had what, one, one, one or two big moments. But everybody remembers him dropping a fly ball in the World Series and that stands out more than the home run against Cleveland. And so at some point he's got to have a run. And this only creates the possibility of that not being this year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I.

[Alan Hahn]

So I'm concerned.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you should be.

[Alan Hahn]

Is that a reasonable concern?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a reasonable reason for the team

[Alan Hahn]

success because I think they have the pitching to do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

This is about him and, and his career as a Yankee star. And it creates the possibility of yet another year going by where he doesn't have that moment where you can finally put it to bed and you can say that this guy's one of the all time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, here's what I'll say about the season, all right? This is not 20, 23 you. You are equipped to overcome Judge. First reason is the American League stinks. All right? Now you got the Rays who don't stink, but they've come back down the earth, I believe with Bellinger, with the season that Rice is having, with this amazing starting rotation, that's only going to get better as the season goes on. I look at the Yankees as a team that still could win this division. If you told me Judge isn't playing until September, they could still win this division. They could still win two rounds in the American League, because I don't think the American League is very good. And now you'll get to October, which I still think can happen with a compromised Judge by the time you get to late October for the World Series. I would think he'd be okay, because, let's face it, even if he Rakes and you beat Cleveland in the postseason, and you beat Seattle in the postseason, nobody's gonna give you any credit for that. What are they gonna give you credit for if you beat the Dodgers or the Padres or whoever coming out of who you make?

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then if he's healthy and Rakes and they win the championship, he'll get credit for that. I still think that's on the table. What the better conversation to me is with judges. They're going to have to get him out of the outfield sooner than later. Just going to have to.

[Alan Hahn]

I hate this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know you hate it. I'm going to tell you why. The last three times he got hurt was because of things that happened in the field.

[Alan Hahn]

Freak injury. The Dodger one, you got to take out of the equation. It's freak, freak injury. Come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Dodger thing is a freak injury. But playing right field the other time he goes for a ball, and this time we ran into the fence for the ball.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll give you this one. Falling into the fence awkwardly. I'll give you the Dodger. Won the gate open.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I get it. But the point is, is this is a guy that's, that's older than most guys that have played, you know, their rookie year in 2016. Okay? He's 33 years old. Eventually he's going to become your full time dh. You only got one more year of Stan. So once Stan's gone, you're going to have to. I'm not saying it's right away, Allen, but when Stan's contract comes to an end, you're going to have to start thinking about this guy playing more DH than Alpha. Well, at some point he's going to have to, but I wouldn't. And at some point has to come sooner than later.

[Alan Hahn]

So really it's. It does coincide with my concern, does it not?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

It coincides with the concern that I have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, right.

[Alan Hahn]

Is that I. I don't know what his. I don't know what his future is going to be this year. And it just takes another year off of his career. And I don't want that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right, but you want him. The. The thing. He's special. He's got a strong arm. He's an A plus defender. But what makes him special is his bat. And when he's hurt, he can't hit. So I know it stinks because you do lose a weapon in right field, but I think you just can't afford to compromise that special bat being special.

[Alan Hahn]

Now look at Steve Novak. Look at that transition, who is really

[Peter Rosenberg]

one of my favorite guests. I can't speak for Alan.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, Alan. Alan feels otherwise, but that's why I'm happy to be here with you, Steve Novak.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Steve Novak]

And are good with that MSG polo on. You look good too. You know that.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, I hate this. You know I hate.

[Steve Novak]

You wouldn't believe. You wouldn't believe the wardrobe conversations that we've had. He said it depends on the cut. It depends how it falls. What if we're sweaty? I said, Allen.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, Allan.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, but that's fine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, can I. Can I just ask you a personal question? Speaking of.

[Steve Novak]

She's right, Alan. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The first time. Because I think it might be personal because you may not even want to answer. The first time that he came on with us live, it was like 4 degrees outside.

[Steve Novak]

We were freezing. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You saw the.

[Alan Hahn]

He came out in his shirt.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dressed like that.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, pretty much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now it's like 95 out. Dressed like that, you know? You know. Do you remember? I can't remember the name of it. Like, it is true. It was like there was like a Japanese show. It was like. It was like a little kid. Like all those, like typical Japanese, like, TV shows where everybody wore the same outfit every single episode. And what they would do. It's winter time, so they'll just put like a scarf on. Still wearing shorts and a T shirt. Like, that's him. Like, he's got the same wardrobe.

[Alan Hahn]

No matter what's going on Wisconsin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, he would be the guy here is. Here is Steve Novak in Vietnam, 1970, wearing that. Here's Steve Novak up at the North Pole handing out gifts. Gifts to the elves. He is wearing that.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what he is? He's team issue, man. If he gets team issue stuff, he's wearing it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But there's team issue T shirts. You're still wearing a long sleeve.

[Steve Novak]

It is nice if I take this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Gorgeous, though.

[Steve Novak]

I got more Nick stuff on underneath.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Look at that. He's got layers. It's 90 now.

[Steve Novak]

In my Defense. Now, listen, I mean, you're comparing me to cartoon characters, so now I gotta defend myself. I walked over here with the quarter zip on my shoulder. I was thinking I want to be in Nyx colors everywhere I go right now. So I put this on my shoulder. I walked in my short sleeve shirt when I came in. Tell the people we're in air conditioning now. That's stout. Okay, in my defense, we're in air conditioning. I have a quarter zip and I'm in the right colors right now. We do know there's a pretty big game tonight. We should be all in Knicks colors. So shame on you guys. What the hell? No, you're representing.

[Alan Hahn]

What are you talking about?

[Steve Novak]

You're right. I already gave you a shout out msg.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, it's bad enough I gotta wear it another.

[Steve Novak]

Come on, you look good in it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he does.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, there's a lot of

[Alan Hahn]

push ups to look good you gotta stop. But it is true, and that's a great sell. We are at stout just a block away from MSG. 35th between 7th and 8th. And as Steve just said, there is glorious air conditioning in this room.

[Steve Novak]

There is.

[Alan Hahn]

We are upstairs, by the way as well, which we need to find.

[Steve Novak]

It's a great vibe. They got the. They got the stone veneer, they got the stacked stone, they got the Knicks flags everywhere. And we are a block away. You can feel the energy. You and I were posted up at the studio across the street for game one. And it's an amazing view to have, because when the game's not even at MSG and the Knicks are in the finals and they're playing well against San Antonio, you started to just see the crowd get bigger and bigger. People coming down the street shout out to nypd, keeping things under control, the stanchions, keeping everybody together.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Steve Novak]

But what a beautiful site. Keep everybody keep coming out and being kind and not too wild because it's going to be an awesome celebration.

[Alan Hahn]

It's been like a unifier a lot of people have talked about. This is like how there's just been a unifier of like, you know, we could all have our differences, but hey, the Knicks are in the finals.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So we share that. Right. And I think that's one of the cool things about what we're seeing. But for you, the cool thing about game one was that they got the win. But was there something in game one that you saw that made you feel like this can carry over into game two? If there is, what is It.

[Steve Novak]

I mean, I think the. The big thing that I've just been so impressed with in the playoffs so far is their ability to sound very cliche and say, we're hungry, we're desperate, we have to win today. And you hear that from everybody. The one, the teams that win the next game, the teams that lose the next game. You hear that a lot of times. What's been so impressive is that it just seems that they really do have that mindset. Obviously, the results have shown. When you sweep Philly and you're just not impressed, you're not where you want to be, and then you sweep Cleveland. And obviously that Game one was quite the test. But the fact that that was a part of that story where there was that massive comeback in the fourth quarter in game one that they not only said that that's what they're about, but then in that one game showed, no matter how good we play, if we're up by 20, down by 20, we can maintain that mindset that if we are who we are, it's going to be good enough. And I think that's. To me, when you watch game one, you saw the Knicks were willing to be who they were. I know the playoffs and these adjustments are the big thing that you want to talk about in these kind of series. But I think that to me, what's been most impressive is that the Knicks were the Knicks not who they need to be against Philly. They're the Knicks against Cleveland. They weren't who they need to be against Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. And to be honest, after watching game one, it feels to me like, of course, what are the adjustments? What are both teams going to do? And I again feel like, what is San Antonio going to do to adjust? Because the Knicks being the Knicks, has won them 12 games in a row in the playoffs and seven in a row on the road. We've talked about this a bunch by 10 or more every game. And if that's the case, maybe it's incredible adjustments every game. I see a team that is playing their best basketball at the point you need to play your best basketball and everyone else needs to catch up to you. No matter what Vegas says is what we've seen so far in that game. One lot more games to go. But that's what's been so impressive to me, is that they've played and Ben

[Alan Hahn]

who they are to their identity.

[Steve Novak]

Everyone else has had to catch up and no one has yet. So there's a lot more to go. But I love that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So how do the spurs adjust?

[Steve Novak]

I think you saw in that first half they came out with. San Antonio did with great energy. An energy, I mean with force at the rim. You got Dylan Harper putting his shoulder into guys. You have champagne spotted up in the corner, you got a willingness to pass. I thought they had that home court young energy that you would expect, God bless this team at their age to be in the finals and have clearly, it appears to me, skipped steps in order to be in the finals. So for them to play like they did in the first half, I thought was was really impressive. What I would imagine, if you're Mitch Johnson, you're saying we've got to be better at is they only made 11 threes. I know not the greatest three point shooting team, San Antonio, but they shot. They had 89 field goal attempts in the game and 43 of them.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a lot.

[Steve Novak]

That's almost half of their shots were threes. They do a good job of shooting threes and a good volum, not necessarily making them and getting to the free throw line. And so I think they want to try to maintain that but take better threes. And if that number comes down, they have a guy named Wemby who you would want to have the ball in the interior more. So if that three point number comes down, if I'm Mitch Johnson, I'm saying take good threes. It has to be a weapon. Keep getting fouled, keep attacking. That's one of our weapons. But let's find the big fella, let's get him on movement, on pick and roll actions. If he's even the weak side slasher in the middle of the court, because we watched against Oklahoma City specifically the way when he gets in there and can shoot over guys, he's unlike any other. So that would be what I would expect. That offensive attack, how do we utilize Wemby to its to his fullest? That's what I see now.

[Alan Hahn]

I also feel like what this team has done, the Knicks now throughout this run has been applying pressure and then saying we can be close, we don't have to be up 10, we don't have to be up 20.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

We just need to be around it. And if like I remember saying in the fourth quarter, just keep third quarter, just keep it close, keep it close, keep it close, let's see what they do. And in these fourth quarters, in this run, they seem to be the fresher team because obviously haven't played as many games. And they also seem to be the more like confident team in, in crunch Time in clutch moments. So would you look at a Game two like this, knowing that no team has ever lost the first two games at home and gone on to win the. In the NBA Finals? It's never happened. There's all kinds of pressure on the Spurs. They're a young team. They gotta know we. We don't. This is a must, virtual must. Win that. You know, you're gonna get their energy, emotion. You're gonna get all the stuff that a young team does. Just all you said, same way game one started, and you just get through it. Then you say, if we just keep it close, will they feel the pressure of the moment and will they be able to handle it versus you, knowing we can? Is that like a mentality that. I don't know, if you go into even thinking that is, like, whatever happens, stay in arm's length because we know we can close. They don't know if they can.

[Steve Novak]

I think it's. It's something that you've seen. You think, go back to Christmas Day.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

[Alan Hahn]

Great point.

[Steve Novak]

And I. You know, there's other games, too, that were great comebacks, but you just.

[Alan Hahn]

The NBA cup game was like that, too.

[Steve Novak]

Exactly.

[Alan Hahn]

They were trailing going into the fourth quarter.

[Steve Novak]

And so I think it's one thing to say, hey, stay the course. Be yourselves. We're going to be able to do it. Keep playing Knicks basketball. Let's stick to our habits. That's something you can say in timeouts. That's something you can say as the coach or to one another in a huddle. And sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. But I think to your point, if you're the Knicks and you're down or you're close, and you experienced Christmas Day where you were down by, what was it, 25, 22 against the Cavs.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it was. It was a big number. I can't remember exactly the number now, top of my head.

[Steve Novak]

Well, and it was 22 in game one against the Cavs.

[Alan Hahn]

Right, Right.

[Steve Novak]

And so you just. And. And then you fast forward. I would say, again, to your point about Game 1 against San Antonio, specifically in this matchup, an 110 run at the end of that game to be down. The Knicks were down by eight at the end of one down, seven at halftime, tied at the end of the third, and they won by 10, to your point.

[Alan Hahn]

Crazy.

[Steve Novak]

So we can say all that in the huddle. Stick with it. Let's be ourselves. Let's make sure we do all the things. But if it doesn't Work out. You go like well we stuck to what we do and it just hasn't been enough with this team. They've proven they're the best. They are at the end of games and specifically now at the end of seasons. Yeah, they're playing this, this 12 game win streak. We have talked about it probably too much but we're going to keep talking about it because we've all watched a lot of basketball. I played a lot of basketball. I've been in the playoffs a bunch to win 12 games against the teams that beat the teams. So it's not like they're not good. I'm not hearing that in the Eastern Conference. I'm not hearing cads. Detroit loss, Boston lost. These were the teams. And now the finals have started and the Knicks are up one again. And so it's to me very impressive obviously to have done what they've done and to done it to your point with the, the pace and the cadence that they've done it. They're not in a hurry to get up by 25. I don't even think they care. They're going to do what they do. They're going to rely on who they rely on which some games is someone other than Jalen Brunson. But it's usually Jalen Brunson.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

But if it's not he's fine with 14 assists and he'll make sure it's

[Alan Hahn]

cat something to watch tonight.

[Steve Novak]

And it's a team that has proven it doesn't need to be Jalen Brunson.

[Alan Hahn]

It the niche that's the wrinkle that people I don't. You know what Novi? I don't think enough people have caught on to that powerful that it because all the spurs talked about after game one was we gotta let's. We gotta make somebody other than Brunson shoot the ball. And that was what the Cavs said after Game 1 and Brunson went for 14 assists in Game 2 and other guys scored. Josh Hart got a bunch of threes like that like, like whatever it was that other guys scored and Brunson trusts the pass. Now you couldn't say that in the. In past years it generally was as. As Brunson goes, the team goes. And when teams could shut him down, you really had a hard time scoring.

[Steve Novak]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

That's different now because he now will say you want to take me out of the game? Fine, go four on four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Or four on three if you're double team.

[Steve Novak]

He's got to be out there. But he doesn't have to be getting 50.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. Right. He doesn't have to do it anymore. And that, I think, is a wrinkle that no one really talks enough about. When everybody says, what's changed about this team offensively, that's essentially at the surface, that's what changed.

[Steve Novak]

And that, to me, is. It's this piece. It's this X Factor piece that you hear talked about in dreamy stories of, you know, how good can they be?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

Or, you know, can you make the guy next to you better? You know, all of these, like, teamwork concepts that are all these, like, fluffy. At the end of the day, I don't see teamwork, any teamwork on this Knicks team. I see every single guy playing their role and having a ceiling that's higher than most other team starting fives have. So guys are willing to have three points and 15 rebounds. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Steve Novak]

Or have 26 points. There's a lot of guys that can maybe get you 15 rebounds and score three points, but they cannot get you 26 ever. Josh Hart can get you 26, and he can get you three points with a plus 22 in the last game. Mikel Bridges has a ceiling. OG Anobi has a ceiling. Cat is a ceiling. Jalen has a ceiling. And so I just think this group with those ceilings, with the willingness to. To play their role. That's why I say teamwork. These are just guys who understand their role, which means it might not be the same every night, but they're willing to play whatever it is. Some guys aren't willing to ever be the assist guy. If you're Cat and you're the number one pick and you're making 50 million a year, he's willing to pursue every rebound. And so I just think when you. When you see that and you see that Your starters are 28, 29, 30, 29, 20, 30, 31 in their prime, and you're going against a group that's very young. You have to think that is a real factor when you have guys with that ceiling and they're in their prime. And so I just think, as this series got closer and closer to starting before Game one and the odds were more and more stacked against the Knicks, the more you dove into it as me and you are looking at the stats and study into what are the matchups are really going to be, I thought to myself, who is Vegas? Who is really. No, I mean this. Who is picking? There's a lot of series left to play. But I just think as you analyze it, you do See why this team is as successful as they are because they believe in each other, they're playing their roles and they're playing their best basketball at the right time with leadership and a system that is, to Coach Brown's credit, working for this group.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Talking to Steve Novak here on Don Hahn and Rosenberg live here from Stout. Getting ready for game two between the spurs and the Knicks. We were discussing it earlier with the officiating and it's such a big thing. You as a player, would you want to see the same crew the entire finals or do you like that the crews change?

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, it's a good question. You know, I think you win game one, you don't mind seeing the same crew. You know, maybe you lose, you say, I'd love to see a new crew. I do think, you know, probably to the heart of your question, I do think one of the keys and not an adjustment necessarily because I don't think the Knicks are needing to adjust, they're needing to prepare for the adjustments is probably more than I think the officiating is going to be very important in this second game because if the Knicks continue to be who they've shown they can be over this 12 game win streak, which is you reset after a win, you act like it didn't even happen. It gives you confidence. But you could care less about if you're not there yet, we're not there yet. They've lived that. I think if the Knicks can come out and put their chest on San Antonio, if they can be the more physical team, if they can have a few hand checks. It was 14 to 2, fast break points going into the fourth quarter. And all of a sudden at the end of the game, I think it was 15 to 12, 15 to 14, San Antonio Advantage. But the Knicks had caught back up. And how did they do that? You think about the turnovers that Wemby had. You think about the chances that Hart took early, got three fouls, but then it worked out over four quarters. It paid off and you're off to the races.

[Alan Hahn]

You had to survive that early foul trouble though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

So you got Tony Brothers tonight and his crew, Josh Tiffin, Tyler Ford, you know, like it does go crew to crew. Like whether or not are they going to blow whistles or not. Now the Knicks have not really had any issues with any of the, any of the officiating crews they've had because they just don't lose. So you can't really complain about any of them. I think they're 4 and 1. When Tony and His crew has been

[Steve Novak]

the officials, but winning by a lot of points. That helps.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that also helps. But, but, but there are those moments, though, in you that you'll look and you'll say, okay, well, women. Yama is going to have to be aggressive early. You expect him to. And can Town stay out of foul trouble? Because if he can't, boy, that really changes the whole dynamic of the team. Change Josh coming out. Yes. Hurt you. And then getting him back in the second half was effective. Towns, though, because of wembanyama. If you lose him early because it's two quick fouls happen and now you got to take them out. That's the whole complex of the game. Like right away, that's it. And so it is. It's always something to watch. But so you don't, you don't think it matters then through the crew game. The game, if it's the same crew for the whole series and you know how they're going to call it, you. You don't think that, like, I would look at it like now I'm comfortable. I know what they're doing. I know how they're calling it. I don't have to adjust to anything.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah. I think to your point, if there's early foul calls, I think that especially against the Knicks, obviously that works in a big way against the Knicks because I do think that they are going to have to come out for another game on the road to really. To put a dagger in these guys right now. You're not going to be able to sit back, be casual, hope things go your way in another game in San Antonio on the road, it's going to have to be because you go and take it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

And that feels. Feels to me like Cat being physical with Wemby. That feels like heart out on the perimeter, taking chances and sand put the

[Alan Hahn]

pressure on him, make him, make him blow a whistle.

[Steve Novak]

I think you. I think it. It. If the whistle doesn't blow and you start the game like that, you've got this in the first quarter in a spot that everyone can feel. And san Antonio shot 40 free throws.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

In one of the regular season matchups, the one they won 134 to 132.

[Alan Hahn]

That game was crazy.

[Steve Novak]

I've never seen a team with as good a box score at the end of the night as the Knicks in that loss. But the reason they lost was because San Antonio shot 40 free throws.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

And 25 in game one. And so I do think if it is a little more touchy and they get up to 40 free throws again. It's hard to beat a team who shoots 40 free throws. It just is. So I think to your point, depending on how the whistle goes and obviously Kat talked about too, they got to just be smart but physical. Keep your hands out of the cookie jar.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is great stuff, Steve. Thank you so much.

[Alan Hahn]

He's a fountain of information.

[Steve Novak]

Appreciate you guys having me.

[Alan Hahn]

Fantastic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He knows his stuff. I think we should bring him back. That's my vote.

[Steve Novak]

What do I have to wear though? I'm not hearing this again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, you don't wear whatever you be you man. That's it. It was just an observation.

[Alan Hahn]

We're gonna get him at ESPN New York golf shirt since he likes all these. These team issues.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Why not?

[Alan Hahn]

Can we get him. Can we get him one? Can we. Do we have a golf shirt? He's a. He's a small. I don't know if you guys know

[Steve Novak]

that just because I have an upper. Me and KD have the same upper body for whatever that's worth.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, right. Exactly.

[Steve Novak]

We can both be butt bench.

[Alan Hahn]

Both 610. Who can shoot threes all day long.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Complain about it, why don't you?

[Steve Novak]

That's right.

[Alan Hahn]

And it work out. Worked out fine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You came a long way. We really appreciate you didn't have to do that. Thank you so much.

[Steve Novak]

Pleasure. Great to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We'll see you next week.

[Steve Novak]

Sounds good. Me and Al hanging out tonight.

[Alan Hahn]

Steve and I outside at the watch party on. On 33rd Street. So pregame show begins at 7:30 on MSG and we'll be out there with all the.

[Steve Novak]

The Garden crazies, the craziest people that you couldn't love more.

[Alan Hahn]

And you know what too?

[Steve Novak]

Fans.

[Alan Hahn]

For some reason, I mean, when you bre the air over there.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You walk away happy.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah. Don't breathe too deep.

[Alan Hahn]

Almost giggling.

[Steve Novak]

Don't breathe too deep over there.

[Alan Hahn]

Almost smiling for no reason.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you're saying they're. They're dispensing a lot of energy is what you're saying.

[Alan Hahn]

A lot of something. Something is being dispensed.

[Steve Novak]

Contagious energy.

[Alan Hahn]

Very contagious.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fraud alert. Friday is next. Don Anna Rosenberg, ESPN New York.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Steve Novak]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Did you or someone you know participate in fraudulent fan behavior?

[Steve Novak]

I'm a fraud with a capital F.

[Don Hahn]

Is your friend a fraud?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I have been a Complete and utter fraud.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you a fraud?

[Anthony Pusich]

What is fraud?

[Don Hahn]

Let's ask Dom McGregor.

[Alan Hahn]

Screw.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Go scratch yourself.

[Don Hahn]

Brought to you by D' Agostino Law.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Time now for fraud alert Friday, as you heard. Brought to you by d' Agostino Law. Anthony Pusick. Nice enough to fill in for Peter Rosenberg.

[Anthony Pusich]

Well, you guys are continually stuck with me until Peter gets back. He usually reads the email, so I'm going to be tasked with doing it now. We don't even have to get to emails first. We have to address something that we addressed earlier in the week.

[Alan Hahn]

What do we got?

[Anthony Pusich]

Elmo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, I'm ready for this.

[Anthony Pusich]

Before the NBA finals started, Elmo said Elmo hopes both teams have fun. A nice sentiment.

[Alan Hahn]

She'll have fun.

[Anthony Pusich]

Unfortunately, everybody looked it up. Sesame street is on 63rd and Broadway.

[Alan Hahn]

I told you this. Nobody believed me.

[Anthony Pusich]

You were right.

[Alan Hahn]

You guys are fighting me on this.

[Anthony Pusich]

The heart of New York that he's in and he saw all of the vitriol that he was getting and said, nix that last message. Elmo didn't mean to spur you on. So the question, unfortunately we have to ask, is Elmo a fraud?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, boy. Hold your horses.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I say no fraud.

[Alan Hahn]

No fraud.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No fraud. All he did, and it's Elmo. He doesn't get into competitiveness. He doesn't get into winners and losers. He just asked both to have fun. He's not a fan.

[Anthony Pusich]

He's not a fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's not a sports fan. He doesn't like competition. He wants everybody to get along. He is a big believer. I happen to know this about Elmo. Oh, in participation, trophies. He's just not keeping score guy. So he just wanted both sides to have fun. Not a fan.

[Alan Hahn]

You know who is a fan? Big Bird. He gets it.

[Anthony Pusich]

Big Bird. Big Nick.

[Alan Hahn]

You know who else? Oscar. You know, the grouch lives in the garbage can. He gets it. He gets it. I got to sit in this garbage all day. No, no. I need the Knicks to win. The spurs win. I'm still stuck in this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Elmo doesn't care because he's not a fan. I can't call somebody a fraud.

[Steve Novak]

And they're not.

[Alan Hahn]

But you know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He is not.

[Alan Hahn]

He doesn't declare if he's not a fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Layout.

[Anthony Pusich]

Elmo's playing politicians.

[Alan Hahn]

No, that's exactly what he's doing. Exactly what he's doing. Thank you, Anthony. Brilliant take.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's not a brilliant tape because Elmo. Elmo does. Isn't looking for fans.

[Alan Hahn]

I just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Elmo wants everybody to have fun.

[Anthony Pusich]

He's a nice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what Elmo's event did.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what's fun? Fun is the knicks ending a 53 year drought. That's fun. In the city you were born in, Elmo. Born here, live here.

[Steve Novak]

I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I. That's fun almost.

[Alan Hahn]

You think it's funny? Everybody's gonna have fun if the Knicks lose. And all these poor people that I

[Peter Rosenberg]

got all excited these last couple of

[Alan Hahn]

months, they gotta go back to believing that they never gonna win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's not fun.

[Alan Hahn]

Elmo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is why. This is why Elmo doesn't deal with people like Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

He better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He just wants.

[Alan Hahn]

I got something for him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's not a sports got threatened.

[Anthony Pusich]

There's been threats.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We've declared. He never.

[Alan Hahn]

They told.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm sorry. By the rules of it, he's not a fraud because he's not participating. He doesn't have a team. He doesn't.

[Alan Hahn]

There can't be a single judge. No, no, I'm sorry. There can't be a single person on the island of Manhattan. Not even in the five boroughs and possibly even northern New Jersey, Long island and Westchester. There's not a single person in those quadrants that can say they don't care. No, it's not possible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Elmo, I don't care who you are.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't care. No, you have to be about something. You got to play your flag.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Elmo, no, Elmo. That's not what Elmo's about, man. Don't make Elmo into something.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you sure?

[Anthony Pusich]

Well, we can move on from Elmo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I have a lot of opinions on Elmo. I can't share not one of them.

[Anthony Pusich]

Well, no, you cannot. Let's hear from Ethan Goldstein. On a recent SNY broadcast, Ron Darling said as a non native New Yorker, he's happy for the Knicks and will root for any New York team to bring a championship here. I know you say people who are just happy for all New York teams are frauds, but does a championship winning athlete differ? An interesting one.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow. I'm curious about this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I'm curious about this.

[Anthony Pusich]

He's a friend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I don't think he cares for me at all. But that shouldn't matter.

[Alan Hahn]

Why does he like you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because I called him out about his book. Because he ripped into. Remember the. Lenny Dykstra and then there were guys on the team that said Lenny never did that. He went after my guy. Bob Murphy, I remember, called him a drunk. I didn't think that was nice. I called his book what was it like? How many stitches are in a baseball? It's like 3,000 stitches. I. I said the book should be 3,000 stitches because he was telling stories.

[Anthony Pusich]

So it got interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So. And I haven't spoken to him since, so.

[Anthony Pusich]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's not gonna affect. I'm a judge. I'm fair.

[Anthony Pusich]

Well, after all that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I'm impartial.

[Alan Hahn]

I could tell.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm going to say also not a fraud.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because he's not a fan of these teams. Right. I mean, he came, he grew. He was born in Hawaii. Right. Grew up in Boston. Right. So now he's in New York, and he's a transplant. And I don't think he. He does his job. He's a Met guy, and he's just not a fan. If he's not a fan.

[Alan Hahn]

Hang on. If he says he's a Met and he's on the Met broadcast, if he says all New York teams when the Yankees in the World Series, he's all. He's pulling for the Yankees because I

[Peter Rosenberg]

don't think he's a Met fan. He's a former Met. Like, I don't think he's declared. He's got blood.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no. He's got blood in the ground, though. He's got blood in the ground.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think he does. Doesn't sound like he does. If he's saying what he's saying about, I just want to see a New York championship again. I don't. I don't see him a fan. Now Gary Cohen has declared himself a Met fan. He grew up a Met fan.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's different.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, if he had said it, I'd say I'd call fraud. But I don't think Ronnie is ever declared to be a fan of anything he works for. He's a former Met, worked for the Mets. He also does national stuff. I. I don't think he's declared anything. To my knowledge. The only thing he's declared, he's a New York guy. So I call no fraud. Again, all fraud is if you declare, then that's what you are.

[Anthony Pusich]

You could tell that the Knicks are doing well. The judge is in a very good mood.

[Alan Hahn]

You could tell, right?

[Anthony Pusich]

Nobody's going to jail today.

[Alan Hahn]

I can see this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not going after Elmo. I will go after Ronnie if he bothers me, but this doesn't bother me. All right, no fraud.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, all right. No fraud. Let's keep it rolling.

[Anthony Pusich]

All right, let's hear from Amrit. Judge Lagra. I need an Official ruling from the fraud court.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, you'll get it because it's Friday.

[Anthony Pusich]

I was born in socal with the Lakers. Were our family team and kept me close with my cousins. Dad moved us to Syracuse. That is quite the move for work during my elementary school years. And the Orange became my local basketball team over the past decades, my cousins and I completely lost touch and became less close due to family issues killing my connection to the Lakers.

[Alan Hahn]

Here we go.

[Anthony Pusich]

In 2016, I moved to NYC, dated and married a born and raised New Yorker. Here we go. Her whole family are die hard Knicks fans.

[Alan Hahn]

Zipper key.

[Anthony Pusich]

Between being in the market, becoming close with her family and making friends at your in person show events, I slowly. Hey, in person show event.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, we like that.

[Anthony Pusich]

I slowly rooted for the team. I've been to many games and haven't watched the Lakers in a decade. I became a Knicks fan right as they became relevant over the last four to five years, which is questionable even to me. In my defense, I'd never claim I was a day one fan. I also suffer with my teams. I'm a post dynasty Yankees fan and longtime Giants fan. Am I a bandwagon fraud or does my family fall out? Moving away and marrying into New York family absolve me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Last I checked, we have the technology to continue to follow the Lakers from Syracuse, Guam, wherever, wherever. So I'm sorry, fraud.

[Steve Novak]

You're a Laker fan.

[Anthony Pusich]

There we go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. You're falling out with family. Hey, stuff happens, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly. But it doesn't mean you're falling out with the Lakers right now. What does he do to you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, I. I'll jump on. He even said once the Knicks became relevant.

[Anthony Pusich]

Aha.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Aha.

[Alan Hahn]

That's where that you gave yourself.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you told on yourself that. We all, when we read that, we heard that part. Oh, wait a minute.

[Alan Hahn]

Faces we made.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait a minute.

[Anthony Pusich]

Sometimes, you know, you just have to hear. You got to hear.

[Alan Hahn]

New level.

[Steve Novak]

I discovered vomit fraud. Vomit fraud.

[Anthony Pusich]

Was that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What is that what I mean, this is a vomit fraud. This. This falls under like.

[Anthony Pusich]

Let's hear from Jeremy. I'd like to report a fraud. Unfortunately, the fraud is me.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh no. Fell in on himself.

[Anthony Pusich]

I grew up during the Michael Jordan era and was a Die hard Bulls fan.

[Steve Novak]

Sure, why not? Die Hard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He really died a lot during that.

[Alan Hahn]

It is so hard to root for that team. They really struggled through those six championships.

[Anthony Pusich]

Sounds like he struggled more than them. Not. I liked the Bulls die hard. I mean, I got punched in the face and had my nose bloodied. While taunting a friend during an Eastern Conference finals game. Die Hard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, back then he might have punched the Nick fan.

[Anthony Pusich]

Hating the Knicks wasn't a hobby. It was a lifestyle.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, okay.

[Anthony Pusich]

Fast forward to today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I get that if you're a Bulls fan.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I would. Naturally.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know why you would hate a team. You always be.

[Alan Hahn]

But exactly why do you care?

[Anthony Pusich]

Oh, fast forward to today. I barely watched basketball in years. I don't follow the league. I couldn't tell you half the Bulls.

[Alan Hahn]

Now I don't watch basketball anymore and

[Anthony Pusich]

I know longer spend my free time rooting against the Knicks. But here is where the fraud comes in.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, what do you guys think?

[Anthony Pusich]

The Knicks win a championship. I'm a hundred percent. Calling out sick from work and heading into Manhattan to celebrate with all the real.

[Alan Hahn]

I want. I want to. I want a photo of this guy.

[Anthony Pusich]

Do I need to finish this?

[Alan Hahn]

No, just. Just go ahead and finish that because I got something I want out of this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I think I'm. I'm speaking for Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's say it together. Ready? One, two, three. Fraud.

[Steve Novak]

And you know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're not welcome to the parties. We don't want you coming and celebrating. Get out.

[Anthony Pusich]

In fact.

[Alan Hahn]

In fact, we should get a picture of this dude.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And we should put it all over the place and say, if you see this man, throw him over. Drag him right to the east river and throw him right.

[Anthony Pusich]

He cared so much that he fought someone. A Nick fan got punched in the face by a Nick.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, because he was taunting Nicks that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

You can't enjoy their success if you mock. They're failure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And also, what was this problem with the NBA? Oh, Jordan's not here anymore and the Bulls aren't winning. I. I'm not.

[Anthony Pusich]

Guess I'll just go away anymore.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's not fun. I really didn't like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what it was?

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't really like basketball. I just liked winning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And it was fun to root for a team that won all the time. And when they stopped doing that, I

[Anthony Pusich]

didn't like basketball anymore.

[Alan Hahn]

Now I've got a team that's winning all the time. I'm going to root for them now. You're the worst kind of fraud. Fraud?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. It's not even a zipper key. Or it's not just classless fraud. How about that?

[Alan Hahn]

Classless.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, classless. Punching people in the face one minute, then not caring the next. Get help. How about that? Maybe that's what we need. Get help.

[Anthony Pusich]

I think we have time for one more?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, plenty of time.

[Alan Hahn]

We need a cleanser right now.

[Anthony Pusich]

Stout Jordan says. Hey, divas. Long time, unintentional listener. My husband plays your show religiously.

[Alan Hahn]

Unintentionally.

[Anthony Pusich]

Even when we lived on the west coast, he would tune into you guys every day. Sounds like the husband's a fan. And she is now by proxy. Just knows who we are, of course, which we appreciate. Thank you very much.

[Alan Hahn]

She's exposed to this show. You can't get away from it.

[Anthony Pusich]

All right now, I don't like being

[Peter Rosenberg]

called the Diva, but go ahead.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't mind.

[Anthony Pusich]

From Philly and a lifelong die hard Eagles and Phillies fan. However, I've never followed the 76ers.

[Alan Hahn]

Never follow, never follow, never follow. Key phrase.

[Anthony Pusich]

While it goes against my allegiance to Philadelphia, I'm leaning into following the Knicks moving forward. Let me plead my case. We're back in New York City permanently, and when we have a kid, I would love to be able to go to a game with them and feel invested in the team. Right now, the odds are they'll be Yankees fans like my husband and I would want to have one team we're excited about as a family. That being said, I think supporting a team requires some time in the trenches, so I love the idea of being on the bandwagon. I'm trying to pace myself and invest my time before I really go all in. That being said, am I a fraud for backing a New York team? Also, hi to my husband and Ryan, who doesn't know I'm sending this. Go birds. I had to. I had to say the end.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't love the go.

[Anthony Pusich]

All right, I'm not a fan either.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got a guy. Listen, there is absolutely zero fraud in this. And the reason for the zero fraud. She never declared. She was never a Sixer fan.

[Alan Hahn]

Very. That's critical information.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And, you know, she listens and listen. Her timing is very good because the Knicks are very good, but her husband is a New York fan. They're living here and she wants to get the kid involved.

[Alan Hahn]

Lean in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I have an issue with this. She had said she was a Sixer fan. That'd be a different story. But she did not declare. So I say no fraud.

[Anthony Pusich]

Judge has spoken.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't appreciate being called a diva.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I don't mind.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, Alan doesn't mind.

[Alan Hahn]

Ryan, if you're watching, call in. We need to get a backstory.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was fraud alert Friday brought to you by daggers law, 35 years, everybody. Fraud alert Friday. Social Security disability, clients, every dollar. They deserve offices in New York and New Jersey. 1-800-Bite Back. 1-800-248-3222, D' Agostino Law. Bite Back.

[Alan Hahn]

That was a good one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Anthony is not done well.

[Alan Hahn]

No, he's not.

[Anthony Pusich]

Don Allen, New York. Everybody here listening. You're going to want to hear this one. This summer, all lines lead to Champs Sports Fan Central Station. A soccer pop up shop open open right here in the heart of the city. 125 West 33rd Street. That way. It's over there.

[Alan Hahn]

It's over there. It's over behind me.

[Anthony Pusich]

This is the soccer destination in New York. Jerseys for every national team you ride with. Usa, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and way, way more. All under one roof.

[Alan Hahn]

I might get a U.S. what do you think, Christian? Would I be a fraud if I got a U.S. soccer? You live here cup soccer jersey.

[Anthony Pusich]

No, I don't think I'm fraud if

[Alan Hahn]

I do that right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You haven't declared.

[Alan Hahn]

I haven't declared. Well, I mean if I decide we're declared, it's kind of obvious that I declare usa, right?

[Anthony Pusich]

Well, Alan, this is the place. You're around here a lot these days. Walk by and get place for you if you want to gear up, rep your country and feel the energy of the city Champs Sports fan Central Station. 125 West 33rd Street. That is where you need.

[Alan Hahn]

I know where that is. I'm going to go there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. We've got tons of calls. We've got Knicks to talk about. We've got Enn Anthony will be back at 6 o' clock for that. Take it right up to our coverage with Pat o' Keefe of Nick spurs game two at seven o'.

[Alan Hahn]

Clock.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don on the Rosenberg.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Steve Novak]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Interesting. In the promo we just heard, Rick said he believes the last game he ever played lead professionally was in San Antonio. So I wanted to check this out.

[Alan Hahn]

Was that echl?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he was in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers. Now the site that I looked up, it was the 1314 season.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The ramp.

[Alan Hahn]

The San Antonio. No. What were they?

[Steve Novak]

I don't remember.

[Alan Hahn]

I got a puck from them when I was there. One of the first years I was a Beatri, I was collecting pucks for my son. Zach was like a little, little boy back then. And so if the team had a hockey team in the arena I would find a puck and I remember getting a San Antonio puck from there. I can't remember the name of that. So that's, that's amazing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I got, I gotta look it up. He was, he was, he made five appearances. He was 02.

[Alan Hahn]

He was also really, really injured.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. But I want to see if he's right.

[Alan Hahn]

He was trying to play when he clearly shouldn't have been playing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was on, I was A couple of sites that I go to. Pro hockey or hockey reference.com doesn't give minor league stats.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hockey DB does.

[Alan Hahn]

Hockey DB.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. That's where I was able to Elite

[Alan Hahn]

prospects tell you go to elite prospects.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I'm just going to just look up, you know, Charlotte checkers, you know, 13, 14 schedule and just see if I can, if I can find out if they were in San Antonio and what that San Antonio's name name was. I'm just looking. It's giving me recaps. I think I got to break it down at some point. I'm going to look it up and see. He's probably right though. But how odd is that his professional Hockey league career ended in San Antonio of all places. Now if we can, you know, if you want to go back and add this to the symmetry that is what's going on here. I don't know if you want to go that far, but I'm just looking at their last game or, or what

[Alan Hahn]

it would have been his, his last game. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And was a loss on March 23, 2014. Yeah. But I can't click on to see the stats for that game. But he's probably right. Isn't that crazy?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. I think he would know you're, you're fact check.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He didn't, he's like. I think no, I see. So I'd have to, I'd have to see if it was. He didn't win. I'm just trying to see when there was a loss at San Antonio. But pretty in pretty interesting. He only played a handful of games yet it was a 53 loss on November 2, 2013. But again, I can't click to see if he was the starting goaltender for that one. But kind of. I, I just, I didn't know that.

[Alan Hahn]

I, I guarantee you Kofi is on it right now. Within moments.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He will have an answer for us. In moments. That's exactly. He's just so good at that. He is tremendous.

[Alan Hahn]

They were the Rampage.

[Steve Novak]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The San Antonio Rampage of the ahl.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I, I, I know he's got a puck that Was the year that the CLE in Cleveland. It was the Lock. The Lock. Lake Monsters. The something. Lake Monsters.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lock Monsters, I think it was.

[Alan Hahn]

Was it something like that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it was the Lake Erie

[Alan Hahn]

Monster or whatever it is. They won the. The. What's the hl. Is that the Calder Trophy?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, I believe.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, they won it that year when I was there. And I remember getting one of those pucks as well. And it was a kid from Long island who was on that team. So I was not only getting NHL because when I covered the NHL, I would get NHL game pucks for him. And then I started collecting, like, if there was something, like Orlando had an AHL piece team, the Solar Bears.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

And I got a puck from them. Like, I was bringing him home. Pretty cool. He was, yeah. He was devastated that I left the NHL and started covering the NBA. And so that was my way of, like, making it up to him. I was still. I was bringing him pucks even then, so. And now he's putting them in the net. Isn't that great?

[Steve Novak]

We are.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It is awesome.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way. If I can just one more. I don't want to forget. That's why I'm saying this, and I don't mean to keep talking about my family. Happy birthday. My oldest, Emma. Emma is 25 today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, awesome.

[Alan Hahn]

My oldest, 25.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Isn't that amazing that it just goes by so fast?

[Alan Hahn]

Quarter century.

[Peter Rosenberg]

She shares a birthday with Paul Strager, who's our engineer today.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right. Happy birthday, Paul.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's well past 25.

[Alan Hahn]

You think so? 26.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right. But he's. I think he's still in his 20s, probably. And. And just a quick update. So Marco got crushed in the first game of the best of three, 23 to eight. Oh, that's a lot of run. He was on deck and the game ended. Was. Got this guy into a double play and he was devastated. He didn't get another swing. Well, last night was 8:2.

[Steve Novak]

All right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I. I was able to get there for the end of the game. We hit the curfew at 8:30.

[Alan Hahn]

What is this curfew?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You got playoffs. Kids got school. Stop it.

[Alan Hahn]

It's the playoffs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, here's the thing. They're down. They're down 127. All right? In the fifth. They've got to continue the game 12 tomorrow morning. So there's still hope. And if they win, if they come back and win, then they've got to play game three right after.

[Alan Hahn]

All right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he's still Alive. But just a quick. I get there, he's playing third and then he gets in a bat. So I get to see in a bat. He had a hit earlier in the game.

[Steve Novak]

It's.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He thinks he walked. It was actually on a 2:1 pitch as a ball. He thinks he walked. All right, he goes to first. They got to bring him back. Cuz the umpire is like, no, it's three one. They got to bring him back. He smokes one in the gap. And I was telling him after, I was like, you, you almost missed out on that by not knowing the count. I mean, I'm not, I'm not exaggerating.

[Steve Novak]

He.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He hit it hard, gets a double, RBI double. So I was happy. And then he makes a play at third right after. So I got there at the right moment.

[Alan Hahn]

So now does he wear.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not looking good.

[Alan Hahn]

Does he wear the Goggins when he plays? Oh, yeah, I love that. Like this. That's some swag, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he had him on.

[Alan Hahn]

He's got serious swag.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The sun's down, the lights are on. He still won't take the sunglasses.

[Alan Hahn]

Love it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, man, he loves it.

[Alan Hahn]

So see my eyes. You can't see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he had his step up ceremony today, so he's an official. Was a rising third grader.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A lot going on. So that's why I'm. The outfit that I'm wearing. He had the identical outfit.

[Alan Hahn]

I saw that today. I see it. So the only that's out to me were the Goggins.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So at least we're. We're talking about family. There was my opportunity to talk family, but it's all nicks until enn. So five o', clock, 3776.

[Alan Hahn]

I want predictions from people. I want to like, give me something about tonight's game that you're looking forward to specifically. Yeah, not like a win or the like. Give me something specifically that you say, tonight we're going to see this. We had a caller tell us earlier that he felt like it was a Mikhail Bridges night. I like it. But give me something like that. When you're calling in, be specific with what you've got to bring to the table tonight because it's your opportunity to talk Knicks, they are up 10 in the NBA Finals. And everybody, if they get the win tonight, understand something. No team who has lost the first two games on the road in the NBA Finals has ever gone on to win the series. That's what tonight means.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. And we've got some information on Rick, we're going to pass along to you. 1-800-919-3776. Don Hanna, Rosenberg. Got two more hours to go and then our coverage of game two right here on ESPN New York.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to know how the

[Steve Novak]

sausage is made, man.

[Alan Hahn]

I just want to know.

[Don Hahn]

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.