Hour 2: Wally Szczerbiak joins the show

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Wally Szczerbiak Joins the Show

Release Date: February 7, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Guest: Wally Szczerbiak

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Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:29 - 07:05)

The episode kicks off with an engaging introduction by Don La Greca, highlighting sponsorship by Love Hurts and introducing Wally Szczerbiak as the leading man in the film. Alan Hahn promotes the ESPN New York app and interacts with the live audience, setting an energetic tone.

Notable Quote:

• Alan Hahn (00:29): “Wally Zerbiak, Wally Ball himself will be joining us a little bit. We're going to be talking some hoop...”

Wally Szczerbiak shares his journey from high school basketball to his professional career, reminiscing about his early interactions with Alan Hahn, who covered his games in Newsday.

Notable Quote:

• Wally Szczerbiak (05:50): “I was always trying to get articles written by Alan about me in Newsday.”

Discussion on Brian Cashman and Jazz Torres (01:12 - 04:02)

The hosts dive into recent comments made by Brian Cashman regarding Jazz Torres. Don, Alan, and Peter express frustration over Cashman’s decision-making and the unnecessary public airing of team strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• Alan Hahn (01:27): “Brian... gives you a little bit too much information. Like us finding out when he said to Jeter, oh, go find something else.”
• Peter Rosenberg (02:31): “Why do you have to go there for what? What's the benefit?”

Wally and Don share anecdotes about being frequently misidentified by fans, adding a humorous touch to the conversation.

Notable Quote:

• Don La Greca (04:10): “Sometimes the person's behind me and they're yelling the wrong name... I try to just very politely say, it's Rosenberg.”

Knicks' Performance and Team Dynamics (07:05 - 12:08)

The conversation shifts to the New York Knicks' current season performance. Wally provides an in-depth analysis of the team's standing, highlighting key players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and discusses the impact of recent trades and player health.

Notable Quotes:

• Wally Szczerbiak (10:28): “The Knicks are going to have that game in the back of their mind. And as a competitor you think to yourself, we gave one away at Boston.”
• Don La Greca (11:51): “I think he’s a Hall of Famer every time the Knicks played the Wizards.”

Alan and Wally debate the significance of the Knicks finishing second and the potential home-court advantage against the Celtics.

Notable Quote:

• Wally Szczerbiak (13:56): “The Knicks are going to have that game in the back of their mind... The Garden is going to be rocking at 8:30 tomorrow night.”

Jalen Brunson's Impact and Knicks' Future (14:54 - 17:59)

Don leads a discussion on Jalen Brunson’s pivotal role in stabilizing the Knicks' point guard position. Wally praises Brunson's clutch performances and foresees him as a cornerstone for the team's success, comparing him to Knicks legends like Walt "Clyde" Frazier.

Notable Quotes:

• Wally Szczerbiak (15:25): “I envisioned him being a top 10 point guard and stabilizing that position.”
• Don La Greca (17:05): “He is the point guard that New York has been waiting for for decades.”

The conversation extends to Wally's upcoming coverage of March Madness, emphasizing his dual role in both NBA and college basketball broadcasting.

College Basketball Insights with Wally Szczerbiak (17:59 - 23:28)

Wally delves into the resurgence of St. John's basketball under Coach Rick Pitino, highlighting their impressive defensive strategies and near-perfect season record. He reflects nostalgically on his own playing days and the legacy of Pitino.

Notable Quotes:

• Wally Szczerbiak (18:26): “This is the biggest... it's a St. John's game as there's been in the last 25 years.”
• Wally Szczerbiak (20:47): “Rick Pitino in the second year... it is just a lot of fun for me and a ton of Long Islanders and New Yorkers.”

He emphasizes the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and the transfer portal in elevating the quality of college basketball, predicting an exceptional NCAA tournament.

Notable Quote:

• Wally Szczerbiak (22:19): “It is a great thing. It's a great thing.”

Interactive Segment and Listener Engagement (23:28 - 30:38)

The show transitions to listener interactions, featuring Chris from Rockville Center who shares his passion for the Mets and Giants. The hosts engage in a lively discussion about team ownership and player loyalty, highlighting recent strategic moves by the Mets' front office.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris (27:08): “Pete Alonso was never gonna win with the Giants. Now, for the first time since I was a kid, the owner is a Mets fan.”
• Don La Greca (28:15): “But your owner being a big fan of your team can turn really quickly on you.”

The hosts provide humorous takes on their own experiences with sports fandom and team dynamics, fostering a relatable and entertaining atmosphere for listeners.

Notable Quote:

• Don La Greca (28:41): “If it goes the wrong way it can quickly become a situation where your own...”

Closing Remarks and Teasers (30:38 - End)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts tease upcoming segments, including Rick D. Pietro’s appearance and continued engagement with the live audience. They encourage listeners to subscribe and stay tuned for future episodes, promising more insightful and entertaining sports discussions.

Notable Quote:

• Alan Hahn (26:06): “You're not wrong... it is growing a successful podcast.”

Wally bids farewell, emphasizing his excitement for future collaborations and coverage, while Don humorously remarks on the ongoing fun in their interactions.

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Key Takeaways:

• Brian Cashman's Critique: The hosts express skepticism over Cashman’s public discussions about team strategies, questioning the benefits of such transparency.

• Knicks' Current Season: Detailed analysis of the Knicks' performance, highlighting Jalen Brunson's crucial role and the potential for significant playoff positioning.

• Wally Szczerbiak's Insights: In-depth discussions on college basketball, particularly St. John's resurgence under Rick Pitino, and the evolving landscape of NCAA basketball with NIL and the transfer portal.

• Listener Engagement: Interactive segments provide a platform for fans to share their perspectives, fostering a community-driven atmosphere.

• Future Episodes: Teasers for upcoming segments and guest appearances, ensuring continued listener interest and engagement.

Conclusion:

This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" offers a comprehensive and engaging discussion on current sports topics, from MLB front office strategies to NBA team dynamics and college basketball insights. With Wally Szczerbiak's expert analysis and lively interactions, listeners are treated to a multifaceted exploration of the sports landscape, enriched with humor and professional insights.

Tune in to future episodes for more in-depth discussions and exclusive guest appearances!

Transcript

[Don La Greca]

This episode is brought to you by Love Hurts. Ki Hui Kwan has had quite a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Career, from childhood roles in Indiana Jones.

[Alan Hahn]

And the Temple of Doom and the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Goonies to a recent Academy Award win.

[Alan Hahn]

For Everything Everywhere all at Once.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But now Kee finally stars as a.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Leading man in the film Love Hurts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Love Hurts is the perfect date night movie with its mix of over the.

[Alan Hahn]

Top action comedy and a ton of heart.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Love Hurts only at theaters February 7th.

[Alan Hahn]

This is the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Ebro Darden]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8:80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers, 4:00 hour. Don Han and Rosenberg, 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app. Where? Top room in Rockville center on Long Island. How many people here have the app? The ESPN New York app, Raise your hand. Oh, make some noise. Make some noise. You got the app right. It's the one stop shopping. All the shows, podcasts, everything you need and the contests as well. So always make sure you have that on your phone. Wally Zerbiak, Wally Ball himself will be joining us a little bit. We're going to be talking some hoop, but in the meantime, we want to talk with you. So, Dan the Man, who do we have up next?

[Ebro Darden]

Connie from. Connie from Westbury.

[Don La Greca]

All right, Connie. Hi.

[Alan Hahn]

Hi. Just want to know your comments on what Cashman said yesterday about Jazz Torres.

[Ebro Darden]

And Torres's emoji comments.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

When he said still question mark, turn the page. It is it. It's. So Brian Cashman was on yes Network and was was revealing the conversation that they had about Glaber Torres not moving to third base because he said all along he got Jazz Chisholm so he could play second base, which was a natural position, but Glaber wouldn't move. And so he reveals that. And you know, it's like, can we get past that? How do you feel about it? Because it's almost like, why say it?

[Ebro Darden]

Why bring it up? That's the thing about Brian. We always would praise Brian. Right, Peter? We'd have him on, he'd talk for 20 minutes, not answer the question. But every once in a while, he gives you a little bit too much information. Like us finding out when he said to Jeter, oh, go find something else. Little things that he does that kind of irks you. Listen, he was a good Yankee. I think most Yankee fans are happy that he's gone. But at the end of the day, why do you have to talk about a former player like that? Why do you have to go there for what? What's the benefit?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I didn't see whatever.

[Ebro Darden]

Hearts and minds. You got a job you can't lose.

[Alan Hahn]

He loves to just share these stories. He loves to give you. And I guess you, you like to hear the behind the scenes stuff, right?

[Ebro Darden]

Oh, listen, it's great for us, but how does it serve the Yankees?

[Alan Hahn]

It does.

[Ebro Darden]

How did it serve the Yankees when he went public with what they offered? Judge, like sometimes he talks a little bit too much.

[Don La Greca]

Well, I think sometimes it's too far.

[Alan Hahn]

Peter, what was it last year? There was. There was something last year he did also giant Carl Stanton.

[Don La Greca]

Well, yeah, that was that.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, he'll get hurt. We know that last year was.

[Don La Greca]

Last year was also the crazed cursing rant day as well. He had a couple moments last year that weren't fantastic. I'll tell you who is fantastic.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Who is.

[Don La Greca]

And handsome to boot. Separated at birth. Twin brother Valen Han. Wally Zerbiak joins us in the building.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Walley Ball.

[Alan Hahn]

Speaking of Long island, right?

[Wally Zerbiak]

Strong island out here. I love like it. So it's a good spot.

[Alan Hahn]

Something that happens, guys. You said it, Peter. So I got to bring this up cuz I'm more visible at the Garden these days because in home games I'm doing a lot of things, so I'm, I'm visible. And I still. Wherever I walk. Wally. Hey, Wally.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Hey. I got.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm always stuck in one.

[Wally Zerbiak]

I got a few Allens, by the way.

[Alan Hahn]

There's no ch. You.

[Don La Greca]

Not as many as you get wallies.

[Alan Hahn]

I get wallies. So I never know what's the right thing to do. There's a couple ways I can go. I can correct them and just say, I'm not Wally.

[Don La Greca]

I'm the person to ask, Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

I could say I could just talk like I'm Wally and I'd be a total jerk.

[Don La Greca]

Alan, listen, you're, you're.

[Alan Hahn]

What's the right thing to do?

[Don La Greca]

All right, well, welcome to my life. Because for 10 years now, I get screamed, hey, Ebro on the street all the time.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Wow.

[Don La Greca]

All the time.

[Wally Zerbiak]

I love that.

[Don La Greca]

And it's hard because you go, well, wait a second. Sometimes the person's behind me and they're yelling the wrong name at the back of my head. Am I obligated to turn on around and be polite to you when you're calling me the wrong name? Do I correct you? I try to just very politely say, it's Rosenberg. I think, oh, Rosenberg.

[Ebro Darden]

Or you can give him the finger and then it goes on to.

[Don La Greca]

That's what I'm afraid of blow.

[Wally Zerbiak]

But if I get Joe Pesci all the time.

[Don La Greca]

Exactly. Everyone calls him that time.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Like everyone calls Joe Pesci.

[Ebro Darden]

Wow, that's the first one I've got. I've gotten Michael McDonald.

[Don La Greca]

No, no. And also George Lucas.

[Alan Hahn]

Lucas.

[Ebro Darden]

I've never gotten a pen.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Paulie Walnuts from.

[Ebro Darden]

No, no, never.

[Wally Zerbiak]

No, no.

[Ebro Darden]

I can see it but loose alting me right now. What?

[Don La Greca]

You offended him a little bit.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, one. One's like a foot shorter than me and the other one's dead.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Oh, sorry.

[Don La Greca]

Well, look at poor Wally. He has to get compared to Alan Han.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what I mean.

[Don La Greca]

This guy's an all star.

[Alan Hahn]

I always take the upgrade. I'm like, whatever. Whatever opens the door. I'll take you. Yeah. Wally.

[Don La Greca]

Can you guys tell us this real quick before we get into the Knicks and Celtics of it all? Where did your guys relation. Professional relationship again? Because on the outside looking in. I probably speak for some people watch on tv. It was sort of funny when you popped up at the same time because Wally's become sort of a stalwart here in the market. But like, in retrospect, it's kind of random because you're. I think of you as a T wolf, Right. And now I think of you as a Nick guy. And then there's Alan, who's this forever New York guy. You guys are close to the same height, look remotely similar, and now work together. Where did the professional relationship friendship begin?

[Wally Zerbiak]

I was playing in high school.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Wally Zerbiak]

And I wanted to get articles written about me by Alan.

[Don La Greca]

Is that true?

[Wally Zerbiak]

Where it started on Newsday? Well, I had a ton of respect.

[Don La Greca]

You were playing out here.

[Wally Zerbiak]

I was playing in high school. Then when I went to college, he was kind of keep a beat on all the Long Islanders, all the local kids, what they were doing and everything. And he wrote a couple articles on me when I was playing out at Miami. Just keeping everyone abreast of, you know, what I was doing in the Midwest. So I was always trying to get articles written by Alan about me in Newsday.

[Alan Hahn]

And then he became a big star and suddenly went to voicemail. Straight to voicemail.

[Don La Greca]

New phone.

[Alan Hahn]

Who it is?

[Wally Zerbiak]

First of all, we used to invite him to play basketball four on four.

[Alan Hahn]

That was always a mistake.

[Wally Zerbiak]

At St. Mary's yeah. Chris Mullen would show up, Kenny Atkinson would show up. We needed an eighth guy.

[Alan Hahn]

One of these things is not like the other.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Alan would come play. Now we only invited eight guys. He had a bad knee, so you couldn't get Hurt. If you got hurt, you missed three on four. Could not get hurt. We would only invite eight guys. He always played the whole entire run. Played great. It was fun.

[Don La Greca]

Wait, so what's the, what's your guys age difference then? You're like seven years older.

[Alan Hahn]

Seven? Something like that, right?

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yeah, about seven something. About to be 48.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Okay.

[Don La Greca]

Cuz at one point he was in high school and you were a professional and now you guys are basically the same age. Somehow you caught up with him, I guess had a whole NBA career and.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Here you are, I guess.

[Alan Hahn]

And by the way, as we were joking about the game, the teams that we used to have to talk a post game about Nick's history.

[Don La Greca]

Oh boy.

[Alan Hahn]

I happened to see Wally. I don't know if you saw that somebody put on on Instagram a lineup from like 10 years ago. And we were doing these games post game and like these are the most meaningless. Like these games don't matter and we've got to do a half hour about.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Like whatever we just saw, it was a Nick extra hour. Remember we added that extra hour. Alexi Sped.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Your favorite Lou Amazon. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

These are real NBA players who wore Nick uniform.

[Ebro Darden]

You're not making these names up.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no. Remember how I said I always laugh that you have these funny.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Captain was Lance Thomas.

[Alan Hahn]

Lance Thomas.

[Don La Greca]

At least he named one I've heard of. At least I've heard of Lance Thomas.

[Wally Zerbiak]

The last captain before.

[Alan Hahn]

So here we are now with a.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Jalen 2 all stars who was the.

[Alan Hahn]

Last captain and one of the best offenses in the NBA. We're like, yeah, we don't like this is new to all of us. It's great.

[Ebro Darden]

Well, because Alan's, you know, obviously been in the media longer, it probably made you a better analyst. Yeah. To have to go through that because I had to go through a lot of bad years with the jets doing pre and post Rangers where there's no storylines.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yeah.

[Ebro Darden]

And you got to work harder. So I bet you are a lot better. It's easy to jump in on a team that's winning. Everybody's watching. There's so much to talk about. Everybody wants to talk to you. So you're probably better off for it.

[Wally Zerbiak]

You lean on your partners, we lean on each other. Bill Pedo and Al Trotwig. Al Trotwig. I mean we just drowned our sorrows altogether. And honestly what you do is you start complimenting the other team. I remember making John Wall out to be a Hall of Famer every time the Knicks played the Wizards. Like that was My strategy, it was like, I can't talk about the fact that the knicks lost by 30, but let's talk about John Wall dropping 30. Like that's kind of what the post games became. It was rough. You know, we just had fun being with each other. We used to carpool in and out, but it makes the good times a lot more enjoyable. And thank goodness for Jalen Brunson. Thank goodness for Karl Anthony Towns because it's come a long way from Lou Amundson and Alexi Schmidt.

[Ebro Darden]

But did you find, Alan, that even though the team was bad, it was still important? Like.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, because the fan base, the fans, like we knew this. We would be in the building. And it's a, it's a meaningless game in late March, early April. So we know like the games don't matter.

[Wally Zerbiak]

13 and 50, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly. And, and it's just for whatever reason, it's a four point game in the fourth quarter and the place is going crazy and they're chanting defense. And we'd sit there looking like, will you look at this place? Like they love this team and they have every reason to not love them.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So to have. And I, Mike Brina said this recently as well. To have what they have now, like Wally, the last couple of games that we've had in that building and the wins that they have had, it's just, it's incomparable. Like to the, the comeback against the rockets.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yeah. That fourth quarter was 46 point.

[Alan Hahn]

Fourth quarter, Jalen Brunson goes to God mode. And it is as loud as you could ever imagine it would be. And you say to yourself, now this is legit. These fans now have something they can really sink their teeth into and care about and stick their chest out and be proud of. And so now as we head towards the all star break, when they get on the other side of it, there's 28 games to go.

[Wally Zerbiak]

That's it.

[Alan Hahn]

Did not make a move at the trade deadline. Nothing significant. This is the team wallet.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

So as we look at them and we're going to see a little bit little measuring stick game tomorrow night against the Celtics. Where are they right now in your estimation after watching them all season as they try to get healthy with Mitchell Robinson and eventually getting ogn and will be back.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Well, they're exactly where they were when they started the season. They were third in odds to win the NBA championship. They're right there. I think they're right behind Boston and Oklahoma City. Likelihood to win the NBA championship. The move that the cavs made getting DeAndre Hunter, that's a problem. Yes, because DeAndre Hunter causes a lot of problems for the Knicks.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Matches up very well with Bridges and Anunoby. So when they picked him up, I was like, okay, I didn't worry about the Cavs beforehand. Knicks on the Cavs. Kenny's doing a great job. The playoffs are a completely different ball game. Yeah, but you pick up a guy like that who's had success against Knicks with the Hawks in the, in the playoffs in the past and in the regular season, that's an upgrade for the Cleveland Cavaliers. But the Knicks, when they get Mitchell Robinson back, if he can give them 20 to 25 healthy minutes a night.

[Alan Hahn]

Even that much, I think they come.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Out of the I think if he.

[Alan Hahn]

Gives 15 to 20 minutes, they're still significant.

[Wally Zerbiak]

He's going to have to play him 25 when he's playing well in the matchup stick. You got to play. You're not going to pull him out after 15, 20 minutes.

[Don La Greca]

Guys. I, I would be fine with him playing, letting him rest every fourth game just as long as they have him with the playoffs.

[Alan Hahn]

You know who coaches this?

[Wally Zerbiak]

Whenever Embiid's playing, just time them with him.

[Don La Greca]

Exactly. Exact. I guess you're right. I guess that Tibbs is not that guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I don't think you're going to see load management with anybody.

[Don La Greca]

Not even Mr. Robinson.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Ebro Darden]

TaxAct can think of a million things.

[Alan Hahn]

More fun than filing taxes. TaxAct is going to name some now. Sitting in traffic, folding a fitted bedsheet.

[Ebro Darden]

Listening to your co worker talk about his fantasy team digging a hole. Digging an even larger hole next to that original hole. Unfortunately, TaxAct's filing software can't make taxes fun, but TaxAct can help you get them done. TaxAct, let's get them over with.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Ebro Darden]

So tomorrow, national television. Nick Celtics Knicks win. They're tied in the lost column. How important is finishing in second? How important could be potentially getting home court against the Celtics?

[Wally Zerbiak]

B I don't think it's that important. I really don't. You know the Knicks can go up there and win. They didn't play well the first game of the year. You throw that one out. I think the Knicks are going to win tomorrow night because they have that game in the back of their mind. And as a competitor you think to yourself, we gave one away at Boston. They did their job defending home court. Now we got Boston on our home court. Let's take care of business. Knicks are playing good basketball right now. Boston just lost, I think yesterday, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Last night.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yeah, they lost last night. So this is, this is a big game in the standings. You always look at a division rival or someone you're going to be fighting with for playoff positioning. When you play them, it's a two game swing. When you play them, if you win, you gain two games on them. If you lose, you lose two games on them. So that's a big game. The Knicks are going to have that, that, that going into a home court. I can't wait for tomorrow night. This team playing great basketball. OG Anunoby, maybe he's coming back, maybe not. Maybe Mitch Blaze, who knows. But the Garden is going to be rocking at 8:30 tomorrow night.

[Don La Greca]

All right, we've talked about this a bunch over the last couple weeks. There have been so many great moves that have sort of defined this Knicks team. The Brunson one to me is going to go down in history for the foresight. I truly believe that Leon Rose didn't. I don't think any of them knew exactly what they were getting when they made this deal. Do you remember how you felt about the Brunson deal before he'd ever played a game and sort of. What was your original expectation of what Jalen Brunson would have been as a Knick?

[Wally Zerbiak]

I was envisioning him to stabilize his point guard position. That's exactly what the team needed because they hadn't had a point guard in 10, 15 years. That was, I'm not saying I didn't envision him being an All Star and a starter.

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Wally Zerbiak]

I envisioned him being a top 10 point guard and stabilizing that position. The Mavericks, if this Luka Doncic trade, they have made two of the worst front office decisions in the last 10 years. 20 years. If Luca pans out in LA and what Brunson. What they did, letting Brunson go, they didn't want to pay him $65 million over four years. That's all he wanted.

[Don La Greca]

That's insane.

[Wally Zerbiak]

That's it.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, my.

[Wally Zerbiak]

That's it. And the Knicks went out and got him for. You know, everyone was saying overpaid for Brunson. They gave like, yeah, four years, 100 million. Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Well. And. And then Steel and then Dallas had to go get Kyrie.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

And you. And at this point in time, taking nothing away from Kyrie, one of the greats of all time. But they're at a comparable level now.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Totally.

[Don La Greca]

And you could have had Jalen Brunson there and not be dealing with whatever you're gonna have to deal with next, with this next iteration of the Dallas.

[Alan Hahn]

It's interesting, right, because as we said the other day with the Dallas Mavericks, which is the bigger loss. Like, the bigger. Like you. You let Jalen Brunson walk for nothing, and then what, three years later, Luka Doncic is gone too, Right? Like, those are two. Two things. Two. All NBA players that you had that now have gone elsewhere.

[Wally Zerbiak]

The Jalen Brunson connection, bringing his dad, Rick, on the coaching staff as a kid.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Wally Zerbiak]

That chemistry is a player, when you go to where you just feel completely loved, welcomed at home, it makes a big difference. And he has honestly earned everything he's gotten. And listen, in the last five minutes of a game, just because your coach likes you and you got your dad on the staff doesn't mean you go out and execute and play the way he does. One of the top clutch players in the NBA. So he's earned everything that he's been, that he's. That he's gotten. It's just a lot of fun to watch. He's just. He's just amazes me every time I watch him live of how good he is.

[Alan Hahn]

He is the point guard that New York has been waiting for for decades, and he is finally a New York Knick, and he's playing at the highest level since. Since a guy like Walt Clyde Frazier. That's what we're talking about going back that far. Wally Zerbiak joining us here. And of course, I'd be remiss not to talk a little college hoop with you because St. John's is playing UConn today. I love it. Can you remember the last time St. John's had this time? It resonated like this. Where they have a chance, I believe, to move it to the top 10, right, would you say?

[Wally Zerbiak]

Well, I think the last time they won the Big east regular season title was in 94 with Walter Berry on the roster. It's been that long. We're talking about it all the time at CBS Sports Network. I'm making a lot of UConn enemies, believe me, because I'm going at the Yukon Husky people, and I'm like, it's St. John's Big east to lose. They are not happy. Now, this game tonight is as big of a St. John's game as there's been in the last 25 years at stores.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Wally Zerbiak]

This is the biggest. Yeah, it's up in Connecticut. It's up in stores. They're going to be rocking. They're getting their future NBA player Liam McNeely back. But the Red Storm play D at a level that I have never seen at any level of basketball. This defensive suffocation that Rick Pitino has in this squad, it's impressive to watch. The Garden not only is rocking for Knick games, it is rocking and rolling for St. John's games. It is rocket. I mean, I was out. I've been out, you know, the last couple nights. I was. I was out eating dinner at Peter Luger's last night. People are asking me about St. John's and not the Knicks. They are so pumped.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Wally Zerbiak]

About St. John's Long Island. It is wildly.

[Ebro Darden]

There's a generation of fans in this building listening to us now that don't remember that they were like a professional team.

[Wally Zerbiak]

I know they were talked about, like.

[Ebro Darden]

The Knicks and the Nets, and they.

[Alan Hahn]

Sold out the Garden all the time.

[Ebro Darden]

They were covered. That was a big deal. And so to have it back, it's like it was a fan base that was in hibernation. They've been thought out. I mean, for me, you go back to what, that Jarvis run in, what, 2000?

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yes.

[Ebro Darden]

That was the last tournament 25 years ago. So you got fans in their 30s. They're experiencing this for the first time. Are they built for a run in the dance, you think?

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yes, absolutely. They can't. They haven't shot the ball well from three at all. They're like 1 for 13 and still winning games by 10, 20 points. Their defense is always going to be there. They're Very athletic. They don't rely on the three, which is an aberration in today's game in college and in the pros. But they do have guys that can shoot it. They just don't rely on it. It's kind of like Michigan State. So that kind of team. They've only lost three games all year by a combined five points. They lost a Baylor at the buzzer, hit a half court shot, overtime, right? And they lost to Georgia, who's in the sec, going to definitely go to the tournament. Then they lost by one at Creighton, who's third in the Big East. And they're going to be a eight seed in the tournament. So their three losses or three tournament teams, they're 20 and three. 20 and three. Think about that. That's a really good record. And their three losses are by a combined five points. Rick Pitino in the second year, wherever he coaches, he's a legendary coach. He was my idol growing up. I used to go to his camp up at St. Dom's when I was a kid. That was the camp I went to. He went to St. Dom's played at St. Dom's I wanted to play for him in Kentucky. He didn't recruit me, unfortunately.

[Alan Hahn]

Crazy. That's crazy.

[Wally Zerbiak]

He didn't recruit me. So I went to play for his assistant coach, Herb Sendak, and Sean Miller at Miami of Ohio because I wanted to play the patino style, play like Pelfrey shooting threes, the stretch four, like that's what I wanted to do. So the way he's got this St. John's team back on the map, it is just a lot of fun for me and a ton of Long Islanders and New Yorkers.

[Alan Hahn]

You and I have talked about this privately, but it is. I wonder what everybody, I'm sure, thinks this about you because you had one of the magical runs in the tournament cover of Sports Illustrated. All the things that you dream about. It's what March Mads is all about. What you and Miami of Ohio did that year. When you look today at nil and not just the portal, because you were loyal, I give you credit, a lot of people don't know this, but while he committed to Miami of Ohio out of high school and after the fact later, because he had an unbelievable senior year, Duke came around and said, we want you. And instead of him just going like, okay, I'm going to do right, like.

[Wally Zerbiak]

I'm going ripping up my letter of intent and be like, yeah, easily could have done it.

[Alan Hahn]

While I stayed loyal to Miami. And by the way, how'd it work out for him? Six overall pick. Right. He had a hell of a career. So it was. The loyalty factor is something that you don't see today. But I don't want to talk about the Portal. You've got to be a guy because you're a numbers guy that sees some of this nil that's going around and said to yourself, what? I would have made that that year when you guys went on that run.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Yeah, it would have been because my junior year averaged 25 points a game and I was first team the Goodwill Games.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Wally Zerbiak]

And then played the Goodwill Games that summer and we won the gold medal. I was playing with Duke's Elton Brand and Andre Miller. Like we had a great team. So going into that senior year, I probably would have gone somewhere like Duke or something like that because I always wanted to play for Duke. I had Duke shorts as a kid. Like that was my dream squad. There's the uniform right there. Who you got on? Who's that Kyrie Cooper flag. Oh no, he's got a Cooper flag.

[Alan Hahn]

Come on guys.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Got game. I like it, I like it, I like it. They're really solid. But you know, it worked out for me the way it worked out. But I. I'm happy for a lot of these kids the way college basketball is going. It gives an opportunity to earn life changing money even if they don't make the NBA. I mean, if you save the money that these guys are making, it could be down payments on a house. It's a good thing. It's a great thing. And I know people always say iron sharpens iron. The college game is at a level because of Nil and because of the Portal where it's a much better brand of basketball. There are better skilled players on the right teams in the right conferences and it's going to make this NCAA tournament out of this world special and a lot of fun. Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you'll see Wally on the coverage of CBS as every year you see him part of March Madness coverage. So we'll be getting ready for that in just a couple of weeks. But of course Wally on MSG networks doing everything from pre and post to calling games and also right here on ESPN880, ESPN calling games as well. So we thank you for giving us a few minutes.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Absolutely.

[Alan Hahn]

Dom will pay for your parking. Wally Zerbiak, everybody.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Oh yeah, I got a free spot right up there.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course you.

[Don La Greca]

Of course he did.

[Alan Hahn]

Charmed Life 3.99.

[Wally Zerbiak]

He's got 27 olds of golfing too.

[Ebro Darden]

Wow.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Dougie, wait. Aaron, Asam.

[Alan Hahn]

You make some money?

[Wally Zerbiak]

I did.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course.

[Don La Greca]

You really played 27 holes ago?

[Wally Zerbiak]

I played 27 today.

[Alan Hahn]

Doug, wait. And Aaron, actually, he took me out one time.

[Wally Zerbiak]

The ground hits the ball 300 yards. Really good golf.

[Don La Greca]

So what do you guys. You guys, what's your. What's your hand?

[Wally Zerbiak]

Clutter's a scratch.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Wally Zerbiak]

He plays even former island. I get. I get four from Clutter.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Asham and Dougie waite, they get 10.

[Alan Hahn]

All former Islanders off clutter.

[Wally Zerbiak]

So they're 10 handicaps.

[Don La Greca]

So that's all relatively fast golf. See, like, I. I can't.

[Wally Zerbiak]

We found five hours. We teed off at 10. I was done at three, and I made it down here at 401.

[Don La Greca]

Don, 27 holes of golf for me. He's like a week. I have to take a vacation to play 27 holes ago.

[Ebro Darden]

It's a career for it's a life.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you.

[Don La Greca]

Wally.

[Alan Hahn]

Wally's there back, everybody.

[Wally Zerbiak]

I love the show.

[Alan Hahn]

Appreciate you.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, thanks, man. All right, guys, listen. Whether you're riding with the Chiefs or the Eagles, FanDuel has yet another way for you to win big during Super Bowl 59. That's because FanDuel has put together two parlays that feature an exclusive profit boost. So if you think the Chiefs are going to win and their QB's in a throw for over 225, you can bet that and get bigger winnings if it hits. Or maybe you think the Eagles are going to win and that the running back, you know who it is, that he's number 26. You think that he's gonna have over 100 rushing yards. That's cool. You get a profit boost on that, too. All right, either way, these parlays are set. To bet, just visit FanDuel.com Peter to claim your exclusive profit boost. That's FanDuel.com Peter to bet Super Bowl 59 on America's number one sports book, make every moment more with FanDuel official sports betting partner of the NFL 21 over in physically present New York. Opt in required bonus issues. Nondrawable profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply, including any token expiration and max wager amount. See [e-mail] for the gambling problem. Call 877-8-Open A Y or text Open Y 467-369.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don La Greca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us Wherever you get your podcasts back here live with the Tap Room in Rockville center on Long island, it is don Han and Rosenberg, 880, ESPN, the ESPN New York app. We having a good time today, everybody.

[Don La Greca]

Come on.

[Alan Hahn]

Filling up in here.

[Don La Greca]

It's getting pretty good in here. You're not wrong.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not right. Right.

[Wally Zerbiak]

SRO looks good.

[Don La Greca]

And it's getting better, by the way, after five o'clock.

[Alan Hahn]

I know. Love that. Only getting better. Rick D. Pietro is going to be here in the 5 o'clock hour, so we'll have RICO in here. No, he's coming out. Oh, he's here already? Yeah, he's here already? Yeah, early.

[Don La Greca]

Always coming early. That's what I've heard.

[Ebro Darden]

I thought he was gonna try to sneak in now so he can leave it.

[Alan Hahn]

Fine, so you can leave earlier.

[Don La Greca]

No, no, come on. We're on the island. By the way, this is his. This is his home.

[Alan Hahn]

You check your parking lately? Oh, my God.

[Ebro Darden]

Good point.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, no.

[Alan Hahn]

Where am I at now?

[Don La Greca]

The parking? Rick, get us a beverage.

[Alan Hahn]

This is some situation. Yeah, actually. Please.

[Don La Greca]

He's not paying attention.

[Alan Hahn]

Got 20 minutes. Meantime, this is a good time for us to talk again with the people, right?

[Don La Greca]

Oh, yeah, please get back.

[Alan Hahn]

So let's. So, Dan the man, you have the microphone. Who wants to step up next? Your name? Where you from and what do you got?

[Chris]

Hey, fellas, My name is Chris, and ever Since I was 6 years old, I have lived in the greatest place Long island has to offer. And that is Rockville Center, New York.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Don La Greca]

No big pop for Rock.

[Alan Hahn]

He's got the Manning jersey on. He's got the Mets hat on. Who's living a better life? This guy right now.

[Chris]

Well, and that's what I wanted to talk to you guys about. First of all, congratulations on the new show.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Chris]

Peter, congratulations on the addition of your family.

[Don La Greca]

Thank you, man.

[Chris]

You guys are talking earlier today about would someone like me as a Mets fan and a Giants fan be more upset if Pete Alonzo won a World Series with someone else than Saquon if he wins winning a Super bowl with the Eagles. And My answer is 100%. No question. Pete Alonso Saquon was never gonna win with the Giants. If he stayed on the Giants this year, maybe they won four games instead of three.

[Wally Zerbiak]

Right.

[Chris]

But the ownership is not capable of putting a winning product on the field right now.

[Alan Hahn]

Yikes.

[Chris]

But now, for the past couple years, for the first time since I was a kid, since I started watching baseball, the owner is a Mets fan. He cares if we are happy, he cares if the team wins. And I think that a lot of what went into Pete coming back to the team is Uncle Steve and his wife and his father in law loving the Mets and wanting to see Pete win with them now.

[Alan Hahn]

And I think the, I think the reaction at that amazing day, I think that resonated with them and I just.

[Don La Greca]

Want to say this. Good point, Chris. You make a great point. I'm happy for you. But I do want to warn everybody. Your owner being a big fan of your team can turn really quickly on you. It's, it's very cute when it's good. But Dan Snyder grew up a Washington Redskins fan.

[Alan Hahn]

He has to listen to his people. That's the most.

[Don La Greca]

That's the thing. You can't let the fanship cloud what you do. And, but in this case it sounds like Steve said I don't want to talk to Scott, I want to talk to Pete. I want to get this done.

[Alan Hahn]

Scott was there though.

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Boris was there when they met down in, it was, was it Tampa? They were down in Florida. I know that they met at Pete's club and Boris was there but that's the important thing.

[Don La Greca]

He was still there.

[Alan Hahn]

He did not go around the agent. That would have been a bad form. Boris was there and I imagine if he probably told Scott, Boris, I got to talk to the Mets like this is I, I just want one more chance with them. And so he arranged it and then he, then they talked privately the two of them. And I'm sure as the agent Scott Boris was like go ahead you guys figure it out.

[Don La Greca]

I only say that to say if it goes the wrong way it can quickly become a situation where your own.

[Ebro Darden]

It'S something to keep an eye on. But I think the hiring of Stearns, who is a guy that does think analytically did come from a small market.

[Alan Hahn]

Is a Mets fan, grew up.

[Ebro Darden]

But I, I, I think he's there for the responsibility of what you said to not have it be. I'm just going to give guys whatever they want I want because he could have gone over with a lot with Pete. He could have avoided all of this and didn't. So every once in a while is okay. But it's not a bad point Peter, to kind of just keep it, just.

[Don La Greca]

Keep an eye on it. But right now it's good step all.

[Ebro Darden]

Over your president, then you're not really. Then why you even have a job.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. All right. Great stuff there.

[Don La Greca]

Sorry Chris, go ahead.

[Chris]

This past season, right when The Mets were 11 and 22, whatever it was, they were in the basement. And Uncle Steve did nothing. He let it ride because he listened to his baseball people. And then all of a sudden, Lindor brought the team back. They came back. So I got faith in Uncle Steve and I'm happy.

[Don La Greca]

Hey, listen, you're, you're, you are a full on adult who's willing to call him Uncle Steve. And so I support you for your passion.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Fans are happy right now.

[Don La Greca]

I want you to be happy, Chris.

[Alan Hahn]

Let him be happy.

[Don La Greca]

Thank you, man.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.