Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: Hour 3: Bob Costas & Ty Simpson
Date: March 2, 2026
Podcast Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Main Guests: Bob Costas

Episode Overview

This hour delivers a nostalgic yet insightful conversation focused on the intersection of sports television history and current events in basketball and football. Legendary broadcaster Bob Costas joins the trio to discuss NBC’s NBA throwback broadcast, the evolution of sports coverage, and the legacy of great NBA eras. Later, the hosts dissect the NFL Draft, Jets’ quarterback prospects, and how teams should approach high-stake selections. The episode is peppered with the hosts’ trademark wit, pop culture tangents, and lively debate, offering both hardcore sports insight and humorous nostalgia.

Key Segments & Takeaways

1. NBC’s NBA Throwback Night & Broadcast Nostalgia

(02:31 – 13:38)

Bob Costas on Reuniting the Old NBC NBA Team

• Throwback Coverage Excitement: Bob Costas shares his enthusiasm for NBC’s NBA “throwback” night, bringing together iconic NBA on NBC personalities for a nostalgic broadcast.

  "We lucked into a great era... our first year, 1991, is the first of the six Bulls championships... Shaq and Kobe and Michael Jordan and the first Dream Team. Just everything fell into place."
  — Bob Costas (03:07)

• NBC’s Broadcasting Legacy: Costas reflects on NBC’s signature dramatic openings, strong production values, and memorable voices—Marv Albert, Hannah Storm, Ahmad Rashad.
• The return is limited to regular season and special games, not high-stake playoff scenarios, to properly lean into nostalgia.

The Magic of Classic Broadcast Openings

• Legacy of The Big Intro: Alan and Bob discuss how NBC’s narrative-driven, essay-style openings made every game feel significant.

  “If it’s good, then people’s attention span can be extended... sports is drama, sports is theater. It’s not all analytics."
  — Bob Costas (05:30)

• Evolution in Broadcasting: Today, the belief is that shorter attention spans have led to the disappearance of detailed intros and pregame storytelling.

Load Management & Basketball Then vs. Now

• Stars Always Played: Costas notes that during NBC’s heyday, stars were nearly always on the court; today’s load management trend undermines that consistency.

  "The number of players who played all 82... last season there were only about 25 or 30 who played more than 80 games and only 11 played all 82."
  — Bob Costas (07:23)

• Fan Disappointment: Home fans might attend a marquee game only to see superstars resting, a problem unheard of in previous decades.

2. Victor Wembanyama: Generational Talent?

(08:33 – 12:09)

Is Wemby the Next Kareem?

• Alan suggests Wembanyama could rival Kareem’s legendary status if he stays healthy. Costas praises Wembanyama’s unprecedented skill set but notes how unique Kareem’s career really was.

  “You could be incredibly great, inner circle Hall of Famer, and still not touch Kareem's career. But Wembanyama's skill set is extraordinary.”
  — Bob Costas (08:56)

Historic Impact Without Rule Changes

• Alan and Bob reflect on “rule changes” made to slow dominant big men (e.g., Wilt Chamberlain) and believe Wembanyama’s impact won’t face such regulatory hurdles.

  "They won't do that to this player. I think obviously you want to enhance anything that makes a superstar shine even brighter."
  — Bob Costas (11:25)

• Free Throws & Versatility: Wemby’s ability to hit free throws and his “condor-like” defense are highlighted as major assets.

3. Broadcast Intros, Generational Viewing Habits & Media Change

(14:06 – 19:47)

The End of the Grand Intro?

• The crew debates if classic long-form game openings are gone for good or simply on hiatus due to shifting media patterns.

  "People’s attention spans… will they allow a big grandiose open, or is it ‘just get me to the damn game’?"
  — Don La Greca (15:07)

• Alan and Peter reminisce about old TV theme songs and compare sports broadcast changes (e.g., “skip intro” on Netflix) to the declining presence of elaborate sports intros.

Emotional Resonance & Pavlovian Triggers

• Don credits the emotional power of theme music (“da na na na na” from hockey coverage) as a Pavlovian trigger for fans, acknowledging younger viewers may not have the same patience or sentiment.

4. NFL Draft Deep Dive: Jets QB Options & Draft Board Philosophy

(31:01 – 41:02)

The Ty Simpson Dilemma

• Alan unpacks rumors linking Alabama QB Ty Simpson to the Jets and Browns, noting Simpson's connections to Browns coach Todd Monken.
  • If the Jets want Simpson, must they reach at #2 overall, or risk losing him to Cleveland at #6?
• Don takes a philosophical stance on draft boards:

  "If you love [the player], you love him. If you don’t, you don’t. You can’t be motivated by anything else."
  — Don La Greca (34:11)

• The panel discusses the perils of reaching for a quarterback based on fear rather than conviction, referencing historical QBs like Daniel Jones and the importance of sticking to your board.

Draft for Need or Best Available?

• Alan and Peter note this draft class lacks generational talent at premium positions, so teams must weigh the value of selecting a potentially “forever” player at less glamorous positions against reaching for a need.

Notable Exchange:

"Never draft for need at quarterback; draft because you believe that’s the guy."
— Don La Greca (36:06)

5. Sports Broadcasting Legends & “The Czar”

(22:04 – 23:21)

• Nostalgic shoutouts to voices of the NBC NBA era: Doug Collins, Mike Fratello (“the Czar”), and the dry wit of Marv Albert.

  "When I think of the czar and... Marv... he sounds like he's being straight, but the sarcasm... an underrated thing."
  — Peter Rosenberg (22:40)

6. Classic Music & Pop Culture Tangents

(27:41 – 49:24)

• The crew takes a fun detour, riffing on Jon Bon Jovi’s birthday, Don’s (distant) relation to Richie Sambora, and the era-defining stars like Heather Locklear and Claudia Schiffer.
• They joke about the segregation of music genres in their youth and debate the merits (or lack thereof) of late-80s pop.

7. Listener Call & Franchise QB Trades

(50:39 – 53:48)

• A caller proposes trading multiple first-round picks for a “solidified” franchise quarterback, prompting the hosts to recall the conviction behind the Giants’ trade for Eli Manning.

  "If you have that kind of conviction, nothing should stop you... If he does turn out to be Patrick Mahomes, you’ll be kicking yourself."
  — Don La Greca (51:41)

• Alan questions whether any team would pass on an obvious franchise quarterback, underscoring the importance of organizational leadership and self-awareness.

Notable Quotes

• “Sports is drama, sports is theater. It’s not all analytics, it’s not all breaking down every single play.”—Bob Costas (05:30)
• “If you love [the player], you love him. If you don't, you don't. You can't be motivated by anything else.”—Don La Greca (34:11)
• “If I was a general manager, my board’s God.”—Don La Greca (38:53)
• “If you have that kind of conviction, nothing should stop you...”—Don La Greca (51:41)
• “You want to enhance anything that makes a superstar shine even brighter and more appealing to the casual fan.”—Bob Costas (11:25)

Memorable Moments

• Bob Costas recalling his first year at NBC, covering the ‘91 Bulls and the “Dream Team” era. (03:04)
• Debate over the decline of lengthy sports broadcast openers in the streaming/internet era. (15:07–19:47)
• Alan’s comedic lament about the dearth of good music in 1989, reading off Billboard hits with mock horror. (46:55–48:56)
• Rosenberg and Hahn’s “deep pulls” about forgotten NBA bench players and 90s pop culture icons.
• A caller’s tongue-in-cheek idea for the Jets to “go Mel Bridge style” and trade a bounty of picks for a proven QB, sparking a discussion about franchise-defining boldness and risk. (50:39–52:28)

Important Timestamps

• 02:31 — 13:38: Bob Costas interview: NBA on NBC throwback, broadcasting legacy
• 08:33 — 12:09: Wembanyama discussion: comparisons with Kareem, unique talent
• 14:06 — 19:47: Broadcast “big open” nostalgia and generational changes in viewing habits
• 31:01 — 41:02: NFL Draft segment: Ty Simpson, Jets’ strategy, draft philosophy
• 22:04 — 23:21: NBC NBA legends & Marv Albert’s dry wit
• 27:41 — 49:24: Music and pop culture sidebar
• 50:39 — 53:48: Listener call: Draft capital and the “conviction” to secure a franchise quarterback

Conclusion

This episode masterfully blends sports nostalgia with sharp contemporary analysis. Costas’ appearance brings authoritative, heartfelt perspective on how sports broadcasting used to elevate games, while the hosts challenge each other (and their audience) to embrace both history and the realities of today’s sports landscape. The football talk is deeply process-oriented, providing fans with an honest look at how hard it is to draft and develop a franchise changer amid pressure, hype, and organizational self-doubt. And as always, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg keep it fun, throwing in plenty of culture and humor for listeners of all ages.