Hour 3: Bridges' Comments & Viking Rodgers?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Bridges' Comments & Viking Rodgers?

Released on March 12, 2025

Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg

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Overview

In this episode of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg engage in a dynamic discussion covering a range of sports topics, including the Big East tournament, the New York Knicks' basketball season, and the Minnesota Vikings' potential quarterback movements involving Aaron Rodgers. The episode balances in-depth analysis with lively banter, providing listeners with insightful perspectives on current sports events in New York and beyond.

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1. Big East Tournament and Live Show at Moynihan Train Hall

[02:14 – 04:26]

Don La Greca kicks off the episode by highlighting the excitement surrounding the Big East tournament. He announces a live show scheduled at the Irish Exit in Moynihan Train Hall, conveniently located adjacent to Madison Square Garden.

• Live Show Details:
  Don emphasizes the unique experience attendees can expect, including special Big East guests, giveaways, and drink specials.

  “We're going to have special Big East guests throughout the show. And we also have giveaways, drink specials.”
  (Don La Greca, [02:14])

• Knicks' Involvement:
  The hosts discuss their plans to support St. John’s in the tournament, expressing optimism about watching them advance and cheer from the Garden.

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2. Mikhail Bridges' Comments on Coaching Minutes

[05:00 – 07:56]

A significant portion of the episode delves into introspections surrounding Knicks' star player Mikhail Bridges and his interaction with coach Tom Thibodeau regarding player minutes.

• Bridges’ Perspective:
  Bridges has publicly requested that Thibodeau reduce his own playing time to allow more bench players to contribute, citing the team's depth.

  “Sometimes I think he just gets in his ways.”
  (Peter Rosenberg, [05:49])

• Thibodeau’s Criticism:
  Don criticizes Thibodeau's rigid approach, questioning the viability of investing heavily in Bridges with inconsistent performances.

  “Do we really invest that in him or should we trade him?”
  (Don La Greca, [06:45])

• Team Dynamics:
  The discussion expands to include sentiments from other Knicks players like Jalen Brunson, Cathany Towns, and Josh Hart, who also desire more playing time, highlighting broader issues with the coaching strategy.

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3. Knicks’ Performance and Urgency to Win

[16:01 – 22:18]

Don La Greca shifts the focus to the New York Knicks' critical games and the imperative to secure victories to maintain their season's momentum.

• Must-Win Game Analysis:
  Don challenges the conventional notion of a "must-win" game, arguing that the Knicks' upcoming match against Portland is pivotal for their standings and morale.

  “This is a must win game because you win this game...you have to win this game.”
  (Don La Greca, [16:01])

• Consequences of a Loss:
  The potential ramifications of losing to Portland include jeopardizing their road trip record and increasing scrutiny during nationally televised games.

  “If you lose this game, now you're scrambling.”
  (Don La Greca, [16:03])

• Historical Context:
  The hosts reflect on past nationally televised Knicks games, emphasizing the need to perform well under pressure to avoid a pattern of underachievement.

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4. Aaron Rodgers and Minnesota Vikings’ Quarterback Search

[25:30 – 37:26]

Transitioning to football, the hosts explore the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback dilemma, particularly the possibility of signing superstar Aaron Rodgers amidst uncertainties surrounding their current QB prospects.

• Vikings’ Options:
  The conversation examines the Vikings' quarterback options, including J.J. McCarthy and the allure of Aaron Rodgers as a seasoned veteran.

  “Minnesota's decision makers are still evaluating their options at quarterback, including the possibility of signing Aaron Rodgers.”
  (Don La Greca, [26:18])

• Rodgers’ Motivations:
  They discuss Rodgers' potential motivations, suggesting he may seek leverage by keeping multiple teams interested to negotiate better terms or secure his future effectively.

  “It could be trying to get as many teams involved so Pittsburgh gets scared and throws extra money at me.”
  (Peter Rosenberg, [37:14])

• Team Fit and Implications:
  The hosts debate Rodgers' fit within the Vikings' system and how his presence could impact younger quarterbacks like McCarthy, alongside considerations of team dynamics and future prospects.

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5. Listener Interactions and Music Segment

[39:00 – 47:40]

The episode takes an entertaining turn as the hosts engage with listener inputs, focusing on music covers and sharing personal favorites.

• Top Cover Songs Discussion:
  Listeners contribute their favorite cover songs, leading to spirited debates about which versions surpass the originals. For instance, listeners praise Van Halen’s rendition of “You Really Got Me” and discuss the merits of other covers like the Dixie Chicks’ version of “Landslide” and Guns N' Roses' interpretations of classic hits.

  “I think they did a great cover of that. They also covered another Kink song...”
  (Listener, [45:48])

• Hosts’ Opinions:
  The hosts express their preferences and disagreements, enriching the conversation with their diverse musical tastes and humorous exchanges.

  “I'm with you. But I just wonder if all of this is like trying to get as many teams involved…”
  (Peter Rosenberg, [37:35])

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6. Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

[47:40 – End]

As the episode wraps up, the hosts promote upcoming shows, encourage listeners to join future live events, and tease topics for subsequent episodes. They maintain their signature blend of humor and enthusiasm, leaving listeners anticipating more engaging content.

• Promotions:
  Don reiterates the live show at Moynihan Train Hall, encouraging listeners to attend and participate in the upcoming Big East tournament coverage.

  “Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.”
  (Don La Greca, [49:04])

• Final Banter:
  The episode concludes with lighthearted discussions about music and guitar riffs, showcasing the hosts' camaraderie and providing a pleasant end to a packed episode.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “Sometimes I think he just gets in his ways.”
  (05:49)

• Don La Greca:
  “There is so much a Tom Thibodeau detractor, that's all they talk about.”
  (06:04)

• Don La Greca:
  “This is a must win game because you win this game...”
  (16:01)

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “It could be trying to get as many teams involved so Pittsburgh gets scared and throws extra money at me.”
  (37:14)

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Conclusion

In this episode, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg provide a comprehensive analysis of key sports topics affecting New York teams and the broader sports landscape. From dissecting coaching strategies and player dynamics to exploring major quarterback movements, the hosts deliver valuable insights complemented by engaging discussions and listener interactions. Whether you're a Knicks fan, a football enthusiast, or simply enjoy spirited sports debates, this episode offers something for every sports aficionado.

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Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been omitted to focus on the core discussions and insights of the episode.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

What you couldn't do?

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don La Greca]

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

Hi. The big 5:00 hour with Don LaGreca. Peter Rosenberg, I'm Alan Hahn. 800-919-3776.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now that we had a listener, just one.

[Don La Greca]

That's unfortunate. We have one and then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then we switched to 880.

[Don La Greca]

At least we got one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Steve, who says he wonders if the show you're talking about from the American version with the puppets was DC Follies American. Fred Willard.

Yes.

And I'm looking at the pictures. Yeah. Carter Reagan puppets.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So they, I think they also took that. Was it the same style of puppet though?

Yeah, I think so. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they got all the ones like Dolly Parton and Michael Jackson, the whole thing. Yeah. Fred Willard vehicle.

I don't like what Alan just did.

Croft puppets.

[Don La Greca]

What did I do?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Alan just expressed. Alan just expressed theoretical arousal about the Dolly Parton puppet. I know that's what it was, what I'm reading. No, it was just one sound.

Can we hear it back?

If you guys go back and hear what Alan did, as God is my witness.

[Don La Greca]

I know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Believe me, I know men. I know how my brain works.

[Don La Greca]

Do you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, hold on, hear me out. I know how my mind works. So when I hear someone else mimicking where my mind was, what did I do? You were talking about puppets and you go, dolly Parton. And he just goes like. It was like, wait, see, you knew.

[Don La Greca]

How they'd make puppet. I did it again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Knew how they'd make the puppet. And as a result it blonde.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. I mean, my wife. I like blondes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, sure, I get it.

[Don La Greca]

Sure you do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Two dolls. Heads that they didn't use anymore. They. Stuff like that.

They found good work, you know, good use for it. God bless Dolly.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, he did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, my favorite.

[Don La Greca]

Heading to the Big east tournament, guys. Who's going to the Big east tournament? It starts today. Actually underway today. We're going to be live Friday at the Irish exit, which is in Moynihan Train Hall. That's right next to the Garden. Of course, you know that special Big east guest we're going to have throughout the show. And we also have giveaways, drink specials. Spend your Friday with us. Live show at the Moynihan Train Hall. It's the Irish Exit. And then we're all going to march over and watch St. John's in the Big H tournament in the Garden. Well, yeah, I mean, they have to win tomorrow, but we're assuming they're going to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We have a. We have a score on Butler Providence. I don't see it up on our screen here.

[Don La Greca]

We're all over it. No, don't worry. We have the ACC tournament up there though. That's good. At least we have that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, just big a 10 win for.

[Don La Greca]

The Ram Rams had a big a 10 win. Oh, that's why you're all fired up. Fordham Rams, were they a 10 win team?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, right.

[Don La Greca]

They got 11th win. They had a really strong end of the season. Did you see St. Francis? This is hilarious. St. Francis of Pennsylvania is playing Central Connecticut in the. Whoever, you know, conference. And the number one seed. Right. They were 25 and three or whatever on the season. Central Connecticut host. Right. Lost. The combined score of that game, I think was 89 points combined. God awful basketball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But yet this time of year, St.

[Don La Greca]

Francis punched their ticket and they're dancing crazy. You imagine having a 25 win season and you playing in the championship game at home and you're trying to get to the NCAA tournament.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the worst.

[Don La Greca]

And you score 43 points and lose. That's one. That's. That is so. That's one where I'm in. I'm probably in the gym the next day. Like we're getting ready for next year now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's so frustrating because you did everything all year long.

[Don La Greca]

You all can go in the portal because that's not how we're doing this around here. I mean seriously, trying to get some scores here. Butler, Providence. We're at halftime. 39, 31. There's a barn burner. Butler with a eight point lead. Gives you a little update there. Little torment update.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who you want, Johnny fans? Butler of Providence.

Butler.

Butler in the Big East. That doesn't. It's just so weird.

[Don La Greca]

Whenever I see Creighton, I'm like, yeah. What?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Marquette?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. It's not the same. Like when Carl was here and he had the starter. Jackets and I'm like, that's Syracuse jacket. He's like, no, I'm like, that's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you forget, right?

[Don La Greca]

Syracuse jacket would be fire. And yet. Nope. Because they're not in the Big east anymore. Strange.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's so weird.

[Don La Greca]

By the way, did you mention the Georgetown one, though?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you mention the Bondi story yet?

[Don La Greca]

Alan, why don't you mention it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mikhail Bridges says he asked Tom Thibodeau to back off a bit on the starter's minutes because the bench deserves more time.

Oh, boy, that's not good.

[Don La Greca]

Is that a direct quote? Give me a quote.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So here's, here's from the post. Bridges asked Thibodeau to back up.

Okay.

Sometimes it's not so fun on the body. Bridges said you'll want that as a coach, but also talk to him a little bit, knowing that we've got a good enough team where our bench guys can come in and we don't need to play 47, 48 minutes. We've got a lot of good guys in this team that can take away minutes, which helps the defense, helps the offense, helps tired bodies. Being out there and giving up all these points, it helps just keeping fresh bodies out there. Bridges says Tibbs was receptive, but, quote, sometimes I think he just gets in his ways.

So that just adds fuel to the fire.

[Don La Greca]

I mean, talk about just taking all the logs you can find and throwing them on embers, because we all know that has been the story all year. And anybody that is a Tom Thibodeau detractor, that's all they talk about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And all year, all forever.

[Don La Greca]

And Bridges was leading the league in minutes per game all season up until recently. I think Josh Hart's passed him now and he hasn't played well. And there's been a lot of frustration with what he's done or what he hasn't done. Now his recent game, he's been better, but still, like there's, there's a lot of eyes on. Remember I told you guys he's got a big extension waiting for him this offseason. Could be. Or Knicks decided 152 million, $156 million. Are we really investing that in him or should we trade him? Because, you know, it's not like he's playing at the level of not only do we give a five first round picks, we're going to give you $150 million.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, also, is anybody else watching around the league getting that excited about giving extension like that to Mikhail Bridges? These things don't happen in a vacuum. As a Wise man once.

[Don La Greca]

And here's the other part of it. Here's the part. Like, again, I'm a reporter. I want a player to tell me everything. Right. I want quotes. I want that information. Like, Bondi did his job. A great story, a very compelling story. But if I'm the Knicks, what are you doing to Bondi? No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, to Mikhail.

[Don La Greca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, of course.

[Don La Greca]

Why are you putting like that's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you think?

Is it.

[Don La Greca]

You know what that starts? You know what that starts?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it possibly going to be one.

[Don La Greca]

Of those moments, private conversation with your coach? Are you going to reveal that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it possible he comes out later and is like, oh, like, I thought we were off the record. We were just chatting.

[Don La Greca]

Nope.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What are you doing?

No, you can't, you can't, right? No, you know, you know what the guy's job is straight up.

[Don La Greca]

Know what you're doing there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's, that's an interesting.

[Don La Greca]

That's a very. Like, again, like, Bridges is a nice guy. He's. He's actually, whenever I've had to interview him, he doesn't really tell you a lot. He's not very thoughtful. So for him to be that open. Says it was definitely on his mind and he wanted to get it off his mind.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Frank, I saw it because Frank Isola retweeted it.

[Don La Greca]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And hit. Frank's comment was brilliant move from a player who's been a major disappointment to shift the focus to someone else. Well played. How many first round picks did the Nets receive in the trade?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Five.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. Now, understand, like, Frank goes way back with Tom Thibodeau. So, you know, there's that protection there. And I.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Frank covered Bridges when he was in Brooklyn.

[Don La Greca]

Yes. Last two years. Right. With. With the yes Network. But it's also how I feel too, like. And again, Frank's a guy that used to get these quotes, just like I used to be a guy that got those quotes. Couldn't. Like, if you knew you can get a player to say something like that that you knew would be a little bit incendiary. Right. A little bit. Knowing that it is a hot topic. And then you got to feel like, how does this not drive a little bit of a divide now between the head coach and a key player? Because, okay, we had this conversation and you said your piece and I mean, you could look at the way he has run the rotation since the All Star break. He's playing nine deep, you know, sometimes eight, but he is playing nine. And so to turn around and then put that out there for everybody to see. And now it makes Tibbs look like the guy who doesn't get it. When. If you listen to things that Jalen Brunson, Cathany Towns and Josh Hart say, when it comes to the minute stuff that everybody talks about, like, that's something that all the players say. Like, Josh Hart has told me several, like Cat has told me several times, I want to play. Like, guys aren't ever going to say, take me out of a game, I want to play. Hart is one who jokes about minutes, but deep down he's the first one to tell you. Like, especially when the word got out. When Robinson comes back, Hart goes to the bench. You know how annoyed he got at that. Like, what do you mean my minutes are going to get affected? Why would my minutes get affected? Like, they want to be out there. Brunson especially. Brunson's like, you know, the minute stuff he thinks is overrated. He thinks that Tibbs handles it off days really well. Like, you don't have to practice. It's all the stuff that's more annoying is the off day practices to have to run up and down the floor when you're tired and you just want to rest your body. You don't want to rest on a game day, you rest on a practice day. That's when you rest. And so Tibbs understands that and he does that and a lot of these guys appreciate that. Bridges has not looked comfortable here almost from day one. He has had a hard time, like, fitting in. He has a hard time enjoying his role in an offense that is dominated by two other all star players. And that is pretty clear. And he's also having a hard time being asked to defend the other team's best perimeter player, run through screens and everything else. It's a thankless job and not get a lot of shots. But this, now, this is a. It's a very, very interesting thing for him to say on the record. If that would have been shared off the record. And then it was written as such. Like, a player said this. You know, maybe there's no way to connect the dots of who it is, but now when you see who it is, that's a. That's a. I'm glad you brought that up. I did not see that. I'm sure that I just posted this morning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm here for you, buddy.

[Don La Greca]

But that's. I'm glad. See, sometimes when you're staring at your phone, you're actually finding things. Thank you. Really good. What?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I get it from everywhere. I mean, this Was. This was on Monday Night Raw on Monday. This is every.

[Don La Greca]

Who, of course, is on the phone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like he always is not paying attention.

[Don La Greca]

To what's going on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's Michael Cole. That's the voice of WWE saying that.

[Don La Greca]

But because you were. You were sitting. Who, of course, is on the phone like he always is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way. It was intentional.

I was joking.

I went.

It is. You know, listen, you're being called out, but maybe you should pay attention. Reflect a little bit.

Reflect a little bit. No, people are saying it out loud. Well, I'll have you know, by the.

[Don La Greca]

Way, we kid because we care.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Bondi story I got from the computer, not the phone, actually, the old tweet box.

[Don La Greca]

It was my 16th text of the night about a DN signing for a $1 million contract that Peter was looking at. Probably at Raw. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who knows? Exactly. You never know what that was. Some of those are very valuable texts on the weekend.

[Don La Greca]

Now, getting to what I was going to say about the Knicks before that. And that's a very interesting story. But the must.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, sorry. The must win of it all. You're talking about.

[Don La Greca]

No, no, keep, please.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry, I didn't get to. I was trying to close the phone.

[Don La Greca]

I understand. God's sake. This is why I don't miss Bart that much. Because I do get. I do get some of the. Jake, am I right or am I wrong? You get a little bit of Bart, like, every day. I still get a little bit of Bart.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

But I don't take a subject that you're trying to go one direction and just go completely different direction.

[Don La Greca]

You haven't done that yet, but give me time. But this stuff is very, very Bardesque and it's comforting for me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you.

[Don La Greca]

Very reminiscent of Bart. Very reminiscent. All I'm missing is I can't wait. And maybe a couple shades of a tan and maybe every now and then, just showing me a picture of, like, you know, Phylicia Richard or some actress or singer from the past and then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Describing her photo in a slightly inappropriate.

[Don La Greca]

Way in the midst of me trying to say something and then him showing it to me randomly. And now I've lost all train of thought. I would also say that we haven't hit the dump button as many times on this show as.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you very much. Wow.

What's it with the former athletes? PPHR gets dumped, like, every segment on the morning show.

[Don La Greca]

Locker rooms. You know, you can't break the habit because I listen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now I'm intrigued by what got dumped. And then luckily I see Ray for the Ranger games. He gives me an update. It was a doozy yesterday. Oh, I don't know why he would thought that would get on the air now.

[Don La Greca]

We need to know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can't tell us during the break.

[Don La Greca]

Well, it's later on now. We could probably get away with it now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no, no.

[Don La Greca]

Can't do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. Will you tell us why he's a must win?

I'll tell you, this is going to hit different now because we've waited and.

I know it really can't be that good, can it?

[Don La Greca]

I just wanted to get your microphone working again. All right, now it looks up and ready, which is good. This is what we needed. All right, now that I'm done teasing, let's get to it. The Knicks have to win this game tonight. There's no such thing as a must win. I know I have listened enough to your previous show, Don, to not know any reason why you like Portland so much. But I do know that there is no such thing as a must win. Unless, of course, the next day means your season's old. Right. But this is. This is hypothetically a must win because you win this game. It's a Portland team that's well under.500. You should be better than them. But they are playing harder. That's not an easy place to play. We're late now into a long road trip. They've been on the road for over a week now. So you can't go into this game and not have that same energy. You were annoyed when you played Sacramento. You'd lost three in a row. You know, there was a pissed off side of this Nick team that you saw. You can't have a letdown in Portland because I've seen teams going to Portland recently, good teams, and lose to them because you're just not taking them serious. They're a young team and you can get caught up and all of a sudden lose a game. They have to win this game because it gets them in the. In the. On the road trip to 2 and 2, you kind of get yourself back where the turbulence is gone, but you also have two days off. Then you play the warriors on Saturday on ABC national tv, where that has been a house of horrors for you. But you're also playing Draymond Green. There's a little bit of get back, a little bit of payback, little bit of message sending. That's a team you should have beat back at the Garden right before this trip started. You had that game. You should have beat him you didn't, and they kind of danced on you. And Draymond had to say about Karl Anthony Townes, what he had to say inappropriate stuff and really didn't apologize. Right. So there's going to. There should. There needs to be a lot of intensity in that game. If you go to 2 and 2 on the trip, that game could be the decider of making it a 3:2, which after losing Jalen Brunson in the first game of the trip, 3:2 is a hell of a way to finish a hard 12 day four game or five game road trip to the west. Right. Like, you got to admit, you come back and you're feeling pretty good about how you handled that. Lose this game and now you're scrambling. You could look at yourself and all of a sudden now you're one in four in the trip.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, one in four is unacceptable. That's brutal.

[Don La Greca]

So you got to win this game. They've got to approach this game professionally, which they've done all year. You've got to win this game. There's no exceptions to losing tonight. That's why I put that must win the urgency on tonight. It means a lot in a short term, not long term, but in short term. It means a lot for this team to show up tonight, get the job done, and you get two days to get ready to play a Warriors team that you owe a little something to, not only because of what happened at home, but because of all the Draymond stuff that you know is going to be a big topic of conversation going into that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's why I talk about the dog days, because only negative can happen. You win tonight while you're supposed to, and then we'll see what happens on Saturday. But only bad can come from what's happening. If you do. If you do what you're supposed to do, go three and two, well, that's what you're supposed to do. All right. Good job beating Golden State. But, you know, we don't have to worry about Golden State till we play to the final. Nobody is going to feel like now we can beat the Celtics based on anything that they do the rest of the regular season. But things can happen to make you think, oh, my God, this team isn't very good. And losing to Portland would make Knick fans feel like, what are we doing? Even without Brunson and boy, Golden State kind of sets up the way Oklahoma City did, right? Played him tough in the Garden, should have won, go to Oklahoma City, get blown out. Is that going to happen here where you Almost beat Golden State. Now you go on national television to Golden State and get blown out. Because that's been the theme with these ABC nationally televised games.

[Don La Greca]

I can't remember the last time they won a nationally televised game where it was exclusive. It's not on msg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Not one of those side by side. This is abc.

[Don La Greca]

The whole country and your market is only watching this broadcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So there's been what, two Celtic games where they were blown out of national.

[Don La Greca]

Lakers and home.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lakers.

[Don La Greca]

Yep. Both Laker games.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Lakers, home and home. That's four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. And now there's again two Celtics.

[Don La Greca]

Those two Golden State.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The NBA.

[Don La Greca]

Golden State was national as well. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

NBA is watching Saturday night, 8:30, and.

[Don La Greca]

They haven't seen you win a game outright since, what, Christmas? I can't even remember the last time they won an outright national game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, and also, don't forget, this also goes arm in arm with the fact that they don't beat the best teams in the league.

[Don La Greca]

Well, there's that too. Yeah, there's that too. But Golden State's not one of the best teams in the league.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you. But you don't.

[Don La Greca]

It's also your national record, so. Very good either.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly.

[Don La Greca]

So you don't beat great teams and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't win the whole country's watch. It's like literally the not ready for primetime players.

The definition of not ready for primetime. In theory. So.

[Don La Greca]

All right, so is it an outrageous take that I'm saying if I am one of the coaches, if I am Tom Thibodeau, if I'm any. If I'm. If I'm Leon Rose, if I'm William Wesley, I'm walking in that locker room and I'm saying, boys, no exceptions. This is a must win game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, so what are you saying tomorrow? Because if they lose in Portland, probably open the show unless Roger signs somewhere or whatever. So are you.

[Don La Greca]

No, no. They lose to. They lose tonight. It's a lead. It's a lead. You can't lose his team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, it's a lead. But is it. Are they done, like. Well, I guess the exception must win.

[Don La Greca]

No, it says the world, though. It's a. Like, that means that Cat didn't have a great game, which he should. He should dominate, dominant Clinglen. Come on, you should be winning that battle.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. So you're.

[Don La Greca]

You're saying Mikhail Bridges had a lot to say about not playing a lot of minutes. So let's see what you do with the minutes you get.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is this fair? Because what does it matter? Even if they win the game, even if they win out, like you're not going to feel like, are they going to be able to beat Boston in the second round? Are you ready to say it's on the table that this team might struggle to get out of the first round.

[Don La Greca]

If you don't win a game like this? When you are aware that this gets us even on this, on the road trip, and I know the players are aware of that because this puts you in jeopardy of a 1 in 4 trip. Like you can't. They say like this. This has to feel. We're under 20 games, Don. We're in the teens now and we're talking about counting down to the playoffs. This is not a game in January that you can just throw away. Right. What was that line for Miracle? It's not some throwaway game up in Rochester.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right, Right.

[Don La Greca]

This is not one of those types of situations. This is a. These are games. Now as you're trying to climb to 50, which a 50 win season is the mark of a good season, really good season. And so you've got. And you're with it without your captain, you're trying to, as Josh Hart said himself, to keep this thing afloat. These are not the ones you lose.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are they in that mentality though? Well, how do they think of the way you are? Like, oh, but listen, we lost Braille, we lost Jalen. You know, we're not the same team. We're not going to be able to prove anything till we get to the playoffs anyway. Are they looking at this game the same way you're looking at it?

[Don La Greca]

No, not at all. No, they don't. This group, when you talk to them, they don't really have that mentality. Their mentality is about proving like they, they know what people have said, expectation wise. When you talk to the guys, they'll talk about how there was a time, probably late December, early January, where this thought of, you know, the Knicks could win the championship this year. And yet, you know, Perk was saying it, some other people were saying that they're like a dark horse kind of championship contender. And then, you know, as they started playing the tough part of the schedule, you know, the second game against the Thunder, the two Celtic games, that Cleveland game, I forgot about that one, that was also national, that Cleveland game, like there were games where that started to take away from the aura of what they could be. So they saw a. Everybody was blowing us up. Now everybody doesn't think we're any good. So trust me, they're aware of all this stuff and they'll publicly, they'll act like they don't pay attention to it, but you know that's a lie. They do. And so I do think they played like a pissed off team against Sacramento and Sacramento was ripe to be blown out because they came off a back to back. They were playing without Sabonus. So the right thing happened. They blew out a team that was ripe to be blown out. They didn't make it difficult. This is different because Portland is a young team. They don't know any better. They do play hard. They're not very good defensively. They're not a good offensive team whatsoever. But I've seen them give some really good teams trouble lately for the reasons, like I said, Portland's become a nap town. You go in there, you just go on and play the game, get the hell out of here. And and that's not the attitude you have to come into this game with. This has to be hungry for wins kind of a performance. I'll feel pretty good about this team and where they are without Jalen Brunson if I get that tonight. Going into two days off now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Two days off is huge, especially where they are, right? It's a long road trip, over a week long. Get a couple of days off. You've been playing every other day. Now you get a couple of days.

[Don La Greca]

Off and you get in the San.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Francisco end of the trip a weak team. This feels like it could be a.

[Don La Greca]

Trap game and it can't be.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

To the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don La Greca]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you open with what we're talking about off the air, you got another two hours.

[Don La Greca]

That's all right. That's a different podcast altogether.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dolly Parton.

[Don La Greca]

So again, wanna remove.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hear that?

Dolly Parton.

[Don La Greca]

And that was Don that did that. What are you talking about?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I said Dolly Parton and then you.

[Don La Greca]

No, listen to it. That's your voice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dolly Parton.

[Don La Greca]

And that's your voice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Allen just expressed theoretical arousal about the Dolly Parton puppet.

[Don La Greca]

There was nothing theoretical about that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know men.

And this isn't nine to five. This isn't nine to five. Dolly. This is like Dolly now.

No, no, no, no. Because the puppet we were talking about was 80s.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he's.

[Don La Greca]

No, no. Come on. Come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, I'll give an MM for Dolly now.

That's what I'm saying.

Sure. I love Dolly now. I love every Dolly. Give me all. But you know what? She's newly widowed. It's not appropriate. But we love Dolly. Everyone loves Dolly.

[Don La Greca]

Love Dolly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How can you not?

[Don La Greca]

I just had to say it like that. Hey, everybody, if you're going to the Big east tournament on Friday, we're going to be live at the Irish exit at Moynihan Train Hall. It's right across, of course, the Street 8th Avenue from Madison Square Garden. In fact, just go down to Penn Station. You can walk under 8th Avenue and join us at Moynihan Train Hall. It's a great spot. I know you guys have done shows there before, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Previously, last.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, two.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was it, Peter? Two Big east shows ago.

[Don La Greca]

Two Big Easts ago.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, two Big Easts ago.

[Don La Greca]

Okay, well, we're gonna be there. You gotta be there. Hang out with us.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tell me something.

[Don La Greca]

Our first outing was a huge success. Packed the place, had a lot of fun. We're gonna have special Big east guests throughout the show. You never know who's gonna come by and chat. It up with us. We'll also have giveaways, as you know, drink specials, which is even better. Spend your Friday with us at the Irish exit, right in the heart of Manhattan, right by the world's Most famous arena. 800, not 193776 is the number. Before we get to the calls, the latest on the Aaron Rodgers things. Kind of interesting, don't you think? Diana Rossini reporting this, but I've seen this from others as well. Vikings decision makers are still evaluating their options at quarterback, including the possibility of signing Aaron Rodgers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nah.

[Don La Greca]

And Rodgers is intrigued by the idea he can't of playing in Minnesota.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He can't follow the exact script of Brett Favre.

He can't. That's part of it. Maybe, maybe it doesn't matter to him. But you got J.J. mcCarthy there who, you know, they're hot to play. So it kind of becomes like what we said is a problem with the Giants is that does he want to go someplace where he's going to babysit until the quarterback's ready. Now, Minnesota's a way better team than the Giants are. So could they tell him, listen, J.J. mcCarthy's our future, but he's coming off being out all year. We want him to watch you all season. But are they going to have their their first round pick from two years ago, just sit now two straight years and not play? Pittsburgh's intriguing because he's going to play with no threat of being benched. Same with the Giants if they don't draft the quarterback. But Minnesota has the quarterback in place. Who, if he has a great training camp, a great preseason and Rogers lose the first two games, what's going to happen?

[Don La Greca]

Oh, of course they'll be calling for right now. McCarthy had a good training camp as a rookie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He did.

[Don La Greca]

He had a really good debut in his preseason performance. They thought and they loved him. And of course the injury happened to him and then the rest is history with Sam Darnold taking over and having a fantastic season. So McCarthy by all accounts was supposed to be the starter last year. So I agree with you. But the fact that the Vikings according and we trust Diana, I've known her a long time. The fact that they are mulling it over, what does that tell you? That they're not 100% confident in McCarthy being a, ready this season or B, maybe they want to give him another year to just kind of like let's ease him back in. And who knows, McCarthy might need it. Is A.C. it's ACL, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Right. So you got to get Him. Right. You don't want to rush him. And maybe Rogers gives you the first month or so and then you just move on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It could just be Minnesota looking at it and saying, we had an amazing season last year that ended. They crashed and burned on us. We still believe that we're good. We think this division's winnable and we think McCarthy's our future. But we still want to do something with this team now, and we think Rogers can do that. And how could it hurt McCarthy sitting there watching a Hall of Famer play big games for us?

[Don La Greca]

So it's like Brady said, you don't always have to rush a quarterback. The young guys, I think there's enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Evidence to suggest that it's probably better to have them sit and watch. Now. It's interesting. He sat and watched last year, but he sat and watched. You know, listen, Darnold sit there and throw 35 touchdown passes. So he didn't watch. He watched something.

[Don La Greca]

Remember, he also wasn't available. So it's not like he was watching and preparing and all the things that you need to do as a pro.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. And it probably helps the competition. But if I'm.

[Don La Greca]

But if you're Rogers, you really want that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. That's why if I'm Rogers, I look and I say to myself, where. Where do I. Where can I go and win Giants? Lose that face off? Where can I go where I know that I'm not going to be challenged by anybody? I don't know. Will the Giants draft a quarterback or not? If they tell him you're our guy, then the Giants might be intriguing to Peter's point. Doesn't have to move. Stay in the New York area. Maybe he likes Brian Dable. Maybe he doesn't like Pittsburgh's offense. Right.

[Don La Greca]

Maybe.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe he feels like I can thrive in this Dable offense. So maybe that could be a box that you check. But the Giants schedule and the division that they're in and the prospects of drafting a young quarterback would make it all, I think, logical for him to say no to the Giants.

[Don La Greca]

So you're saying all signs point to Pittsburgh.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All signs. So the hold up. I'm Aaron Rodgers. Point to Pittsburgh.

[Don La Greca]

But don't you want the hold up? So what's the hold up? The hold up then if the way you're describing it to me makes me feel like the holdup would be he wants leverage. Let me get as many teams interested in me. And if Minnesota is not saying no, that means they're sort of interested and I could let Pittsburgh know Well, you might want me, but I could always go to Minnesota. I've been thinking I could always go to like, Pittsburgh might say, we know you're not going to the Giants. Like, we laugh at that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I've been thinking all day that there are possibly teams here that aren't being reported, as in that are potentially landing spots for him. I don't know.

[Don La Greca]

Give me another team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Tennessee conversation. Why is that over? We know.

[Don La Greca]

We don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We don't know.

[Don La Greca]

And he is Nashville guy, so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he has a place down there, too.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, he definitely is hung out there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you just don't know what options he thinks he has right now or that he actually does have right now.

Or is there is retirement still something that he's contemplating and would he love.

The prospect of three or four teams calling him as he announces his retirement? That's a nice way to go out there.

[Don La Greca]

His way of saying, you know, I could have played. A lot of teams have wanted me. You know, I really thought about it and I just felt like it was time to retire.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just don't.

[Don La Greca]

But it lets everybody know people still wanted me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bobby, other than just him loving Dable or not wanting to leave the area because he did seem to really fall in love with New York. Yeah, but if you got. I got one year left to play. Why would I want to go to the. Listen, I love the Giants. I'm a Giant fan. But that schedule, that division, what they've been the last couple of years, the possibility of a young quarterback taking my job away. Even if the Giants guaranteed him, we're not. I'm telling you, we're not taking a quarterback. Why would he choose the Giants over the Steelers? Unless he. Unless for some reason he just doesn't like their offense because they really struggled last year scoring. Does he not. Does he. I don't know. Is Arthur Smith somebody he doesn't like as an offensive coordinator? I don't know what the negatives would be in Pittsburgh. It's like you said, it's an underrated city. It's a great franchise. They win every year above.500 in contention for the playoffs.

[Don La Greca]

There's no lonely Lombardi. There's like, the pressure's still there. That's a tough division. A very physical division.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Very physical.

[Don La Greca]

Not a great offensive line.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I mean, how physical, you know, having to play the Eagles twice. Commanders are a really good team. I. I don't know if he worries that much about how physical, you know, the Ravens play or.

[Don La Greca]

I don't know, at that age, I would.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, maybe. But listen, it's. It's. It's a. It's a tough sport, period, no matter where you go.

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I really thought it was going to happen today. I did.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. Apparently, though, with. With another. You know, again, if Minnesota's mulling it, that means you'll want to wait until they tell you no. So that's gonna. You're gonna wait. And what did Shefty say? This could be a while. Because he likes to take his time. We had that cut from Shefty earlier. He likes to take his time, make a decision. He's not a guy that will rush to a decision. And so, you know, this might not be something that gets settled today or tomorrow. You know, it might take a little.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Longer, but it does. It does show you that there are teams that still believe he has something left.

[Don La Greca]

Isn't that incredible? Well, it's also what's left to choose from.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But would anybody blink if Minnesota just had J.J. mcCarthy start at quarterback?

[Don La Greca]

Pittsburgh. Wait, wait. Daniel Jones is there, right? Where's Daniel Jones now? What am I missing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He went to Indianapolis.

[Don La Greca]

Indianapolis.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Don La Greca]

I'm sorry. That's right. Daniel Jones.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, they were kicking the tires on him, too.

[Don La Greca]

All right, so they have nothing behind J.J. mcCarthy, right. Because Darnold's gone and Jones is gone. Right. They don't have anything behind him. Correct.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

So they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Same thing with Minnesota, same thing with Pittsburgh now that they let Justin Fields go.

[Don La Greca]

Yes. And they don't really have Russ.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They don't know. They'd have to work something out. So you have two teams that need a quarterback, theoretically, even if the Picard, the quarterback, you know, a veteran to back up, and two really good football teams. Giants are not a good football team, but they would bring in Aaron Rodgers to win games. So that's three teams to believe Aaron Rodgers can still play. To Peter's point. Are there teams that are laying low?

Who knows?

[Don La Greca]

That's interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tennessee. I mean, Tennessee. Those doesn't want to tip their hand. Right.

[Don La Greca]

Clearly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because they want to maybe trade that pick. So if they went out and got Aaron Rodgers with Levis there already, that would take some of their leverage away because people are like, all right, they're obviously not drafting.

[Don La Greca]

We know you're not drafting a quarterback. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So they might be just playing coy, but they might be looming, you know, lurking somewhere. You've got Russell Wilson, you know, traveling to Cleveland to talk to the Browns. When do we get a report that the Browns want, by the way?

Do you hate the idea you're stuck with an injured desean Watson. Cost a ton of money. Where can I get a cheap quarterback who can come in and play on a. At least a talented defense, with a talented defense and maybe get us somewhere? Why wouldn't Rogers end up in that conversation? He played in Green Bay once, right? What's wrong with Cleveland?

That's a good point, Peter. Will other teams emerge here as you.

[Don La Greca]

Get more desperate, or is he just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hoping that other teams will emerge so he can, you know, drive up the price somewhere?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. Let's take Stamatis from Astoria. That's right on line nine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How are you, buddy?

[Unknown]

Hey, what's up, guys? How are you?

[Don La Greca]

Good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's all happening.

[Don La Greca]

Alrighty.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Alrighty.

[Unknown]

I saw. Great conversation. I'm enjoying it. So I think there's one X factor with. With Aaron Rodgers that we're forgetting is that he's a weird guy. He kind of beats his own drum. He does what he wants. I kind of have a feeling that there's something to be said for him wanting to kind of jab at the Jets. I know it sounds insane and, you know, but I think that he doesn't like the way he went down. And the idea of just walking across the hall could just basically be enough for him to be like, this is what I want.

[Don La Greca]

I get what you're saying. I. I don't think that's his main motive. I think his main motivation is to go out, at least a winner, go out as somebody that still had it. And I like if the jets can't be the first thing on his mind.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to dispel your theory because I brought it up too. But please remember, it could work the other way and crash and burn in the same place that it crashed and burned the last two years because the Giants have been a dumpster fire. So do I want to then have it really blow up in my face? I wanted to stick it to the jets, and what ended up happening is I ended up going down like everybody else that's been a Giant quarterback, you know, recently. So you want to. I think that definitely would be a pro box to check if the Giants were good. Now, listen, the Giants have signed a lot of guys. They've obviously a lot more talented than they were a couple of days ago. They've strengthened that offensive line, so they could certainly be better than they've been, but certainly that's no guarantee. By the way, Gary Myers, thank you. Meniscus for McCarthy, not ACL. Okay.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, that's way less than an ACL.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. He. Yeah, they don't need to ease him into the season. He'll be ready to go for training camp.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

So that is a weird then. That is weird. Why would they if they were all in on McCarthy from last year and now all of a sudden this year they want to hit the pause, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They'Re going to need a backup. I mean.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, but Rogers is a backup. Is that what they're selling to him?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I.

[Don La Greca]

If they're selling him backup or he wants to go there as a backup. No, I'm good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, I'm with you. But I just wonder if all of this is like trying to get as many teams involved so Pittsburgh gets scared and throws extra money at me or different guarantees.

[Don La Greca]

Oh yeah. It's always about leverage.

[Unknown]

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[Don La Greca]

You don't wake up dreaming of McDonald's fries. You wake up dreaming of McDonald's hash browns. McDonald's breakfast comes first.

Thanks for listening to the Don, Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don La Greca]

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

A good headphone song, right? Yeah, right. Like this is like there's some songs. Peter, you're a headphones guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure I am.

[Don La Greca]

Certain songs that just hit better in the headphones. Oh yeah, right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Absolutely.

[Don La Greca]

This is one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Someone sent one earlier. Guys, that was really good.

[Don La Greca]

If just joining us, we made a list today because it's a Wednesday. Our list was the top five covers that were better than the original. All on the Watchtower. Not everybody knows this is a cover so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So another great one. I think all three of us will be in lockstep that it's at least very good.

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Black crows, hard to handle.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Didn't know it was a cover.

Otis Redding.

[Don La Greca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're familiar with the book?

[Don La Greca]

Very, very.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I'm familiar with his work. Not that work.

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

Otis, my man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That is a full on cover.

I love. I love Animal House.

And by the way, so cool. And by the way, I'm gonna put this out here and I understand it's new and people will roll their eyes and I.

[Don La Greca]

They roll their eyes at you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's totally fine.

The.

The Beyonce Blackbird on this most recent album is wonderful.

The Beatles Blackburn.

That's right.

I'd like to hear that.

Oh, it's. It's. And it's not just her. She has three other country singers on it. Or four. And it's beautiful.

[Don La Greca]

Is it? It's as like. Oh, it's so wistful. It's like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's so moving. And then if. You know. Because I didn't know this previously. So not trying to sound smart. If you then go do the research on what Blackbird is about by the Beatles. Specifically, it's a civil rights song.

Yes.

And then you hear Beyonce's version and the song is with four lesser known black country artists.

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's kind of a beautiful full circle thing, her giving the voice to these artists. It's a pretty dope. But then just vocally, it's just.

[Don La Greca]

It's fire. Gotta hear it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a worthwhile listen.

[Don La Greca]

Well, let's hear from the people. 800-919-3776. Since we're on the topic, let's continue on that topic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can we?

[Don La Greca]

Joey D. Is in the car. Been waiting a while. Billy D. But how are you?

[H]

I'm good. How you guys doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right.

[H]

All right, listen, I think you guys missed a major one and I think you might want to use it. Coming out of the next. Into the next commercial intro is Van Halen's you really Got me cover of the Kings classic. I think they kind of owned it after they ripped it up. I love the Kinks.

[Don La Greca]

I gotta be honest with you, Billy. I thought about that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I thought about it too.

[Don La Greca]

And I was going to mention it. I thought Don would rip my head off.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why?

[Don La Greca]

I was. I actually, this is. I was a rare moment of intimidation. Why I did not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love that.

[Don La Greca]

Because that is such. It is a great, great cover.

[H]

Really, really got me. It's just the riff.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. Just the opening riff. Just the intro. Name that tune. In one note. Now, now, would you, would you say, would you say their version of Dancing in the Streets is, is any good?

[H]

I think they did a great cover of that. They also covered another Kink song, Where have all the Good Times Gone? And with all their covers, they just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They change it and they read Alex Van Halen's book and how, how, how much of a cover band they were.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Early on.

[Don La Greca]

Well, they, they were, they were house band.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And a lot of it carried over into the first couple of albums.

[Don La Greca]

Pretty Woman, great version.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What is your favorite Van Halen album, man?

[Don La Greca]

Oh, good question. Come on, Billy.

[H]

I gotta tell you, everyone, I gotta go with Fair Warning.

[Don La Greca]

Yep, very good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It really depends on the day. For me, if I had to. Women and children First.

[Don La Greca]

That's excellent.

[H]

First is an awesome record.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's really tight, but the Fair Warning's really amazing.

[Don La Greca]

Fair Warning is a no skips. Clearly a no Skips. And I gotta be honest with you, on a good day, like on a summer day, I can enjoy a diver down because it's fun.

[H]

Diver down.

[Don La Greca]

It's fun.

[H]

I'll tell you what, On a summer day. Van Halen, too. I mean, they're all great, but I have to go. Fair one.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[H]

And then I would go, Women, children first into Van Halen. Van halen. Diver down. 84.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, read Alex's book stuff if you haven't yet. It's really, it's really good. And it only focuses on the David Lee Roth era because he's had a falling out with so have I given.

[Don La Greca]

You Van Halen Rising, that book my friend Greg wrote.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don La Greca]

Fantastic. It's about their, it's about the roots when they started. It stops when they get the deal. Okay, like, like once they get their, their first record deal. But it's like Gene Simmons was involved, like, all the things that happened to them, to go from basically a big advocate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They, Their first world tour was with Black Sabbath.

[Don La Greca]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, they were.

[Don La Greca]

They were and they were they mad because they tear the house down. And it's like now that, now the, now the, the, the headliners coming out and the crowd is booing them because they want Van Halen to come back out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry. Another one hit me and I will. I will die on this hill.

Interesting.

[Don La Greca]

This hill.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dixie Chicks, Landslide cover.

Very good.

[Don La Greca]

No, no, no, no, it's phenomenal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No better than the original.

[Don La Greca]

No, it is not better than. No, it is not better. No, it is not better. I would say Smashing Pumpkins is better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's their version.

I, I, I I'm sorry.

[Don La Greca]

Dixie Chick's good. Not better than the original.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Better vocally, no.

[Don La Greca]

You're.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, she's crazy.

Yeah. I like her style better. See, I like Natalie.

[Don La Greca]

Some guy didn't like Disturbed version. But we're gonna.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I like. I like Natalie Maine's vocals better than Stevie's. Than Stevie.

[Don La Greca]

Nick. Stevie. Stevie has you weeping.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's because you're a pinko liberal, that's why.

[Don La Greca]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you for saying what needed to be said.

[Don La Greca]

Well, you know, they're. They're just the chicks now, right? Isn't that really what it is?

[Peter Rosenberg]

They are the chicks. That one is fun. Don, you admit it's good.

[Don La Greca]

Here's the. It's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I will say this, that shows you how good the song is, because there really isn't a bad version. Even the Smashing Pumpkins. Pumpkins version, which I would take the Dixie Chicks over or the Chicks.

[Don La Greca]

I disagree.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Another song that you can make the argument, even though it's not necessarily my favorite, but you cannot argue its significance is Knocking on Heaven's Door. Everybody that covers that does it even. It's kind of offbeat. The Grateful Dead cover it. It's amazing. And I'm not a Dead fan. And what the. What the Guns N Roses did, that's.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Knocking on Heaven's Door.

[Don La Greca]

You just made me think of another cover. Guns N Roses, you know the song I'm talking about. They covered. It wasn't one of his best hits, but it was still. It was a hit. It was a movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Go ahead.

[Don La Greca]

Live and Let Die.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, it's not bad.

[Don La Greca]

That's a really good version.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Axel's version.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Very big now.

[Don La Greca]

I wouldn't put it on our list, but since we're doing it, why not Moose in Jamaica. What's up, Moose?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Greatest list we ever had. It's carried over.

[Don La Greca]

I don't know if that still getting called.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's do a top five of the best. Top five.

[Don La Greca]

Moose.

[H]

What's good, fellas?

[Don La Greca]

Good evening. How are you? Good.

[H]

Just. I don't know if it belongs on the list, but every time this song's on the playlist, sometimes I listen to it on repeat. John Mayer's Tom Petty's Free Falling is like top draw. I don't know. I've never heard the original, but I really like it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Never heard it.

You find that, Jacob, for us? I don't know if I've ever heard it.

I'm interested, though, Moose, because. Because I'm. Because though I like Tom Petty's songs, it's not like he's vocally my. My favorite artist in the world. So getting to hear someone with some better vocals might be a nice little vibe there.

[Don La Greca]

I'll try that. Ben. And East Village Ben, more cover suggestions. Ben.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ben.

[Don La Greca]

Ben's got us on. There you are. What's up, man?

[H]

I wanted to chime in on the COVID discussion. This song, I don't think belongs on your list, but I think it's a worthy mention. Bobby Darin, Sunday in New York. If anyone's been to a Yankee game on a Sunday in the Bronx, played every game, been hearing it since my childhood.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who's it? A cover.

[H]

More nostalgic than New York, New York by Sinatra, which is also a cover.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, well, so the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bobby Darren's a cover.

[Don La Greca]

He covered that.

[H]

Bobby Darin's Sunday in New York is a cover. The original is by Mel Torme, I'm pretty sure.

[Don La Greca]

There you go. Mel Torme. The great Mel Torme. Okay, good one, Ben. I know. Pretty eclectic nostalgia.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I kind of.

[Don La Greca]

We should have been writing all these down and then we could have created a playlist.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't.

[Don La Greca]

Don Han, Rosenberg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, they all covered shows, right? This isn't going in the ether.

Well, yeah. By the way, someone who listens to the podcast later can make this.

[Don La Greca]

But no, I'm saying, like, we make a playlist and put it out there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but what I'm saying is we're lazy pieces of garbage. A listener will do it is what I'm trying to say.

[Don La Greca]

Somebody else make the playlist of all the covers that were suggested, and then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We'Ll share it for them. There you go.

[Don La Greca]

Except. Except the one Peter suggested about Landslide.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because it should not be on Landslide's tremendous. Now you're being. Now you're just digging in to be stubborn.

[Don La Greca]

I'm not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's tremendous, you know, it's tremendous.

[Don La Greca]

6:00 hour we discuss. Which include uniforms.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Don La Greca]

We had. We were discussing something, everybody, during the break. That is one of those conversations that we have every now and then about the Yankee uniform. But this one goes to another level. You're going to want to be part of that. And it involves not just the Yankee uniform, everybody's uniforms, but still specifically the Yankees, because, you know, it's. It's obviously, it's religion when it comes to the Yankees. So we got that. But first, Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, you want me to say something?

[Don La Greca]

I would love for you to send me a message.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, well, guys, I want to talk to you about what Amazon pickup could do for you first and foremost. You might be thinking Amazon. I order from Amazon all the time. I'm watching prime video. Amazon's a daily part of my life. So what is Amazon Pickup? Well, Amazon Pickup allows you to send your orders to a secure pickup location that you can choose, so when delivered to your home or apartment isn't ideal. Packages can go directly to a convenient pickup location like an Amazon locker or a counter between work and a newborn at home. My schedule is incredibly crazy and Amazon Pickup gives me peace of mind, lets me pick up packages on my own. All right, so you order online and at checkout. Simply select the pickup location that works best for you. When your package arrives, you get a delivery confirmation email that notifies you the package is ready with pickup instructions. Great for when you're out and about. Amazon Pickup is a secure and convenient delivery solution to pick up your Amazon packages at no additional cost. Head to Amazon.com pickup MVP to learn more.

[Don La Greca]

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 what it's made. 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.

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Banners in the rafters.

[Don La Greca]

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