Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Get On Board (Nov 5, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

Hour 3 of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg showcases the trio's classic blend of New York sports analysis, banter, and personal stories. This episode seamlessly blends Knicks discussion (with particular focus on team chemistry and coaching), a running “initials” nickname conversation, and the familiar frustrations of being a long-time New York Jets fan. The tone is informal but insightful, giving listeners both sharp sports takes and plenty of laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Perils of "Cut and Paste" at Work (00:34–05:00)

• Topic: Alan recounts the risks and frustrations of coworkers making mistakes due to copying and pasting in scripts. If he were a boss or coach, he’d enforce zero-tolerance except for the truly flawless.
• Quote:
  • Alan Hahn: "If you cut and paste, you're fired instantaneously... how many mistakes happen because of cut and paste?" (01:07)
• Humor: The trio riff on how they'd open their first team meeting with a strong anti-cut-and-paste declaration, then joke about standing up to end work meetings.
• Memorable Moment: Peter joking that “people here who cut and paste die, like they gotta know” (02:00) and suggesting everyone stand up together to end useless meetings.

2. Knicks Chemistry: Mike Brown, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Team Buy-In (08:44–21:22)

• Focus: In-depth look at the Knicks’ ongoing adjustment to coach Mike Brown’s system, especially centering on star Karl-Anthony Towns’ fit and attitude.

• Highlights:

  • Mike Brown's Self-Reflection:

    • Admits he’s still learning how to use players effectively.
    • Quote:
      • Mike Brown: “It starts with me and I've gotten better and they've just gotten more comfortable.” (10:23–10:44)
    • The hosts discuss how rare it is for coaches to say “I got to do better.”

  • Towns’ Role & Attitude:

    • Brown praised Towns after a big performance (“Ket was a monster… He’s starting to find his rhythm.”) (11:37)
    • However, in locker room interviews, Towns still sounds hesitant and not fully bought in.
    • Quote:
      • Peter Rosenberg: "Does he sound like he's on the bus yet? ... Towns seems like the one guy that's still resistant to the way they're asking him to play." (13:16)
    • Alan and Peter debate whether Towns’ reluctance is because he’s being asked to change more than anyone else, or if he’s mentally “already gone” due to trade rumors (e.g., if Giannis comes).

  • Team Dynamics:

    • Others like Josh Hart, Bridges, Anunoby seem positive about the new system, while Towns is the final “holdout.”
    • Don notes that even with his “resistance,” Towns is still putting up strong numbers (20 and 13 averages), and Brown seems to be adjusting the system to make him more comfortable.

  • Coaching Philosophy:

    • Peter notes that it’s rare to see a veteran coach adapt to the players (rather than vice versa) and that Brown’s flexibility might be saving him from “losing the locker room” early.

  • Key Quote:

    • Don Hahn: "It feels like to me that Towns is the last guy that has the full buy-in... That's as much buy-in as I've seen since the start of this whole thing." (16:09)

  • Outlook:

    • Team looks potent when everything clicks, but Peter observes, "You have one, you have two All-NBA players on this team. One of them's in, the other one's gotta be in." (19:44)

3. The “Initials” Rabbit Hole – Sports, Authors, and Presidents (24:00–36:00)

• Background:
  • The team and callers continue a lighthearted debate over famous people (especially athletes and authors) known primarily by initials—PJ, AJ, BJ, CJ, JK, JR, etc.
• Memorable Name Drops:
  • Sports: P.J. Tucker, J.P. Parise, J.B. Bickerstaff, B.J. Armstrong;
  • Authors: J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Politicians: J.D. Vance, J.Q. Adams, U.S. Grant, FDR, JFK, Rutherford B. Hayes
• Caller banter: One caller offers obscure British authors by initials, prompting ribbing from the hosts about “showing off.”
• Memorable Quotes:
  • Alan Hahn: “Robert, come on, you’re talking to a bunch of sports talk yo-yos. What you doing?” (31:44)
  • Peter Rosenberg: “He’s bragging. He’s bragging... Oh, I know all these wonderful British authors, you silly little sports [guys].” (32:18)
• Humor & Cultural References:
  • Playful asides about U.S. presidents’ initials (“CeCe Coolidge,” “MV Buren,” “H.S. Truman”).
  • Discussion on whether LL Cool J, WB Mason, and PC Richard count (turns into a sidebar on how LL Cool J got his name).

4. Old School, New School: School Start Times & Childhood Memories (36:00–38:06)

• Banter:
  • Brief, lively debate on whether school should or realistically could start later in the day.
  • Patrick from Chatham calls in to challenge Peter’s earlier suggestion, reveals some of the logistical and sports-related issues of pushing back school hours.
  • The hosts reminisce about enduring long days as kids (“How did we do that?”) and admit they now appreciate their more flexible adult work hours.

5. The Agony of Being a Jets Fan: Tapping Out (43:03–46:00)

• Caller George’s Rant:
  • George from Morristown declares, after 25+ years of loyalty and disappointment, he's "done with the New York Football Jets."
  • Quote:
    • Caller George: “If this were a relationship, who would put up with this disrespect for 25 years? … on this Wednesday, November 5, 2025, you can strike up your fraud alert music because I am done with the New York Football Jets.” (43:32)
  • Don and Alan sympathize, likening persistent fandom to remaining in an unhealthy relationship, but question if it’s really possible to start rooting for another team.

6. Music Talk: The Meaning of “25 or 6 to 4” & Rock Stories (40:36–43:03)

• Transition:
  • Returning from break with Chicago’s "25 or 6 to 4." Alan and Peter debate if Chicago belongs among the great American bands.
  • The mystery of the song title “25 or 6 to 4” is explained (delirium late at night trying to write a song—was it 3:34 or 3:35 am?).
  • Similar anecdote: the origin of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly (“drugs and alcohol in the best way possible”).
• Memorable Quote:
  • “It’s turning into the skid. … We could correct it or we just, you know, let’s go with it.” – Alan Hahn on the naming of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” (42:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike Brown on adapting to his roster:

  • “It starts with me and I've gotten better and they've just gotten more comfortable.” (10:44)

• Peter on Towns’ buy-in:

  • “Does he sound like he's on the bus yet? ... Towns seems like the one guy that's still resistant to the way they're asking him to play.” (13:16)
  • “There's not a lot of ebullience in Townes voice when he talks about the potential of this offense, which he’s one of the pieces. So I'm just wondering when Brown and Towns are going to connect.” (14:12)

• Don Hahn on meetings:

  • “People here who cut and paste die, like they gotta know.” (02:00)

• On Nicknames/Initials:

  • “How did Alan forget one of the great Knicks of all time? PJ Tucker.” (06:34)
  • “Listen, look what I know and I know for a fact you don’t.” – Alan, ribbing the “show-off” caller about British authors (32:23)

• George (caller) on quitting the Jets:

  • "You wouldn't stay with Nancy if she disrespected you for 25 years." (44:37)
  • Don: “I can’t get mad at that opinion. I just can’t.” (45:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Work meetings/cut and paste: 00:34–05:00
• Knicks/Mike Brown/Towns: 08:44–21:22
• Initials & Name Game: 24:00–36:00
• School schedules/childhood: 36:00–38:06
• Song origins & music talk: 40:36–43:03
• Jets “fan divorce” rant: 43:12–46:00

Episode Flow and Tone

The hour flows with lively, conversational energy. The hosts smoothly transition from sports analysis to personal anecdotes and fan interactions, lacing heavy topics (team chemistry, disappointment as sports fans) with sharp wit and playful ribbing. The eclectic mix—workplace humor, caller dialogues, music trivia, high/low cultural references—makes the episode relatable and entertaining for any New York sports (and pop culture) fan.

Conclusion

This episode is both quintessential Don, Hahn & Rosenberg—witty, knowledgeable, and just irreverent enough—and a clear illustration of the frustrations and hopes inherent in New York sports. The main sports story is about the Knicks learning to gel, especially Karl-Anthony Towns’ ongoing adjustment under coach Mike Brown. Along the way, the show celebrates the absurd, from “cut and paste” at the office to the meaning of classic rock lyrics, always embracing both joy and pain of being a New York fan.