Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

Date: December 3, 2025
Episode Theme: Giants & Giannis – Leadership Dilemmas for the Giants, Jackson Dart’s Future, and the Giannis-to-Knicks Rumors

Episode Overview

In this lively hour, Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg dive deep into the current drama around the New York Giants, parsing coach and player accountability—especially in relation to top pick Abdul Carter and quarterback Jackson Dart. The trio then transitions to the NBA, examining the swirling rumor mill about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s alleged interest in coming to the Knicks, and what it could mean for the league, the team, and fans. The discussion rapidly weaves in colorful stories, sharp nostalgia, and high-energy banter, making for an engaging window into New York sports talk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Abdul Carter & the Giants: Talent vs. Maturity

[02:27–08:24] Reaction to Abdul Carter’s Criticism and Growth

• Abdul Carter’s Reaction to Teammate Criticism:
  Carter is asked about teammates saying he needs to “grow up” after costly mistakes and disciplinary issues.
  • Quote (Abdul Carter, 02:35):
    “If they say something like that, I’m going to look at myself first… how can I get better and prove to them that I can earn their respect?”
• On Responding to Public Criticism:
  Carter’s attitude toward Carl Banks’ (team alumni) and others’ critiques is one of self-improvement: “Do I shy away from it, or do I accept the challenge and… be the man I’m supposed to be?” (03:01)
• Draft Pick Debate:
  Alan pushes back against critics that label Carter as a “bad draft” just because of attitude:
  • Quote (Alan Hahn, 04:11):
    “You draft him every single day of the week and twice on Sunday... It’s up to us now to get him to mature and grow up.”
• Organizational Accountability:
  The guys fault the Giants for poor standards:
  • Quote (Alan Hahn, 04:46):
    “The problem is that Brian Daboll didn't want to do that as the head coach, so your standard didn't exist… up to the organization to raise him right.”
  • Rosenberg expands: pressure to “win now” led to Carter’s undisciplined play being tolerated for too long ([05:19]).
  • This, they argue, is a byproduct of failed leadership continuity and ownership confusion.

Coaching Pressure & Young Player Development

[08:24–12:12] How do you help gifted, stubborn players mature?

• Analogy to Other NY Teams:
  Rosenberg draws a parallel to the Rangers’ young stars (Kako and Lafrenière), emphasizing how “it’s hard when you got young kids and winning is the only thing… It’s hard because you make decisions; suspending a guy can hurt the team.” (07:33)
• Future of Giants Head Coach Role:
  Lewis Riddick joins, declaring the Giants job is “desirable” because of historic prestige and potential, despite recent struggles ([08:44]–[09:31]).

Jackson Dart’s Recklessness: Strength or Liability?

[11:19–22:25] Dart’s Play Style, Risk, and the Franchise QB Dilemma

• Dart’s Mindset:
  Riddick and the hosts agree: Dart’s “toughness and competitive character” are admirable, but his college mindset will shorten his NFL career if he doesn’t adapt:
  • Quote (Lewis Riddick, 11:19):
    “You keep doing that in the NFL and you are going to have a very short career… Every week is like playing Alabama times ten.”
• Don’s Insight:
  He sees Dart’s attitude as honest, not necessarily combative. Dart’s “this is how I got here” response is authentic—even if it comes off as defensive ([13:07]).
• Analogy to Past Stars:
  The group recalls how ex-Jet Drew Bledsoe’s career derailed due to a massive hit, letting Tom Brady take over ([46:44]).
• Physicality as Double-Edged Sword:
  • Alan: “We know what his heart is…The point is not about making business decisions for your wallet, but about being able to have a competitive football season.” ([44:11])
  • Don: “You will also criticize him for not being available because he got hurt… can’t have it both ways.” ([45:00])
  • Peter: “They’ll encourage Scattaboo to play that way…he’s expendable. We’re talking about a quarterback you traded into the first round to get.” ([45:53])

The Giannis-to-Knicks Rumors: Parsing Hype from Reality

[26:32–38:45] NBA’s Most Coveted Superstar, Team Leverage, and New York’s “Catbird Seat”

• Giannis Wants the Knicks?
  Don reports the NBA rumor mill:
  • “Everybody’s talking about…he just wants to play for the Knicks and he wants to be in New York…” ([26:32–27:04])
  • Compares scenario to the Carmelo Anthony situation (2011)—if the star’s only destination is NY, New York holds all the trading power.
• Why Not Push It Now?
  • Rosenberg: “So he’d be hurting himself to force something now if there really is nothing out there to create any leverage.” ([27:32])
  • Alan: “Even Shams [Charania] is saying a resolution to the talks…is expected in the coming weeks…ahead of the February 5th trade deadline.” ([28:00])
• Is Leverage Lost?
  • Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 30:00):
    “You blew your leverage, man…You’re telling everybody and their mother the only place you want to go is the Knicks…that ship sailed already.”
  • Alan floats: Should Giannis hint he’d stay in Milwaukee to create pressure for the Bucks to act ([30:28])?
• Why Fans Shouldn’t Sweat It:
  • Rosenberg: “They’re sitting in the catbird seat…It’s a new Knick world, okay?…You just have to be patient.” ([37:23])
  • The consensus: The Knicks have the power; wait until the offseason, then pounce if (when) Giannis makes his intentions clear. No need to overpay or panic.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Giants’ Player Development

• Alan Hahn [04:11]:
  “You draft him every single day of the week and twice on Sunday... It’s up to us now to get him to mature and grow up.”
• Peter Rosenberg [05:19]:
  “[Daboll] should have never been in that situation in the first place... You put Dable in a situation where he was coaching for his job.”

On Jackson Dart

• Lewis Riddick [11:19]:
  “You keep doing that in the NFL and you are going to have a very short career…”
• Don Hahn [13:07]:
  “He didn’t give you some PC answer. He just gave you what he feels: I played this way my whole life. This is why I’m successful. This is why I’m here. This is why you’re excited about me as a Giants quarterback. And now you want me to dial it back. I don’t know how to do that.”
• Alan Hahn [44:11]:
  “We know what his heart is…The point is not about making business decisions for your wallet, but about being able to have a competitive football season.”

On Giannis & the Knicks

• Don Hahn [26:40]:
  “Everybody’s talking...he just wants to play for the Knicks and he wants to be in New York… It was the same as Carmelo.”
• Peter Rosenberg [30:00]:
  “You blew your leverage, man...You’re telling everybody and their mother the only place you want to go is the Knicks.”
• Peter Rosenberg [37:23]:
  “This is not the same old Knicks. They’re sitting in the catbird seat… Just wait. And you know what, Giannis? You’re in great position. You’re going to go to where you want to go. You just have to be patient.”

Callers & Listener Reactions

• [41:39–45:57] Callers push back on Dart’s criticism:
  Multiple listeners defend Dart’s aggressiveness as what the “Giants need,” but Don, Alan and Peter refocus the discussion on the practical need for quarterback availability, not just guts and attitude.
  • Don Hahn [45:00]:
    “You can’t have it both ways...You’ll also criticize him for not being available because he got hurt…”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:27] – Giants’ Abdul Carter responds to criticism
• [05:19] – Handling Carter’s development as a leadership failure
• [08:44] – Lewis Riddick: Giants coaching job is still desirable
• [11:19] – Riddick on Jackson Dart’s need to adapt
• [13:07] – Dart’s mindset and player honesty
• [26:32] – Buzz on Giannis Antetokounmpo wanting Knicks
• [30:00] – Analysis of leverage in a potential Giannis trade
• [37:23] – “This is not the same old Knicks…” — why NYK can wait
• [41:39] – Listeners weigh in on Dart, player attitude vs. availability
• [46:44] – Drew Bledsoe anecdote: Protecting the franchise QB

Conclusion

This episode passionately explored the intersection of talent and maturity for young Giants stars, the consequences of coaching instability, and the ticking clock of making tough business decisions in the NFL. Jumping to basketball, the hosts deconstruct the Giannis-to-Knicks rumors, emphasizing New York’s newfound power, and why patience, not panic, will likely prevail. With spirited back-and-forths, analogies from both the NFL and NBA, and plenty of classic New York attitude, fans get an insightful snapshot of critical inflection points for two major franchises.

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