Hour 3: John Starks joins the show

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast: Hour 3 – John Starks Joins the Show Release Date: May 12, 2025

In this engaging episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Don Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and special guest John Starks delve deep into the New York Knicks' recent performance in the playoffs, particularly focusing on their matchup against the Boston Celtics. The conversation is rich with analysis, personal insights, and nostalgic moments that resonate with both seasoned fans and newcomers alike.

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1. Knicks vs. Celtics: A Critical Playoff Series

The episode kicks off with a detailed discussion about the Knicks' current standing in their playoff series against the Celtics. With the Knicks leading 2-1, the hosts emphasize the high stakes of the upcoming Game 4.

• Don Hahn [01:06]: "Damn right."

• Peter Rosenberg [01:35]: "This is kind of a must-win because if you let, you're letting the monster back in the house."

The team reflects on the Celtics' performance in Game 3, where Boston's exceptional three-point shooting (6 for 7 in the first quarter) significantly disrupted the Knicks' confidence.

• Don Hahn [02:16]: "All you've got to do is win one home game in the next two, and you're guaranteed a game seven."

2. Analyzing Game 3: What Went Wrong?

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the Celtics' dominance in Game 3 and its impact on the Knicks' morale.

• Don Hahn [03:11]: "Boston hit six of seven from three in the first quarter. Which team do you think was going to have more confidence?"

The hosts critique the Knicks' execution and intensity when up against a team that adapts and overcomes early setbacks.

• Peter Rosenberg [06:26]: "Jalen Brunson didn't like what he saw in Game three from his team."

Jalen Brunson's Leadership:

Brunson's remarks post-Game 3 highlighted the need for increased intensity and urgency, signaling a pivotal moment for the team's mindset.

• Don Hahn [04:24]: "Everything we need to do has to be done with more intensity, more urgency and more force."

3. The Impact of Star Players: Tatum and Brunson

The conversation shifts to the influence of key players like Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brunson.

• John Starks [05:17]: "He's making his mark. You can't say enough about what he brings to the team and his leadership."

The hosts discuss the importance of Tatum's versatility and Brunson's role as a steadying force for the Knicks.

• Don Hahn [12:04]: "Great players in the sport, like Brunson, are magnets. They draw everybody towards them."

4. Conversation with John Starks: Insights from a Legend

Former Knicks star John Starks joins the panel at Fan Plaza outside Madison Square Garden, offering his veteran perspective on the team's current challenges and prospects.

Intensity and Mental Toughness:

Starks emphasizes the necessity of maintaining high intensity and mental resilience, especially after a tough loss.

• John Starks [28:07]: "You have to get in there and shoot. You have to work and block everything out."

Relationship with Jalen Brunson:

Starks shares anecdotes about his relationship with Brunson, highlighting the latter's leadership and clutch performance.

• John Starks [47:09]: "Nothing. It's just a friendship. I appreciate his grit, his determination, his leadership."

Nostalgia and Fan Connection:

Reflecting on past eras, Starks reminisces about legendary Knicks moments and the unique energy of Madison Square Garden.

• John Starks [42:23]: "We had a lot of success here, and this arena just does something to you. You haven't played basketball in the NBA until you've played here."

5. Preparing for Game 4: Strategies and Expectations

As the discussion wraps up, the hosts and Starks outline their expectations and strategies for the upcoming Game 4.

• Peter Rosenberg [35:23]: "We have to knock down shots. We have to be more forceful, more aggressive."

• John Starks [35:31]: "You have to hit them first and let them know that you're here."

Fan Support and Team Morale:

Starks underscores the vital role of fan support in energizing the team, drawing parallels to his own experiences.

• John Starks [35:55]: "When players come here to New York and play in Madison Square Garden, it seems like we get the best out of everybody."

6. Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead

The episode concludes with a hopeful outlook for the Knicks, emphasizing the potential for redemption and the importance of seizing the momentum in Game 4.

• Don Hahn [34:40]: "Jalen Brunson came to me last year and said, we truly appreciate you guys, and that means a lot."

• John Starks [41:08]: "We are here for them. The fans are here for them, and tonight gonna be the night where we go get it done."

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Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg [01:38]: "They are the defending champions. Yeah, you have to figure even though Boston didn't play the best, but they were hitting their threes."

• John Starks [29:00]: "I'm driving in and I'm listening to some old Biggie, some Tupac rap, and it's like I'm getting ready for the game."

• Don Hahn [32:12]: "As Tom Thibodeau said, I do think the Knicks had a crisis in confidence when they were missing those early shots."

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This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the Knicks' playoff journey, enriched by John Starks' firsthand experiences and deep-seated passion for the team. Listeners gain valuable insights into the strategic adjustments needed for the Knicks to overcome their challenges and advance further in the playoffs.

For those eager to stay updated and gain more in-depth discussions, tune into future episodes of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg on 880 ESPN New York or through the ESPN New York app.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Color to confidently refresh your space.

[Don Hahn]

Lowes we help you save. Offer Valid in store only 58 through 5 14. Limit one per customer while supplies last. Discount taken at time of purchase. See Associate for details. Programs subject to terms and conditions. [e-mail] Terms subject to change this is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

5 o' clock in the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg live outside Madison Square Garden for Game four tonight between the Knicks and the Celtics. Knicks fans rep the Orange and blue with the latest pieces from the Knicks Playoff collection. Head to knicks.comshop to shop now. And it's so weird. We open the show with this Knicks are up 2:1. We need to constantly remind people the Knicks are up in this series two one.

[John Starks]

Damn right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Taking two of the first three games they're due to win at home. But there is this sense of wow. This is kind of a must win because if you let, you're letting the monster back in the house, right? You did a great job. You're the underdog. You take two games in Boston. And let's not forget too. We could talk all you want about, oh, you know, when the series started, you'd be happy if there was a Game 7. But let's not forget, after winning the first two games in Boston, Vegas had them as the favorite to win the series.

[Don Hahn]

Well, they were tied, remember that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But minus 110. So minus 110 money. As opposed to being what, minus 900 going into the series, whatever it was. So things certainly flipped. The way you lost Saturday was disconcerting, right? So as much as you're apprehensive and nervous and as as much as I'll agree, I think the winner of this game wins the series, you are still up to one and you still have not played your best basketball. So there's a lot going into this game where you can feel pretty good. If you're a Knick fan, you're guaranteed.

[Don Hahn]

Two more home games. Guaranteed.

[Unknown]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

And with that in mind, you have to win one home game. That's all you got to do to get a Game 7, the amount that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You'Ve won so far in the playoffs.

[Don Hahn]

All you've got to do is win One home game in the next two, and you're guaranteed a game seven.

[John Starks]

Come on now.

[Don Hahn]

Now, Game three, the team should have come out with an urgency of, if we go up 3, 0, history tells us it's over, right? It's a wrap. But instead, it seemed like they came out as if they were almost rattled a little bit or overwhelmed a little bit. And a lot of it had to do with the fact that they. They got some good shots early in offense and they rimmed out or they bounced out, or they just, like they were good looks that didn't go in. Then there was some hesitation, then there was some bad body language. Tom Thibodeau said, it felt like the missed shots early affected our intensity. Boston, on the other hand, see 1 for 7 from 3 in the first quarter versus 6 for 7 from 3 in the first Quarter. Which team do you think was going to have more confidence?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

Of course, the one that hit six of seven. But that's where it started and it never got better. In games one and two, they went down 20, but. But they kept punching and they kept punching and they kept punching and it's. Eventually those missed shots by Boston started affecting them mentally, and the Knicks had two big runs and put the game away because they have the best closer in the game and they have the type of team that has been there, done that with this stuff. But Jalen Brunson didn't like what he saw in Game three from his team. And it's amazing that. And I, and I say this, he is the captain, he is the guy that will speak as a leader, but he doesn't give the media a lot. He's very careful with what he says after games. And I said this at the start of the show. I'm going to repeat it for the new audience. He said, I don't think we came with the mindset of being satisfied, but I think there was subconsciously satisfied that's not the way we need to approach the game. And then later on, he said something that really caught my attention. He said, everything we need to do has to be done with more intensity, more urgency and more force. And when a reporter asked about pick and roll defense and something on the offense, he said, it's not anything schematically. It's more, do we want it? That last question, that's a strong statement for a guy that doesn't ever like to give the media anything. That's him asking his team through the media, how bad you want this. Do you think you can win this series if you do show me game four in your building. Because three zero maybe isn't on the table anymore, but three one is still a very significant lead in a playoff series.

[John Starks]

Who, Don, who do you think he would most be talking to?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you could be talking about Towns, who's only hit 1 3, although statistically, what the 25 and 15.

[Don Hahn]

20 and 20 and 15.

[John Starks]

Although like 10 were from the free throw line on Saturday, so he could be better foul.

[Don Hahn]

And he's still 10 for 11 for the free throw line. 20 and 15. The last nick player. Shout out the name if anybody knows it. The last Nick player to go back to back playoff games with 20 and 15, 20. It's not a hard one. You could just shout out a guy that you thought would have done 20 and 15. 15 rebound. Who said Patrick Ewing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[John Starks]

Nailed it that long.

[Don Hahn]

Patrick Ewing, 1992. By the way, most of the people in front of us weren't probably here 33 years ago. Yeah, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a long time ago. Let's. Let's dissect what Brunson said. First of all, the obvious. It just shows you how big this game is because that came out of the mouth of the leader of a team that's up 2:1 in the series, all right? Not down. So that shows you the significance of this game. Because if the Knicks, if the same thing happens, there's nowhere to go. He can't give the same speech. It'll sound ridiculous.

[Don Hahn]

But he felt like he needed to say it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he felt like he needed to say it because like I said, the. The monster's back in the house now. And now you got to try to get it out. It was difficult enough to win those two games in Boston, and now it's all of a sudden become difficult to win at home. You've lost three straight home games here. What's going on? You haven't won since game one of the Pistons series. And even that wasn't a great. You won by 11, but it wasn't your best show.

[Don Hahn]

I had to rally in that game. Remember, it was a 21 to nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Run, 220 run to just be able to capture that one lone win at Madison Square Garden. But I've always felt, and Peter will tell you, because there's always a topic of conversation on the K show. How can you not be ready? How can you not have intensity? You're professionals. And I always felt, maybe not in this case, but I've always felt that whenever an athlete says we weren't ready, we didn't want it enough is a way of saying the other team was better. And no professional athlete ever wants to admit that we lost to a better team. You always want to put it on yourself, like, oh, we weren't ready. Give it another opportunity. We're going to beat them. I do sense a little bit of that in him because, yeah, maybe there was a lack of intensity and certainly, you know, down 30, you know, they weren't able to muster what they were able to bring in games one and two, but games one and two were there. How much of it was a lack of intensity or how much it was, you know, it just didn't execute. Celtics just better. They hit 50% of their threes after earning only 25% in the first two. How much of it was just that.

[Don Hahn]

When you say weren't ready, it's. I don't think it's a saying weren't ready to play. Weren't ready for what they. They brought us. We weren't ready for that. Like, you knew they were going to come with four. You knew the Celtics were not going to walk into this game and think they have. They lived this. Two years ago, they went down 02 at home against Miami in the Eastern Conference finals. Then they went down to Miami, the Celtics did, and they walked into that game like, we're fine. We got this. And they got smacked right, and they were down in 03. So they go from their own demonstrated performance, they knew they had to bring game three at a different level because they've already lived it. They already had a failure to learn from the Knicks in this situation was a different thing that they were like, all right, you know, they're going to play better. But they didn't know it was going to be like that because Boston came at them and came at them and came at them and didn't stop. And they were. They were exploiting every weakness they could. And that was something that I think when you say we weren't ready, we weren't ready for what they were bringing, like, that was different. They didn't miss a 3, 6, 7 in the first quarter, like I told you, set a tone. And as Tom Thibodeau said, I do think the Knicks had a crisis in confidence when they were missing those early shots and their intensity that should always be brought in the defensive end, no matter what, wasn't there at the right level. And you blink against this team and you're down 16 after 1.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that's got to fall at the feet of Tibbs as well. Right? That's Got to be a constant reminder. Hey, guys, we haven't taken their best shot yet. Get ready. They're going to be heard from. They're the defending champions. Yeah. You had to figure even though Boston didn't play the best, but they, they were hitting their threes. Obviously they doubled the percentage, but you had to feel that game was in them. Right. Eventually these shots are going to fall. So what are we going to do? We just going to lose the game? Are we going to.

[Don Hahn]

20 of 40 is 50%. During the regular season, they were 35. Like their. Their back of the baseball card is 35, not 50. They were. Think about it. They made 25 threes in the first two games. They made 20 in one game, but. So that's not a norm for them either. That was another worldly game for them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But.

[John Starks]

But at the same time, you can't.

[Don Hahn]

Expect them to do this again.

[John Starks]

But the reason they end up at 35 is because they have games like the first two and they have games like they had Saturday so that they are due for a game like that. And. Okay, they have.

[Don Hahn]

Are they due for two games like that?

[John Starks]

No, but the problem with this Knicks team is the Celtics. Sorry. The Celtics don't have to shoot 50% from three to win. They have to shoot 50% from three to Win to be up by 30 the whole game. If they'd shot what, Allen, 38%? You tell me, they wouldn't have won. Now, granted, it's hard to figure it out. Right.

[Don Hahn]

Scored him by 45 points at the 3.

[John Starks]

But the Knicks offense would have been different too, with those misses. That was a positive thing for the Knicks. Calm down.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, they're just putting. Don't be so sensitive.

[Don Hahn]

It is not you.

[John Starks]

Oh, I thought it was me. I'm sorry. When people boo as I'm talking about the Celtics, I assumed it was for me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but.

[Don Hahn]

No, in all seriousness, everybody can get it today.

[John Starks]

If the, if the Celtics miss more threes, then maybe the Knicks turn around and get more transition points. But the truth of the matter is this Celtics team, God, when you watch them play, man, who do you want want shooting an open 3?

[Don Hahn]

Go.

[John Starks]

Go through the guys who shoot them. There's not a name I will come up with. Even. Even Horford. By the way, if Horford gets a step back from the top of the key on a normal day, he's good for it's.

[Don Hahn]

It's everything I prepared for the MSG pregame show. It is Peyton Pritchard in this series is 8 for 18. On, on what's considered wide open threes.

[John Starks]

Almost 50%.

[Don Hahn]

He was 5 for 8. He was 5 for 10 in the game. He was 5 for 8 on, on wide open threes. Yeah, eight wide open threes. This is a guy that in the playoffs is shooting 45 from three. Like the scouting.

[John Starks]

The whole league knows what he does.

[Don Hahn]

He's a sick man of the year. You don't leave him open. But because they're helping, because it's a lot of this like panic of running around, you forget like only that dude open. Like Derrick White. Same thing. Derek White, I believe he was 3 for 4 and wide open threes like in that game.

[John Starks]

And by the way that you were get.

[Don Hahn]

You were paying for it versus the first two when they were wide open threes. They weren't making them.

[John Starks]

Yeah, but here, here's the thing. So you have, you have Tatum and Brown who can hit semi contested threes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[John Starks]

But then there are guys like Derrick White and Drew Holiday and Peyton Pritchard who. They're not going to beat you on contested threes. But you cannot let them get wide open threes. When Drew Holiday gets two seconds to gather himself, he hits open.

[Don Hahn]

Why do they.

[John Starks]

Everyone does.

[Don Hahn]

Why do they get them?

[John Starks]

I guess because they're so focused on Tatum and Brown.

[Don Hahn]

Because if, if Tatum beats his first guy or off a screen, what do we do? We all gotta take. That's why we say the great players in the sport and Brunson's one of them, they're like magnets. They have this ability to draw everybody towards them and it opens the game up for everybody else. And that works to perfection in Boston because they have good space shooters and two phenomenal one on one.

[John Starks]

Do you ever watch, do you ever watch Tatum when he's like outside the three point line, just, just handling the ball, how easily he handles the ball. And look at his size and be like, who is this dude?

[Don Hahn]

Like we really.

[John Starks]

He is not a sexy superstar. People, for whatever reason do not give Tatum his props.

[Unknown]

Ayo.

[John Starks]

But they don't talk about it. But the truth is if you watch the way that dude plays, he's a giant, man. He has crazy handles and could go to the rack every time. I can't do the pause game all day with you guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm talk.

[John Starks]

Talking about a big sexy man with strong arms who could probably hug you tightly and jam it in if he needs to. Jam it right in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Go right to the hole.

[Don Hahn]

Hard lot of drops. We just, we just lost Peter for a lot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, a lot A lot.

[Unknown]

No, he.

[John Starks]

But he really is a problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And.

[John Starks]

And sometimes you see that, and it ends up resulting in guys like Hauser getting shots, Pritchard getting shots, whoever it is. Because who can really match up with a guy who has the handles, the size, all of the things that OG.

[Don Hahn]

Anunoby, which for two games. Yeah, but in game three, getting screened off, getting lost on them, that was a big part of it. But Anunoby, this whole season, when he's one on one with him, Tatum can't deal with it. That's why they keep trying to get him off.

[John Starks]

What was that stat? It was like 75 possessions. He scored four times.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, yeah, he. Anunoby definitely can guard him. The issue is that Boston knows it and they do whatever they can to screen him off, which is the Horford screens. You saw it in game two. Like, there's a lot of that. And what happens is if he gets Brunson on him or he gets Towns on him, it's night, night termite. You can't have that happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I've never heard that.

[Don Hahn]

That's a Wally Zerbiak.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a Zerbia.

[Don Hahn]

I use that for Wally.

[John Starks]

Night termite.

[Don Hahn]

I use that for Wally.

[Unknown]

Interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would blame somebody else for that, too. What do you mean blame, Don?

[Don Hahn]

You don't like that?

[John Starks]

No, you know what?

[Unknown]

I do?

[John Starks]

I go ahead back and workshop it a bit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. You know what I mean? It feels incomplete.

[Don Hahn]

It just. It's. It's. It's complete.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You didn't test that in front of.

[Don Hahn]

You got kids. Usually on your kids. They'll love it.

[John Starks]

Night, night, termite. Well, no, no. Who wants to think about a termite right before bedtime? Your kids are gonna go, daddy, what's a termite? You start describing it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a horrible thing. Worried about the. The structural integrity of the house at that point. I mean, I. I feel like termites.

[John Starks]

Were much more part of conversation in the 80s than today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't hear about. It's more of an 80s bug.

[John Starks]

Oh, yeah, they mites. They're gone.

[Unknown]

Did they, though?

[John Starks]

Oh, I think so.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know about that one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's go to Adam. Staten Island. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Adam?

[Unknown]

Hey, guys.

[Don Hahn]

What's up, man? Excited about tonight, but I want to see this team come out and play with some professional pride.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Smack like that.

[Don Hahn]

I hope they watch that Taste this game, because you want to know something?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cleveland was the number one seed.

[Don Hahn]

Right. Does anyone now think they have a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Shot in this series, I want to see the Knicks put their fist through.

[Don Hahn]

Their chest and rip out their heart and take it to them tonight and make them feel like they don't have a shot to come back in this series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I get what you're saying. Adam, and Alan's been saying it throughout the broadcast, but the one thing we always say in sports is when you don't score, it feels like you're lacking intensity. Something's wrong. The Yankees only had two hits. They didn't bring it today. The Rangers got shut out. Well, the Knicks didn't hit their shot. So is it a lack of intensity or they just didn't hit their shots? They were off, like.

[Don Hahn]

But is it in this sport, though? And I think in baseball, too, it could affect you how you play in the field, right? Defense?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, absolutely.

[Don Hahn]

Offense, good offense helps, helps your defense, bad offense hurts. Your defense. I think that's a real thing. It's human emotion. You got a guy that's over three at the plate with three strikeouts and a ground ball comes to him and he boots it. Normally you're like, it's in his head. He's too busy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know, but, But.

[Don Hahn]

And I think in basketball, the same thing. You missed a couple of shots. Now all of a sudden, at this end of the floor, your intensity isn't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There, but you're also, again, to defend. The knicks in game three, you're down 20 for the third straight game, and you showed the intensity. You hung there for the first two in Boston. I mean, you can't.

[John Starks]

That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a tough recipe to win games. Right. At some point, you're going to be like, I. We just can't do it again.

[Don Hahn]

Especially when they keep making their shots.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right? Well, exactly.

[Don Hahn]

Then you just, oh, my God, I can't make a shot. And these guys won't miss.

[John Starks]

Isn't that the part you can get upset about? The effort? Like, why did the Celtics shoot 48% from the floor? Was it as simple as they just made all their shots or were they not getting contested?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you remember from three, but 48 overall, they didn't contest any threes in game one. Right. There were 45 uncontested threes, and the Celtics missed 32 of them.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, so that's part of the equation, too. It's like, you know, the Celtics have really controlled where they are right now. They've had a major say, you know, you want to see why they're down, too?

[Don Hahn]

Well, you want to see a home team ride the Crowd momentum and actually feel good and have that kind of confidence. Play with a little bit of juice instead of play tentative, nervous, hesitant, whatever it is. Like, that's the weird thing about the second round of the playoffs. We just haven't seen enough of that where it just feels like the home team start these games off and they're a little tight. And until Indiana last night, which Indiana steamrolled. But until that happened, we were seeing home teams just being a little hesitant, a little soft, whatever it is. It's hard to explain because there used to be a thing called home court advantage, and that was a real thing. But in the NBA lately it's not. And that's hard to figure out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Very hard.

[Don Hahn]

But Jalen Brunson said what he said for a reason after that game. There's a reason why he said what he said. And that's why I'm curious to see how they start this game. Will there be the force? He's talking about the intensity. He's talking about the purpose and the. Also the urgency to know that this is not an elimination game. But it sure hell feels like an.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Elimination game, does it not?

[Don Hahn]

Feels like a must win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It does feel like that. No question about it. The Knicks won and covered all three playoff games refereed by Scott Foster last season. Guess who he'll be on the floor again tonight for? Knicks Celtics game four.

[Don Hahn]

You know, the officials hate this. They hate that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, the other thing is, who's broadcasting the game tonight?

[Don Hahn]

Did you see that stat there?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, just, it's very, it's, it's amazing.

[Don Hahn]

That they, they, they are winless on ABC this season.

[John Starks]

Based on the trucks. Based on the trucks to our right, Don, I think it's espn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, because.

[Don Hahn]

Well, no, no, no, it is tnt.

[John Starks]

So those are just the trucks from the other day.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, it's tnt.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're staying TNT in the last two years in the.

[Don Hahn]

It is ESPN today. It is ESPN tonight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, so this will counter.

[Don Hahn]

Peter. Peter. What? What an observation, by the way.

[John Starks]

Peter just looked at the truck. Well, the huge Monday Night Football logos. I, I'm going with ESPN now. That stat was the stat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Never mind the stat, how they played on ABC 7 30. But the last two years, in the second round, the Knicks are what, 70 on TNT? 0 and 8 on ESPN or ABC.

[Don Hahn]

That doesn't make sense.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that tells me they're due. I'm a big dude guy, you know that.

[John Starks]

No, you are a big dude. And by the way, it has to happen. Also, Spike Lee has changed his shoes for today's game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that I didn't care about.

[John Starks]

He's going from Jordan's to Tim's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think people just don't want him in the building. No, he was not in the building in Boston. They won. He was in the building at the Garden.

[John Starks]

He can't do that. He has to be in the building.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, well guys, we'll ask the people here. Do you care.

[Don Hahn]

Don't do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That Spike changed his, his, his sneakers to Timberlands or do you want him out in the building? I can't tell what he's.

[Don Hahn]

I don't, I don't.

[John Starks]

Do you guys want Spike Lee in the building tonight?

[Unknown]

Split.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They love Spike but they love winning more.

[John Starks]

What about, what about this? Do you want Timothy Chalamet in the building tonight?

[Unknown]

That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This does not look like a Timothy Chalamet crowd.

[John Starks]

What is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know what a crowd of Timothy Chalamet fans, 13 year old girls.

[Don Hahn]

I do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh yeah.

[Unknown]

Oh really?

[John Starks]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't see that. I guess I can see. Yeah, he's a good looking kid and he's a hell of an actor too.

[Don Hahn]

Does it matter though who's in the building? No, it doesn't matter who's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, the officiating. I think there's something to it, right? I mean I. Obviously the style about that.

[Don Hahn]

That means they're due, but I hate.

[John Starks]

That you guys want to see Carmelo Anthony in the building.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Here we go. How about this? Do you guys want to see John Starks here? Because that's a reality. He's going to be here in just a minute. How about that?

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So John Starks is going to be joining us enn coming up at 6:00, it's Don Hahn and Rosenberg. We're hanging out here between 6th and 7th, 7th and 8th Avenue on 33rd street for the watch party as we get you ready for Game 4 of Celtics and the Knicks. It's all happening right here on 880 ESPN New York and the ESPN New York app.

[John Starks]

All right guys, let me talk to you about what Amazon pickup can do for you, all right? First and foremost you're thinking Amazon. Well, 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. So you can then choose when deliveries come in your home or apartment. If it's not ideal where the packages go, maybe a convenient pickup location like an Amazon locker or counter between work and the newborn at home. My schedule is crazy and Amazon Pickup gives me peace of mind and lets me pick up packages on my own time. So order online and at checkout. Simply select the pickup location that works best for you at when your package arrives, you get a delivery confirmation email that notifies you that your 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 Amazon packages at no additional cost. Head to Amazon.com pickupmvp to learn more.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

This episode is brought to you by Chevy Silverado when it's time for you to ditch the blacktop and head off road, do it in a truck. That system no to nothing. The Chevy Silverado Trail Boss get the rugged capability of its Z71 suspension and 2 inch factory lift plus impressive torque and towing capacity thanks to an available Duramax 3 liter turbo diesel engine. Where other trucks call it quits, you'll just be getting started. Visit chevy.com to learn more.

[Don Hahn]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know if you knew this.

[Don Hahn]

But anyone can get the same Premium.

[John Starks]

Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying.

[Don Hahn]

It's not just for celebrities so so do like I did and have one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today.

[John Starks]

I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail].

[Peter Rosenberg]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month.

[Don Hahn]

Required intro rate first 3 months only.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Then full price plan options available, taxes.

[Don Hahn]

And fees, extra fee full [e-mail] thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[John Starks]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Game time is brought to you by Telemardu Irish Whiskey because when it's game time. You guys ready?

[Don Hahn]

No. They're gonna boo Celtics fans. Yeah strong.

[John Starks]

If Don doesn't turn this into extra money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Knicks look to get back on track against the Celtics game four with coverage on 10:50am beginning at 6:30.

[John Starks]

Oh yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bets start a series with the Pirates like you read about with coverage immediately following this broadcast right here on 880 at 6:30. And the Yankees open a series in Seattle versus the Mariners at 9:40. Tullimore Dew. The original triple distilled, triple blending, triple cask matured Iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew honey. During today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew. Responsible. Oh boy, there he is.

[John Starks]

The icon, the legend Starks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That feels good, no?

[Unknown]

Yeah, it does.

[Don Hahn]

Never gets old, right?

[Unknown]

Not at all.

[Don Hahn]

How are you feeling Saturday afternoon around this time before the game? Just. It felt like a buzz in this city. Just, just walking the street outside the hasn't felt like this again. Only you can relate to how that felt. But you were a little busy getting into the building and putting up shots. How did it feel to you? And does this feel like the old days?

[Unknown]

It does feel like the old days. It felt great. Before the start of the game. Well, yeah, but no, it's. You can sense it. You know, obviously when the Knicks are doing very well, the city is just electric and it's good to see that the fans have something to cheer about now and we could sense that we're there. You know, we just got to get over the finish line and you know, Boston is obviously a tough task, but, you know, I feel like our guys are up for it. You know, that was a tough loss on Saturday, but, you know, you have to learn from those losses and understand what you did right and what you did wrong. And so I'm pretty sure they went back to the drawing board and they should come out and play a lot better tonight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, did you buy into what Brunson said about intensity and wanting it more? Did you understand his message? Do you agree with the message?

[Unknown]

No, I agree 100%. That's what it felt like when they started the game. You know, I didn't see it out there, and I'm pretty sure you guys didn't see it and the fans didn't see it. You know, we build the excitement up and we just lay the egg, you know, in a sense. And so I know those guys felt it and they probably was ashamed of their performance, which rightfully so, they should be. So I expect for them to come out with a little bit more intensity playing against, you know, world champions.

[Don Hahn]

Take me into the locker room and take me into the mindset of a player after a game like that. You played a million playoff games and you played in a lot of intense ones. And there were the. The occasional laden egg performances.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

What?

[Unknown]

But not like this. Not like that.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Unknown]

Yeah, that was tough.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, actually. Right. Because you guys never let. This was. This, I believe, was tied for the worst playoff loss in franchise history, going back many years, but still after a game where it feels like, man, we could have done more, we could have. We should have been more. That shouldn't have happened. How do you just turn it around? It's literally two days later and you got to play it again in front of this crowd in this building with a chance to go up 3, 1. Let's not forget that part of it either.

[Unknown]

Yeah. You know, the beautiful thing about players is that we have short memories and we get over it. And like I said, you have to understand what you did wrong at the beginning of that game. And. And the lack of intensity is kind of unfathomable, you know, just to think about, you know, big playoff game.

[Don Hahn]

The.

[Unknown]

The city is abuzz. The arena is just electric and no show, you know what I mean? And, and I know those guys, like I said before, they're ashamed of their performance, which they should be. And I know they gonna come out and play with a little bit more intensity, a little bit more grit. You know, you got to hit first. That's what Coach Riley used to tell us all the time. You have to punch them in the mouth first and let them know that you are here. And I think that's what they gonna have to do.

[John Starks]

Starting at 7:30 now, John, Larry Johnson, your guy LJ was up here last week. And when we talked about the fanship of this team, he. He basically described you as a psychopath. He said. He said you're out of control. You're screaming to the players every minute. He said he thinks you're coaching the team. How intense are these games for you, though, man?

[Unknown]

I'm driving in and I'm listening to some old Biggie, some Tupac rap, and it's like I'm getting ready for the game, you know what I mean? As a fan now, And I'm just as passionate as they are about this team and in our chances. And so I think that's the way you have to be, you know what I mean? As a player, but definitely as fans. You know, I didn't really understand what fans go through until I'm sitting down there on that baseline and I'm like, oh, man, I understand it now. You know, they put their heart and soul and cheering and supporting this team, and you just want the best for them. And I'm the same way. You know, I want the best for these guys. There's a great group of guys in that locker room, a family, and so I'm excited for them with this opportunity.

[Don Hahn]

What was it like? I always liken you to, like, the uncle at the AAU game because you got the towel around your neck.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

A little belligerent on the sideline, but when you're watching, as a former player, Mitchell Robinson at the free throw line.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And the crowd, which. This is New York. I mean, you miss a couple, you're going to hear it.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

But instead it was almost like, come on, we know you can make one, and he makes one. It was like, almost like Mike Green went bang, right? Like, what is it like, though, for you watching him? Is it. Is it like a train wreck? Are you going, oh, my God. Or are you thinking the same thing? Like, I want to pull him aside, just tell him, elbow in hierarch. Like, what do you go through with during that moment on game three?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Same thing.

[Unknown]

I'm just watching his form. You know, exactly what I'm doing. I'm watching his form, and, you know, you kind of want to wheel that ball into the basket form, like all the. All the fans are trying to do, and. And I'm pretty sure that he's appreciative of the fans and them not born and trying to lift him up. And that's what we need. We need that type of support. You know, like I said, Boston is, you know, a handful, and so we need the fans to support us no matter what. And that goes a long way with the players and the energy that they bring to the court. And when they know the fans is behind them and they know those guys sitting, like myself, sitting on the baseline and cheering them on. And like, Jalen Brunson came to me last year and said, we truly appreciate you guys, and that means a lot. You know what I mean? So we here for them. The fans are here for them, and tonight gonna be the night where we go get it done.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If it's a mechanical issue with Mitch, it'll be just, you know, go to the gym, work on it. But when it's mental, what do you do as an athlete when clean? Clearly you got the yips.

[Unknown]

Go to the gym and work on it. Yeah, you have to get in there. You have to. I don't care if you shoot a hundred until you get it right or a thousand until you get it right. You just got to get in there and. And shoot. I can remember Giannis in game number seven, and, you know, he was missing free throws and missing free throws, and he was out there for hours shooting free throw. I think he went like, what, 16, 17 is some crazy number and end up scoring like 40, some 50 something or whatever, you know, and then street throw shooting was just incredible. But that's what it takes. You know, you have to get in the gym and you have to work and you have to block everything out.

[Don Hahn]

Do you feel pressure in this game? I know it's not anywhere near elimination, and they're still up to one. It's like we keep talking about the skies falling. You're still up to one. Yes, but because of the way Saturday went, there is this concern. But do you look at this game and feel like it's not elimination game, but it has a must win kind of feel to it? Would you agree?

[Unknown]

No question. You know, we rather go up 3:1 instead of going back to Boston 2:2, obviously. And these guys understand the magnitude of the moment. You know, right now that's. That's in front of them. And I think it's important that we get this game. You know what I mean? We have to put some pressure on Boston. You know, they feel confident that they can just blow us out whenever they want to. And you can see it on their face. And, you know, they. They looked at the first two games that they blew it, and. But we went in and walked through the door and got those two games, and that. That's very important. You know, this last game, you know, for whatever reason, we just wasn't ready. But this is the game right here that we have to come out and get.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We know Brunson's important. Outside of Brunson, who are you looking at?

[Unknown]

O.J.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Have to have a big game. Oh, Jay.

[Unknown]

Go, O.J. o.J. You know, I know he's a little disappointed in his performance in game three. Probably not touching the ball enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Unknown]

I like to see him get more involved early on because when he scores 20 plus, we normally win. And I think that, you know, we have to make the point to get him going, you know, you know, him guarding the toughest guy out there and Jason Tatum and not able to go back at him. That's kind of frustrating as a player. And so I think it needs to be a point to, you know, let him, you know, go do his thing, you know, because he's a bull, he's a handful, and once he get going, you know, we're a much better team.

[Don Hahn]

What was it like for you having a home playoff game here in this building? Because the team's one in three this year. We're seeing it all over.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And until last night, it was 06. The home teams were in the east until Indiana won last night. I think it's 10, 4 in the second round overall, both conferences. And it does feel like even the people in Boston were saying, the Celtics got tight, the crowd got anxious, they were missing shots, and they think they got tight by their own crowd.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And the Knicks sometimes play that way in this building. Did you experience that or is this just a different thing?

[Unknown]

I didn't never experience. I always loved home. Home court advantage is the best. And I'm not sure, you know, what's going on, you know, throughout the league with, you know, teams playing at home, but it seems like it's. It's a thing now, you know, that the home team is going to lose, but I don't think it's going to be the case tonight. You know, the most important thing with Boston is you have to keep it close and let the best closer in the game and Jalen Brunson take over. And that's what he does. And so, you know, the opportunity is there, so we just gonna see what these guys come out and do. But I feel good about tonight, and I feel like they gonna come out and give Boston a good beat down.

[John Starks]

It feels like. It feels like the key to that, John, would be them coming out and having a good first quarter for once, and not because you don't want this building to start getting nervous and tight right out of the gate.

[Unknown]

Yeah, yeah. You know, you have to get off to a fast start. I think you can't ease into these games. And I think last. Last game we eased into it. And Boston is the type of team, when you do that, they can get right on top of you very quickly. You know, they hit shots, you know, and you expect for them to hit shots. You don't expect for them to go 25 for 100 in two games.

[John Starks]

Right.

[Unknown]

You know, eventually they gonna start knocking down shots. They got great shooters. Pritchard came in and killed us. You know, we got to get his little tail under control. So. But, you know, we have. We have to knock down shots. We have to be more forceful, more aggressive. And I think that's the key to going out and beating them. And you, like I said before, you got to hit them first and let them know that you're here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the Smuckers Uncrustables podcast with your host Uncrustables. Okay, today's guest is rough around the edges. Please welcome crust. Thanks for having me.

[John Starks]

Today's topic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's round with soft, pillowy bread.

[Unknown]

Hey.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Filled with delicious PB and J. Are you talking about yourself? And you can take him anywhere. Why'd you invite. And we are out of time.

[John Starks]

Are you really cutting me off?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Uncrustables are the best part of the sandwich. Sorry, crust. Starting a business can seem like a daunting task unless you have a partner like Shopify. They have the tools you need to start and grow your business. From designing a website to marketing, to selling and beyond, Shopify can help with everything you need. There's a reason millions of companies like Mattel, Heinz and Allbirds continue to trust and use them. With Shopify on your side, turn your big business idea into sign up for your $1 per month [e-mail] specialoffer hi, this is Debbie, your blinds.com design consultant. Oh, wow, a real person.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I am to help you with everything.

[Unknown]

From selecting the perfect window treatments to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I've got a complicated project. Oh, not a problem.

[John Starks]

I can even schedule a professional measure and install.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We can also send you samples fast and free. I just might have to do more. Oh, okay.

[Don Hahn]

So the first room we're looking at is for guests.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Shop blinds.com now and get up to 50% off with minimum purchase. Blinds.com rules and restrictions may apply. You know, social media supplies so much information. It was sent over that when Scott Foster was the official last year, the Knicks covered all of their all three playoff games that he played. Won all three. Did you scout officials when you played, did you know what your record was with the certain officials on the floor?

[Unknown]

No, not really. We know. We knew what officials go. How they gonna call the game. We did know that, but we didn't think about, you know, we lost this game or that game with this certain official here. We just know if they gonna let us play a different way and what have you, you know, most the way the playoffs going, man, you can get up and play aggressive. And I like that. They went back to the old school rules, letting these guys play aggressive because I think the fans appreciate that, that intensity and that brings it out in them. And so, you know, that's. That's the mentality we have to have tonight. We had to. We had to come out and hit them first and get on top of them instead of letting them get on top of us.

[Don Hahn]

What did you think of that Pistol Boston series? Was that right up your alley? Were you. Were you like, get me out, man?

[Unknown]

I was loving it. I was loving it. That's a good young team over there. Oh, yeah, you know what I mean? They have a superstar in the making in K. Cunningham, and they have all the pieces. I think Bernie Bickerstaff is the right coach for them. You know, he's the type of guy that gonna get on top of you, you know what I mean, if you ain't doing your job and stuff like that. I didn't think Monty did a good job with him last year, because Monty is a veteran coach. He liked veterans.

[Don Hahn]

They were such a young roster.

[Unknown]

Yeah, they was a young roster, you.

[Don Hahn]

Know what I mean? They brought in JB and they brought in the vets like Tobias and Tim Hardaway Jr. And you just. I mean, the Schroeder pickup was tremendous. Yeah, you get some grownups in that room and now all of a sudden, you know, they were competitive. But that series, they. It was no blood, no foul. It felt like.

[Unknown]

No, I. I love it. And that takes you back to the days when we played and that's when referees just let you play basketball and they try to stay out of, out of your way. And so. Yeah, but I think that series got us ready for this, you know what I mean? Because that was a grinding, grinding series. And this, this should be the same type of series.

[John Starks]

We are talking to the iconic John Starks here at Fan Plaza outside Madison Square Garden, getting ready for game four tonight. There's been conversation, John, over the last couple of weeks about just how great Jalen Brunson is and where he could end up in the all time conversation for Knicks. Obviously, it's very early in his Knicks journey, the choice to make. The choice to make less money that he made and then follow it up playing the way he has. Where do you see him at this early stage in the neck, the Knicks lexicon? All time.

[Unknown]

He's definitely up there, no question. And he's making his mark. Like I say, he got a long way to go, but you can't say enough about what he brings to the, to the, to the team and his leadership and the way he plays in big moments, you know, he's never afraid. I always go back to those Villanova days. He's always the constant one to steady the team and always made the big shots, you know, and even going back to high school, I seen some about high school and you know, he was just saying he's incredible. He's been doing his whole life. You know what I mean? I think him growing up around the game truly helps with his confidence.

[John Starks]

How much. How much do you think, like, it doesn't get talked about that often. How much do you think the championship medal of all these Villanova kids who have been there before, how much does that matter in a spot like this when they've had do or die games in the tournament and won them winning six straight to win a title?

[Unknown]

Yeah, it means a lot. You know, you can draw on experience. You know, even though it's at the college level, it still transcend to the NBA level. Knowing that you've been in those big moments, knowing that you're not afraid of the moment. And those guys are not afraid of the moment because they've been there, they didn't want championships. And so, you know, it's great to have them here. I'm glad they on our side. And so. So, like I said, I'm excited about tonight, Don.

[John Starks]

Let's just hope that the whatever's being smoked out here at Fan Plaza doesn't make its way to the Knicks.

[Don Hahn]

It's going to be. I'll tell you what I got. I got in a little bit. Do the MSG pregame show. If I'm giggling. Yeah, just understand that you're all my witnesses. If I start giggling, it's something. Wally.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, listen, I've always said our audience is high, so our audience is here. As you've said many times, they partake. All right, you get. You walk into this building for games. What's the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of your career walking into this building?

[Unknown]

Just all the success that we had in this building. The fans, you know, the people that with the organization, you know, security guards, the concession people, you know, just everybody. You know, we had a lot of success here and, you know, I'm thankful that I got the opportunity to play here in New York and experience that, because until you play here, you haven't played basketball in the NBA. That's how I feel. And this arena just does something to you. As you know, when players come here, they want to play their best. They can be having the worst season ever, but when they show up here to New York and play in Madison Square Garden, seems like we get the best out of everybody. And that's what this ren. This arena brings out. And so we hoping for the best tonight. Yeah, and I feel like we're going to get the best out of. Out of our team tonight.

[Don Hahn]

So it's Confirmed that you are the guy on alumni row. Which, by the way, how brilliant was it to start this, where you guys are sitting right there on the court and it works out that you. You guys all show the passion for it.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

But we all know that you lead the way, that you're the guy that's going to be up every time and doing whatever, and maybe occasionally. Trey Young heard from you a few times, I think nobody had a problem with. But is there another guy that's low key also off the rails when the game gets intense, that you get all the. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, we see that.

[Unknown]

Yeah, he does.

[Don Hahn]

He's right there with you. But it's like. Like, can you. Do you have to grab LJ or do you even, like, have to get like. Like, I know Bernard. Like, he's like royalty. He just kind of sits there and he watched. But is there. Is there someone that, you know, Like, I think sometimes Spree. Every now and then he bounces up.

[Unknown]

Yeah, Spree, get up, Junior. Yeah, it's like, definitely, definitely, you know, these guys, you know, this time of the year is when you want to be here. You know what I mean?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Probably not so much regular. Hey, people ask me all the time, do you miss basketball? I said, not really, but I miss this time of the year.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Because this. When the excitement really, really starts and. And the do or die situation, the pressure moments, you live for that, and so it gets your juices flowing. Like I said, I'm sweating now. I'm ready to go. It's just exciting just to be in this moment. And, you know, I wish I was out there on the court, but, you know, I'm a fan right now.

[Don Hahn]

You're close.

[Unknown]

They say they gonna give me the card next time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They didn't. They didn't have alumni row when you played, but did you have a connection to any alumni when you played with the Knicks?

[Unknown]

Not really. You know, we. We really didn't, other than Clyde and Earl and those guys, because we see him, Dick Barnett, God rest his soul, you know, guys like that, then, you know, Bill Bradley, you know, guys like that from the. From the 70s championship teams.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're booing a Celtic fan walking by.

[Don Hahn]

Everybody.

[Unknown]

All right, but no, you know, but those guys was always there for us if, you know, we want to ask them questions and things like that, and that's what we are for the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The.

[Unknown]

The guys here. Now, how.

[John Starks]

How happy were you when you saw the news that Carmelo Anthony is getting the call to go to the hall of Fame?

[Unknown]

And, oh, man, he. Carmelo is just the coolest dude ever. You know what I mean? And, you know, I was happy for him. He deserved it. You know, he came here to New York and put on a show and carried his team for a lot of years. And just his work at ethic, you know what I mean, is just couldn't happen to a better guy. And I appreciate all what he brought to New York and what he continued to do outside of the game of basketball. You know, he's just an incredible, incredible human being.

[John Starks]

Talk about a guy who I. I wouldn't. If you're a Knick fan, you wouldn't hate suiting up.

[Don Hahn]

So just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just catch an open three, no question.

[John Starks]

Might provide a little spark here and there.

[Unknown]

Mellow like the bang, though. He likes to be down on that pole. That's what I loved about him.

[Don Hahn]

And in this series, you need somebody.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

To certainly do that. John, what is. You talked about Jalen Brunson before, but more about him as a player. But you guys have a relationship. I remember catching the two of you after a game.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And you embraced and. And you had a lot to say to him. I can't remember which exact game it was, but I'll never forget it was just how much you just were passionate about what you were trying to tell him. I'm not going to ask you to reveal the conversation unless you want to, but what is that relationship like and where did it start?

[Unknown]

Nothing. It's just a friendship that I think that, you know, from a player to player standpoint, you appreciate what he brings to the table. And I appreciate his grit, his determination, his leadership, and, you know, the excitement that he brings every single game. You know, when you think you're out of. You not out of it with him. You know, in many games was like that. And I just got caught up in the moment in that particular.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Unknown]

That particular game right there. And I just grabbed him and embraced him and I said, I can't tell you what I. What I told him because it's some words that I can't say. But yeah, he. He just special, you know what I mean? And Rick did a beautiful job of raising them and. And training them and making them into the basketball player that he has became and the person more so than the basketball player that he has became. And, you know, he is. He's just special. Very special individual.

[Don Hahn]

Spike Lee tells this story a lot. We had him on the other day about that game 6 in 94 in Indiana after he did. He and Reggie got into it and Reggie went crazy in that game five and like you had to win that game six. And he always says that you. And I think you, you. He said, you tell him now enough. I know. Because he tells you how much you literally saved his life with that performance you had in that game six. What do you remember from that? Because he was there courtside in India. He wasn't ducking it. But if you don't have the game, you have.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Who knows if he's allowed back in the building.

[Unknown]

Yeah. I felt bad for spike after Game 5 because it wasn't his fault. He'd just been a fan and Reggie just got going. He was just off the chain. You know, when players get hot in this league, I don't care who it is, it's hard to stop him. And he got hot, you know what I mean? But everybody blamed it on Spike. So Game six and I always tell him this is when we start running after the. The locker room and running onto the court. The first person I saw on the opposite side was Spike Lee dressed in Nick's guard. And I like, oh, we gonna win this. He was front row. I don't know how he got the tickets to the front row. And as soon as I saw him I said that just gave me an added boost of energy and I just went out and had a great game that particular game and got us back to game seven.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, there's only one way to have a good time tonight. Hopefully have a good time.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you so much. John Starks. Yeah, everybody.

[Don Hahn]

So much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So nice to be able to give this kind of time for him. Busy getting ready for the game. Download the official Knicks app presented by Experience Abu Dhabi. To stay in the know about all things Knicks this postseason. The Knicks app is available to download in the Google Play store and App Store en ends coming up next right here on 880, ESPN New York and the ESPN New York.

[Don Hahn]

But I have this message for you. For the Knicks to get back on track in this series are going to have to tighten up on defense. Defense is crucial in basketball and your business as well. The truth is 1/3 of businesses will unwittingly turn over their sensitive company data to thieves this year in an instant. Your customer files, bank accounts, everything is compromised. And you won't know until the million dollar ransom demand hits your email. Preventing data turnovers is why your business needs Thrive, the leading managed security services provider in the US it all starts with a comprehensive Thrive cyber risk assessment. Thrive's security and analysts identify security gaps and deliver proactive solutions to help keep your network healthy and protected. Listen, it's not a matter of if, it's when. Are you ready? Get your no obligations, security recommendations and consultation. Your business relies on it. Visit thrivenextgen.com espn that's thrive nextgen.com espn thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's 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.