Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

Episode: Hour 3: Knicks Concern & Report Cards
Release Date: February 27, 2025

Hosts:

• Don LaGreca – ESPN New York and New Jersey Legend
• Alan Hahn – Sportswriter and New York Knicks Broadcaster
• Peter Rosenberg – Hip Hop Vet and WWE Personality

Introduction and Tributes

The episode opens with a heartfelt tribute to the late Gene Hackman, transitioning into a discussion about iconic sports movies, notably ranking Hoosiers among the greats. This sets a nostalgic tone as the hosts reflect on memorable sports narratives.

Main Discussion: New York Knicks Concerns

Timestamp: 00:32 - 07:05

Alan Hahn leads the conversation by addressing recent performances of the New York Knicks. The team’s latest victory against the Philadelphia 76ers (110-105) is scrutinized for its underlying issues despite the win. The hosts express concern over the Knicks' inconsistency, especially against top-tier teams.

• Alan Hahn: (02:15) "There’s something off about the Knicks lately. They win games they feel like they're giving away, similar to their performance against Atlanta and the Bulls before the big weekend."

Highlighting Jalen Brunson's pivotal role, Alan notes his ability to salvage games, yet questions the team’s overall competitive edge.

• Jalen Brunson: (03:24) "We have a 07 against the top teams. It can be taken two ways: either it's humbling or a call to improve."

Don LaGreca emphasizes the lack of "killer instinct" within the team, pointing out their inability to dominate consistently.

• Don LaGreca: (06:46) "Why two problems too. You get your doors blown off the hinges by the great teams and with the bad teams, you let them hang."

Peter Rosenberg concurs, stressing that despite having the talent, the Knicks are struggling to perform against formidable opponents.

• Peter Rosenberg: (03:32) "We're not in the infancy of this, guys. Last year's progress seems forgotten with recent losses."

Listener Calls: Player Performance and Team Strategy

Timestamp: 08:18 - 21:05

Caller Dan (08:18):
Brings up the Knicks' roster moves, specifically the trade of Hartenstein and DiVincenzo, and inquires about the potential long-term signing of Mikhail Bridges.

• Dan: (08:22) "Do you see the Knicks signing Mikhail Bridges to a long-term contract? We're lacking a third scoring option behind Brunson and Townsend."

Alan Hahn responds with skepticism regarding Bridges' role and performance, noting his disinterest in extending his contract given recent game behaviors.

• Alan Hahn: (10:08) "He doesn't seem thrilled with his role. His body language in interviews indicates something's off."

Peter Rosenberg supports Alan's perspective, highlighting that Bridges' defensive slump poses a significant issue.

• Peter Rosenberg: (10:56) "The best news is it's a psychological problem and fixable, but the bad news is they might just not be good enough."

Another caller, Ryan from Houston (14:04), introduces a perplexing segment about Matt Ryan—a football player—being suggested as a potential savior for the Knicks.

• Ryan: (14:11) "Sports Illustrated suggested Matt Ryan could save the Knicks season with his three-point shooting."

Alan Hahn rebuffs the suggestion sharply, clarifying the impracticality of a football player impacting an NBA team's performance.

• Alan Hahn: (15:10) "Matt Ryan is not what they're missing. Their defense is the problem."

NFL Team Report Cards: Jets and Giants Under Scrutiny

Timestamp: 25:02 - 32:20

The focus shifts to evaluating NFL teams, particularly the New York Jets and New York Giants. The hosts discuss an NFL Pennsylvania report grading team performance and ownership.

• Alan Hahn: (26:59) "The Jets are ranked 29th out of 32 teams, even worse than last year’s 21st position."

Damian Woody, a representative from the Jets, is mentioned as having criticized owner Woody Johnson, who received an "F" grade from players for not contributing positively to team culture.

• Peter Rosenberg: (28:36) "Woody Johnson getting an F seems predictable given the ongoing issues within the organization."

Don LaGreca and Peter Rosenberg debate the discrepancies between player perceptions and management's actions, with Don arguing that ownership's lack of positive cultural contribution is a fundamental problem.

• Don LaGreca: (32:17) "John Mara got a C plus, which is average, but Woody Johnson's F grade is alarming."

The discussion reveals widespread dissatisfaction among players regarding the Jets' ownership, highlighting ineffective team culture and management strategies.

• Peter Rosenberg: (35:38) "Players feel that Johnson does not contribute to a positive team culture. That's the owner, you're the problem."

Ownership Evaluations Across the NFL

Timestamp: 32:12 - 37:16

Expanding beyond the Jets and Giants, the hosts critique the ownership of various NFL teams, noting generally poor grades among many franchises.

• Alan Hahn: (38:00) "The Ravens, Saints, and Chargers also received low grades, indicating widespread ownership issues."

Peter Rosenberg underscores that poor ownership ratings are prevalent, causing frustration among players and diminishing the attractiveness of certain franchises.

• Peter Rosenberg: (36:19) "If ownership is the problem, how can teams like the Jets and Giants attract and retain top talent?"

Don LaGreca adds that even traditionally strong franchises like the Pittsburgh Steelers received low grades, emphasizing a broader trend of ownership failing to meet player and organizational expectations.

• Don LaGreca: (38:25) "The Steelers got a D for ownership, which surprises me given their history."

Fun Segment: Group Interactions and Light-Hearted Banter

Timestamp: 39:00 - 46:25

In a lighter vein, the hosts engage in playful interactions, reminiscing about former radio show practices and attempting to create synchronized chants. This segment showcases the camaraderie and humor among the hosts, providing a relaxed contrast to the intense discussions on team performance and ownership.

• Alan Hahn: (43:55) "When it's game time, it's Tully time."
• Don LaGreca: (44:02) "Come on. You're better. Jacob. We're gonna do it live."

Despite Don expressing reluctance, the hosts attempt to generate a cohesive "Tully time" chant, reflecting their dynamic and entertaining rapport.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 46:06 - End

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate the ongoing concerns with the Knicks’ performance and the NFL teams' ownership issues. They emphasize the need for positive cultural contributions from team owners to foster successful and competitive environments.

• Alan Hahn: (37:02) "If you're Woody Johnson and you're going to hold yourself accountable, think about how you contribute to a positive team culture."

Peter Rosenberg concludes by highlighting the critical role of ownership in shaping team success, urging for improvements to align with players' expectations and organizational goals.

Notable Quotes:

• Alan Hahn (03:24): "There’s something off about the Knicks lately."
• Don LaGreca (06:46): "Why two problems too. You get your doors blown off the hinges by the great teams and with the bad teams, you let them hang."
• Peter Rosenberg (07:05): "We're not in the infancy of this, guys."
• Alan Hahn (10:08): "He doesn't seem thrilled with his role."
• Don LaGreca (32:17): "John Mara got a C plus, which is average, but Woody Johnson's F grade is alarming."
• Peter Rosenberg (35:38): "Players feel that Johnson does not contribute to a positive team culture."

Key Takeaways:

• Knicks Performance: Despite recent victories, the Knicks exhibit inconsistency, particularly against top teams, raising concerns about their overall competitiveness and team chemistry.

• Player Dynamics: Jalen Brunson remains a pivotal player, but the team's dependency on him underlines the need for a more balanced roster. Mikhail Bridges' performance and role satisfaction are also points of contention.

• NFL Ownership Issues: The New York Jets and Giants receive poor ownership grades, reflecting deep-seated issues within their organizational culture. This trend extends to other NFL franchises, highlighting a broader problem with team ownership impacting player satisfaction and team success.

• Cultural Impact: Positive contributions from ownership are crucial for fostering a successful team environment. The hosts stress that without accountability and cultural investment, teams will continue to struggle despite having talented rosters.

• Engaging Hosts: Amidst serious discussions, the hosts maintain an engaging and humorous dynamic, making the podcast both informative and entertaining for listeners.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the third hour of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, providing listeners with an in-depth overview of the episode's content.