Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Episode: Hour 3: Knicks Expectations
Date: October 15, 2025
Overview
This episode dives deep into New York Knicks expectations leading into the 2025-26 NBA season, shaped by a city desperate for a sports winner after disappointing years in football, baseball, and even hockey. Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and Don La Greca discuss the pressure on the Knicks, what a good start means, the impact of a new coach and system, and the city’s collective hope for the team. The conversation then veers off into classic show banter — from music rankings to actor debates — with enthusiastic audience participation and their trademark humor.
Main Theme
Knicks Expectations in a City Starved for a Winner
With New York's other major teams faltering, the Knicks carry the city's hopes into a highly anticipated season. New coaching, a roster with depth, and optics around other contender's injuries mean pressure — and expectations — have never been higher. The hosts debate what a “good start” should be, how fans might react to early adversity, and whether the Knicks can take control of the Eastern Conference.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The State of New York Sports and the City’s Focus on the Knicks (00:44–02:16)
- Don La Greca lays out the gloomy status of New York teams: football stinks, baseball was a letdown, hockey struggles, and thus “there's a tremendous amount of excitement around the Knicks. ... This Nick season is probably as anticipated, a season that we've had in New York in quite some time.”
- The city is “counting on this to be the best that sports has to offer in New York after everything that’s happened... I think a lot of people are counting on the Knicks.”
Quote:
“If this team gets off to a slow start, how do you think people are going to be? … You're gonna have to start talking people off a ledge, if this team is 500 through the first 20 games.” — Don La Greca (04:24)
2. The Pressure of a New Coach, New System, and Why Patience Will Be Thin (02:16–05:00)
- Peter Rosenberg reminds listeners that a new coach and system mean adjustment time, but “nobody wants to hear the part though that... it's a new coach and a new system — you gotta give it.” (02:16)
- High-profile opening stretch: Cavs, Celtics, Heat, Bucks, Bulls, Wizards; realistic expectations debated.
- Alan Hahn, Peter, and Don agree: logic takes a back seat when it comes to New York sports emotions.
Quote: “You're making a lot of sense... but that's not what anybody wants to hear.” — Don La Greca (03:47)
3. The City’s Sky-High Hype and the Burden of Being Favorites (05:00–07:55)
- Don: “This year they're the favorites to come out of the East. ... It’s no joke here. All right. ... Everybody and their mothers predicting... it's like a fait accompli.”
- Eastern rivals’ injuries: Boston (Tatum), Indiana (Haliburton), Milwaukee (Lillard), Philly (Embiid uncertainty), Cleveland (Garland & Strus injuries).
4. What Record is Good Enough for the Start? Instant Reactions and the Need for Home Court (07:55–13:32)
- Peter: “Five and two at worst” for the opening seven games; “Four and three, if one... is like just a great game.” (06:15)
- Alan: “It's even less about who they're playing... It's just what's your record the first seven, eight games?”
- Peter’s Hot Take: “They must get the top seed in the east this year. ... Especially if in the conference final they end up playing a team like the Cavs. ... The pressure to win was day one.” (10:39–12:02)
Memorable Moment: “You’ve got to get off to a good start. You’ve got to establish top seed right out of the gate and establish supremacy.” — Peter Rosenberg (11:01)
5. The Knicks and City’s Emotional State — Why This Year Feels Different (12:31–13:32)
- The failures of the Jets, Giants, Mets, and Yankees push all eyes — and hopes — onto the Knicks.
- “Perfect storm” of anticipation: “There are Jet and Giant and Yankee and Met fans that are also Knick fans... they can't wait. ... It just adds a perfect storm. ... Thank God the Knicks are coming.” — Don La Greca (12:49)
6. Lighthearted Banter and Audience Phone Calls (14:10–21:02)
- Caller Eric’s hockey story about his father switching allegiances for practical reasons (Sabres vs. Sharks) sparks comic riffs on aging parents and New York sports fandom.
- Hosts joke and reminisce about San Jose, their own parents watching habits, and generational honesty.
7. Movie Star Debate: DiCaprio, Pitt, Clooney, & Hanks (26:06–39:45)
-
Spirited, humorous back-and-forth analyzing the staying power and “heartthrob” status of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
-
Favorite Leo movie debate: “Departed,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Wolf of Wall Street,” “Basketball Diaries,” etc.
-
Quote:
“Every movie he’s in is basically good. ... He basically has only hammers his whole career.” — Natalie (relayed by Alan Hahn, 26:11) -
Where does Tom Cruise fit as the other generational “biggest movie star” compared to DiCaprio? Hanks as a different category.
8. Snoop Dogg and Youth Football (40:31–42:19)
- Snoop Dogg’s impressive youth football program has yielded “over 40” NFL players.
- Joking surprise and respect for Snoop’s reach and commitment to youth sports.
9. Yacht Rock Call-in and Musical Debates (43:37–48:44)
- Caller Dan: Yacht Rock band ranking — 10cc, Ambrosia, Paul Davis — fuels hosts’ critiques and playful corrections.
- Deep dive into what constitutes “real” yacht rock and which artists invented the genre (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Toto, etc.).
Quote:
“The term yacht rock is so stupid. ... It really should be called soul rock or rock and soul, but instead it’s yacht, because there was no good name for it.” — Alan Hahn (47:49)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Knicks Expectations:
“Optimism's through the roof. Baseball disappointed us, hockey disappointed us, football's disappointed us for a decade. And if this team gets off to a slow start... you're gonna have to start talking people off a ledge.” — Don La Greca (04:24) -
On Fan Patience:
“Nobody wants to hear it. ... That's not what anybody wants to hear.” — Don La Greca (03:53) -
On the Need for Early Success:
“You got to come out of the gate. You got to get off to a good start. You got to establish top seed right out of the gate and establish supremacy.” — Peter Rosenberg (11:01) -
On Movie Stars:
“Every movie he’s in is basically good. ... He basically has only hammers his whole career.” — Alan Hahn, relaying Natalie’s point about DiCaprio (26:11) -
On Yacht Rock:
“The term yacht rock is so stupid. ... It really should be called soul rock or rock and soul, but instead it’s yacht, because there was no good name for it.” — Alan Hahn (47:49)
Timestamps Guide to Important Segments
- 00:44–02:16: State of NY Sports, all eyes on the Knicks
- 02:16–05:00: New coach/system, city’s patience, pressure of expectations
- 05:00–07:55: Eastern Conference competitors, burden of being the favorite
- 07:55–10:22: What opening record counts, discussion of “must-win” starts
- 10:39–12:02: Peter’s “must get top seed” take
- 12:31–13:32: City’s perfect storm of hope — why this year feels different
- 14:10–21:02: Callers, aging parents and sports fandom humor
- 26:06–39:45: Movie star longevity: DiCaprio, Pitt, Clooney, Cruise, Hanks
- 40:31–42:19: Snoop Dogg’s NFL impact
- 43:37–48:44: Yacht Rock arguments and musical banter
Tone & Language
The hosts maintain their classic blend of New York sports passion, humor, and cultural commentary — mixing deep Knicks analysis with friendly roasting, nostalgia, and music/entertainment detours. Listeners unfamiliar with the episode get an accurate flavor: big-hearted, informed, always with a side of silliness.
Conclusion
This episode captures New York’s pre-season Knicks fever, examining both the logic and the emotion behind sky-high expectations. As always, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg serve it up with a mix of smart sports insight and the kind of banter you’d expect from old friends — plus more than a dash of New York attitude.