Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Knicks HC Options

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Episode: Hour 3: Knicks HC Options
• Release Date: June 3, 2025
• Description: The first voice of ESPN New York and New Jersey legend Don La Greca, long-time sportswriter and broadcaster Alan Hahn, and highly opinionated Hip Hop vet and WWE personality Peter Rosenberg discuss New York sports and beyond.

1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode launches with the hosts diving straight into the tumultuous developments surrounding the New York Knicks' head coaching position, bypassing the usual advertisements and intros to focus on the pressing topic at hand.

2. Tom Thibodeau's Firing

Alan Hahn opens the discussion by expressing his shock over the Knicks' decision to part ways with Coach Tom Thibodeau, especially given the team's unexpected exit in the playoffs.

"What a ride this whole Nick thing has been... it was kind of a thing, but we really felt that going to the conference final beating Boston was going to be enough to kind of tamp down all that."
— Alan Hahn [00:47]

He highlights the sudden shift from high expectations to the abrupt coaching change, emphasizing the heartbreak of losing to the Indiana Pacers.

3. Potential Coaching Candidates

The conversation shifts to potential replacements for Thibodeau, with Peter Rosenberg expressing skepticism about the favored candidate, Johnny Bryant, due to his lack of head coaching experience.

"He has no experience. How could you do that?"
— Alan Hahn [02:19]

"I personally don't believe you can bring in somebody that has zero head coaching experience."
— Peter Rosenberg [02:21]

Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg debate the viability of Johnny Bryant taking on the role, questioning whether an inexperienced coach can meet the high stakes demands of a New York franchise.

4. Players' Role in the Decision

A pivotal moment in the discussion is when Alan Hahn references a report by Ian Begley, indicating that Knicks players were involved in the season-end review which led to Thibodeau's dismissal. This raises questions about the extent of player influence in coaching decisions.

"If I'm listening to the players say we don't want Tom Thibodeau as our coach, they're probably going to have suggestions on who should coach them."
— Alan Hahn [02:49]

Peter Rosenberg argues that while player feedback is valuable, it doesn't necessarily translate to effective coaching leadership, emphasizing that players excel in their roles but may not possess the expertise to select a championship-winning coach.

"Do they know how to build a champion?... Does that make them great coaches?"
— Alan Hahn [04:44]

5. Comparisons with Other Franchises

The hosts draw parallels with other sports teams that have undergone similar coaching changes, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers replacing David Blatt with Ty Lue, ultimately leading to success.

"Sometimes you recognize it. Sometimes you just look around and think... it was the right thing to do."
— Peter Rosenberg [07:03]

They caution that the Knicks' situation might be different given Thibodeau's longer tenure and significant role in revitalizing the franchise.

6. Pressure and Expectations in New York Sports

Alan Hahn delves into the immense pressure that comes with coaching in New York, noting that the city's high expectations can lead to swift changes in leadership.

"This is the last year you could end the season and say, you know what, Final Four, that's a success... Next year is the first time that if you don't do more than that, it'll feel like a step back, a failure."
— Peter Rosenberg [16:03]

7. Discussion on Coaching Standards

The dialogue includes discussions about the high standards set for coaches in major New York franchises, referencing the Yankees' Aaron Boone and the Chicago Bulls' Doug Collins as examples of how even successful coaches are not immune to dismissal if they fail to meet championship expectations.

"If you take this job, it is not like it's... the bar is insanely high."
— Peter Rosenberg [11:02]

8. Listener Interactions and Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Don La Greca takes calls from listeners, further exploring opinions on potential coaching candidates and the implications of the Knicks' decision. Notable interactions include debates over figures like Jason Kidd and Jeff Van Gundy, with the hosts expressing doubts about finding a universally acclaimed successor.

"I need to be told no. And Jeff Van Gundy, it might be. He might not even answer the phone."
— Peter Rosenberg [35:26]

In closing, the hosts reflect on the future of the Knicks, emphasizing the critical need for the next head coach to elevate the team to championship contention amidst New York's unforgiving sports landscape.

"They just realized that the window is now... they did not want to wait any longer on a coach that they felt like was no longer okay."
— Peter Rosenberg [49:14]

Notable Quotes:

• Alan Hahn [00:47]: "What a ride this whole Nick thing has been... going to the conference final beating Boston was going to be enough to kind of tamp down all that."

• Peter Rosenberg [02:21]: "I personally don't believe you can bring in somebody that has zero head coaching experience."

• Peter Rosenberg [35:26]: "I need to be told no. And Jeff Van Gundy, it might be. He might not even answer the phone."

• Peter Rosenberg [49:14]: "They just realized that the window is now... they did not want to wait any longer on a coach that they felt like was no longer okay."

Conclusion

In this episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," the hosts provide an in-depth analysis of the New York Knicks' sudden coaching change, exploring the complexities of selecting a suitable replacement amidst player influence and high organizational expectations. They offer comparisons with other franchises, highlight the pressures unique to New York sports, and engage with listeners to present a multifaceted view of the situation. The discussion underscores the critical nature of the upcoming offseason for the Knicks as they seek to find a head coach capable of leading them to the championship "promised land."