Hour 3: Knicks Reaction

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Knicks Reaction

Date: May 26, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Topic: Knicks reach the NBA Finals — reactions, fan calls, Knicks history, and wider NYC sports context

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Episode Overview

In this celebratory episode, the crew takes live calls and dives deep into the surreal reality of the New York Knicks advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. With emotional fan stories, spirited debates about sports superstition, and context on New York baseball, the show captures how enormous this moment is for Knicks fans—while also dissecting the mentality surrounding the journey, expectations going forward, and what it means to truly savor the ride.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. The Knicks’ Emotional Finals Run

• Fan Catharsis and Generational Joy

  • Emotional fan calls highlight how rare and meaningful this Finals berth is, especially for those who lived through 1994 and 1999 (03:42, 07:38).
  • Quote – David from Elizabeth (03:42):

    “Like, I can't believe it. Like, we're really at the big dance… I get to finally soak it in the proper way.”

  • Quote – Ricardo from Cliffside Park (07:38, fighting cancer):

    “Being able to see this now, being able to live it and being a part of it, really brings back 94, 99... I’m really hoping and praying that they do win this year, because it’s a good way to just say, you know what? Finally we did it, and finally we won.”

• The Reality of the Moment

  • Alan Hahn and Rosenberg emphasize that most callers and fans haven’t seen a championship in their lifetime. This is new, and should be embraced (09:33).

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2. Debating the “Right” Way to Celebrate

• Eastern Conference Merch: Jinx or Joy?
  • Spirited debate on whether fans should buy and wear Eastern Conference Champion hats/shirts before the Finals are over (13:11–18:23).
  • Don Hahn cautions (14:39):

    “Right now, honestly, I'm just telling you, right now, it's at name on the back of a Yankee jersey level... Can't do it. Can't do it. You mess with the juju, right?”

  • Rich’s counterpoint (14:52):

    "If you wait till the finals are over and they lose, then that championship hat becomes this, like, sad consolation... If you get it now, you get to enjoy the next week of, like, yeah, baby, we're the conference champs."

  • Consensus lands on both sides being valid: embrace the joy, but respect the team’s non-celebrating, “unfinished business” mindset.

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3. The Knicks as Finals Underdogs

• Why New York Isn’t the Favorite

  • Discussion about why the Knicks are considered underdogs despite a dominant postseason (29:25–34:25).
  • Don Hahn explains (29:25):

    “You have to understand why they're dogs because the west was better than the east to begin with... Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland aren’t going to get people to think that they're better than San Antonio and Oklahoma City.”

  • Rosenberg adds that being the underdog isn’t a bad thing—“That’s exactly what you want. Because that's the final piece of the puzzle... Now they take the asterisks away.” (31:05–31:13).

• Don’t Take Predictions Personally

  • Rosenberg (31:14):

    "Don't take that stuff personal. And if one of us talking heads predicts that they're going to lose, don't take that personal either... Your team is on an all-time run right there."

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4. Knicks History, Nostalgia, and Community

• Generational Suffering and Hope

  • Callers recall the darkest Knick days—draft busts, heartbreak, and futility (11:05, 36:51, 41:18), amplifying the sweetness of the current run.
  • Lang from Connecticut (36:51):

    “Thinking back to the days of Antonio McDyess collapsing at half court, grabbing his knee and thinking he was a saver...”

• Team Chemistry and “Flow State”

  • Shoutout to Monica McNutt for describing the ’73 and ’26 Knicks as playing in “flow state”—beautiful, selfless basketball. (44:40–45:31)

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5. Comparing Coaches: Is Mike Brown This Era’s Joe Torre?

• Rare Company—Right Move?

  • A thoughtful comparison between what Mike Brown has brought the Knicks vs. what Joe Torre brought to the Yankees (41:23–43:42).
  • Rosenberg (41:51):

    “I literally was thinking that last night... Showalter and Joe Torres and how. Yeah, I literally was thinking that during the post game show in msg.”

• Brown Wasn’t First Choice—but Could be the Right One

  • Hahn notes the process almost landed on Jason Kidd or Billy Donovan—but gives the front office credit for landing Brown (42:02–42:51).

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6. Broader NYC Sports Context

• Mets’ and Yankees’ Rollercoaster

  • Brief but sharp commentary on the Mets’ struggles and the “mirror image” of the Yankees’ year (22:48–26:46).
  • Don Hahn (23:07):

    “Four game losing streak. They're now back to 10 games under .500... Now you're right back to square one again and dead.”

• New York sports shifting soon—football will takeover after this Knicks run (26:08–26:46)

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7. Finals Opponent Speculation and League Narratives

• National “Sex Appeal” of Finals Matchups

  • Spurs (with Wembanyama) are seen as “way sexier” than OKC—media execs probably prefer Knicks-Spurs for storylines (35:03–36:01).

• The Conference Finals as NBA Rite of Passage

  • Rosenberg elegantly traces how, in recent years, Eastern Conference runners-up often break through the following season (36:04–36:40).

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Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "I get to finally soak it in the proper way.": David (03:42)
• "Being able to see this now... brings back 94, 99. And I’m really hoping and praying that they do win this year." Ricardo (07:38)
• "If they do win the title, how great would it be if it was at the Garden Game 6?" Rosenberg (05:35)
• “Right now, honestly, I'm just telling you, right now, it's at name on the back of a Yankee jersey level... Can't do it. Can't do it. You mess with the juju, right?” Don Hahn (14:39)
• “That's exactly what you want. Because that's the final piece of the puzzle... Now they take the asterisks away.” Rosenberg (31:05)
• “This Nick thing... you have a chance to do something that nobody has ever done before.” Don Hahn (19:16)
• “If you're the Mets, the Knicks have given you cover and then you're just going to have to deal with an all star break and then football starts and then you'll have cover there.” Rosenberg (26:33)
• “The Knicks have accomplished a lot. Now, that next step, the last one's, always the toughest to get. This is the Super Bowl. This is the World Series, right?” Don Hahn (32:58)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Knicks Finals Emotions Begin; Fan calls start – 03:33
• Historic meaning/generational fans – 03:42, 07:38, 11:05, 36:51
• Debate: buy Eastern Conference merch or not? – 13:11–18:23
• Knicks as Finals underdogs, why the national narrative doesn’t favor them – 29:25–34:25
• Coach Mike Brown as Torre comparison – 41:18–43:42
• Media/TV side: Spurs vs. Thunder as Knicks opponent – 35:03–36:01

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Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is equal parts celebratory and cautious, marked by authentic fan emotion and classic New York skepticism. The hosts blend humor, nostalgia, and tough honesty as they toggle between gratitude, superstition, and the “unfinished business” ethos embodied by the current Knicks squad. It’s classic New York sports talk: loud, loving, always opinionated—yet underlined by the deep, decades-in-the-making hope now palpable for Knicks fans.

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In Summary

This episode captures a city-wide sports catharsis, with fans and hosts alike urging listeners to savor the magic, even as they debate the boundaries of joy and humility in a long-suffering franchise’s rare moment at the summit. Through emotional anecdotes, spirited debates, and historical analogies, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg give voice to a fan base on the precipice of something special, emphasizing both the importance of celebrating the journey and being hungry for the finish.

Transcript

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[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Rosenberg]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Don Hahn]

Game time is brought to you by Tullimore. Do Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, guys, it's Tony time.

[Rich]

It's Tony time.

[Don Hahn]

Nothing gets you more pumped up for a big championship series than halftime of

[Rosenberg]

an NBA final playing this.

[Don Hahn]

It kind of makes sense at the time. Listen, it was net Spurs.

[Rosenberg]

Okay, Fair point.

[Rich]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

By the way, they're probably getting hockey numbers at that point.

[Rich]

You know, by the way, though, if any. If any series needed something a little stronger than Jewel, right? It was that series. Like, they should have. They should have been. They should have been trying to get NWA back together. They should have been bringing out the entire Wu Tang. Like, you got to do something to spice that.

[Rosenberg]

Which is Jersey.

[Rich]

Yeah. Get red man and naughty.

[Don Hahn]

By nature, it's Jersey. So let's go at somebody as far away as humanly possible. How about Alaska?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Rich]

And no vibe like. And just not.

[Don Hahn]

No, yeah, just. But.

[Rich]

But I'm a fan.

[Don Hahn]

Mets. I am too.

[Rosenberg]

Don't hate it.

[Don Hahn]

Mets, Reds coverage immediately following us on 880 at 6:30. Yankees open up a series with the rate. No, they don't. Where's this from? Oh, no. This series, they open up a series. Hold on. They continue their series with the Royal. There you go. Cut and paste again. I'd be letting people go. Yeah, I know how you. Coverage sounds good. And he's out and he's. There you go. Nope. Right on cue. Spurs Thunder, Game 3. That's on 10:50 and it's not game. No, no, he didn't get. No, no,

[Commercial Voice]

I didn't press that.

[Caller]

By the way.

[Rich]

He pressed that or Jacob.

[Rosenberg]

That was me.

[Don Hahn]

Jacob. I. I fell for it. I said to cut and I just got.

[Caller]

I'm.

[Don Hahn]

I'm Ron. And you can't help yourself. You're still going. Don's an ass. On 1050 at 8 o'. Clock. Joined in progress after the Mets.

[Rich]

Where's my dam drop?

[Don Hahn]

Why Can I find Tullamore Dew? The original Triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast 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 responsibly.

[Rosenberg]

Gotta remind everybody, though, also because we, you know, now it'll be nine days till we get to see more of this glorious Knicks basketball that we will continue on MSG doing these, our pregame shows.

[Don Hahn]

You bet. You're.

[Rosenberg]

We got an hour and a half last night post like we blew it out because you want to get every player, you want to get the whole part of the celebration, the right Jalen Brunson being awarded the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and all that stuff. And so that's what we'll be doing throughout the play, of course, throughout the finals as well. Yes, MSG network at the finals would just wall to wall coverage. Everything you want before and after every game, plus finals preview, media day stuff. Like, we're going to do a lot of stuff, so we'll keep you posted, but stay on msg.

[Don Hahn]

We're doing 90 minute pre during the final song. How about that?

[Rosenberg]

In New York, also, Pat o' Keefe

[Don Hahn]

working, donating all the money to charity, too.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I heard that.

[Don Hahn]

Such a mensch. 1-800-919-3776. A lot of people have been on hold for a while, including David and Elizabeth. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, David?

[Caller]

Fellas, fellas, fellas. Hollywood. Hans Don Radio Rosenberg. I'm not gonna lie to you guys. Like I told Chef this morning, it's. It's surreal, man. Like, I, I can't believe it. Like, we're really at the big dance. And I want to say that I'm a tweener. I'm the age 39, so I remember 94 a little bit. I remember 99 for. For real. And now I get to finally soak it in the proper way. That's right with us going with this finals run. Gentlemen, real quick, before you guys let me go, I just want to say two things. Number one, radio Rosenberg all weekend, you messed me up, man.

[Rich]

Why?

[Caller]

I get the traffic. I get the traffic lights and the first thing I think of aot, send them to the store, get some bad job, Fresh. I can't stop thinking of that because of you. I'm like, yo, this guy messed me up.

[Don Hahn]

Fresh,

[Caller]

Fellas, all bad. The final thing is this, man. Like, yo, we went from the opposing teams, which was the Cavaliers playing water games on our home court. And now We've been. And now we finished you on your home court. And I don't know what the. I don't know what the. The future holds for us, but, you know, I'm gonna be a positive fan and we'll see what happens. Man, I'm not like everybody else is going to, you know, start predicting certain things. I just hope they play to the best of their beliefs and their strengths and, you know, they put their best foot forward. Go, Nicks. Appreciate it.

[Don Hahn]

It's come down to the final, so any championship, no matter where it's won, is going to be appreciated. But I guess the only negative, if you can find anything in a sea of positives, is that they haven't been able to close out these series at home. Right. It's all been on the road, and partially it's the fault of the Sixers and the Cavs for not putting up much of a fight.

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

And losing all the games, but, boy, God, you just hope. If they do win the title, how great and glorious would it be if

[Rosenberg]

it was at the Garden Game six?

[Don Hahn]

Unreal. You'll take it no matter what.

[Rich]

I got to try to find a way to get in this building because, you know, it ain't through the suite, so I gotta. I gotta try.

[Don Hahn]

No, this is tough, man, because, you know, what happens is once you get to the Finals, like, all bets are off, right? Oh, yeah. All your connections are dead. You've got to get all the credentials through the NBA. The NBA takes over your building. Same thing happened to the NHL when the Rangers went to the city Stanley Cup Final.

[Rosenberg]

Did you see how much already these

[Don Hahn]

tickets are going for, like 3200 for the nosebleeds. It's. Well, this is why people go to Cleveland, because it's cheaper to fly to Cleveland, get a hotel, buy tickets than it is to just go.

[Rich]

Remember, we looked last week, it wasn't that cheap in Cleveland for three. I'm sure four got cheap. I'm sure four got. But three at first was still a

[Don Hahn]

ticket, especially after how they beat Detroit. Right. They lost the first two games on the road, and then they came home and, yeah, they.

[Rosenberg]

They did. Game three, they thought, okay, like, hold serve, that whole thing. And you know, the way that game.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, and then you. Then even after game three, you had Kenny Atkinson.

[Caller]

Analytically, I think we won two out of three.

[Rosenberg]

Hey, they're sticking with him.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, he's coming back as coach.

[Rich]

Well, here's. We'll hear some during enn.

[Don Hahn]

But yeah, he's.

[Rich]

That wasn't what you want?

[Don Hahn]

I understood what he was trying to do. Obviously, his team didn't listen. Well, again, they came out hard in the first quarter. Do whatever you got to do to get your team to believe.

[Rich]

We don't live in a version of America, though, where you can do that anymore.

[Don Hahn]

Well, it's not in there. But the thing that made me laugh out loud was, all right, he's doing the analytical thing, whatever. And then he's like, but we're down 3, 0. If that's how you follow it, like. No, that's how everybody follows it, Rich, Kenny. I mean, honestly, no, that's how the world. The scoreboard tells us the story.

[Rosenberg]

Okay?

[Don Hahn]

I mean. But desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess. So it didn't cost him his job. Let's go to Ricardo and Cliffside Park. You're on espn, New York. What's up, man?

[Caller]

Gentlemen, skies are orange and blue. I. Last night, I do apologize. I am setting up for an event as we speak, but I got very emotional watching them when I know it's not the championship. You know, it's been a crazy year for me personally, you know, and I'll share it with you guys. I'm gonna battle, you know, of a stage four kidney cancer, which I'm winning and I'm beating. So I'm good. Everything's good.

[Don Hahn]

Hang in there, man.

[Rich]

Out of way, man.

[Caller]

And then. And I was. Dang.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Caller]

And I was the guy who called up. I spent 817 on the Knicks in the Garden. Then I went to Philly to watch him play, too, as well.

[Rosenberg]

There you go.

[Caller]

But you know where it really hits home is that I still have my champion John Starks jersey. And that that jersey was kind of almost stolen from a cousin of mine who passed away about 10 years ago, you know, and there's one person that I. If I could really wish and just even see this prime. Not even just to even win the championship, you know, because we saw 94, we saw 99. You know, we were both in high hopes of John Wallace becoming this big, great hope for the New York Knicks. We bought his jerseys and all that stuff. But being able to see this now, being able to live it and being a part of it, really brings back 94, 99. And I'm really hoping and praying that they do win this year, because it's a good way to just say, you know what? Finally we did it, and finally we won. And, gentlemen, I love you guys. Continue the positives to you believing in this team. And I'm Telling you on. Alan, by the way, you and I are on a Knicks commercial together. It was the second, the first year we got Carl Anthony Town. There was a promo video for the opening of the season. But again, I want to thank you guys. I love you guys. And let's go, Knicks.

[Rosenberg]

Keep the faith, Ricardo.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, you hang in there, man. There's people like you. That the reason why you want to see this thing happen, right? You know, it's part of your life, and you've wanted to see it your entire life. And think 1973. Like you said, you'd have to be like 60 to remember in detail that last championship. And I know most of our callers and listeners are way under 60, so they're seeing something for the first time in their life. But you got something to tell us?

[Rosenberg]

I do. Oh, does he?

[Rich]

Does he? Are you sure?

[Don Hahn]

According to my information, no.

[Rich]

He's not comfortable with it.

[Don Hahn]

No, not yet.

[Rosenberg]

Not yet.

[Rich]

No, he's not. He needs a moment.

[Don Hahn]

Allen.

[Rosenberg]

Five, ten.

[Rich]

Yeah, well, who is, Alan?

[Rosenberg]

I mean, I can. You know what? I'm just gonna share it with you, okay? No, it's okay.

[Rich]

Go ahead.

[Rosenberg]

Wow. Well, with Xfinity, Don, you already enjoy ESPN as part of your TV lineup with live games and daily sports coverage, expert analysis. And now the ESPN Unlimited plan is available at no extra cost. No additional costs. No cost at all. No, not extra cost. Giving you access to additional ESPN content in the ESPN app. You get on demand programming and originals to explore. Visit xfinity.com your subscriptions to activate ESPN Unlimited access. Then start watching in the ESPN app More from ESPN all in One place.

[Don Hahn]

Dan is in Saratoga. You're on ESPN New York. Feels like a good day to be in Saratoga. How are you, man?

[Caller]

I'm good. How you guys doing?

[Don Hahn]

Good.

[Rosenberg]

Good, Dan.

[Caller]

So, hey, Listen, I am 38 years old. I'm a die hard Knicks fan just like everyone else. Calling up. I go back to Othello Harrington, freaking Chris Dudley, Chris Doohan, Michael Sweetney. I mean, I've.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, strange pulls left and right. Look at you.

[Don Hahn]

The whole Georgetown.

[Rich]

Every late 90s Georgetown player.

[Don Hahn]

There was weatherspoon. Yeah.

[Rich]

Sweetney's a special one.

[Rosenberg]

That's a good one.

[Caller]

There you go. Eddie Curry. I mean, remember that one?

[Rosenberg]

But anyway, Jerome, that one, you know,

[Caller]

that's a good one. So, yeah, I've lived through it, but I just. Last night, to me, Alan, I agree with you. Heart, like I'm in lock step. Basically. Like, I was so happy that it was like. It was like numb. I Wasn't jumping up and down. My wife goes to me, you see those hats? What's going on? In line to get those hats right now? I'm like, no, I want the finals hats. I don't want the Houston Conference finals. I want the finals hats.

[Rosenberg]

You say that.

[Caller]

Maybe that's a little bit greedy on my end, but I'm telling you, it's just. I'm ecstatic. I can't even explain you, but it's, like, weird. Like, I'm so happy. I'm, like, calm. It's very odd. I don't know.

[Rosenberg]

It's a great place to be. It's called nirvana. It's awesome.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, It'll change the closer you get to the actual games coming up next week, but so enjoy it while last.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, June 3rd will be anxiety again. Sure, it's coming, but enjoy it while you can.

[Caller]

But I think we have a. I think we have a good shot regardless of either. Whoever we play. I like how we match up with San Antonio. I know Wendy will be a. But Mitchell Robinson gives them fits, even if it's in spurts. Okc. I mean, I am worried, but they are hobbled. And is it true Shay's not playing tonight? Did I see that?

[Rosenberg]

I saw. I did not see that. Shay's not playing.

[Caller]

That's fake news.

[Rosenberg]

Of course. I saw it on Twitter. AJ Mitchell is out. I know Mitchell's out.

[Don Hahn]

Sha.

[Rich]

Yeah.

[Caller]

SGA with the fake news story. Don't.

[Don Hahn]

Don't be sports.

[Caller]

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. I got pickled.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, there you go. You don't want to get spot pickled, especially this time of year.

[Rosenberg]

Never, never admit that out loud.

[Don Hahn]

We've talked about this many times. Like, I've been fortunate. My team's winning championships with the Devils, the Giants, not so much the Mets. But it's really difficult to wear, you know, league championship stuff, Eastern Conference final stuff. Now, if they don't win the finals, maybe you'll embrace it a little bit more. But right now, you can't be buying any Eastern Conference merch. Can't do it. Can't do it. You mess with the juju, right? That's not the destination. The destination is the championship. Now, if you don't win the championship and you want to maybe grab a shirt, it was an amazing run.

[Rosenberg]

Like, can you go back if they.

[Don Hahn]

Everything's available now online, right?

[Rosenberg]

I guess so.

[Don Hahn]

It's not like I've got to go run the models and get it right. I'm sure you can get a T shirt or A key ring or something.

[Rosenberg]

I got to say that.

[Don Hahn]

But the hat's not. You can't be down in the hat.

[Rosenberg]

I'm with you because that's not the destination.

[Don Hahn]

But a month from now, if you don't win, you want to honor the run. It's been an amazing run.

[Rosenberg]

Still a banner.

[Don Hahn]

So you have a hat. They'll put a banner up more. And rightly so. You won something. See, that's the thing. That's why the first two rounds are kind of playoff adjacent, because you're not winning anything. You won the East. That's something.

[Rich]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

There's not the goal, but it's something.

[Rosenberg]

And you're still Eastern Conference champions.

[Don Hahn]

But, like, right now, honestly, I'm just telling you, right now, it's at name on the back of a Yankee jersey. Level. If I'm walking the streets of Manhattan, I see an Eastern Conference championship at that level.

[Rosenberg]

Can't do it on the back.

[Don Hahn]

Cannot do it. You're playing for a fight. No, no. You want to buy it after the fact. I get it. Because that was it. Do you agree with this?

[Rich]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I. Listen, I live in my own little world.

[Caller]

No.

[Rich]

No, you're not. Because if you're really excited right now. Here's how I look at it. If you wait till the finals are over and they lose, then that championship hat becomes this, like, sad consolation. Hear me out. If you get it now, you get to enjoy the next week of, like, yeah, baby, we're the conference champs.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, but that's the point. That's a great point. Now, Don, hear me.

[Don Hahn]

Here's how I could be one over.

[Rosenberg]

If this. If you won Game seven and you had two days to play a Game one of the NBA Finals. I get it. Don't get that too soon. But you got nine days. Can I take a vacation for nine days and just enjoy. That's right, for nine, and then I'll put it away. Not going to wear it during the final?

[Don Hahn]

No. Here's why. No.

[Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

I'm going to tell you why. Take the cue from your team that refused to celebrate winning yesterday, refusing to celebrate the Eastern Conference. Why? Because they haven't reached their destination yet. All right.

[Rich]

Well, they should feel that way.

[Don Hahn]

And you're. But I know. But as a fan, knowing your team didn't celebrate, knowing your team still has another round to go. I, I, I, I feel like you're. There's a contentment there that I, I, I hear what you're saying, because there's a. There's a little Bit of a gap.

[Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

I. I don't. It feels like.

[Rich]

So what? So what do you. You're going to wait for them just playing this out in a bad scenario. They lose 41 in the finals.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Rich]

Are you now ordering the champion, the Easter Conference?

[Don Hahn]

I'm not mad at you if you order it now.

[Rosenberg]

He's convinced me.

[Don Hahn]

If you ordered it now.

[Rich]

But will you be excited to wear it if they just won the Finals?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Because I'll tell you why. As disappointed as you'd be, and immediately you'd look at that hat, want to spit on it. But sometime down the Jersey Shore or out in the Hamptons or whatever in August, you're going to look back at this run and go, oh, man, we won maybe. At least. Maybe more. But, like, at least 11 straight games in the postseason, demolishing teams. I want to honor that. I want to reflect on that as a great season, one of the great Knicks seasons in over a quarter century. And I can have a hat with it.

[Rosenberg]

Think about it. That's a hat that will age well. Because you think about whenever a team goes on a run, this has been historic. This is a year that all you calling in that are in your 20s. You're going to be talking about this. When you're our age and you're going, you remember that year in 2026 when they couldn't lose a game and they were beating teams by 20. Like, this really happened. Kids will be looking at you going, they won by 20 every night. That never happened. The league must have sucked back then.

[Don Hahn]

You'll be talking about that like you're

[Rosenberg]

going to be talking about this. So that hat ages better. When you think about. Think about the. Remember the 94 hats? They didn't win that championship. They got to game seven. But that run had moments in it, and that run was special for different reasons. First time they got there since 73, all that stuff. So that hat, as it gets older, has more nostalgia to it immediately. No, I'm with you. They lose in the Finals. I don't want to go near that hat. I'll put it on the shelf. I'll leave it there. In years from now, somebody will be like, oh, I remember that year. That was a great year. Right? I actually could convince me now, I

[Rich]

can see this both ways. Like, I hear Don's convinced me. I hear his argument. But if I heard from a fan who went, I'm so happy. I'm stopping by Modell's on my way home from work, and I'm putting On the hat and I'm wearing it for the next week. I hear that, too. I mean, listen, James out.

[Rosenberg]

He doesn't.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I'm out. I'm not like, let's say if they get smoked in the final, I'm not going back to Ordo or Eastern Conference final.

[Rich]

So.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Rich]

So that actually doesn't. So now you're actually not agreeing with them.

[Rosenberg]

So three rounds.

[Don Hahn]

No, I agree with you.

[Caller]

With me?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rich]

You would buy it right now or

[Don Hahn]

you're not getting it all? I would get it now. No, but you know, because then if

[Rich]

they win the title, you're not going

[Commercial Voice]

to get that either.

[Rosenberg]

You get on the shelf, though. You're not wearing it.

[Don Hahn]

Would you wear it. Would you wear it leading up to the final? There you go. That's the question.

[Rosenberg]

I would wear for a couple days,

[Don Hahn]

but I'm not going to wear it

[Rosenberg]

probably like a day or two days

[Don Hahn]

before the finals because after a while I'm probably going to have a Nick shirt or something other Nick gear to represent for my team.

[Rich]

I think this is a both sides can be right kind of situation.

[Don Hahn]

But like, I will, like, I will say, like, some hats are like, like, you know, limited edition. So even if you won't get it

[Rosenberg]

then, like, get it then you won't

[Don Hahn]

be able to get it later. So I'll probably get it at. You know, it's funny, all my giant super bowl hats, I never wore them. I. I save them. I got. I don't want to.

[Rosenberg]

Where do you got them? You have them?

[Don Hahn]

I have them. I have them on top of my. My television in the man cave.

[Rosenberg]

It's not bad. That's. You get to look at them and.

[Don Hahn]

And I did have merch of the championship win against the Vikings. NFC champions.

[Rosenberg]

No, didn't hit right. Well, especially since you won two after that.

[Don Hahn]

Well, but in the moment, it's. You had it, but it's like. Yeah. I don't know. Just kind of just reminded you of the loss. But again, this Nick thing, something there's. This is. This is kind of what I always used to argue with the Colts when they'd rest Peyton manning in week 16 with a 15 and oh record. Like, we don't need to go undefeated. No. Every year there's a champion, every year there's something special that happens. But you have a chance to do something that nobody has ever done before. Like, even if the Knicks were to lose in the Finals, you could say our run was historic. Like, nobody has beaten teams or pummel teams the way we did and had that run like that Special 26 is

[Rosenberg]

the greatest month in the history of the franchise, right?

[Don Hahn]

And I think that's something worth celebrating as opposed to if you're a team like the Yankees, that that wins a lot. That would be silly. Walking around with an American League American champion because you've won 27 championships, that seems silly. But in going to the finals for the first time in 27 years, having the run that you had, you need to celebrate that this is not your ordinary trip to the finals. It's not every year somebody represents the Eastern Conference of the finals, right? Like the Pacers. I'm sure they're very proud of their run and they were the they're the defending Eastern Conference champions until last night, right? Nothing compared to this. Nick Ron oh my God, no. You know, people are going to be talking about this, but hopefully there's more to talk about in the coming weeks.

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[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

Service Titan AI for the trades thanks for listening to The Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

Continue with your phone calls at 1-800-919-3776. Believe it or not, there's other things going on in the world, including the Mets getting swept by the Marlins.

[Rich]

Boy, well, hold on, they did more than that this weekend. They also then lost to the Reds.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller]

Then.

[Don Hahn]

Oh yeah. So they just get.

[Rich]

Don't forget they jumped into another losing series.

[Don Hahn]

Four game losing streak. They're now back to 10 games under.500. So all that, that little run, everything's good, you know, now you're right back to square one again and dead. The Marlin series. And again you're cat, you're caught up with the Knicks. And. And it was the holiday weekend on Saturday. It's game two of the series. It's the ninth inning, they're losing four nothing. To that point they had not had a battery at the plate with a runner in scoring position the entire series. But back to back doubles, meaningless made it 4 1. They lost the game. And then they lose the game on Sunday on a grand slam home run to win the game. And again, listen, it would have been a sacrifice fly anyway, but add insult to injury, it's a home run then a no show yesterday in which your best pitcher gets clubbed. Again, McNeil does not look good his last two starts. And listen, he's entitled to have a bad start here and there, but not when your team's awful. What did I say?

[Rosenberg]

McClain.

[Don Hahn]

McClain. Did I, did I, what did I say? McClain. McNeil. I'm having fantasies of when the team was good. Thank you for saving me.

[Rosenberg]

Those guys weren't liked. They had to go.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, listen, you know, they weren't winners.

[Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

So what we do when you come close to winning now, you know what? We'd rather just be awful. And that's what they are.

[Rosenberg]

Yankees, well, they're good at that.

[Don Hahn]

Again, not playing great. But Judge with the walk off on

[Rosenberg]

Sunday, that was special, Greg.

[Don Hahn]

And how about Anthony? Listen, he's a producer. Producer of an afternoon drive show. He makes quite a bit of money. But I was surprised he put five GS down on Judge hitting the home run right before. Plus like 1500.

[Rich]

So yeah, I mean, talk about lunch on Anthony.

[Don Hahn]

Lunch is on Anthony. I mean he. That was quite the bet.

[Rosenberg]

Can we just have lunch on the table? He pays for it. I don't want to be Haunted.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know. Why don't we just have lunch together? We haven't done that in a while.

[Rich]

Like gentlemen, you're saying?

[Don Hahn]

And then they didn't walk it off in Kansas City, but they came back. It looked like it was going to be a bad loss after Whit had the home run in the top of the eighth inning. And then they come back and Volpe's in the middle of that and he's not playing too, too bad.

[Rosenberg]

Volpe's doing enough to stay in the conversation, is he not?

[Don Hahn]

Yes, he is.

[Rosenberg]

That was before, you know, the weekend. Wasn't there some stuff about getting him to work out a little bit at second base?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that's right. Well, that. Well, the fact is, is that he's not being sent back to the minors. So that's.

[Caller]

That.

[Don Hahn]

That. That's.

[Rosenberg]

He did what he needed.

[Don Hahn]

Job one. Right.

[Rosenberg]

Good on him.

[Don Hahn]

Stay in the bigs. But that was a big win on Sunday because, you know, you don't want to keep losing ground to the Rays after getting rained out on Saturday.

[Rosenberg]

Three and a half back 10 over though, at least.

[Don Hahn]

Listen, it's their mirror images of each other, I'm telling you. At some point already. At some point. Now we know. Now we can say this Knicks run, positive or negative, is going to end in the NBA Finals, right?

[Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

When, when the dust settles on that. What's baseball got for us? The Yankees are the better story. Second place. So there's a lot to follow there. Mets are dead stick.

[Rosenberg]

Think about this though. When you. When you bring that up, the Mets have. The Mets are probably the team that's going to really deal with it the most because the Yankees are going to obviously go to the forefront, clearly. But when this runs over, let's say it goes seven, goes all the way to the 19th. Right. Training camp for the NFL begins in Mere weeks. After that.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Then you're done. And then it just.

[Rosenberg]

That's the behemoth that takes over and you know, Jets, Giants and all the attention that goes to them. So if you're the Mets, it's almost like the. The Knicks have given you cover and then you're just going to have to deal with an all star break and then football starts and then you'll have cover there.

[Don Hahn]

You just wonder if they're itching and I don't have any idea if they are thinking about this, of making a change at manager. Now's the time to do it.

[Rosenberg]

Kind of getting late, isn't it?

[Don Hahn]

But everybody, I'm just saying that everybody's focused on the Knicks and all that.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, I see what you're saying.

[Don Hahn]

If you want to do it where you're not going to get a lot of shade, it's probably now. And then, you know, new manager comes in. Oh, look at. They got a new manager after the Knicks run is over.

[Caller]

And.

[Don Hahn]

And then. But you got to listen. They tried to call up the kids. That worked for a little while, and now it didn't work. Everybody's getting injured. So I understand it's bad timing to let Mendoza go when everybody's hurt, but

[Rosenberg]

is there evidence that he should at this point, though? Like, is there anything that's pointing to it other than they just.

[Don Hahn]

Well, the evidence that's pointing to it is that, all right, they decide they can't make a deal. They don't want to fire the manager, so let's call the kids. And you got a little bit of a spurt, and now you're right back to square one again. So obviously that didn't have legs. So what's next to do? So I don't know. I. I don't know. They've got me completely.

[Rosenberg]

You really. I've never heard you do that.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know.

[Rosenberg]

You're. You're making your point.

[Don Hahn]

What else is this?

[Rosenberg]

And you just get to that point, you're like, you know, I. I don't know.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, I've had my rants, I've said things. It is what it is, man. All I kept saying to all the people was when. When they went on that little bit of a ride, oh, it's still early. No, not.

[Rosenberg]

They're not good.

[Don Hahn]

Not a good team. And you could tell me about the injuries, but the guys that are hurt are all guys that either weren't producing anyway or always get hurt. So I don't know what's going to happen. But you know what?

[Rich]

Let's speak about. Let's just stay with Joy today.

[Don Hahn]

Let's stay with Joy. Shouldn't we? Let's. Absolutely. I'm 100% with you. And let's go to A.J. he's out in Dallas. You're on the. A.J. what's up, A.J.

[Caller]

hey, guys. How you doing? Big fans of y'. Alls. And let's go, Knicks. Oh, man. It's been a long, long, long time coming.

[Rosenberg]

You're telling me.

[Caller]

I just want to say I was listening to Michael K. Before you guys, and you were saying how, you know, Knicks have a chance and all, but he expects them to lose. And I hear that A lot. How the Knicks are like underdogs for the finals and all. And I don't get it. When you see how these team was playing for the past 11 games, the plus million point differential. And then when you see even right now in the Western, I think they're the only team in the playoffs that hasn't lost by double digits, including OKC, who just lost game four.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Caller]

And then when you look at game four of OKC versus the spurs, how they were down 20 SGA did not play the entire fourth quarter. You know who would play the entire fourth quarter? Jalen Brunson would. And we would have won that game. And so I don't. There's just so much excitement because for the first time I feel like not only could this team we got to the finals, but we could win it all. We could do it for another three years.

[Don Hahn]

But you have these guys for, well, the both. You got a few things at play here. First of all, you have to understand why they're dogs because the west was better than the east to begin with. And again, I don't want to take anything away from the Knicks run here, but you know, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland aren't going to get people to think that they're better than San Antonio and Oklahoma City. Plus the Thunder are coming off winning a championship. So I don't think there's anything wrong with the Knicks being a dog. All right. They've impressed people. But of course the west has been really good. And we've. And we've seen.

[Rosenberg]

And they're. They have home court advantage.

[Don Hahn]

Home court advantage.

[Rosenberg]

Have home court advantage.

[Don Hahn]

And if we've seen anything, the regular season doesn't mean much. So the fact that the Knicks won two out of three from San Antonio, that doesn't matter.

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

It's a different.

[Rich]

They're a dog. I heard, I heard this again on the morning show too. Some like frustration from Rick about them being a dog to OKC and Dave pointing out that they're actually a somewhat sizable dog based on the numbers you see right now. Guys, let's. This is an incredible run. Everything we've seen is amazing. You cannot take away the champion with home court advantage who's been consistently great and it doesn't matter that like, by

[Commercial Voice]

the way, I take that.

[Rosenberg]

Why do you take that stuff so personal? Who cares that, that. Well, they'd be the favorite. Okay. Okay, great.

[Rich]

You know what that means if you keep betting them, you make more money.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. Well, there's that which you've, you've, you've put a lot of shekels in your pocket, but it's also to me, and if you're a Knick fan that doesn't like the narrative of it's been an easy path. You want to be the underdog going into the finals.

[Don Hahn]

That's right.

[Rosenberg]

That's exactly what you want. Because that's the final piece of the puzzle. Yeah, that's the way. Now they take the asterisks away. Right.

[Rich]

No one's got anything left to say.

[Rosenberg]

Now what you're going to say you beat the defending champ, so now what are you going to say? We were the underdogs and we still won. Like that's the way you want it to go. Don't take that stuff personal. And if somebody, if one of us talking heads predicts that they're going to lose, don't take that personal either. Because guess what? There were people predicting the Knicks were going to lose to the Hawks. There were people predicting the Knicks were going to lose to the Sixers. There were people predicting the Knicks could lose to the Cavs. That's the way this stuff goes. Don't take it so damn personal. Your team is on a, an all time run right there.

[Rich]

That's all that matters.

[Rosenberg]

Just enjoy that.

[Don Hahn]

And as far as, well, they can win it the next three years.

[Rich]

Let's win.

[Rosenberg]

Let's not do that. Okay.

[Don Hahn]

I hate that, but I think everybody will acknowledge that the east is going to be even tougher next year. Pacers are going to be back because they're going to get Halliburton back. You know, the Celtics are going to do something. They might end up with a significant player. Maybe they end up with the honest. If not, they'll have a full year. They're going to do some of Tatum, Detroit. Maybe they learned from this. Think of it better. So I think the one thing we can all acknowledge if we, if we want to live in reality world is that we felt like this year going to the finals was a must because of how open the Eastern Conference was. The Knicks have taken advantage of it, but we all knew it going in. And that's why the Knicks didn't celebrate, because they expected to get here.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I told you this was their plan. I told you they had a party. They Talked about finals, 2026. This is what we need to do. We should have been there this year. We screwed up, but the goal has to be we're back next year and right the wrong. They've done that. Now it's let's go win this damn thing. Let's. Let's look.

[Don Hahn]

And it's hard, man. Like, I gave the Gretzky stat, the Gretzky quote. Like, there's four seasons. There's preseason, there's regular season, there's the playoffs, and then there's the final. And that's why I personally would want the spurs, because the spurs haven't done it. The Knicks are a little bit more experienced now. Obviously, Wemby changes a lot because he's a singular talent that could dominate a series. But the point is, is that the Thunder have been there, done that, and that's a huge advantage, home court advantage. They've already played in a final and won, so that helps you. The Knicks have accomplished a lot. Now, that next step, the last one's, always the toughest to get. This is the Super Bowl. This is the World Series, right? This is it. There's no place else to go but this. And you're going to see everything changes. The NBA takes over your building. It's just. It's a different feel for people that don't remember. When you get to the. When you get to this round, everything's. It's going to feel different. The broadcast is different. If you go to the games, the presentation is different. It's all different. It's the two best teams, man. And there's a lot to have to overcome. So the fact that the Thunder just did it five minutes ago is a huge advantage. Again, not saying the Knicks can't win. Of course they can. But if you wonder why, they're dogs. That's why. The Thunder would be the favorite. The spurs will be the favorite because. Slight, slight home court.

[Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

And no offense. Wemby will be the best player on the court.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, right. And he will be the darling. Here's the thing. If the. If the Thunder end up winning this series, I think the Knicks would end up becoming. Which is rare for a New York team, the country will want to see them win it. A, because people seem to hate repeat champions. They don't want dynasties. B, the Thunder kind of like, especially with sga, like, people are kind of getting tired of his act. And the Knicks are a fun story, right? So I think they would be more of like the. The rest of the country would think this is a pretty cool story versus if Wembanyama is in that final.

[Don Hahn]

Forget it.

[Rosenberg]

Nobody wants to see.

[Don Hahn]

I don't even know if it's a hot take, but it's a take. This spurs team is way sexier than the championship. Spurs teams with Duncan.

[Rich]

Oh, way Wemby's a way sexier star.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Caller]

That's.

[Don Hahn]

That's the point. So it's not.

[Rich]

And they're way sexier than okc.

[Don Hahn]

They're boring. Spur like they were very. There will be people if you're neutral. And it's the spurs.

[Rosenberg]

The root for the spurs of him, he's a spectacle. He's box office. So yes, you're going to get. The casual fans who watch will see him and immediately be drawn because of just spectacle.

[Rich]

It's a great TV final. This was Nixon Spurs. It doesn't even resemble what it was 26 years ago.

[Don Hahn]

I just wonder if the executives and the team, whoever had the rights that the TV executives during the spurs run, ever rooting for them to make it to the Finals. Like no ABC is rooting for the spurs over the Thunder.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, you gotta be behind closed doors, right? You gotta be.

[Don Hahn]

Because again, it's just. It just. It's just way sexier.

[Rosenberg]

What do you think of this? This. By the way, in the Eastern Conference, you always talk about the calluses and the going. So we go back to 2022, okay? The Celtics beat the Heat to get to the NBA Finals, right. The following year, the Heat beat the Celtics. So the team that lost won. And then the year after that, right. The Celtics come back and beat the Pacers. Last year, the Pacers, they win this year, beating the Knicks. The Knicks are now the winner.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Rosenberg]

So if you're the Cavs, you're like, all right, we're next.

[Don Hahn]

So the conference final has been the rite of passage, really has been in the NBA since 2022. Let's go to Lang in Connecticut. You're on ESPN, New York. What's up, Lang?

[Caller]

Yeah, doing well, guys. Oh, my goodness. I mean, what a. Just, you know, thinking back to the days of Antonio McDyess collapsing at half court, grabbing his knee and thinking he was a saver to Lee, nail on to Moody Norris.

[Rosenberg]

I mean, I have a quick question.

[Caller]

Yeah, yeah.

[Rosenberg]

I'm trying to remember if I have the right caller, but were you the one that wanted to rest OG Anunoby in Game 4?

[Don Hahn]

He certainly is. I'll answer for you, Lang.

[Rich]

Right.

[Caller]

I take it back.

[Rosenberg]

How'd that work?

[Caller]

That was not a good move.

[Rich]

You take it back. Right, okay.

[Rosenberg]

Because we'd be playing tomorrow.

[Caller]

Right. But let. Right. No, I take it back. I think he looks good and hopefully that stays what I wanted to ask. You know, watching me, it really didn't hit me until they did the trophy presentation. It was a bit of a weird kind of out of body experience. I'm used to going to MSG for the post game and then I said, wait a minute, we got to watch the trophy presentation. And year after year after year, watching other teams enjoy that glory and the smiles and seeing players like you've never seen them and then seeing your team there, I was like, wait a minute, this is awesome. Finally it's our turn. But I wanted to ask one thing about Kenny Atkinson. If this guy is such a analytically driven guru, why didn't he do Hack and Mitch throughout the game? It seems to be working. I mean, that's something that's been on my mind all day. Why didn't he stick with Hack a Mitch?

[Rosenberg]

Because they started putting him out there right before the bonus so they can get to the bonus and then he started taking him out and putting in cat. So now they're in the bonus and if you foul anybody, now we have good free source users like like Mike Brown figured out how to use it as a strategy against them. You know, it's like Herb Brooks said, we take their game and we play it against them. That's literally what Mike Brown did Smalls

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[Don Hahn]

Always consult your doctor to determine if this product is right for you.

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[Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Rich]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

Last Call Crew 1-800-919-3776 because ENN is coming up at 6 o'. Clock. Let's get back to the busy phones. Let's talk to Joe and Chappaqua. You're on ESPN New York.

[Caller]

Hey guys, thanks for taking a call.

[Don Hahn]

What's up Joe?

[Caller]

So I'm loving this run and it got me thinking. I'm just hoping that Mike Brown could be the next Joe Torre. Because, you know, Buckshoethel took the Yankees to a certain level, but it took Joe Torre to take them to the next level. And I love Tibbs for what he did for our team, but maybe it took bringing Brown in to bring us to the next level.

[Rosenberg]

I mean, I thought about that last night.

[Caller]

You did.

[Rosenberg]

Really, literally thought about last time, Showalter and Joe Torres and how. Yeah, I literally was thinking that last night during the post game show in msg.

[Don Hahn]

It's not bad. I mean Mike Brown did coach a team to the NBA finals in oh seven. Joe. Joe was on a bad Mets team. He had a decent Braves team. Mike Brown wasn't like Clueless Joe when he was hired, but he wasn't the first choice. See, that's what's interesting. There seems to be a narrative and I'm not here to knock Mike Brown at all. He deserves a ton of credit for where they are. But the narrative seems to be, you know, the Knicks got it right getting rid of Tibbs and bringing in Mike Brown. They eventually got to Mike Brown. Right. If Jason Kidd was able to get out of his contract, he'd be the coach of the team.

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

So it wasn't like Mike. The pivot wasn't exactly to Mike Brown. They deserve credit that it's Mike Brown. But they, they kicked a few tires before they got to Mike Brown.

[Rosenberg]

Of course. Yeah, of course.

[Don Hahn]

Billy Donovan.

[Rosenberg]

But there's a. Yeah, yeah. I mean, Jason Kidd. Yeah, that was the biggest one. They were really trying.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, by the way, we missed. You know, he let go by this

[Rosenberg]

amazing too, by the way, him and Billy Donovan both out now. Right. They're both available last year. Well, we're all set now. But it's just hard not to make that comparison because it's. It's here in New York and it's happening. And what were the Yankees when they went into that series with the Braves? Do you remember in 96, like, do you remember?

[Don Hahn]

Because the Braves were. The braves.

[Rosenberg]

It's a 90s break.

[Don Hahn]

They were underdogs and then they lost the first two games at home. But I think they were dogs because the Braves were the defending champions. Now the. The. It felt, even though the Yankees had lost to the Mariners the year before you make the managerial change, it felt like the Yankees were in a little early, you know, but as far as I. Maybe Jacob or Anthony could look it up, I'm pretty sure they were dogs.

[Rosenberg]

They were dogs. Yeah. Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Because the Braves weren't the. I don't want to say they had

[Rosenberg]

that pitching staff, man.

[Don Hahn]

But the Braves, the Braves had won in 95 in the midst of the 14 straight divisional championships. But you didn't know that that would be it. It like you felt like it was the beginning of like, oh, they'll win six or seven, you know, they ran

[Rosenberg]

into the Yankees twice after that. Right.

[Don Hahn]

Couldn't beat him in 99 either. I got swept in that series. Obviously. They. They blew the two nothing lead against the Yankees.

[Rosenberg]

Still amazing to me. Still amazing. They lost both games at home. Smoked in game two, pet.

[Don Hahn]

It was horrible. What game was that? The Layrards home run where they were down six nothing. When that game three or four. It's three or four. I think it might have been four. I'm trying to remember. It was 30 years ago, but you're allowed to forget. Let's go to Rodney in Hartsdale you're on ESPN New York.

[Caller]

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

[Don Hahn]

What's up?

[Caller]

Hi. Thanks for taking my call. In 1973, I was a senior at V. McBurney School, 15 W. 63rd St. And we were huge Yankee fans. In fact, one of our classmates, George Lois, his father was head of Lowest Pitts in Gershon, the biggest ad firm in the city where Bill Bradley spent his off seasons working. And my last note is give some shout out to Monica McNutt for coming up with the term flow state. Because that's the way the 73 Knicks played and that's the way these snakes play. It's all flow playing like a team. Yeah, they win. It's not individuals, it's how those guys are. Witty. Yeah, because thank you for taking my call.

[Don Hahn]

Even with stars, Rodney, you just need everybody to play as a team. And boy, are they doing that. By the way, Monica McNutt is going to be joining us tomorrow on Wednesday at 4 o'.

[Caller]

Clock.

[Don Hahn]

So we're looking forward to that. Glenn's in Connecticut. You're on ESPN New York. Hi Glenn.

[Caller]

Hey guys, thanks for taking my call.

[Don Hahn]

Always

[Caller]

wanted to go back to the NBA Cup. Peter, you could queue up the flashback music if you want, but just, just going back to the NBA Cup, I think it'd be a great incentive for the NBA to award the winner of the NBA cup home court advantage. If those two teams face off again, which is incredibly possible, we're looking at that possibility here in the next couple days. I think that would be a nice wrinkle in a nice award for the NBA Cup. Make it a little bit more, have more incentive to it.

[Don Hahn]

But the thing is, is that it's such a low percentage that like, why bother?

[Rosenberg]

Well, first of all, there was once this thing that people thought was this curse because you didn't get out of the first round. If you won the NBA cup, right. And then blew that out of the water. Adam Silver though, probably would love to be able to say, oh look, our two NBA cup finalists are also NBA finalists. Isn't that great for our in season tournament? Doesn't it show you how important it is? But it is interesting to say if you win the cup or reach the final, right. If you, if one of those teams gets to the finals, you automatically get home court advantage.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Rosenberg]

Even in the losing team. Now both then the winning team obviously. Right, but what would you say to that? Just to, just to throw that added

[Don Hahn]

wrinkle you could add. But again, how often would it actually show up?

[Rosenberg]

That's why to me, you could do it.

[Don Hahn]

You could do it. It's just not. It's not going to incentivize it because again, what teams are going to feel like, oh, this will be great if we make it to the finals. When they did it, the All Star Game, which was stupid with baseball, the entire league got the home, so there was an advantage to it. But listen, it makes sense this year. But you might go 10 straight years with them not even doing anything.

[Rosenberg]

You're right about that.

[Don Hahn]

But it wouldn't hurt, right? No, but listen, Adam Silver should bump his chest a bit. Why not? It's only the third one now. The previous two with the Bucks and the Lakers, they didn't go very far, right? But the Knicks did. And maybe this is a trend.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, we shall see.

[Don Hahn]

Boy, does that so much for putting anything up at the Garden. If the Knicks win, like I think you do, or do you, like, really

[Rosenberg]

just double down now you do it.

[Don Hahn]

That's a good question.

[Rosenberg]

If you win the championship, you put up three bets. You throw that one up, too. To hell with it.

[Rich]

Yeah, well, see, that's so funny.

[Rosenberg]

We swept. We took the whole thing.

[Rich]

You go from, you would never want to put it up, but now you want a championship, might as well put

[Don Hahn]

it up now you can make the case. Well, even if you don't win, when you put up the Eastern Conference banner, do you have that with the Cup?

[Rosenberg]

You could do that.

[Don Hahn]

You can't do it if you lose to the spurs, because how would that look? Oh, we beat you in the cup every time the spurs came. That's a nice little.

[Rosenberg]

Hey, who'd they beat that year? Who'd they lose to?

[Don Hahn]

I don't think you could do that. That probably would make a ton of sense. What do you got there?

[Rosenberg]

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[Rich]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

She loves the flexibility of Amazon Hub Delivery because she takes dog grooming in. I'm sorry, grooming appointments in the morning, then delivers packages in the afternoon around her business schedule. It works really well, doesn't it? Getting started, by the way. Really easy. No delivery experience, no long term contracts and no startup cost. New York Local Business if you're ready to make your next move, visit Amazon.com hubdelivery that's Amazon.com hubdelivery 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 Apple and your smart speakers.

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