Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Knicks Slow Starts

Date: March 16, 2026
Podcast Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca

Episode Overview

This hour focuses primarily on the concerning trend of the New York Knicks' slow starts to games, their implications for the team’s championship aspirations, and who is to blame—players or coaching—for these patterns. The hosts also veer into discussions about NBA expansion, baseball umpiring controversies, sports culture, and a reflective moment on “In Memoriam” tributes at the Oscars. The conversation is lively, candid, and authentic, tailored to passionate New York sports fans and those intrigued by the psychology of both teams and their leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Knicks’ Slow Starts — A Legitimate Concern

• Main Theme: The hosts express significant worry over the Knicks' regular habit of falling behind early, even against bottom-tier or depleted teams.
• Statistical Evidence & Eye Test:
  • In the last five games, the Knicks have "spotted the opponent an average of 7.5 points a game" after the first quarter (06:55).
  • They've given up "over 30 points a game in the first quarter," the second-worst in the league for this stretch (07:22).
  • Paradoxically, the Knicks have the NBA’s 6th-best defensive rating because they consistently "wake up" after the first quarter and play lockdown defense.
  • Despite being statistically elite, the pattern is viewed as a red flag. “The eye test keeps telling you something's not right.” – Alan Hahn (08:52)
• Coaching or Player Issue?
  • The hosts question whether the slow starts are a player motivation problem or a reflection on the coach’s inability to prepare the team.
    • "Your team's not ready to play, to start games. Emotionally, that is as much on the coach." – Alan Hahn (12:18)
    • “This isn't cute anymore.” – Steve (06:42)
  • Multiple early timeouts (within first 4 minutes in 3 of the last 5 games) indicate the coach shares this concern.

Notable Quotes

• “I'm sorry. I don't see a championship team. I'm not saying they can't win, but how many games have to look like that before we say this is a legitimate concern?” – Steve (05:45)
• “When you hear a coach start talking like this, and this is becoming a thing…” – Alan Hahn (08:02)

Timestamps

• Knicks’ first quarter malaise: 06:45-08:51
• Discussion of whether it’s on the coach: 09:10-12:18

2. NBA Expansion — Impact and Realignment

• Potential Expansion: The NBA is expected to add teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, resulting in a 32-team league (13:06-14:04).
• Consequence for Scheduling & Divisions:
  • Discussion about which teams (New Orleans, Memphis, Minnesota) might move to the Eastern Conference for balance.
  • Hosts debate whether the quality of the league will be diluted and whether more lottery/tanking teams are healthy for the NBA.
• Financial Element: The influx of $20 billion in expansion fees could raise the salary cap, impacting team-building strategies (13:25).
• Cultural Concerns:
  • “Now you're watering down the product again, right?” – Don Hahn (17:23)
  • Expansion prioritizes profit over competitive balance.

Timestamps

• Expansion and scheduling: 13:06-17:55

3. Around the Leagues: Culture, Coaching & Load Management

• Knicks’ Problems in Perspective: The Knicks are currently grinding through the "softest part of the schedule,” yet aren’t dominating weaker teams as expected (12:10-13:06).
• Warriors' Approach & Steve Kerr’s Future:
  • Discussion of load management; Golden State’s Draymond Green sits out at the Garden with little explanation.
  • “Do you think Kerr sticks around to try to do a rebuild?” – Rosenberg (11:39)
  • Consensus: Kerr’s tenure is tied to Steph Curry; once Curry is finished, so is Kerr.
• The Impact of NBA Money: Anecdote about Golden State exploiting a salary cap spike to land Kevin Durant.

Notable Quotes

• “They're getting away with it, which is dangerous.” – Alan Hahn (08:01)
• “They're not getting out of the play-in. They're kind of locked in.” – Don Hahn, on the Warriors (11:21)
• “They’re going to love it. Money, money, money, money, money.” – Rosenberg, on NBA expansion (17:51)

4. WBC and Baseball Umpiring Controversies

• Juan Soto’s Comments: Flavio calls in (24:31) to discuss Dominican Republic’s performance and Soto’s remarks following an elimination, drawing parallels to Nathan McKinnon’s comments in hockey (25:19-25:44).
• Controversial Called Strike: Heated debate over a questionable called third strike in a high-stakes WBC game.
  • Discussion of how future ABS (automated balls and strikes) will end such controversies (27:12-27:50).
• Hitting Philosophies & Umpire Bias:
  • Hahn and Steve discuss Wade Boggs' refusal to swing at borderline pitches, preferring to strike out on principle rather than adjust to an umpire’s strike zone.
    • “Dude, adjust. You got to widen the strike zone ... If he's calling it every time, Alan, then it's on you.” – Steve (29:29-29:46)

Timestamps

• Flavio’s call and WBC talk: 24:31-27:50
• Hitting philosophy debate: 28:09-30:03

5. Sports Culture: Why Can’t Team USA Just Have Fun?

• Rosenberg laments Team USA’s inability to embrace the playful, celebratory approach seen in other countries’ baseball teams (44:14-46:42).
  • “Why don't we know how to just have fun? ... The Italian team is doing a little espresso thing. The doctor team is just having fun and party. And the US Team, we have military people give the speech like it’s not war.” (44:43-45:17)
  • Cultural reasons are explored: American sports teams seen as more “corporate” (especially Yankees/Team USA) compared to the fun-loving vibes of international squads.
  • Player leadership seen as key—personalities of team leaders matter. Judge and Jeter compared; both "corporate," but Jeter had more mystique, less manufactured enthusiasm (47:08-48:19).

Notable Quotes

• “It means the world until it all sudden it doesn’t mean the world and it seems very fluid.” – Steve (45:26)
• “I think it's the personality of your leaders, man. I'm telling you, I think it's just personality.” – Don Hahn (47:04)

6. Oscars “In Memoriam” — Reflections & Generational Icons

• Short Segment: The hosts dissect the Oscars’ “In Memoriam” tribute, parsing how Hollywood picks (and values) who gets a big moment and who doesn’t.
• Reflections on how actors like Robert Redford and Sidney Poitier define their generations (34:02-36:12).
• “I don't want to rank the dead, no. But Robert Duvall is right there.” – Steve (32:49)
• Emotional connection to Catherine O’Hara’s passing, especially for the Home Alone generation (37:37-38:08).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Knicks Effort:

• “This isn't cute anymore.” – Steve (06:42)
• “Emotionally, that is as much on the coach ... as anybody else.” – Alan Hahn (12:18)

On NBA Expansion:

• “Now you're watering down the product again, right? ... But adding two more teams only adds to the tanking teams, the bad teams, the lottery bound teams.” – Alan Hahn (17:23)
• “They're going to love it. Money, money, money, money, money.” – Rosenberg (17:52)

On American Sports Culture:

• “Why don't we know how to just have fun?” – Rosenberg (44:43)
• “The USA and the New York Yankees. Very corporate.” – Steve (45:44)

On Player Leadership:

• “Judge isn’t that different from Alonzo ... kind of nerdy. Like he's just a better ballplayer. ... He doesn't have a ton of charm. But what we can put to rest is he's not Derek Jeter.” – Alan Hahn (47:42-48:19)

On Life’s True Icons:

• “I don't want to rank the dead, no. But Robert Duvall is right there.” – Steve (32:49)
• “Home Alone... that's a movie, guys, that's hugely different for our age range.” – Rosenberg (37:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 05:16 – Knicks vs. G League-type teams, concerns raised
• 06:55 – Knicks’ poor first quarters, statistical breakdown
• 12:18 – Coaching vs. player responsibility; psychology of team leadership
• 13:06 – NBA expansion, scheduling and financials
• 24:31 – WBC, Juan Soto controversy, umpiring debates
• 44:43 – Team USA’s lack of playfulness, cultural factors
• 47:04 – Leadership personalities, Yankees/Team USA comparison
• 34:02 – Oscars “In Memoriam” cultural reflection

Overall Tone

• Candid, exasperated, and analytical.
• The hosts blend statistical analysis with the “fan’s gut feeling,” alternating between sharp criticism and classic New York sports banter.

Useful for:

• Knicks fans tracking the playoff pulse and team trends.
• NBA enthusiasts interested in the impact of league expansion, labor, and economics.
• Baseball purists who appreciate debates about umpiring and sports culture.
• Pop culture followers who enjoy sports/media crossover banter.

To catch the hosts in action, listen live weekday afternoons at 3 on ESPN New York, or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.