Don, Hahn & Rosenberg | Hour 3: Knicks Window

Date: December 30, 2025
Hosts: Ty Butler, Alex Monaco | ESPN New York

Episode Overview

This lively hour of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg dives headfirst into New York sports culture—specifically the New York Knicks' championship window, sports fandom, and city-life mindset. Hosts Ty Butler and Alex Monaco spark energetic debate about what it takes for the Knicks to win now, how injuries affect title aspirations, and field a series of passionate, sometimes wild, fan calls about trade scenarios and team management. The pair also share fun banter about New Year's Eve in NYC, peppered with classic local humor and community camaraderie.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New York New Year's Eve: The Local Experience

• Opening Banter (00:34–06:00):

  • Ty and Alex riff on braving New Year's Eve in Times Square, New Yorkers' grit, and the city’s winter brutality versus Southern California chill.
    • Ty: “I can’t imagine waiting in line, in the cold, cover charge, crowds stepping on my kicks—that just sounds miserable.” (02:15)
  • Debate: How much would it take to get them to do the Times Square NYE "diaper experience"?
    • Alex: “Three months of Manhattan rent.” (04:42)
    • Ty: “I’m starting at, like, 250k.” (04:47)
    • Both agree even $50k wouldn't be enough.

• True Fan Hypotheticals: Would they do it for a guaranteed championship for one of their teams?

  • Knicks, Jets, Chargers brought up as emotional triggers—many would only do it for a title, not money.
    • Ty: “If you guaranteed me a Knicks championship, maybe I do it for a hundred grand.” (08:28)

2. The Knicks' Championship Window: Time Is Now

• Jokic Injury & Ripple Effect (09:19–12:41):

  • News: Nikola Jokic’s knee injury sparks reflections on the fragility of NBA "windows."
    • Ty: “We sometimes over-exaggerate how long a championship window is open for… I now have reframed my Knicks thinking: you gotta win the championship this year.” (11:36)
  • Examples:
    • Lakers post-2020 championship injuries
    • Bucks’ Giannis and Middleton issues
    • Nuggets’ current struggles
    • Celtics and Pacers derailed by key injuries

• Championship-or-Bust Mindset:

  • Ty argues the Knicks can't bank on future opportunities.
    • “With injuries running rampant, you never know. You can't just assume you'll get back.” (11:36)
  • Alex asks about minute-management for Knicks players. Ty downplays it: “Guys get hurt anyway, no matter the plan.” (12:55–14:38)

3. Wild Knicks Trade Calls & Fan Takes

• Call-in: Giannis for Brunson Trade (15:51–21:18):

  • Casey from Brooklyn floats a hot-take: “Jalen Brunson and Mitchell Robinson for Giannis, if Kolik proves himself.” (16:55)
  • Ty and Alex react with disbelief:
    • Ty: “That is the rare, it gets worse the longer the phone call goes.” (19:05)
    • Alex: “Kolikmania is real.” (19:24)
  • Both hosts joke about the call’s logic and suggest not sharing shaky takes on-air:
    • Ty: “Sometimes you gotta run it by someone before you call a radio station.” (21:18)

• Fan Energy, Jersey vs. NYC Attitude (21:37–25:46):

  • Tessa calls in to defend Jersey nice and roast fans who root for tanking:
    • “Anybody that condones losing, wants to lose, aims to lose, participates in bum behavior.” (23:43)
    • Both hosts appreciate her competitive spirit, noting, “This joy you have, the world didn’t give it to you.” (26:10)

4. Listener Calls: Giants, Jets, & City Sports Spirits

• Draft Capital vs. Winning Mindset (29:57–34:55):

  • Chris counter-argues Tessa’s anti-tanking stance: “Sometimes, baby, this is chess, not checkers. The draft capital of a first pick is enormous.” (30:06)
  • The guys tease Chris’s “Morgan Freeman” voice and push back on toxic trade takes:
    • Chris: “Never again take a call from that clown proposing Brunson for Giannis.” (34:42)

• Jets’ Outlook, Giants QBs, and Kirk Cousins Wish (35:16–37:10):

  • Listeners debate next year’s Jets record and the need for a veteran quarterback.
  • Alex, on the Jets QB hunt: “You need stability in the house before you work on anything else.” (37:11)

5. Knicks Positivity & The City’s Hopes

• Antonio from Brooklyn brings Knicks optimism:

  • “We made it pretty far last year… don’t change the identity now… 2026 is us!” (38:08)
  • Hosts find his call energizing:
    • Ty: “Antonio has me riled up again.” (38:40)

• Knicks Fan Celebration:

  • To close out, Tishawn in Teaneck rings in with big-picture optimism:
    • “The Knicks—we badass right now. Embrace it!” (46:36)
  • Ty: “That’s so cute. Knicks are all we’ve got, really.” (46:27–47:25)

6. Knicks vs. Nets, Future Star Power (48:01–48:43)

• Quick dustup over who’s the “best” in New York:
  • Ty: “I’m team Donovan Mitchell whenever he forces a trade—he should be a Brooklyn Net.”
  • Alex takes Jalen Brunson: “I got my guy Brunson, today, tomorrow…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the NBA Window:

  • Ty (11:36): “We keep saying it’s get to the Finals or bust… But next year’s not guaranteed… I now have reframed my Knicks thinking into: you gotta win the championship this year.”

• On the Kolik-for-Brunson Hot Take:

  • Ty (19:05): “That’s the rare call that gets worse as it goes.”
  • Alex (19:24): “Kolikmania is real.”

• On Fan Mentality:

  • Tessa (23:43): “Anybody that condones losing, that wants to lose, aims to lose, is bums. They participate in bum behavior. That’s why I always want to win.”

• On Antonio’s Knicks Hype:

  • Antonio (38:08): “I’ll be at the Garden with my son against the Clippers. Let’s go Knicks! 2026 is us!”

Important Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:34 - 06:00 | New Year’s Eve in NYC / “How much would it take?” debate | | 09:19 - 14:38 | Jokic’s injury, fragility of NBA windows, Knicks must-win year | | 15:51 - 21:18 | Fan call: Brunson for Giannis trade proposal debate | | 21:37 - 25:46 | Jersey vs. NYC mentality, anti-tanking rant (Tessa) | | 29:57 - 34:55 | Draft pick vs. winning mindset (Chris’s chess vs. checkers)| | 38:08 - 39:04 | Knicks chemistry, optimism for 2026 (Antonio call) | | 46:27 - 47:25 | Knicks’ “embrace the moment” optimism (Tishawn call) | | 48:01 - 48:43 | Knicks vs. Nets/Brunson vs. Mitchell future rivalry |

Language & Tone

• Brisk, animated, New York directness—fun mix of sarcasm, local pride, ribbing, and sports savvy.
• Welcoming to passionate fan opinions—regardless of how wild!
• No patience for weak takes; plenty of in-jokes and city “insider” humor.

Final Thoughts

This hour of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg delivers a full-tilt sampling of NYC sports culture: KNICKS title hunger, city toughness, and fan eccentricity. Ty Butler’s “championship-or-bust” urgency reframes the city’s title expectations. The fan calls add colorful chaos—from a (derided) Brunson-Giannis trade to a full-throated anti-tanking screed. Through it all, the hosts channel the city’s ‘right now’ attitude, reminding listeners to appreciate this Knicks window—because in New York, the future is never guaranteed.

Hosts:

• Ty Butler – @TyDButler
• Alex Monaco – @AlexMonaco

Fan Line: 800-919-3776

End Note:
As always, the door is open (if you say thank you) for more passionate, brilliant, and berserk New York sports talk—on Don, Hahn & Rosenberg.