Podcast Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Episode: Hour 3: Knicks, Yankees & Bands
Release Date: July 2, 2025

Hosts:

• Don La Greca – ESPN New York's voice
• Alan Hahn – Sportswriter and Knicks broadcaster
• Peter Rosenberg – Hip Hop expert and WWE personality

Knicks Coaching and LeBron James Speculation

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion about the New York Knicks' recent coaching changes and the speculative connection to LeBron James potentially joining the team.

Peter Rosenberg (01:35):
"We're not just looking for someone better than Thibodeau; we need a coach who can take us forward."

Alan Hahn (03:03):
"I love the theory, but I don't think LeBron James is actually part of their plans when they decided to move on from Tom Thibodeau."

Key Points:

• Mike Brown's Appointment: The hosts analyze the reasoning behind hiring Mike Brown as the new head coach, emphasizing his extensive experience and fit for the Knicks' organizational needs.
• LeBron James Connection: Peter Rosenberg proposes a conspiracy theory suggesting that Knicks' management, led by Leon Rose, might be positioning the team to attract LeBron James should he become available. Alan Hahn counters this, arguing that the coaching change was driven by internal factors unrelated to LeBron's potential move.
• Organizational Dynamics: The conversation explores how player complaints about Tom Thibodeau's coaching style led to the search for a new coach, ultimately resulting in Mike Brown's selection to stabilize the team.

Mets and Yankees Performance Analysis

Transitioning to baseball, the hosts critically assess the current performance of the New York Mets and the New York Yankees, highlighting significant concerns despite both teams' playoff aspirations.

Peter Rosenberg (05:54):
"The Mets have lost three out of their last 17 games, which is a troubling trend despite being a playoff contender."

Alan Hahn (07:36):
"Is this rock bottom? Because, I mean, could they play worse?"

Key Points:

• Mets' Struggles: The hosts discuss the Mets' poor offensive performance, particularly their inability to hit with runners in scoring position. Alan Hahn emphasizes that their current issues mirror past shortcomings that have hindered their playoff success.
• Yankees' Position: While the Yankees hold the first place, their bullpen instability and defensive inconsistencies raise doubts about their championship potential. Peter Rosenberg questions whether being in the playoffs is sufficient to deem them a "championship-caliber" team.
• Comparative Analysis: The conversation contrasts the Mets and Yankees with other MLB teams, noting that only a few are genuinely competitive, while many teams like the Tigers, Dodgers, and Giants are outshining others due to better performance.

Yankees Roster and Defensive Issues

A deeper dive into the Yankees' roster management uncovers significant defensive challenges, particularly concerning Jazz Chisholm's positional play.

Peter Rosenberg (14:55):
"Jazz is a second baseman, not a third baseman. It's unacceptable with a payroll over $300 million to keep asking players to fill positions they're not suited for."

Alan Hahn (15:26):
"Jazz Chisholm was told he's a second baseman all winter, but due to injuries and roster constraints, he's had to play third, leading to defensive inefficiencies."

Key Points:

• Jazz Chisholm's Positioning: The Yankees' decision to have Jazz Chisholm play third base despite his natural position at second has resulted in negative defensive statistics (Chisholm is -4 outs above average at third).
• Roster Management: The hosts criticize the Yankees for not adequately addressing roster holes despite having a high payroll. The inability to secure a consistent third baseman forces players into uncomfortable positions, affecting overall team performance.
• Impact on Team Dynamics: Alan Hahn highlights how positional inconsistencies disrupt team chemistry and performance, arguing that analytics are being overlooked in favor of roster flexibility.

Top Five American Bands Debate

Shifting gears to music, the hosts engage in a lively debate over the greatest American bands of all time, sparking strong opinions and listener reactions.

Alan Hahn (17:07):
"We've listed Eagles, Beach Boys, Van Halen, Chicago, and Aerosmith, but our list has sparked backlash from listeners."

Peter Rosenberg (17:07):
"People have strong opinions on Twitter. My brother called our list 'garbage,' leading us to re-examine our choices."

Key Points:

• Initial List: The hosts present their initial top five list—Eagles, Beach Boys, Van Halen, Chicago, and Aerosmith—but quickly encounter criticism from both listeners and within the discussion itself.
• Listener Feedback: Callers express dissatisfaction, proposing alternative bands like Doobie Brothers and Ramones, and questioning the inclusion of certain bands based on commercial success and cultural impact.
• Live vs. Studio Performance: The debate touches on the difference between a band's live performance prowess versus their studio-recorded work, with specific critiques of bands like Guns N' Roses and Chicago.
• Commercial Success vs. Cult Following: Peter Rosenberg argues that while some bands have passionate fan bases, lacking mainstream commercial success disqualifies them from the "greatest" list. The discussion underscores the importance of broad resonance and impact in defining a band's greatness.

Notable Quote:
Peter Rosenberg (19:12):
"They have their die-hard fans but lack commercial success. They might be great live, but to be called great, they need mass resonance."

Sports News and Signings: Deandre Ayton and the Lakers

Returning to sports, the episode covers the latest NBA developments, particularly focusing on Deandre Ayton's potential signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Alan Hahn (33:38):
"Sean is reporting that Deandre Ayton is going to agree to sign with the Lakers, originally targeted for the Bucks."

Peter Rosenberg (34:06):
"This move could influence LeBron's decision to stay with the Lakers, seeing the team addressing their center position needs."

Key Points:

• Ayton's Signing: Deandre Ayton being signed by the Lakers addresses a critical need for a center, potentially strengthening the team's roster and strategic positioning.
• Impact on LeBron's Future: The addition of Ayton may sway LeBron James to remain with the Lakers, as the team is making significant moves to enhance competitiveness.
• Strategic Implications: The hosts discuss how the Lakers' ability to secure Ayton reflects their broader strategy to navigate a challenging Western Conference and remain contenders.

Listener Interactions

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with callers who bring additional perspectives, primarily focusing on the music debate and sports roster concerns.

Notable Interaction:
A caller named Mike from Connecticut defends his favorite band, Fish, citing their sell-out records at Madison Square Garden but faces criticism for the band's lack of mainstream success.

Alan Hahn (38:02):
"Our list included Eagles, Beach Boys, Van Halen, Chicago, and Aerosmith. As for Mike's suggestion, while Fish has a dedicated following, they lack the widespread commercial hits needed for such a list."

Conclusion and Wrap-Up

The episode wraps up with a final exchange on the music debate, reinforcing the subjective nature of defining "greatness" in bands. The hosts reiterate the importance of both commercial success and cultural impact in shaping their top five list.

Peter Rosenberg (38:50):
"For Metallica, even though they're the Beatles of heavy metal, their reach doesn't span the general populace the way our listed bands do."

Alan Hahn (40:30):
"It's simply that not enough people agree to elevate certain bands to the 'greatest' status, regardless of individual opinions."

Final Thoughts:
Don, Hahn & Rosenberg conclude the episode emphasizing the ongoing dynamics in both sports and music, highlighting that debates and strategic decisions continue to shape their respective fields.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Peter Rosenberg (01:35):
  "We're not just looking for someone better than Thibodeau; we need a coach who can take us forward."

• Alan Hahn (03:03):
  "I love the theory, but I don't think LeBron James is actually part of their plans when they decided to move on from Tom Thibodeau."

• Peter Rosenberg (05:54):
  "The Mets have lost three out of their last 17 games, which is a troubling trend despite being a playoff contender."

• Alan Hahn (07:36):
  "Is this rock bottom? Because, I mean, could they play worse?"

• Peter Rosenberg (14:55):
  "Jazz is a second baseman, not a third baseman. It's unacceptable with a payroll over $300 million to keep asking players to fill positions they're not suited for."

• Peter Rosenberg (19:12):
  "They have their die-hard fans but lack commercial success. They might be great live, but to be called great, they need mass resonance."

• Alan Hahn (33:38):
  "Sean is reporting that Deandre Ayton is going to agree to sign with the Lakers, originally targeted for the Bucks."

• Peter Rosenberg (34:06):
  "This move could influence LeBron's decision to stay with the Lakers, seeing the team addressing their center position needs."

This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, organizing the key discussions into clear sections and highlighting notable quotes to provide a comprehensive overview for listeners who haven't tuned in.