Hour 3: Larry Johnson joins the show

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Episode Summary: Hour 3 with Larry Johnson

Release Date: April 29, 2025

In Hour 3: Larry Johnson joins the show of the popular podcast Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg engage in an insightful and nostalgic conversation with former NBA star Larry Johnson. The episode delves deep into Larry’s illustrious basketball career, his experiences with the New York Knicks, and reflections on the evolution of the game over the decades.

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1. Introduction and Setting the Stage (00:00 - 01:29)

The episode kicks off with a brief, energetic exchange promoting Degree Cool Rush deodorant, quickly transitioning to Alan Hahn introducing the live show environment at Stout, near Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. The anticipation is palpable as the hosts prepare for Game 5 between the Knicks and the Pistons, highlighting the Knicks' rare opportunity to clinch a playoff series at home for the first time in 25 years.

Alan Hahn (00:36):

"We got a great crowd in here. Getting you ready for Game 5 of the Knicks and the Pistons tonight."

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2. Larry Johnson’s Historic Game Experience (01:29 - 02:25)

Larry Johnson recounts the pivotal game where the Knicks had the chance to clinch the series. Unfortunately, amidst his personal triumph, he sustains an injury, leading to his hospitalization. This anecdote provides listeners with a firsthand account of the pressures and physical toll of high-stakes basketball.

Larry Johnson (01:29):

"When we did clinch, I was in the hospital getting the news from the doctors."

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3. Comparing NBA Physicality: Then vs. Now (04:43 - 06:14)

The conversation shifts to the evolution of the NBA's physicality. Alan Hahn expresses concerns about the current trend of looser officiating and increased physical play, questioning if today's game aligns with the gritty, intense style of the 90s. Larry defends the modern playstyle, emphasizing the inherent physical nature of playing for New York and the competitive spirit it fosters.

Alan Hahn (04:47):

"This playoff, the past, the several games, our game, I'll say that, that Golden State game, there's a lot being let go."

Larry Johnson (05:26):

"I love it. I love it. I mean, you play for New York, so physical and grimy. That's what, that's. That was part of our game."

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4. Legacy as a New York Knick (03:28 - 04:31)

Don La Greca probes Larry about his enduring legacy with the Knicks, questioning whether he ever anticipated being forever recognized as a legendary Knick. Larry expresses deep gratitude and pride in his association with the team, highlighting the profound connection between players and the passionate New York fanbase.

Don La Greca (03:28):

"Did you ever think when you ended up in New York that you were now probably forever going to be known as a legendary New York Knick?"

Larry Johnson (03:58):

"I thank God for it. And I. I'm appreciative of it because it's been some great, great players that's come through."

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5. Coaching Dynamics and Team Strategies (06:32 - 08:37)

The discussion moves to coaching strategies, particularly focusing on Tom Thibodeau’s tenure as an assistant coach. Larry provides candid insights into Thibodeau’s coaching style, critiquing his emphasis on chest strength over leg work and his defensive tactics. They also touch upon the importance of maintaining physicality against formidable opponents like the Celtics.

Larry Johnson (06:32):

"Well, he thought he was stronger than everybody else. All he did was chest."

Don La Greca (07:56):

"What do you think the approach would be?"

Larry Johnson (08:00):

"If we can put a body and keep a body on Porzingis and keep him north the whole game, we Definitely."

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6. Reflections on UNLV Days and Cultural Impact (09:16 - 16:33)

Larry delves into his years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), sharing memorable experiences like the iconic Grandmama advert and the cultural influence of hip-hop legends like Tupac. He discusses the challenges and camaraderie within the team, emphasizing the tight-knit relationships and the focused mindset that kept distractions at bay.

Don La Greca (11:14):

"So how crazy was it at that time?"

Larry Johnson (12:41):

"We were sneaking in the big fights. Yeah, well, you had people looking out."

Larry Johnson (15:14):

"There was a lot being let go. So I listen, do. I think it's that it's embarrassing, right?"

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7. The Grandmama Campaign and Its Legacy (14:14 - 23:21)

A significant portion of the conversation centers around the Grandmama commercial, one of the most memorable marketing campaigns of the era. Larry reflects on his initial reservations, the campaign's unexpected success, and its enduring legacy. The hosts reminisce about the cultural intersections with hip-hop and the lasting impact of such branding efforts.

Larry Johnson (14:00):

"We had a spot. It was tough. Super Bowl. And it ran in super Bowl."

Peter Rosenberg (22:46):

"How did it work out in terms of like, that was one of the, maybe the biggest. The Grandmama spot is one of the biggest and most memorable spots of all time."

Don La Greca (23:21):

"It certainly is."

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8. Interaction with Legends and Current Team Dynamics (25:06 - 27:48)

Larry shares anecdotes about his interactions with New York legends like Charles Oakley, emphasizing their formidable reputations both on and off the court. The hosts discuss the importance of reconnecting with past players to bolster team morale and fan engagement, proposing ideas like the "Alumni Row" concept to bridge generations of Knicks fans.

Larry Johnson (25:06):

"You know who that was? I know that's, that's, that's a no brainer. And that was Charles Oakley."

Peter Rosenberg (50:18):

"Let’s get him into the building."

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9. Playoff Strategies and Team Outlook (07:56 - 08:44)

As the show anticipates Game 5, the conversation turns to tactical approaches the Knicks should adopt against formidable opponents like the Celtics. Larry emphasizes the necessity of maintaining physicality and strategic defense to counteract the Celtics' offensive prowess.

Peter Rosenberg (07:56):

"What do you think the approach would be?"

Larry Johnson (08:00):

"If we can put a body and keep a body on Porzingis and keep him north the whole game, we Definitely."

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10. Closing Remarks and Future Highlights (31:01 - 51:37)

The episode winds down with promotional segments and light-hearted interactions with listeners, maintaining the show’s signature blend of sports analysis and engaging banter. The hosts hint at future discussions, potential documentaries, and ongoing support for the Knicks, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating upcoming episodes.

Alan Hahn (43:07):

"If you follow the same plan that we saw with Eli Manning and Kurt Warner..."

Don La Greca (51:43):

"Besides, thanks for listening to the Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg podcast."

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Notable Quotes

1. Larry Johnson (01:29):

   "When we did clinch, I was in the hospital getting the news from the doctors."

2. Larry Johnson (05:26):

   "I love it. I love it. I mean, you play for New York, so physical and grimy. That's what, that's."

3. Larry Johnson (07:05):

   "I love it. I love it. I mean, you play for New York, so physical and grimy. That's what, that's."

4. Larry Johnson (16:33):

   "We do have a. A documentary coming out. Documentary coming out. And we was brutally honest."

5. Larry Johnson (24:37):

   "The big contract at mine, which wasn't big. A year later it was worth nothing."

6. Larry Johnson (21:13):

   "A default? Yeah, like one particular story you like."

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Conclusion

Hour 3: Larry Johnson joins the show offers a rich tapestry of basketball history, personal anecdotes, and thoughtful analysis of the game's evolution. Larry Johnson’s candid reflections provide fans with a deeper understanding of both his personal journey and the broader dynamics of professional basketball. The hosts skillfully navigate through past and present, delivering an engaging episode that resonates with long-time listeners and newcomers alike.

Transcript

[Don La Greca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Degree Cool Rush is back and it.

[Don La Greca]

Smells like victory for all of us.

[Alan Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers. All right into the big 5 o'clock hour we go here live at Stout, right by Penn Station, right by Madison Square Garden, 33rd street and 7th. We got a great crowd in here. Getting you ready for Game 5 of the Knicks and the Pistons tonight. The Knicks have an opportunity tonight to end this series and do something they haven't done in 25 years, that is clinch a playoff series on their home floor. Not many people here were around to see that. There is one man sitting here with us that was not only around to see it. He was on the court for that game. And that, of course, yeah, is the great Larry Johnson, who joins us right now. Yeah, lj. So the funny thing is though, lj, is that while you played in that game, you weren't there when the game ended. You want to tell that story?

[Larry Johnson]

Yes, yes, exactly. I didn't realize that we haven't clinched at home in 25 years since that time. But of course it was against Indiana, one of the rivalries, and I was having a great series and enjoying myself having a great series. That was a game before the four point play and that game is when I got hurt. When we clinched, Travis Best went for a layup and came down on my knee and I had to go to the hospital. So when we did clinch, I was in the hospital getting the, getting the news from the doctors. And then Marcus got hurt 10 minutes after me. And Marcus was like 10 rooms by five rooms down from me getting this MRI.

[Alan Hahn]

So is this like the movie Hoosiers where you're jumping on the hospital bed?

[Larry Johnson]

No, we weren't jumping on the hospital but doing no jumping. There was no jumping through it. But you know, my wife was there and the, like I say, the doctors was just, they was just updating. You up 10, you up 5, all in the ambulance ride. Down. I was like, what we doing? Oh, they just cut it to six. We back up 10. Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you walk up 31st against the garden, you'll see pictures of, like, Taylor Swift, Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, all quoting what it's like to play the Madison Square Garden. If they were to put your picture up there, what would your quote be?

[Larry Johnson]

Oh, wow. Exhilarating. It's a different crowd. I mean, I would say that I'm from Texas, and Texas is a big football state, but we always looked at New York as the mecca of basketball. Being from Texas, it was like, if you. Basketball is msg and basketball really is New York, we love New York. Basketball. Being from Texas. And once I got the chance, because I was with Charlotte, drafted by Charlotte for five years, and I would come to the Garden, and I would just kill the Garden. Hate to say that to my guys, but I would get 30, 35 every night when I played with Charlotte, I would just do my thing. Because you get to the Garden and you see the crowd and you see, like, Spike and all of these guys sitting on the front row who's not there to look good. They're there to witness a good game and no basketball. So it was just. It was refreshing, I would say.

[Don La Greca]

Did you. Did it surprise you, Larry? Like, you have all these incredible associations, right? Like, the UNLV thing is its own thing, culturally, that I fortunately got to be, like, 12 years old for. And it was the coolest thing ever, right? Then you become the man in Charlotte. Grandmama is born. You're on tv, known as that guy. Did you ever think when you ended up in New York that you were now probably forever going to be known as a legendary New York Knick? It's kind of wild.

[Larry Johnson]

It is. And I. I thank God for it. And I. I'm appreciative of it because it's been some great, great players that's come through, and I. Who don't want to make their mark in New York, right? You know, you come to play here for these fans, you come to play for this city, and you definitely want to be known as one of the greats to do it. You don't want to be. I mean, because if you're a bus, New York, New Yorkers will tell you you was a bus, right? So to be known as one of the greats to play and be, you know, to be in this position, I just cherish it and thank God for it. But I never knew it, though. Never knew it.

[Alan Hahn]

Imagine being that player when you come Back all these years later, it's like, oh, yeah, hey, hey, you weren't that good. I love you. You weren't that good.

[Don La Greca]

They'll tell you.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, you're getting that reaction from a guy, right, Larry, you weren't that good.

[Don La Greca]

But I love you, though.

[Alan Hahn]

But if anybody could talk about 90s basketball, it's obviously you. And with that in mind, we get to the playoffs and the physicality goes up, the officiating seems to stop. And I. I feel like. And Monica McNut, before she said it, too. I feel like this year, it's. It's. That ain't. That's not 90s best. This is a little something different. It's almost like too far. Am I crazy? Is what you're watching too far? Like, as far as when you screen, it's not holding your screen. It's just grabbing somebody and shoving them and moving them. Are you telling me that that's how it was when you guys played, or is this a little sloppier? This feels sloppier.

[Larry Johnson]

I love it. I love it. I mean, you play for New York, so physical and grimy. That's what, that's. That was part of our game. So I love it. I don't think it's a little bit too far, but this playoff, the past, the several games, our game, I'll say that, that Golden State game, there's a lot being let go. I mean, a lot of calls that could have called it hadn't been called. So I'd rather you not call it and just call any ticket tag file.

[Alan Hahn]

I agree with that.

[Larry Johnson]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

How emotional. How emotional are you during Knicks games? Like, does this feel like very.

[Larry Johnson]

And especially these guys. I just. I enjoy watching these guys.

[Don La Greca]

They're a lovable boss.

[Larry Johnson]

They really are. They are great guys off the floor.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Larry Johnson]

And they love New York. They love playing for each other, and they love playing in this city. So it's very easy to get into these guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How much fun would it be playing with Brunson?

[Larry Johnson]

Oh, a lot of. You got a point guard that can get you to ball, plus do his thing when he needed it. Definitely be a lot of fun not putting down none of the point guards I played with, but he's one. He's special. He's special. And he's one of the top two, three, four point guards in this league. In my. In my.

[Alan Hahn]

Tell us about Tom Thibodeau when he was an assistant coach back then.

[Larry Johnson]

Well, he thought he was stronger than everybody else. All he did was chest. He put 300, 315 pounds on his chest bar and wouldn't do no legs. Oh, he lived in it. Waving on, patting his chest. Now we like, yo, do legs. Go do some leg curls. All I need is chest. And he used to try to guard you on the post, and it's nothing but foul. Just hag, hag, hag, hack. Then look at Jeff go. Where all the tough guys at? You not one you. Not one. You just a hacker dude. That was my guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Did you see. Did you see the highlight? Speaking of Jeff, did you see the highlight of him on the clipper bench?

[Larry Johnson]

I did.

[Alan Hahn]

And YIC has. He has the ball. YIC is trying to take it from him and he won't let go. And did that give you some flashbacks?

[Larry Johnson]

Flash flashbacks? I ain't get no flashback. But, you know, that's Jeff, that's. That's typical Jeff. You know, Jeff think he was a tough guy too, but, you know, he'd get out there and try to guard and act like he knew how to play too. But that was Jeff, man. He was. He played for his. I mean, he was coaching for his. His players and he was a player's coach, so that definitely didn't surprise me.

[Don La Greca]

Now, do you. We talking about physicality? This team is really going to have to get physical, I think, should they make it to play Boston. Right. Like you do. I don't think you want to get into a finesse game with the Celtics. They can shoot the lights out. Tatum is obviously. We understand what he's capable of. What do you think the approach would be?

[Larry Johnson]

And do you.

[Don La Greca]

Do you give this team a puncher's chance against the Celtics, should they make it?

[Larry Johnson]

Absolutely. But it, like you said, it's going to be a puncher's chance, meaning we got to throw some punches. And literally, guys, don't, don't. Don't give me wrong. I don't mean going out throwing physical punches, but just as physical. You now with within Detroit. Detroit, you get that same physicality you're getting. Tatum just run free and do his thing. OG is physical defensive player. Let's put a body on him. Let's keep him. You know, let's just stay with him and keep. Stay physical with him. And the same goes with their big guy. If we can get Robinson in and try to. What's our big guy that we had that big guy for them?

[Don La Greca]

Chris Staps.

[Larry Johnson]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Porzingis.

[Larry Johnson]

If we can put a body and keep a body on Porzingis and keep him north the whole game, we Definitely.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Got to punch, you know, the Knicks, 0 and 4. 0 and 8 combined against Cleveland and Boston and those two games against OKC. So that's oh and 10 against the top three teams in the NBA. As a player, how do you keep that out of your head?

[Larry Johnson]

I don't. As a player, you don't. Let's put it in the forefront, and let's go out and use that as motivation. I mean, Jeff wouldn't have never put that out our head. He would be on the board when we walked in. And it's like, yo, this is what these guys have done to us this year, so let's make this up. Did we better than this? We know we can beat these guys, and let's go out there and do it.

[Alan Hahn]

What's the mentality for a game like tonight? It's an elimination game. The Knicks were here last year, lost Game 5 to Philly, had to go back to Philly. I would imagine the last thing anybody wants to do is go back to Detroit and have to deal with that crowd and everything else. So you've been in these situations. What is the mentality for a veteran Knicks team going into a game tonight knowing that you get one more win and not only the end of series, you get a couple of days off before a game One.

[Larry Johnson]

You said it. That should be the mentality as shoot around today. All on the plane coming back home. It should be, let's not give back. Let's not take this back to Detroit. Let's not go back to Detroit. We can end this at home in front of our crowd, and let's just be the focus and just go out and play a near perfect game. Stick to be very focused, stick to what we do best, and let's go out and win this now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We just came off the NCAA tournament. It's not like it was when I was growing up.

[Alan Hahn]

Can you imagine the money this man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would have got.

[Larry Johnson]

The legal money I got? And we was the thing about it back then at unlv, there was no pro sports. There was no girls, there was no a hockey team, anything like that. And I was speaking to one of my friends earlier, I said I'd have been on TV almost every day. Shoe commercial or whatever, commercial. I'd have just been on TV every day. If there was no pro sports in this, in the city. And the city was just. The UNLV ran the whole city. You know, football, basketball, we just ran the whole city. So, yeah, I wish I'd had more than two years at unlv. I Can remember my junior year, we won national championship. And it was picked that it was said that I would be number one and number two coming out. And people like, are you coming out? No. Why would I leave Vegas? I'm not leaving. I got another year I could try to repeat. I was player of the year, you know? You know, and then use that old phrase that you might get hurt. You might get hurt, man, you can get hurt walking down the street. You can get hurt getting out of bed. So if you don't concentrate on getting hurt, you. You don't get hurt. And I didn't get hurt my senior year, and my stock did not go down my senior year.

[Don La Greca]

So how. How crazy was it at that time? You know, I feel like history could kind of change over time. And I feel like we. We talk a lot about the Fab Five and with good reason for how impactful they were culturally. But the Running Rebels, culturally are very, very similar in terms of how hip hop it was. I. I always remember Tupac wearing the unlv.

[Larry Johnson]

Absolutely. Like Dear Mama in the Dear Mama video.

[Don La Greca]

Like, how crazy was it for you guys as kids, seeing that logo everywhere and knowing you guys were a huge part of impacting culture at a very young age?

[Larry Johnson]

You don't know. At the time, like. Like I said, the years at Las Vegas, we wasn't focusing on it. It was big. When we saw Tupac, now, that was big. We was all a big hip hop fan and a Tupac fan. So we, like, we. I think we gotta start calling each other. You see Pac on the video, you see park on the video. But other than that, the coaches, we spoke of Coach Sarkanian, early. Guy by the name of Tim Gergaridge. Other than that, they kept us grounded. I mean, I mean, it was. But we didn't have ESPN radio neither in espn. I think ESPN was probably out of Connecticut at that time, and it was.

[Don La Greca]

Just get it going too.

[Larry Johnson]

Yeah. So just other than staying away from watching TV and reading about ourselves, we were just definitely just focused. So we really didn't pay too much attention to it.

[Don La Greca]

Were you guys like, you're going to unlv? Would you guys, like, go to the big fights in town and ball out as well?

[Larry Johnson]

Absolutely. We were sneaking in the big fights. Yeah, well, you had people looking out.

[Alan Hahn]

For you, I'm sure.

[Larry Johnson]

Absolutely. Absolutely.

[Don La Greca]

But you guys must have. People must have went crazy when they saw you out and about, because there are no. There are no professional teams at that time in Las Vegas. There was no Golden Knights. It was the Running Rebels. You were the professional team of Las Vegas.

[Larry Johnson]

Absolutely. It was, it was hit and miss because, you know, most of those professional fights is tourists coming in, especially those seats that's down in the ring was the tourist. And then up top play probably was Vegas Knights, you know what I'm saying?

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Larry Johnson]

And they, they, they knew not to put us on screen either. You know, I, you know, celebrities go to the fights now. They put them up on the screen. You know, we, they, we, they couldn't do us like that.

[Don La Greca]

Who was, who was your closest friend on the team?

[Larry Johnson]

Stacy A. That's my roommate.

[Don La Greca]

And you guys stay close forever?

[Larry Johnson]

Absolutely. Absolutely.

[Don La Greca]

He was the man.

[Larry Johnson]

Plastic man.

[Alan Hahn]

Plastic, Plastic man.

[Larry Johnson]

Yeah, I, I like the kid here. Guy said, man, you went to UNLV for six years, you know.

[Don La Greca]

Well, he was having a good time.

[Larry Johnson]

Larry, just like I was. I wish I had more than two years, but.

[Don La Greca]

Well, the NBA needed you, you know, Nike needed you.

[Alan Hahn]

Would you.

[Larry Johnson]

It wasn't, it was Converse.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, sorry. Converse was the Grandma Moss.

[Larry Johnson]

Yeah, absolutely. Nike told me. Nike told me they didn't think I'd be a good player because that workout. Yeah, right.

[Don La Greca]

Well. And by the way, and how did it work out in terms of like, that was one of the, maybe the biggest. The Grandmama spot is one of the biggest and most memorable spots of all time. You know, like, I'm guessing. Do people yell that to you on the streets?

[Larry Johnson]

I get it, I get it once or twice here in New York. I'm gonna get the four point play once or twice a day and I'm gonna get Grandmama once or twice a day. Definitely. And think about it. I did not want to do that, that spot. Did not want to do that commercial originally.

[Don La Greca]

I could understand.

[Larry Johnson]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

But were you happy with how it turned out in the long run?

[Larry Johnson]

It took maybe six months after it came out and everybody went crazy over. I was like, wow, this is going to be pretty good.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, it worked out.

[Larry Johnson]

We had a spot. You know, it's tough. Super bowl. And it ran in super bowl. And it got great rave reviews and Super Bowl. So I definitely enjoyed doing it after that.

[Alan Hahn]

Think about, Imagine. Imagine the cojones it took. Marketing guy.

[Don La Greca]

Larry, we have this great idea, right?

[Alan Hahn]

All right, Larry, sit down. I got a good one for you.

[Don La Greca]

Right? And by the way, this is, this is, this is 92, 93. This isn't 20, 25.

[Alan Hahn]

Picture this. You're a cross dresser, right?

[Don La Greca]

Your grandma. You're playing the grandma in a dress the whole night, but you dunk the hell out of the ball later.

[Larry Johnson]

I get. I get. Tyler Perry owes you money.

[Alan Hahn]

Tyler Perry owes you money.

[Larry Johnson]

I said, no, he got. He cool. He. He keep his.

[Alan Hahn]

Bart Scott said that last year. Two years ago, we had you on. That's all he keeps talking about is Tyler Perry made a whole. A whole industry off of Grandmama commercial. Would you ever consider writing a. I don't know if it's a biography or whatever about. And I mean, revealing all the stories from the UNLV days, from recruitment all the way to the chair, like. Because that's a life. That's a life. That.

[Larry Johnson]

Why y'all trying to say we was cheating, bro?

[Alan Hahn]

Nobody said cheating. Nobody said. It's more of the fascination of.

[Larry Johnson]

Think about all this playing basketball. I'm just kidding.

[Alan Hahn]

He hates Duke too, though, so don't worry about it.

[Larry Johnson]

Oh, no.

[Don La Greca]

By the way. Way give me UNLV all day, every day. Overdue.

[Alan Hahn]

But. But in all serious, like, there's some of the stories that must be for. For being the age that you were, where you were. There's got to be some story that you probably will take to the grave.

[Larry Johnson]

Gotta be. Gotta be. We do have a. A documentary coming out. Documentary coming out. And we was brutally honest. I mean, most of us. Oh, yes, Yes. I definitely were. It was some of the stuff, like, I'm seeing parts of it. I was like, man, can we take this part out? I didn't mean to tell that part. I didn't mean to go that far.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to self edit?

[Larry Johnson]

Yeah, yeah. They was like, oh, Larry, so good. I bet it is so good.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, like, the last Dance to me changed so much of how sports documentaries are done because Michael was just so revealing on a lot of things and the stories that came out about those times. So I imagine you probably sit there thinking to yourself, oh, this will kill him. This story will kill him. Is there one you can share? Is there one that they're like, I could tell this one that's in the documentary.

[Larry Johnson]

No. Come on. Let's say this recruiting coach talking recruited me.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Larry Johnson]

He came to Dallas to watch me playing a summer league game. He was in a white convertible Rolls Royce. Oh, my goodness. White convertible Rolls Royce.

[Alan Hahn]

So that was it. Who was the school before he showed up in the white convertible? Rose?

[Larry Johnson]

No, not one school. Everybody was showing up in Four tourists for the Reynolds.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I mean, if there was your favorite school before he showed up, like, you're like, I'm going here. And then he showed up. You're like, no, I'm not.

[Larry Johnson]

I I tell Patrick this all the time. I was a big time Patrick Ewing fan and Georgetown fan, and I wanted to go to Georgetown and play for John Thompson.

[Don La Greca]

Coach Thompson wasn't showing up in that.

[Larry Johnson]

And that. That kind of. My high school coach got turned off at that because I. He asked me my senior year, where do you want to go? I said, I want to go to Georgetown. And he started reaching out to Georgetown, and Coach Thompson was. Was like, well, I don't go watch players. And my high school coach are pretty turned. He say, coach, this is the best player in the country. And my. So my high school coach turned down. Turned down about that. So I got a little side.

[Don La Greca]

Now, now, real quick. Did. Did. Did Jerry Tarkanian drive away in the car or did the car stay at the residence after he drove away more.

[Larry Johnson]

Than one day, so I had a summer league game. Then the next day, I was playing, like, in my. In my. In my. My gym at home. He came and watch to the gym at home, and he pulls up in. In. In the projects and his white convertible.

[Don La Greca]

Rose. Rose.

[Larry Johnson]

And two of the prettiest girls I ever seen. Wow.

[Don La Greca]

So now what. What was.

[Alan Hahn]

Not alone.

[Don La Greca]

What was he.

[Larry Johnson]

But what I'm gonna get off this show.

[Don La Greca]

Well, what was talk like? What was he like? What was he like as a coach, though? I know, just straight coach.

[Larry Johnson]

Defensive. Defensive. We would spend four hours, my first practice at unlv, I can remember, we. We went into the gym. It was beautiful outside. Sun up 80, 90 degrees in Vegas. It was beautiful outside. We got out of the gym, it was. It was dark. It was pitch black. I said, how long were we in this gym, bro? And Face was like, oh, that's what he do. That's what he do. And he did. We would. Our practices would go like this. Tim Gergar, who is a great, great system coach, great coach, he would Practice started like 3/3, and Tim Gers would be in the gym, and we would. And I'm like, we going through practice with Coach Ger. And we would be in there for an hour and a half, two hours.

[Don La Greca]

Before talk shows up.

[Larry Johnson]

And he shows up talking about, all right, let's get started. Let's get started. We've been in here two hours, bro. Where you been? Let's get started.

[Alan Hahn]

Wait a minute, Wait a minute.

[Don La Greca]

That's. It's incredible.

[Alan Hahn]

I was told that players can't play a lot of minutes. They can't. They can't do that hard work. I was told by the current media that you guys need to wrestle, manage none of this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What do you do?

[Larry Johnson]

None of this. This is. I mean, you can't blame these guys. We try to say, oh, the league a little soft now. Well, you can. Like you just said, these guys got these batteries in their shirt and they look at a computer on the side. Oh, he's. He's.

[Alan Hahn]

He's.

[Larry Johnson]

This. He got to take care.

[Alan Hahn]

He's deficient in vitamin D. We should sit him down.

[Larry Johnson]

Come on. Well, Coach Talk would have laughed at all that. You guys, 18, 19, 20 years old. You should be able to practice four hours. Whatever.

[Alan Hahn]

Coach, what is alumni row like when you're sitting there and who acts up the most? I think I know you know who.

[Larry Johnson]

Acts up the most. Light skin. Light skin. He's into it. He's into it. And talking to the player, John Starks.

[Don La Greca]

Starks is more.

[Larry Johnson]

He studied every player. I'm like. I'm like, john, look at that. They got nine coaches over there. Stop putting this in these boys. I got to get. Talk to him, man. I got to let him know. You don't. No, you don't. Leave these cats alone.

[Alan Hahn]

We always say he's like the uncle at an AU game. Towel around his neck.

[Don La Greca]

He like crazy stuff.

[Larry Johnson]

He's embraced that. He's embraced that role. Is that why he loved that role?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that why Brunson was screaming at him the other night on the court?

[Larry Johnson]

Was he screaming at him?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was screaming at Starks the fourth quarter.

[Larry Johnson]

Well, it's probably something good. I'm hoping it was something good, because I didn't. I missed that game. I had a viewing party for that. If I was at that game and it wasn't good, I'd have punched John. You leave him alone, bro.

[Don La Greca]

Now, Larry, when you. When you're around family and friends, you played with some of the greatest of all time, including the greatest of all time. Do you have a de facto, like, default Michael Jordan story when people ask you about playing against mj?

[Larry Johnson]

A default?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, like one particular story you like.

[Alan Hahn]

To go to, one you go to all the time.

[Larry Johnson]

Well, I don't go to this one all the time, but it was a true story. And. And it got to do with Alan Houston. Alan Houston was cooking this game, okay?

[Don La Greca]

Many times he did that.

[Larry Johnson]

Many times he did that. But don't nobody cook Michael too much, right? But Allen Houston was cooking this game, and he was just giving it to Mike, and it was easy. I call out in Houston easy because it was just all easy. One dribble, two dribble, pull Back he was giving it to him. And he would score and I would go oh. And he would score, score two or three times. I would go oh, oh. And Michael Jordan looked at me. Can I curse over here?

[Don La Greca]

No.

[Larry Johnson]

He looked at me, said F U L F you. I said no F L. He doing this. I'm just admiring what this man do. F U L J F no F U F that license skinned dude giving it to you. Yeah, he got bad every foot. Yeah, that's my teammate. I can, I can be happy. What's going on? You like that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

The other day I got seven year old twins.

[Larry Johnson]

I'm.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I, I need to entertain them with something. I'm like I'm going to throw a space jam on.

[Larry Johnson]

There you go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And, and it's, it's 30 years old, but it's still, it still resonated with them. I mean did you know when you did it that it was going to be something as cool as that?

[Larry Johnson]

Not really. But you, you know, it was, it was, it's Warner Brothers. It's Warner Brothers and it's you know, Daffy Duck and all those guys and it's Michael Joy. So the combination definitely was there. And I'm saying this by Mike, I love Mike. I think he's the greatest player ever play and it was him who wanted me on them. On, on the, on that.

[Don La Greca]

Really?

[Larry Johnson]

Yes. From what my agent told me because when he asked me like yo, Michael Jordan got a movie coming out and he wants you to my life. He want me in the mood because I barely knew Mike. I didn't really know Mike at that. But I think the grandma want grandmama thing has something to do.

[Don La Greca]

Isn't that crazy how like we think of Nike being so good and they dropped the ball. An opportunity where it took you that far. Not only were you that great on the floor and that dynamic a player, but that as a marketing guy it was that big. I mean it's, it's one of the biggest ones of, of that era when you think about it Post besides mj, you got you, you got little Penny. There are a couple of things that really stood the test of time that.

[Alan Hahn]

Really sold the league. You know, the 80s and bird magic is one thing, but you guys in the 90s took the bird magic thing and then lifted it to a whole other level with the personalities, the characters and all that other stuff. And I'm with Peter. I. That, that grandmama thing as much as I'm sure now as an older guy you probably cringe at it. And by the Way are you grandmama's.

[Larry Johnson]

Age at this point now probably you.

[Don La Greca]

Would be dating grandma.

[Larry Johnson]

She was a little old at that time. She was still dunking old, everybody.

[Alan Hahn]

That's true.

[Don La Greca]

She sure.

[Alan Hahn]

But still, still what it did going forward and leading into what you see today from all these players, I mean you've got to feel like that's like Clyde always says that I, I stand on the shoulders of those who have, you know, gone before me. And I'm sure like you're, you're part of that certainly as well. What they're doing today is because of what you, Penny Hardaway, obviously Michael and others were willing to do.

[Larry Johnson]

Well, I take pride, of course, I take pride in it. But again, it was guys before me, like just like Clyde said, Clyde always say the right thing. The guys before me would probably look at what we was doing back then and go, wow, I wish I was back. I wish that we was getting that, paid that money back then. Cuz that contract I got at that time, everybody kind of went crazy over that contract. So we definitely standing.

[Don La Greca]

How big, how big was the big one?

[Larry Johnson]

The big contract at mine.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Larry Johnson]

Which wasn't big. A year later it was worth Nothing. Which. 84. 84 for 10 years. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

That's Isaiah. That's Isaiah Har.

[Larry Johnson]

84.

[Don La Greca]

I mean listen, it's still good.

[Larry Johnson]

So it was wild.

[Don La Greca]

I'm not going to cry for you. But it's still relatively crazy compared today. Let me ask you, this may be an obvious question, maybe not. Of all the Knicks that you played with in that era, who was the ultimate real life? You don't want to bump into them on the street and catch an attitude badass.

[Larry Johnson]

You know who that was? I know that's, that's, that's a no brainer. And that was Charles Oakley. Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

And, and, and did you ever see on any occasion him have to do anything when you guys were out and about or do people know better?

[Larry Johnson]

No, I think his reputation preceded him because when Oak was on the team, Oak and I was kind of was close and we went out, you know, on the road. Hey man, let's go over here, let's go over there. Yeah. His reputation proceeded. Nobody really tried tried Oak on the street.

[Don La Greca]

And by the way, to this day, if you physically see Charles Oakley in the flesh, I see him and go, that is a man who I want no problems with.

[Larry Johnson]

No Cleveland. He's a Cleveland gangster. And he has no problem with throwing hand.

[Don La Greca]

No, he does not.

[Alan Hahn]

That whole, that whole team though, like you, you guys walk you guys, now, people like me can only. Us can only dream of what this feels like. But what is that like? Because you did it with unlv. Every gym you walked in, you guys walked in like, yeah, yeah, we got this.

[Larry Johnson]

Here we go.

[Alan Hahn]

When you were with that Nick team that had all those badasses on it, Right. Was that that same feeling of, no matter where we walk into, we can handle our business?

[Larry Johnson]

Absolutely. Every gym we walked into and New York was always hated and we loved it. We love. We was always the bad guy. And we. I mean, we all. We cherished.

[Alan Hahn]

It's funny, because this team goes all over the league and they get mvp chance and chance at new gold. Like, how about Charlotte, which probably breaks your heart. Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Washington. Washington was out of control Philadelphia in the playoffs last year.

[Larry Johnson]

That's right.

[Alan Hahn]

You guys never had that.

[Larry Johnson]

I couldn't believe what we did in Philly last. We went over, the fans went over, took over Philly. Yeah. I was like, yeah, I couldn't do that in football. Big Philly, but you definitely do that in basketball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you hang with any other athletes in New York besides basketball players?

[Larry Johnson]

No, no, no, no. You know, Yankees was doing their thing at the time, and there was Jimmy's in the Bronx, and we would catch Jeter at Jimmy's in the Bronx a couple of times and a Rod there. But, you know, we just. What's up? What's up? Never really hung with him.

[Alan Hahn]

Different era.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a little busy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's the thing, right? Like, you know, you come to New York and there's, you know, so many teams and so much going on. Like, it's because, you know, we cover in the Rangers. It's like, it's the perfect place to go because people care. But you can, as big as it is, find a place in the city where nobody will bother you. It's. It's like the perfect storm.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. Like, if you're in Oklahoma City every time Kevin Durant went out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

I mean, of course.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Don La Greca]

You know, everyone's gonna gather up. Whereas in New York, I mean. Yes, you guys are pretty recognizable. You know, the being 69 part doesn't help, but people are used to seeing stars here. And you can move around and go to the restaurants. Kind of a different situation. Have you. Where do you live now? Are you here full time?

[Larry Johnson]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, you never left?

[Larry Johnson]

No, I did leave, but I've been back for about a year.

[Don La Greca]

Nice. You like being back?

[Larry Johnson]

I love being back.

[Don La Greca]

Well, I'm sure the people I'M sure the people love seeing you as well. It's a beautiful thing, especially this time of year with this energy. Maybe the first opportunity to clinch since you were on the team tonight. It's a very special time.

[Alan Hahn]

It's really amazing. Thank you for joining us. By the way, we love the story. I know you started to sweat a little bit as we got into the UNLV stuff, but y'all stay away from but we will definitely check out that documentary and see what they actually cut out and what they left in. You never know. LJ Larry Johnson everybody.

[Larry Johnson]

Thank you so much.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks LJ and as the Knicks get set to host Game five, the team will once again host a block party outside of the Garden. It is free and open to the public. It is an event that will offer attendees the opportunity to participate in Knicks themed activities prior to Game five at the Fan Plaza, followed by a watch party presented by Spectrum, a live viewing of the game on a large outdoor screen amongst other fans. Activations at Fan Plaza presented by Duncan will include alumni appearances and interviews, photo opportunities, face painting giveaways, and a live host and dj and much more. So make sure you check it out.

[Don La Greca]

Race the rudders.

[Alan Hahn]

Race the sails.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Race the sails.

[Don La Greca]

Captain, an unidentified ship is approaching.

[Alan Hahn]

Over. Roger, Wait, is that an enterprise sales solution?

[Don La Greca]

Reach sales professionals, not professional sailors.

[Alan Hahn]

With LinkedIn ads, you can target the.

[Don La Greca]

Right people by industry, job title and more. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started today at LinkedIn.com results, terms and conditions applied. This episode is brought to you by Chevy Silverado.

[Alan Hahn]

When it's time for you to ditch.

[Don La Greca]

The blacktop and head off road, do it in a truck that says no to nothing. The Chevy Silverado Trail Boss get the rugged capability of its Z71 suspension and 2 inch factory lift, plus impressive torque and towing capacity thanks to a an.

[Alan Hahn]

Available Duramax 3 liter turbo diesel engine.

[Don La Greca]

Where other trucks call it quits, you'll just be getting started. Visit chevy.com to learn more.

[Larry Johnson]

Nordstrom brings you the season's most wanted brands. Skims, Mango Free People and Princess polly.

[Don La Greca]

All under $100.

[Larry Johnson]

From trending sneakers to beauty must haves, we've curated the styles you'll wear on repeat this spring. Free shipping, free returns and in store pickup make it easier than ever. Shop now in stores and Nordstrom.com.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don La Greca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. All right. We are back here live at Stout.

[Don La Greca]

Like you dream about.

[Alan Hahn]

Like you dream about. Right across from MSG getting you ready for game five. Knicks and the Pistons, everybody here now packing the place. It's great. I love Stout. By the way. This is the pre game spot to be. Not just for games too Nick. Rangers. Really good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We had a hamburger earlier, was great. Great lunch. Amazing.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes. And this is a spot you want to hang even like before a Ranger game, a Nick game or concerts. Like everybody that goes to the concert, they come here. They've also got another level that you can go to. So Stout is the place to go when you're going to the Garden and you want to just have a spot to go before or after the game or the concert. Let's do a game time is brought to you by Tullimore. Do Irish whiskey because Don, when it's game time.

[Don La Greca]

It'S talented.

[Alan Hahn]

It certainly is.

[Don La Greca]

He went for it.

[Alan Hahn]

He did. I love it.

[Don La Greca]

Really went for it.

[Alan Hahn]

I almost want everybody to do it with you at one point. Now the Knicks to close out the Pistons if they get a win tonight. They do. And coverage of game five begins at 7:00pm on 10:50am now why is it on 10:50am you say? Well, because the Mets start a series with the Diamondbacks and that coverage immediately follows us right here on 8:80am Truly like you dream at 6:30. And of course everything's on the ESP New York app. Everybody have the app. ESPN New York app. We all have it at this point, right? Yes we do. Right now the Yankees continue their series with the Orioles at 6:35. The Devils, they're looking to avoid elimination tonight. They have game five down in Carolina at 7:30. Telemore due the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemardu or try the new Telemore Dew. Honey, during tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Telemore do responsibly.

[Don La Greca]

We. I hate to be this guy but you're gonna. We never took any questions from anyone.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to do that? I. I think we can line up. Everybody want to line up. We have an extra microphone.

[Don La Greca]

Do we have an actual stick mic?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah, we have a stick mic right there. If we could get one of our.

[Don La Greca]

John hop right to it.

[Alan Hahn]

Like New York people. I like if you want to like it's like a call in. You come over, you say where you. Where you're from, what your name is. You can ask us A question. So don't be shy. Who's the first one who's going to break this?

[Don La Greca]

My big purpose.

[Alan Hahn]

Step on up. Step on up to the microphone. And let's. Let's take some in person calls.

[Don La Greca]

My number one reason for doing this is having to see John Winthrop do the in person work. Like. Like when he used to work with Stephen A. All right, here we go. What's your name, miss? Hi, my name is Chelsea.

[Alan Hahn]

Hi, Chelsea.

[Don La Greca]

I'm from Huntington. Yes, I see you a lot. Like, walking around town where you see me? Hiding in your car. Stalking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not to be a stalker.

[Alan Hahn]

Not at all.

[Don La Greca]

Outside your house, in your bedroom.

[Alan Hahn]

Easy.

[Don La Greca]

Sorry. What do you got, Chelsea? I just want to say thank you guys. I love listening to your show. I'm here with my dad. That's cool. He bought me tickets for my birthday. He's back there. My two kids are at home. They love you guys, too. My husband, of course. I just want to say thank you guys and I love you and. Let's go, Nick. I love it. You know what? I don't think that can be beat.

[Alan Hahn]

This was a birthday present. When was the birthday.

[Don La Greca]

What? Oh, I'm sorry. My birthday is in May. Nice.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, so pre birthday.

[Don La Greca]

My dad said a closeout game. We can't.

[Alan Hahn]

Tremendous. That's a great job, dad. Yeah, it's not like these weren't cheap, you know, Just letting you know. That took care of you. All right.

[Don La Greca]

We're excited.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, well, happy birthday, Chelsea. Thank you so much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

She definitely looks like somebody that was too young to remember 99. So she could definitely appreciate.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but dad certainly knows, like, how important this is. How important, so he's pointing it out. All right, who's up next?

[Don La Greca]

Here we go.

[Alan Hahn]

I like the sweatshirt already.

[Don La Greca]

She really.

[Alan Hahn]

That set the bar so high. I don't know what to say.

[Don La Greca]

I know. Either way.

[Alan Hahn]

Peter Rosenberg, you're my celebrity crush.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Donna Greca, you're the man of the people.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you. And Alan.

[Don La Greca]

Let's go.

[Alan Hahn]

Nick, you're a guy. You're Alan. Han, you're a guy.

[Don La Greca]

And you're a guy.

[Alan Hahn]

You're a guy.

[Don La Greca]

Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

Celebrity crush. Don's the man.

[Don La Greca]

Listen, my bad.

[Alan Hahn]

I used to listen to Michael K. And. Yeah, here we go.

[Don La Greca]

My bad. I was a huge.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm sorry, Michael. Okay. Couldn't be here today. Sorry.

[Don La Greca]

I'm a Yankee boy.

[Alan Hahn]

Because he was busy doing his show before our show.

[Don La Greca]

Please don't. Don't feel bad. Thank you, buddy. We appreciate you, man. And I. You know what I appreciate when someone could admit their Yankee boy, like, just come right on, say it. I'm Yankee boy.

[Alan Hahn]

How am I supposed to feel about this?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're gonna have to.

[Don La Greca]

He's not the only one to say it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He came to a Nick party wearing a.

[Alan Hahn]

That's all right. I like this. I'm a Yankees fan. But for him to do, like, celebrity crush. You're the man. You're not Michael. Let's be honest. You're not Michael.

[Don La Greca]

I know. In all of places. In all places, Don. For it to happen. A Nick situation, that's what surprised.

[Alan Hahn]

How do I get up from this?

[Don La Greca]

Well, let's see. Let's see where it goes.

[Larry Johnson]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

Where are we going from here? Let me talk to you.

[Don La Greca]

There you go.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, Al. Makes you feel better. You're my girlfriend's crush, so.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, see, look at that. You're already winning.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, That's a step forward. Yo, I wanted to ask. I think, Pete, we discussed earlier with the Shador Sanders, like with Jeff Ulbricht, like with what he did with the phone number on the unlocked iPad, Is that, like, a fireable event?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, it's a good question, Pete. Thank you. That's. Is it a fireable offense? I would say, yeah. It has to be in the conversation. I mean, how.

[Alan Hahn]

I guess, as an NFL organization, to allow that to happen, to embarrass not only the shield, your organization, a guy that you just hired, you don't really know that. Well, you brought him in, and this is. And then it's like your son doing this kind of says a lot about you, because it's like your son sort of thought it was okay for him to do that. Don't you think?

[Peter Rosenberg]

We'll lay it out.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was a burner phone that he had, and the only people that had that number were the 32 teams of the NFL. So there's obviously an agreement that this is not a number to be shared.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And one of your employees leaked that number out, whether it's a son, maid, whatever, and they decided to use that number to embarrass Chadhur Sanders and thus embarrassing your organization. How is it not a fireball offense?

[Don La Greca]

And. And let's keep in mind. I mean, I'm not trying to be conspiratorial, but. Yeah, you got to just believe Ulbricht, that that's what happened. His son stole it. You don't know the level of.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think. Op Brick.

[Don La Greca]

I don't think. Listen, I. Me neither. I don't know the guy. What Level of irresponsibility. Was it though? What, did the guy dig through your stuff? Were you totally loose and willy nilly with it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I haven't heard this argued at all. Okay, but was it really necessary for the defensive coordinator to have his phone number? I mean, if this is something that only 32 teams have.

[Don La Greca]

Great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why exactly does the defensive coordinator, like the. How many other people in the organization have this number? I get the gm, I get the head coach. I get the offensive coordinator. He's a quarterback. Like I get. So the Falcons have to be held accountable to.

[Don La Greca]

Like, why is everybody. I don't want to overstate this. It's one of the best points you've ever made in the history of the show. You may not want to talk again. This is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's.

[Don La Greca]

It's. Why would he need Ulbricht calling Shador to say what?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, what's he need the number.

[Don La Greca]

It's a great point. I guess maybe the whole. Maybe the top brass of the team gets all the numbers and it's just assumed, I guess we're going to be responsible. Like, listen, when I. When you travel for your job, you may get an email that has lots of famous people's phone numbers on it who work with you, and it's a given you're not going to go giving those numbers out to yo yos. So maybe it's as simple as the teams all get these numbers and most people just don't use them. And this guy's a hackadoodle. Do. To me, the fireable offense part of it is, how much do you like the guy? Do you love him? If you love him, it's not a fireable offense. If you're on the fence, you're not sure. Was this his first year? He just got there, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yes.

[Don La Greca]

Five seconds ago.

[Alan Hahn]

They just hired him.

[Don La Greca]

So they just got there.

[Alan Hahn]

They don't know him.

[Don La Greca]

So I don't know. That's an interesting question, right? The guy hasn't done anything for you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to see anybody lose their job. But all I know is you're entrusted to this information and it got leaked out to a family member. You should know your son. Now if. If first of all, bad job raising your son that he would do something like that, but hey, okay, I do think that he's old enough to hold some accountability, but you just leave the. Leave the. The iPad open so that. Don't you know the situation? Like, I think my son might be capable of doing this. I'm gonna lock it down and not have the number. So I listen, do. I think it's that it's embarrassing, right? I, like, apparently this has happened to other draft picks over the years. I guess it's. It's a funny thing for some people to do. I kind of get that. Is it. Is it the worst thing to happen in the world to Shador Sanders? Probably not.

[Don La Greca]

And by the way, the Falcons apparently will not take any action.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They've said that's how they decide to do it.

[Alan Hahn]

But we've got. We've got more.

[E]

What's up, guys?

[Alan Hahn]

What's up?

[E]

Sean from Hoboken. How you doing? Let's go, Knicks. I don't think what we talk about. Enough with that situation. It just wasn't funny. Hey, I'm Loomis. We're gonna draft you, but you're gonna have to wait longer. Like, where was the punchline?

[Don La Greca]

Oh, by the way, it's a. It's a. You know what? Right after Doc's point, second best point. Terrible prank call. Like, just not a good prank call.

[E]

At least be funny. Like, if this was the 90s, like in the Jerky Boys, this would be a funny.

[Don La Greca]

Right? It was not. Well done.

[E]

If you're gonna. If you're gonna. Screw you, you know, but great point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

It was almost like they called the number and had no plan.

[Don La Greca]

Exactly.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, listen, his son's a.

[Alan Hahn]

Answer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can we say that his son's a dollar?

[E]

Like, this is your moment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To your point. He did nothing with it. It was nothing that could go viral or anything. And then he didn't cover his tracks. Everybody found out in 30 seconds just.

[Alan Hahn]

That it was him.

[E]

It's really just a disappointment, if I'm going to be honest here. But, guys, I love you guys. I listen to you every day. Every day I get a chance to love you guys. Let's go, Nick.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you, brother.

[E]

Want to talk to you about the Giants. Huge Giants pain the last 10 years.

[Don La Greca]

It was a positive conversation. Go ahead.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's on us.

[E]

Hopefully it gets more positive. But what we did in the draft, I mean, you got to be happy as a Giant fan because for the first time in years, I went into this season really saying, I want to lose. I want to tank for Arch. There's no point. I want to be delivered from evil. And now we don't have to deal with that. I wanted to get your thoughts on that. Like, now that we drafted back up to the first round to get a quarterback, you know, what are you guys thoughts about him playing the first season? Him Starting. I'll let you go, guys. Love you guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I really don't think there's any plan on necessarily playing him. He's going to be a project. It really depends on how he reacts to the system, how he plays in the preseason, how Wilson and Winston play. I don't think the plan is to say, all right, by week 10, he's going to play. It depends on how they play, how the quarterbacks ahead of him play.

[Larry Johnson]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I would say that for a fan, my objective would be, I'd like to see. See by the second half of the season, him dressed and backing up, whoever the starter is.

[Alan Hahn]

The first.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what you want to see.

[Alan Hahn]

The first thing I want to acknowledge is the fact that Sean. It's Sean, right? That Sean admitted that he was about losing. That's how desperate and how bad things got for the Giants. And in one draft, in three days, his whole outlook changed. And now he's feeling like, okay, we've got a future. And we were asking that question, guys, leading into the draft, where are Giants fans right now? And because we weren't getting a lot of response, there was a sense of hopelessness. Sean told us we were right, but that has changed. That's important. I still believe that while it. It's. Again, I don't think it's scripted either, Don. But I truly believe that if they follow the same plan that we saw with Eli Manning and Kurt Warner, where whether it's Russell Wilson plays in the beginning and you just get out of the gate, ship goes out onto the. Onto the ocean, you're gonna go through the rough seas because it's gonna be a tough schedule. You get to a point in the season at some point, and if you're developing Jackson Dart from July all the way to October, by November, Dable's gotta be itching to see what it looks like live. And that's when I think you might start to see him. Regardless of where they are schedule wise, does that make sense?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It does, but where you're drafted is important. Eli was the first overall pick. They were 5 and 4. And then they put Eli in and almost lost the room. The veterans were like, wait a minute.

[Don La Greca]

We'Re five and four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're benching Kurt Warner.

[Alan Hahn]

You just killed the season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who won a Super bowl and killed our season? I don't think you can do that with Jackson Dart. You could do with it with Eli Manning, who's the first overall pick. You can't do that with a 24th pick. So it really depends if they're five and four. He's not doing. Now could it open the door where 5 and 4 is 5 and 5, 5 and 6, 5 and 7. You're like, you know what? We need something here. Because I think some of the veterans in that room are going to be like, well, wait, wait a minute.

[Alan Hahn]

Especially on defense.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Eli Manning is one thing.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jackson Dart is completely a different story.

[Alan Hahn]

Unless you're not getting any quarterback play.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I do think there is a scenario. Really, it depends on. You got, you got two veteran quarterbacks. You know, with the Eli situation, you had one, all right, it's Kurt Warner. But, you know, so if, if he's not dressed, you're not going to go from not being dressed all of a sudden starting. So if you see that he passes Winston and becomes the backup, that then you'll start to see he must be really good in practice. He must have a really good camp, good preseason and then it could open the door for that. He's not going to go from not dressed to all of a sudden starting an NFL game.

[Larry Johnson]

There are people out there all across.

[Don La Greca]

The country pushing boundaries to grow the game of golf.

[Larry Johnson]

Like champion speed golfer Lauren Kupp, who.

[Don La Greca]

Plays faster than anyone else, and Will.

[Larry Johnson]

Lowrey, whose work in the golf community.

[Don La Greca]

Inspires more kids to get into the game as a champion partner of the Masters. Bank of America supports everyone determined to find out what's possible in golf and in life. What would you like the power to do?

[Larry Johnson]

Bank of America bank of America NA Member FDIC Copyright 2025 bank of America.

[Don La Greca]

America Corporation all rights reserved.

[Alan Hahn]

This episode is brought to you by Peloton. Everyone has a reason to change.

[Don La Greca]

Growing old, heartbreak, a fresh start. Whatever it may be, Peloton is here.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

The challenge and motivation that keeps you coming back Peloton's tread. An all access membership helps you set your targets, track your progress and get stronger, making your fitness goals a reality.

[Alan Hahn]

Find your push. Find your power.

[Don La Greca]

Peloton visit1peloton.com Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities.

[Alan Hahn]

So do like I did and have.

[Don La Greca]

One of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate, first 3 months only. Price plan options available. Taxes and fees, extra fee. Full [e-mail] thanks for listening to the.

[Alan Hahn]

Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don La Greca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's all happening.

[Don La Greca]

Going for some tribe here. A little tribe. And busted.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't mind New York sound.

[Don La Greca]

That's the vibe right now. It's the energy.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's Q Tip doing? He's not at the game.

[Don La Greca]

No. Tip hasn't been to a game in a long time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why are you just not interested?

[Don La Greca]

No, he's interested. He definitely still watching. Definitely still watching. He's dialed in. He just hasn't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I mean interested in going to the Garden, because I think he has the means to get to the Garden if he doesn't go. I'm just wondering.

[Don La Greca]

Well, yeah, but listen, if you're Q Tip, there's. There's only one way you can really go to the Garden.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, we have a suite. Let's get him in the suite.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, but now he's got to be. He's got a board.

[Alan Hahn]

So he's got it.

[Don La Greca]

He's got to be celebrity.

[Alan Hahn]

He's two. Yeah, he's two.

[Don La Greca]

He's an absolute New York legend. He did there. Wasn't he doing. He did a song.

[Alan Hahn]

He remixed the Go New York, Go New York about 10 years ago.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, like, he's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, so. So it's good enough for Billy Crystal, but not good enough for qtip.

[Don La Greca]

Well, I didn't invite him and have him say no. I'm just saying what I'm saying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's get him into the building.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, but then. Then you want to do the work afterwards to make sure we can actually get into the building.

[Alan Hahn]

If it's good enough for Billy Crystal, it's not good enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can buzz myself into the Garden at any time.

[Don La Greca]

Well, the B got at 3 o'clock in the morning. Hit the button.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If I wanted to. If I wanted to skate at 3.

[Don La Greca]

O'Clock in the morning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The only problem is I don't have skates.

[Don La Greca]

I drive a dog.

[Alan Hahn]

Stress.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you said they're gonna. They're gonna stop.

[Don La Greca]

Q Tip.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I come in with Q tip. Things like, sorry, Don, you can go in.

[Alan Hahn]

No, not you, though, sir.

[Don La Greca]

Wait, but don't you need to take. You need to think for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, none of these things are true. I'm just trying to say that he deserves to get into the Garden, man, Look, but Don.

[Alan Hahn]

I agree.

[Don La Greca]

Don is so ready to go to the game. He already has his credential on and around his neck.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What am I supposed to.

[Alan Hahn]

That's really something. He's big on the credential thing because you know what studio he's got? The ESPN one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm gonna tell you why. I'm gonna tell you why. Because I would throw it around my neck because I don't want to lose it. This is very important.

[Don La Greca]

It is, all right.

[Alan Hahn]

It is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I. I could put it in my pocket. You're absolutely right. But you know what? When we were on yes, all, they would say, tell. Tell Don to take the credential off. I don't have to worry about it anymore.

[Don La Greca]

That's what. You know what? It's one of the great points you've made again.

[Alan Hahn]

So it makes you feel good to wear.

[Don La Greca]

I had. I had a moment. Last year, I went to a WWE show at msg, and I get up to the suite. I was hosting some friends in the suite, and I'd also been sitting downstairs.

[Alan Hahn]

Weren't you hosting me?

[Don La Greca]

No, no. Different.

[Alan Hahn]

I wasn't that night.

[Don La Greca]

No. And I go upstairs and I'm hanging out, and I go. And I feel my pocket, and I'm like, where's my credential? I check every pocket. I'm all the way up in the suite. I just been on the floor. I go sprinting down the stairs, run to my seat, and sitting under my seat on the floor, just wwe. All access, all events, all everything.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're not handing it in. They're keeping that.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, yeah. Someone sees that and no one ever checks the picture on the back. Like, yeah, my picture is on the back. But you know what? Security guards, they just see it. Yeah, it would. It would have been the end. But all. All is all worked out.

[Alan Hahn]

All worked out. That's great. You know, I was thinking this, what you were talking about, about getting Q tip in the building, because while. And I mentioned it when LJ was here, Larry Johnson. This tradition started last year, alumni row. And it. I thought it really caught on. What they have is on the baseline some of the legends of the past who are here to. And they sit front row and they do act up. They're on the court. They get so into it. John starts. He's not joking. He's got a towel around his neck, and every play he's out there, he's screaming. I remember last year, he was trash talking like, Tyrese Halliburton. Like, he was so into it. And then you know, Patrick's there, LJ's there. Bernard King is there. Carmelo Anthony now has joined. He's there. Stephon Marbury, good interview with him. You get. Yeah, just getting him was great. But it's such a cool thing to see that I'm wondering, it would be a cool thing to see at Citi Field, wouldn't it, in a playoff game. Would it be a cool thing to see at Yankee Stadium for a playoff game? Like having them out with the people, not in a suite, tucked away, hidden.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just got there.

[Alan Hahn]

Showing passion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think the first thing any franchise should do, like new ownership or whatever. That's why I love what Steve Cohen did.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Reconnect is just reconnect with the former guys. Mend all fences, bring them back and give them free tickets. I think it's such. It's so important, especially when you have a storied history like the Knicks do. Really, all the teams in New York do to embrace that, man. I think it's really, really.

[Alan Hahn]

And I think fans really get into seeing legends of the past caring about the current team, because now it feels like, oh, he loves him too. Look how fired up he's getting in these games. And maybe, Peter, we need on the other side of the court, Hip hop, bro. We have celebrity ro. And then we just get like, hip hop legends just sitting well espe.

[Don La Greca]

Especially at Nick games. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, my God.

[Don La Greca]

I mean, it. It would be very nice because a lot of the regulars come out. You see Fat Joe a lot. You see Jadakiss a.

[Larry Johnson]

A lot.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

Fabulous is pretty regular. But there's so many other icons who need to be at these games, and.

[Alan Hahn]

Just having them together would be kind of like this interesting. I don't know if maybe there's be for. There's not.

[Don La Greca]

No, no. You pick the right people who are all friends. Although most of the legend, most of the New York legends all get along, honestly, for the most part, that would be pretty cool.

[Alan Hahn]

Like Method man just sitting there like Buster Rhyme.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, it would be pretty. It would be pretty, pretty cool. And it leans into what New York is.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

You know what I mean? And, like, those are the celebrities that are probably still the coolest and most regularly in New York.

[Alan Hahn]

Besides, thanks for listening to the Don, Han and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. 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 app, and your smart speakers.