Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Melo & KD

Release Date: April 2, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

The episode "Hour 3: Melo & KD" of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast delves deep into Carmelo Anthony's induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame and explores the potential future moves of superstar Kevin Durant (KD) within the NBA. Hosted by Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg, the trio engages in passionate discussions, providing insights into both basketball and broader sports narratives.

Carmelo Anthony's Hall of Fame Induction

Breaking the News

• Don La Greca [01:10]: Announces Carmelo Anthony's election to the Basketball Hall of Fame, highlighting his impressive NBA resume including his tenure with the Knicks, Nuggets, Thunder, Trail Blazers, and Lakers.

  "Carmelo Anthony has been notified he has been elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame... he is a first ballot hall of famer." [01:30]

Career Highlights and Achievements

• Peter Rosenberg [02:00]: Details Melo's accomplishments such as being a 10-time All-Star, a 6-time All-NBA team member, and the 10th leading scorer in NBA history.

  "He won a national championship as a freshman at Syracuse... he was insanely good in the Olympics." [03:18]

• Don La Greca [03:30]: Reflects on his personal experiences covering Melo, including memorable moments like Melo's trade and press conferences.

  "It was one of the heights of being a beat writer... I was there." [03:40]

Fan Reactions and Criticisms

• Alan Hahn [05:25]: Discusses the mixed reactions from fans, particularly Knicks supporters who question Melo's Hall of Fame credentials due to the lack of an NBA championship.

  "They really post up like, 'Well, Melo didn’t win a title, does he belong?'" [05:53]

• Peter Rosenberg [06:37]: Compares Melo’s reception to that of star players like Alex Rodriguez, suggesting that despite his individual brilliance, team achievements heavily influence fan perceptions.

  "There are people that look at Carmelo Anthony as a failure in New York because they didn't win a championship." [06:50]

International and Olympic Contributions

• Don La Greca [04:00]: Emphasizes Melo's impact on international basketball, including his performances in the Olympics which bolstered his reputation.

  "He was one of the great Olympic players... KD is not going to play in the LA Olympics. I guarantee he loves playing the Olympics." [05:24]

Aaron Judge and Fan Sentiment

Comparisons to Carmelo Anthony

• Don La Greca [07:30]: Draws parallels between Melo’s reception in New York and baseball's Aaron Judge, pondering when Judge might face similar fan frustrations despite his stellar performance.

  "Like when do Yankee fans start staring at him with that kind of same frustration of that's great, but when are you going to win us a ring?" [07:20]

• Alan Hahn [10:46]: Suggests that Judge might receive more leniency due to being a hometown hero.

  "I think Judge will get a lot more slack on account of being a homegrown guy." [10:46]

Performance and Expectations

• Don La Greca [12:24]: Highlights Judge’s mixed postseason performance, acknowledging both his standout moments and critical mistakes.

  "He has had moments, big shots, and yet all anybody kept saying was he doesn't win." [12:24]

• Peter Rosenberg [14:23]: Discusses how Judge's lack of a championship could overshadow his regular-season achievements in the eyes of fans.

  "They won't remember the early stuff. They'll remember the drop ball." [12:55]

Kevin Durant's Potential Moves and Team Implications

Trade Speculations

• Don La Greca [15:20]: References Shams Charania’s insights on KD's trade possibilities, emphasizing the likelihood of Durant seeking a championship-contending team.

  "Kevin Durant could be... he's clearly showing he’s willing to take multiple swings to try to win a championship." [16:01]

• Shams Charania [16:01]: Explains KD's aggressive pursuit of championships, referencing his past moves to teams like the Suns and his performance metrics.

  "Kevin Durant, he would work together on any trade... the biggest thing to keep an eye on is how the playoffs go." [16:53]

Impact on the New York Knicks

• Peter Rosenberg [18:03]: Analyzes the Knicks' potential interest in KD, noting past relationships and the challenges of integrating another superstar into the roster.

  "What is it going to take? Listen to Shams also on McAfee about." [18:03]

• Alan Hahn [19:43]: Discusses the financial and strategic implications for the Knicks if they pursue KD, considering their current roster and salary cap constraints.

  "It's just about the level, the cost... Astronomical future picks." [19:43]

Team Dynamics and Roster Building

• Don La Greca [20:27]: Examines the Knicks' draft picks and potential sacrifices required to accommodate a player like KD, including moving future valuable picks.

  "They can move some picks they know are going to time out... but they don't anticipate being bad." [20:27]

• Alan Hahn [21:24]: Envisions a strategic lineup incorporating KD, Jalen Brunson, and Carl Anthony Towns, while also considering the roles of other key players.

  "A version of this team with Jalen Brunson, Carl Anthony Towns, and Kevin Durant is the sort of three-headed monster they've wanted." [21:24]

Contract and Longevity Concerns

• Don La Greca [22:09]: Highlights KD's contract status and the potential financial strain on teams looking to acquire him.

  "It's got a year, I think. You'd have to get well..." [22:09]

• Alan Hahn [23:33]: Discusses the challenges of matching KD’s salary with existing Knicks players like Mason Bridges.

  "He's not unrestricted... he's up." [23:33]

Caller Interactions and Broader Sports Discussions

MLB Top 100 List Controversy

• Caller Nestor [27:43]: Criticizes ESPN's MLB Top 100 list for ranking players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Mookie Betts above Aaron Judge.

  "I think it's ridiculous that they got Bobby Wood Jr. And Mookie Betts ahead of Judge." [27:43]

• Peter Rosenberg [28:06]: Defends Judge’s standing, arguing that his comprehensive performance should warrant a higher ranking.

  "Judge is still an A plus defender, covers a ton of grounds, got a monster army... What’s not to like about Aaron Judge?" [28:48]

College Basketball Final Four Debate

• Caller [33:26]: Engages in a discussion about the scheduling bias favoring the men's Final Four over the women's, questioning the logistics and fairness.

  "Why do the women start before the men? And you're having teams fly halfway across the country that ended on Monday?" [34:01]

• Alan Hahn & Peter Rosenberg [35:13]: Agree on the perceived bias, noting the scheduling choices prioritize the men's championship for higher viewership.

  "The truth is it's biased against the women's tournament." [35:13]

Pop Culture and Sports Personalities

• Discussion on Anime and Jazz Chisholm [49:10 - 50:32]: The hosts and callers discuss Jazz Chisholm's fandom of the anime series One Piece, featuring humorous exchanges about his personal style and interests.

  "Jazz is a big anime fan... But Jazz Chisholm seems like a very cool guy." [50:09]

Closing Remarks and Future Segments

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the discussions and tease upcoming segments, including potential "Caller All-Star" events and continued debates on player rankings and team strategies.

• Don La Greca [43:33]: Encourages listeners to subscribe and catch the show on demand.

• Alan Hahn [44:19]: Shares thoughts on Billy Joel’s songwriting, drawing analogies to representational artistry.

  "He can write songs about things that are not him. It's like he's playing a part." [44:26]

• Final Calls and Advertisements: The episode concludes with typical sponsor messages and humorous banter about editing and content management, emphasizing the dynamic and engaging nature of the show.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Don La Greca [01:30]:

  "Carmelo Anthony has been notified he has been elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame... he is a first ballot hall of famer."

• Don La Greca [05:53]:

  "He was one of the great Olympic players... KD is not going to play in the LA Olympics. I guarantee he loves playing the Olympics."

• Alan Hahn [10:46]:

  "I think Judge will get a lot more slack on account of being a homegrown guy."

• Peter Rosenberg [28:48]:

  "If Ohtani didn't hit Judge, well, who else are you going to."

• Alan Hahn [35:13]:

  "The truth is it's biased against the women's tournament."

Conclusion

Hour 3: Melo & KD offers an in-depth exploration of Carmelo Anthony's Hall of Fame legacy and the intricate dynamics surrounding Kevin Durant's potential moves within the league. Through passionate dialogue and diverse perspectives, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of current basketball narratives and their broader implications in the sports world.