Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast – Hour 3: NBA Cup (Dec 15, 2025)

Main Theme

This episode revolves around the NBA Cup, its impact, fan perspectives, and the experience of the Knicks appearing in the tournament final. Alan Hahn and Don La Greca dig into why fans are split about its importance, how the event fits into basketball culture, and ways to strengthen its connection with supporters. They also brainstorm ideas for making the Cup more meaningful for both players and fans, and field calls exploring these themes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflections on Rob Reiner’s Passing (00:53–05:45)

• The hosts start on a somber note, remembering Rob Reiner, discussing the impact on friends like Billy Crystal, and using his tragedy as a reminder that “not every bad day is equal” and there are always more important things beyond sports.
• Quote:
  • “The Jets not making the playoffs for 15 years is like a speck.” – Alan Hahn (04:57)
  • “What we do is not the real life stuff. It’s to get you that break from real life.” – Don La Greca (05:16)

2. Knicks, NBA Cup, and the Fan Dilemma (05:45–08:54)

• Transitioning to the “toy store”—sports—they address the “weird, surreal” atmosphere around the NBA Cup.
• Many Knicks fans are more focused on upcoming trades and the pursuit of a true NBA championship than the Cup.
• Confusion remains about the Cup’s purpose, how the tournament works, its impact on records, and why it resembles international soccer tournaments.
• Quote: “It’s surreal. My barber…He says, ‘Oh, so you steal from soccer?’” – Don La Greca (08:01)

3. Does Winning the NBA Cup Matter? (08:54–13:04)

• “Winning matters.” Echoed both from Don’s barber and by the hosts as a bottom line, regardless of context.
• The hosts describe Knicks fans’ ambivalence (“damned if you do, damned if you don’t”): If you win, it’s mocked as meaningless; if you lose, you’re derided as perennial losers. Their advice: just win it.
• Quote:
  • “If it’s damned if you do and damned if you don’t, then damn it, win it.” – Don La Greca (11:01)
  • “We love the tradition of it, but I think what will win people over is seeing how intense the game is.” – Alan Hahn (11:10)

4. Comparing the NBA Cup to Other Sports Competitions (15:22–17:31)

• The hosts look for parallels in North American sports and find the closest match in college basketball’s conference championships—but admit nothing’s quite like the in-season Cup.
• They debate how much fans should care, acknowledging the event is still in its infancy and people generally resist novel formats.

5. Stakes, Banner Mockery, and Fan Psychology (09:48–14:28)

• Discuss how the Cup final feels different now that the Knicks face the young Spurs (instead of favorites OKC).
• Winning puts the team in a bind—potential for future mockery if it’s their “only” championship, but also regret if they lose an attainable trophy.
• The “winner’s mentality” is highlighted: This Knicks unit wants to win something as a group, creating internal meaning.
• Recap of intense prior Knicks-Spurs games, suggesting a fun or wild final is always possible.

6. Does the Game ‘Count’? (17:07–17:31)

• The Cup final does not count in NBA standings or record books—so a great player performance is officially invisible.
• Quote: “If Brunson scores 65 points in this game, it is not a Knicks record, because it doesn’t count.” – Don La Greca (17:07)

7. Measuring Stick, Narrative Value, and Cup vs. Title (17:52–19:08)

• The idea of the Cup as a “measuring stick” game is raised—useful for team assessment, even if it’s disconnected from ultimate championship aspirations.
• “This has nothing to do with them winning or losing a championship”—the events are unrelated.

8. Callers Chime In: Emotional and Competitive Value (19:24–20:43)

• Steve from New Fairfield (19:24): Admits he found the Cup “contrived,” but is won over by the intensity once games start—ultimately, it’s the drama that matters, not the trophy.
• Quote: “I’m just taking it for when these games go on. I’m into it as if it isn’t a Cup. And if it’s ramped up… I’m enjoying the competition.” – Steve (19:31)

9. Broadcast & Streaming Frustrations (20:43–21:10)

• Complaints about the game airing exclusively on Amazon Prime—a barrier for less tech-savvy or already disinterested fans.

10. If Someone Gets Hurt… The Cup’s Major Risk (24:15–26:43)

• A big concern: What if a star (ex: Wembanyama) is injured in a “meaningless” Cup game? Would the backlash threaten the Cup’s existence?
• The hosts note similar concerns happen in All-Star and international competition—citing NHL Olympic anxiety and real World Cup injuries.
• Quote: “If God forbid somebody got hurt, that did, that happened and it does affect the second half of the season… That’s the thing you don’t want.” – Alan Hahn (24:29)

11. The NBA’s Commitment & Ratings (27:57–30:44)

• Adam Silver and the league are fully invested in making the NBA Cup a fixture.
• Move to Prime Video likely reduces ratings compared to ESPN/ABC, but with a big market team (Knicks), viewership could still be very strong.

12. How Can the Cup Matter More for Fans? (33:31–43:19+)

• Fans (via callers) and hosts brainstorm rewards that would give fans skin in the game:
  • “Exclusive championship merch” for pre-registered fans if their team wins.
  • Discounts on tickets for future games.
  • Lottery of special memorabilia (e.g., replica trophies, signed hats).
  • More ambitious: all-star game hosting, extra playoff spots, cap space, etc.—though most are deemed impractical or potentially unfair.
• Quote: “People like exclusive merch. To be the select few, nobody else has that—I think that would be pretty cool.” – Alan Hahn (45:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Cup’s Existential Fan Dilemma:
  “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Then damn it, win it.”
  — Don La Greca (11:01)
• On the Intensity Overcoming Indifference:
  “If you see how intense it is, that will win people over… You go from not caring to seeing how much they care.”
  — Alan Hahn (11:10)
• On the Cup’s Place in Team History:
  “If you win this, then you proudly own it as a Knick fan—‘Hey, we won one of those, right?’”
  — Alan Hahn (12:05)
• On the “Measuring Stick” Game:
  “When the best team comes to town, is this a measuring stick? Find out how good you are…”
  — Alan Hahn (18:19)
• On Injury Risks:
  “If God forbid somebody got hurt… that’s the thing you don’t want. Because win or lose, if somebody of significance… got hurt really bad, that’s all anybody would talk about.”
  — Alan Hahn (24:29)

Timeline of Key Segments

| Time | Segment | Description | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:53 | Rob Reiner’s passing/reminder of perspective | Grief, gratitude, importance beyond sports | | 05:45 | NBA Cup intro & Knicks fan attitudes | Surreal Cup atmosphere, indifference vs. excitement | | 08:51 | “Winning matters.” Soccer parallels | The value of victory regardless of format | | 09:48 | Cup final psychology & “damned if you do…” | No-win perception for fans, advice to just win | | 13:04 | Team motivation | Cup matters as a challenge, team cohesion | | 15:22 | Cup comparison to other sports | Closest: College conference championships | | 17:07 | “Does it count?” Conversation | Game’s lack of impact on records | | 19:24 | Steve’s call | Competitiveness wins over Cup skepticism | | 20:43 | Broadcast/Prime video complaints | Streaming as a hurdle | | 24:15 | Injury anxieties | Would losing a star crash support for the Cup? | | 27:57 | Ratings, broadcast numbers, market effect | Ratings implications of Knicks in Prime final | | 33:31 | Callers on fan incentives | Merch/experiences as proposed Cup rewards | | 43:12+ | Further brainstorming & calls | Building engagement via exclusive perks |

Overall Tone and Takeaways

• The episode mixes banter, skepticism, and sports passion in classic New York sports radio style.
• There’s an irreverent, yet caring acknowledgment that victories—even small or “manufactured” ones—matter when you’re emotionally invested.
• The hosts welcome cynicism but encourage fans to embrace moments of fun and intensity, arguing that those collective experiences are what make being a supporter worthwhile—Cup or no Cup.
• The segment closes with creative ideas that, while playful or tongue-in-cheek, reflect a genuine interest in boosting the Cup’s significance for everyone.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

You’ll leave understanding why the NBA Cup divides fans, how moments of real competition transform skeptics, and get a preview of the ongoing discussion about how leagues can connect big concepts to what fans really care about: tangible rewards and shared memories. You’ll also enjoy signature New York humor and a snapshot of the city’s relationship with its teams.