Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary

Episode: Hour 3: NBA Finals
Release Date: June 12, 2025

1. Introduction to the NBA Finals Discussion

The episode kicks off with Don Hahn and Alan Rosenberg transitioning smoothly into their main topic: the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indianapolis Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Early on, Alan sets the stage by highlighting the unusual nature of the finals matchup and its potential impact on viewership.

Alan Rosenberg [00:14]: "During the coverage last night of the finals and Pacers win over the Thunder, they took a 21 series lead. The topic of conversation has been about the Knicks and their coaching situation. And Allen, the Knicks do not get any breaks by who's playing in the Finals."

2. Lack of Superstar Appeal

Peter Rosenberg delves into the crux of the issue: the absence of marquee players typically necessary to draw in a wide audience. He emphasizes that without recognizable stars, the finals tend to lose national interest, becoming more of a regional affair.

Peter Rosenberg [01:20]: "Real superstars are celebrities. Like essentially that's what it is. No matter what walk of life, if you're a superstar in the entertainment world, you are essentially a celebrity, right?"

Alan agrees, noting the dependence of the NBA's popularity on its superstars, referencing LeBron James as a pivotal factor in the league's broad appeal.

Alan Rosenberg [02:04]: "People are going to gravitate to watch the stars play. And you have it right now, at least these guys aren't considered superstars. Now it just becomes regional."

3. Regional vs. National Interest

The duo discusses how the finals featuring smaller market teams like the Pacers and Thunder fail to capture national attention compared to historic matchups involving the Lakers or Celtics. They compare the current finals to the Rangers and Diamondbacks in the World Series, highlighting the regional focus.

Alan Rosenberg [03:17]: "It's basketball's version of the Rangers and the Diamondbacks in the World Series a couple years."

Peter adds that until the series becomes more competitive or features standout moments, national interest remains subdued.

Peter Rosenberg [04:20]: "It just feels big time. The finals logo is not even really on the floor. It's a graphic. Like, what are we doing?"

4. Knicks Coaching Situation and Franchise Reputation

A significant portion of the discussion pivots to the New York Knicks' ongoing coaching search, tying it to the broader narrative of the finals' lackluster appeal. Alan and Peter critique Charles Barkley's comments on the Knicks' coaching woes, arguing that the negative narrative is partly self-inflicted due to the franchise's historical reputation.

Charles Barkley (Caller) [13:21]: "The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world. Like, you don't fire no good coach like that and don't have a plan."

Alan counters, clarifying that it's not the coaches turning down the Knicks but rather the teams themselves declining offers, thus misrepresenting the situation.

Alan Rosenberg [13:45]: "Coaches aren't turning them down."

Peter emphasizes that the Knicks have earned a reputation over decades for dysfunction, making it harder to shift public perception despite recent improvements under Leon Rose.

Peter Rosenberg [14:20]: "They have earned the reputation of a franchise that finds a way to mess up."

5. Caller Insights and Further Analysis

Listeners contribute to the conversation, offering diverse perspectives. For instance, Moose from Jamaica criticizes the finals' lack of star power and questions the value of point guards in championship contention. Dennis from Center Reach delves into the Knicks' internal dynamics, suggesting that ownership interference might be undermining the team's progress.

Moose [37:39]: "Can the Knicks win a championship with Brunson as the number one option?"

Dennis [33:20]: "That's a Dolan move. And the reason that's important is because it seemed like Dolan just handed over to Leon Rose and the Knicks got better. But now Dolan's back, and we know that his track record was terrible."

6. Coaching Impact and Team Performance

Alan and Peter highlight the pivotal role of coaching in the finals, particularly praising Rick Carlisle of the Pacers for his strategic adjustments that outmaneuvered the Thunder. They critique the Knicks' current coach, Thibodeau, suggesting that even talented teams can falter without effective leadership.

Alan Rosenberg [40:07]: "We all whiffed on the Pacers because we don't think enough about the coaching and the impact the coaching can have in a series."

Peter Rosenberg [40:09]: "He changed his starting lineup. He blinked first. That says a lot."

7. Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the transitional phase of the NBA, post-LeBron era, and speculate on the future of teams like the Knicks. They underscore the necessity for the Knicks to find a coach who can transform their regional presence into national competitiveness, potentially hinting at high-profile coaching hires.

Alan Rosenberg [43:30]: "How many more years get wasted before you finally realize we got to blow this thing up or we got to make even more changes to get it done?"

Peter Rosenberg [43:31]: "That's why they're trying to find somebody that would coach that way."

8. Notable Quotes

• Alan Rosenberg [02:04]: "People are going to gravitate to watch the stars play."
• Peter Rosenberg [04:20]: "It just feels big time. The finals logo is not even really on the floor."
• Charles Barkley (Caller) [13:21]: "The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world."
• Peter Rosenberg [14:20]: "They have earned the reputation of a franchise that finds a way to mess up."
• Alan Rosenberg [40:07]: "We all whiffed on the Pacers because we don't think enough about the coaching."

Conclusion

In this episode, Don Hahn, Alan Rosenberg, and Peter Rosenberg provide a critical analysis of the 2025 NBA Finals, focusing on the challenges posed by a lack of superstar appeal and the regional nature of the competing teams. They intertwine this discussion with an in-depth examination of the New York Knicks' ongoing coaching struggles, linking the franchise's historical reputation to its current woes. Through insightful dialogue and listener interactions, the hosts offer a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing both the finals' viewership and the Knicks' quest for stability and success.