Peter Rosenberg (3:17)

I also like the confidence quote where confidence comes from demonstrated performance, it's been there before kind of thing. Like, you. You understand how this works. And I think from a Nick perspective, because you consider their franchises most recent history and a large part of its history, unfortunately, is a lot of the same type of heartbreak where it's getting oh, so close, but not being able to close the deal to always not like running into things where you. You feel like the team lost more than the opponent beat you. Right? And then you look at what they've made this team, and at the centerpiece of the team is a guy in Jalen Brunson, who throughout his whole life, all he's done is win. And he's done it against the odds. Like his high school state championship after losing it as a junior, he was maniacal about coming back the next year and killing everyone that when he went to Villanova, they won two championships and two other guys on the team were with them for one each. Right. It's. It's sort of having that kind of base of a guy that's won. I think that says everything. Like when you always talk about how do you change the fortunes of a franchise? You could do it with talent, but if that talent's never won, like really one, obviously anybody that makes it that far, professional sports, they all have had something successful happen in their lives where they were the best of what they do. But when you have like a litany of winning in your life, you just know how to win. And that permeates a franchise because you understand what winning is about, what it takes to win and the expectations to win. And you recognize people around you. That guy's a winner or that guy, I don't know, he's not with us. Like, you just get that. You just recognize it. And I think that's what the great example of what the Knicks are this year is an example of what's been building over the last couple of years, which is you have a guy at the centerpiece of this whole thing that understands what it takes to win. And when you have a guy like that, everybody else starts to sort of gravitate to it and believe it, because we got that guy.

Alan Hahn (5:31)

And also take a look at the landscape in the NBA. The four teams that are left, none of these teams have ever won a title. Except the knicks back in 73.

Peter Rosenberg (5:42)

Well, the Thunder with the Sonics. Sonics won in 79.

Alan Hahn (5:46)

79. All right, but I'm saying the other two. No, like Denver was still. They have a recent champion. Boston was waiting there in the conference final. They just won last year. Yeah, all these teams, like, nobody has that. But maybe the Knicks have it a little bit because of what Brunson was able to accomplish in Villanova. Like, you're looking for that, but there isn't that. Usually in the NBA you get to this point, there's one if, if not two or three teams always that had won in recent vintage. I mean, when was the last time you had a final four in which two teams have never won and the other two teams won in 79 in a previous game? City and 73. Like I would be interested to go back. When was the last time you had a Final Four in any sport where you've got to go that far back for the last champion?

Peter Rosenberg (6:36)

Yeah, like a first time champion in the modern era. Because you think about it, 1980 forward, it feels like the modern era of the NBA. Right. When you got the bird magic thing, that's when everything changed. And you have all four of them, they have, they have not won in that new modern era. And it's. I think it's a real thing. But that's what makes this compelling. Seven years now, you're not, you're not going to have a repeat champion in the NBA now.

Alan Hahn (6:57)

The NBA is now wild.

Peter Rosenberg (7:00)

It's first time ever that this has happened. You've gone this long without a repeat.

Eli Manning (7:05)

Wow, that's that's interesting.

Peter Rosenberg (7:06)

Yeah.

Eli Manning (7:07)

Last time.

Peter Rosenberg (7:08)

Well it was with the warriors back to back. And then the warriors lost in the final because that's the other thing. Since 2020, no defending champ has even reached past the second round.

Eli Manning (7:19)

And the Celtics this year seemed poised.

Peter Rosenberg (7:22)

You would have thought they got knocked out in the second round. It's that the curse of the second round right now for Rupich.

Alan Hahn (7:26)

And when you look at what the lightning and the Panthers have done. Yeah, Panthers back to back finals. They're win away or a series away from going to a third consecutive final. Florida had gone one back to back cups and then lost in a run for a third straight up. And then football with Kansas City and then before that New England like basketball and baseball are really the two leagues that have had the most parody over the last decade.

Peter Rosenberg (7:50)

And they used to be the dynasty. The dynasty leagues.

Eli Manning (7:52)

Right.

Alan Hahn (7:52)

Because now Yankee rattling off four championships in five years and the NBA it seemed like Cleveland and Golden State that.

Peter Rosenberg (7:57)

Would the Braves every year always going.

Alan Hahn (8:00)

To the World Series. But it's really, it's really chance. So it's really, really wide open. Yeah. I got to think about because like right now the final four in the NHL. Right. Carolina one in 06. Florida won last year. Dallas won in 2000. And they were in a Stanley cup final just a few years ago. Was that 2020 when they played and then. And then edmonton. You know they. You got to go back to 90. But that's all still more recently than any of the four teams in the NBA finals.

Peter Rosenberg (8:29)

Right.

Alan Hahn (8:29)

Conference finals.

Peter Rosenberg (8:30)

I have it here. ESPN stats and info.

Alan Hahn (8:33)

Oh, look at that.

Peter Rosenberg (8:34)

So you asked for it. This is the second time in NBA history all four teams in the conference or even division which they were once called the division finals. But all four of the final four teams have title droughts of 30 plus years.

Alan Hahn (8:49)

So it's happened only twice.

Peter Rosenberg (8:51)

Yeah. The other time.

Alan Hahn (8:52)

Yeah.

Peter Rosenberg (8:53)

Was in 2021. So it was pretty recent as well.

Alan Hahn (8:57)

So 2021, that was.

Peter Rosenberg (8:59)

I believe that was the Bucks.

Alan Hahn (9:01)

That was when the Bucks won.

Eli Manning (9:03)

The lakers won in 20.

Peter Rosenberg (9:04)

So it was the Bucks and the Suns were in that final. And I'm trying to remember who the final four was.

Alan Hahn (9:12)

The Bucks beat the net. That was the. That was the year the Bucks beat.

Peter Rosenberg (9:15)

The Atlanta Hawks went.

Alan Hahn (9:16)

That was the knock Knicks off. Right.

Peter Rosenberg (9:18)

Hawks were the east and the LA Clippers who haven't won ever. They were the other final four.

Alan Hahn (9:24)

But that. But that.

Peter Rosenberg (9:24)

So there you go.

Alan Hahn (9:25)

But that's still in the midst of what has become more of a parody league like the. That's because 21 really over the last since the Golden State run, it's really been about who knows, anybody.

Peter Rosenberg (9:40)

But you know, I have a theory because there's two ways you look at it. Why is the league suddenly like this? One of the theories is that the league changed all the rules and now like, like the Celtics, your team is facing a half a billion dollar luxury tax bill next year. There's no way in hell they want to pay that half a billion dollars not to pay players tax off of your payroll. That's an insane number. So with that number, because that's your. They're a third year repeater tax. They've got to get back under so they can reset. You know, not going to have Tatum next year. So you know what they're doing. But the league does this. So you can't just keep building these super teams and hanging on to players and collecting players. They make it so hard to maintain these teams that'll dominate for years like we used to see. That's one. The other theory is this all of your, all of your MVPs recently. Jokic, three time Giannis, two time Harden won an MVP recently. Like think about that for a second. Oh it embiid. Think about their teams. Jokic three time mvp, one finals, one championship. That's it. Never went back, never nothing. Giannis one championship, one title, one finals appearance. That's it. Nothing else. Embiid can't get out of second round. Harden can't get out of second round. So when you think about it, the MVPs prior to them, Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, the best players were on the best teams and those teams were always getting to the finals. So I do think there's also a change in the best players aren't getting paired with other great players and building super teams. It's not happening as much as it used to anymore. And now you're getting the parody. Is it good for the league? I don't know. Because I do think you got to have some evil empires and some enemies and teams that you want to knock off. But right now it does feel like anyone has a chance.

Alan Hahn (11:35)

But it is such a stupid superstar driven league. Right? So it wasn't so much I was following Cleveland, I was following LeBron James. Yeah, I think that's part of it too. The real super superstars, the Currys, LeBron getting old.

Peter Rosenberg (11:47)

And there's no replacement yet, right?

Alan Hahn (11:49)

There's no replacement yet. Like there was that Gap. Right. Because well Lajuwon won the back to back.

Peter Rosenberg (11:53)

Yeah.

Alan Hahn (11:54)

And then Jordan came back and then went four in a row.

Peter Rosenberg (11:56)

And then Jordan, Kobe won three.

Alan Hahn (11:58)

Right. But there was always that dominant couple of players. If they ended up being on the same team like they were with the.

Peter Rosenberg (12:03)

Lakers and then the spurs did what they did early 2000 like they would just.

Alan Hahn (12:07)

And then the Lakers, somebody might be emerging here.

Peter Rosenberg (12:10)

Okc, that's the one that I think you have.

Eli Manning (12:13)

I don't know could it end up being Minnesota?

Peter Rosenberg (12:16)

I just have. I have a feeling that OKC is built for what's. Because they're so young, second youngest roster to get this far that they just look like a team that you know they could do this for a couple of years.

Eli Manning (12:32)

It was just, it was just me hoping it would be Minnesota. OKC is just not as fun to me as Minnesota.

Peter Rosenberg (12:38)

Everybody's hoping.

Alan Hahn (12:39)

Yeah.

Peter Rosenberg (12:39)

I mean okc, great team for the sport, terrible team for the league.

Alan Hahn (12:45)

Right.

Peter Rosenberg (12:45)

And it's again it is what it is. Their fans are loud, they all wear the same shirt. They all do it like it is a great atmosphere. There's no question none of that stuff is deniable. But the truth about the sizzle is there is not going to be a sizzle. There's just not a sizzle.

Alan Hahn (13:03)

But that's, that's I think a myth about like the league being upset about that. Like. Like in the NHL right now, broadcasters are upset. You look at Florida Carolina, Dallas, league loves it. Because what you're doing is taking non traditional hockey markets and making it relevant and that builds fans. Right. If I in the NBA, if it's the same teams, it's great for television ratings. But you've already cashed the check on the rating.

Peter Rosenberg (13:28)

Those franchises, you want those.

Alan Hahn (13:29)

The more franchises believe they can win. You build things up here. You know Minnesota, wasn't that what a 30 old as a franchise to all of a sudden becoming a dominant team. OKC becoming a dominant market for them. Yeah, yeah. It might not result in great television ratings but like I said those checks already get cash.

Peter Rosenberg (13:46)

It's not the league. It is the would be the broadcast partners that don't love this because you're not going to get. We went through the ratings the other day. We knew the ratings, the ratings of certain series, spurs, nets, terrible. Like we know how it goes. It's the stars sell. The big market sell. It's just the way it is.

Eli Manning (14:03)

It's too bad they couldn't figure out a way to get KD back to okc. Because it would have immediately made the more sexy tv.

Peter Rosenberg (14:12)

I think you're right.

Eli Manning (14:13)

Wouldn't that have been fun if KD had been back there? Like if at the deal, at the deadline, they found a way to get him there.

Peter Rosenberg (14:21)

How about this? Because this is the thing everybody's trying to float around, the whole Giannis thing that everybody's overreacting to. He did his. Ask me anything.

Eli Manning (14:27)

He loves New York. Yeah.

Peter Rosenberg (14:29)

He also loves Florida and he loves Wisconsin. Like, he made that clear. But the New York thing got everybody excited. But everyone's pushing the idea of him going to Houston if he wants to win a championship. Houston can offer a lot to Milwaukee. And then, of course, there's San Antonio if you are NBC, ABC and Amazon. Do you want Giannis in San Antonio?

Alan Hahn (14:53)

No.

Peter Rosenberg (14:55)

God, right.

Eli Manning (14:56)

That means you have. That means you have. You'll have three stars there. You'll have.

Peter Rosenberg (14:59)

Well, and you'll. You'll have Wemby and, and, And Giannis. You'll have two compelling international stars playing in the second smallest market in the country. In the country, yeah. And so while basketball wise, phenomenal. It's just. You're like, God, no, not there. Anywhere but there. You want him in Miami, you want him in New York, you want him in Chicago, you want him. So, like, with Luca going from Dallas to la. Oh, my God.

Alan Hahn (15:29)

Yeah.

Peter Rosenberg (15:29)

Everybody loves that. So the Giannis thing is definitely, really, really interesting to watch once we get to the off season and if we get a Finals, which is another joke that they're. They're saying in the. In all the broadcast meetings, if we get a finals and it's like Pacers Thunder, the Giannis storyline in the pregame shows for every game will be somewhere in there. Just to keep people compelled.

Alan Hahn (15:50)

Yeah, probably.

Peter Rosenberg (15:51)

Unfortunately, it's true. It's just where we are. And that's the reality. Baseball went through it. You could have a great, great series, but you have to have some sizzle. Otherwise, because, you know, the commoners are watching it. It's the common fans who are always there. But what you are trying to do is draw the casuals. You're trying to draw the people that don't traditionally watch the sport, but it's championship. So now they're watching because of whatever reason, the drama, the stars, something. They don't have that right now in these four teams that might be built over the next week or so. But right now, think about it. Where's the drama, the real drama, the stars? Anthony Edwards is too young.

Alan Hahn (16:35)

Seagull just.

Peter Rosenberg (16:36)

Alexander is young. Nobody knows him.

Alan Hahn (16:38)

But this is where it gets built up. Right?

Peter Rosenberg (16:40)

It could.

Alan Hahn (16:40)

LeBron's lost to the spurs and was that 07?

Peter Rosenberg (16:43)

Yeah, but we already knew LeBron was something.

Alan Hahn (16:45)

I know, but you still had to go.

Eli Manning (16:46)

People know that about. About Ant.

Peter Rosenberg (16:48)

And even that Finals got a terrible rating.

Alan Hahn (16:50)

Right. But, but, but.

Eli Manning (16:52)

Well, this one will too. If the Knicks aren't right.

Alan Hahn (16:55)

If the Knicks aren't in it. And then listen, obviously, you know, network wise, but it's got to build somewhere. You know, we knew it was going to be a transition from LeBron and Curry and we're going now.

Peter Rosenberg (17:05)

Right.

Eli Manning (17:06)

Can I ask you guys a tough question here? We mentioned the Knicks. They are a big deal these days. Should I. I know I've become an old square. I'm not. I'm a little bit worried. All for people having a good time. The level of celebration was so crazy on Friday after winning the second round, which guys, as we know historically completing the second round of a playoff, well, does not usually in most sports and cities earn a street celebration. But if that happened now, am I crazy to be concerned about if they beat the Pacers? Yes, I'm crazy to be concerned.

Peter Rosenberg (17:45)

I felt. No, no. I mean, not crazy. Yeah, I should say you're not crazy. I felt that leaving the network on Friday night, when we were done walking out onto the street, seeing somebody up on the marquee. Did you see that kid on the.

Eli Manning (18:00)

Monitor in flip flops?

Alan Hahn (18:01)

Did you see that?

Peter Rosenberg (18:03)

Like, like it's jarring. And you look up and you're going like, all right. You understand that for the first time in 25 years, they advanced to the conference final. So this is a rare thing. This is one of those enjoy it while you can moment for sure. But it does feel like that among the Knick fans. There's just people who just want a reason to just frolic and go crazy. And this is their reason. They're not really as compelled. It's just. It becomes almost sort of piling on because there were some people when I walked out of the arena to go across the street to the studio to get ready for the post game show, I left during the fourth quarter and I'm looking around in front on Penn Plaza, this bunch of this young people sitting around, not watching a game on their phone, just sitting there and I'm.

Eli Manning (18:54)

Like, are they here waiting? Yeah.

Peter Rosenberg (18:56)

Are they just waiting?

Alan Hahn (18:57)

No. It's just become a thing and then in a positive.

Peter Rosenberg (19:00)

That's what I think it is.

Alan Hahn (19:01)

And sometimes these riots on a negative thing that also Comes with people.

Peter Rosenberg (19:04)

Yeah, but this was. These weren't riots. They were. They didn't act up, like, flip over cars and set up a fire. But what Peter's saying is, when does it get there? That's what you don't.

Alan Hahn (19:15)

I think because of how things have been the first couple of rounds, I think the city will be on top of it. So there'll be probably more of a police presence. And it won't be as much fun when they get there on 7th Avenue and see the presence and the horseback and all that stuff.

Peter Rosenberg (19:30)

They call that level four mobilization.

Alan Hahn (19:33)

I don't think it'll. The one thing I do feel like New York can be on top of this kind of stuff. And I think this. This little appetizer over the last couple of rounds has alerted them to, hey, now it's getting to where it could get out of hand, so let's make sure there's enough of a presence there. So the people that kind of just want to have fun, they'll see maybe this isn't going to be as much fun.

Peter Rosenberg (19:53)

I just don't want Nick fans to get the brunt of criticism. As if Nick fans don't know how to act or are acting up when. This feels like a lot of fans who weren't even around when the Knicks got there in 2000, like, so many of them are just way too young.

Alan Hahn (20:12)

Right.

Peter Rosenberg (20:12)

To have even had any type of historical reference. And it does feel like it's more of a give me a reason to act up versus I'm a Knicks fan and I'm just delirious and excited. I feel like there's a lot more social media aspect to this that, too, than there needs to be. And it's giving Knick fans a bad. A bad rap.

Eli Manning (20:31)

I wonder how many people are listening to us right now who are obsessed and they're so hyped and they're so excited and they love the energy that they're feeling, but wouldn't be caught dead out there doing any of the crazy stuff, you know what I mean? And for the record, I think most of the people out there even are really out there just to have a good time and scream and see what other things crazy people do.

Peter Rosenberg (20:53)

Right?

Eli Manning (20:53)

It's the people who actually do the crazy things, like the climbing of stuff like wanting to be outside. I get it. This is a huge deal. But just chill, people. There's two more rounds.

Peter Rosenberg (21:05)

Don in 94, my friend Ben and I went to because we couldn't. We couldn't afford to get in the building. But there was that point where every night it was Knicks Rangers. Nick's Ranger. He's a die hard Ranger fan to this day. He has season tickets, loves the Rangers and I was a Nick fit. So we would go with each other each night and we bit Charlie O's, find a way in and just sit knowing that when the game's over everybody's gonna have fun out on the street. It was nothing like this but you just wanted to be around the building, the energy of it and just kind of smile, laugh, be on the train home, being drunk and yelling stuff. But this, this is another level.

Alan Hahn (21:38)

Yeah, it seems doesn't feel genuine. I think they might get out in front of it but it'll be interesting to see. You'd hate to see them get rid of the watch party.

Peter Rosenberg (21:46)

Oh it's so much fun because they.

Alan Hahn (21:48)

Less bodies on the street.

Peter Rosenberg (21:50)

So much fun that yeah, it really is.

Alan Hahn (21:52)

I think, I think it'll be fun. Fine. Hopefully it will be something that's a potential problem that means they're having success. 1-800-919-3776 take you up until 6 o' clock and then it's the the Mets and the Red Sox from Fenway Park. You want to get the most for your money. That's why more Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda. Lease a new 2025 Mazda CX50 Hybrid, all wheel drive only 249 for 36 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda.com choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for the sales excludes tax, title, registration 0 security deposit fin sn 320885 MSRP 32,285 and 6,225.

Eli Manning (22:30)

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Eli Manning (23:59)

Race the rudders.

Peter Rosenberg (24:00)

Race the sails. Race the sails.

Eli Manning (24:02)

Captain, an unidentified ship is approaching.

Peter Rosenberg (24:05)

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

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Don La Greca (24:29)

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

Eli Manning (24:32)

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

Don La Greca (24:34)

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

Alan Hahn (24:41)

Game time is brought to you by Tullibore to Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time.

Eli Manning (24:47)

It'S telling.

Alan Hahn (24:48)

That's right. Mets start a series with the Red Sox with coverage immediately following us here on 880 at 6:05 Tullamore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly.

Eli Manning (25:06)

We're not gonna get to drops no ENN today, so real quick. Good evening, Don.

Alan Hahn (25:09)

And we lost Eli. Hopefully he's still with us on this planet.

Eli Manning (25:12)

And to Don, dragged out by their hair. And to Don got him right by.

Alan Hahn (25:17)

The short hairs and they're not letting go.

Eli Manning (25:19)

And to the caller and Alan, I.

Alan Hahn (25:21)

Screamed your name and you smiled. Oh, okay.

Eli Manning (25:25)

That's interesting.

Alan Hahn (25:25)

Alan's used to that. And of the caller, Alan Hahn, I reached my hand out and I would have touched your pant leg. It wasn't your inseam so you were good.

Eli Manning (25:34)

I like Don's little tiny ad libbing.

Alan Hahn (25:37)

Alan Hahn, I reached my hand out and I would have touched your pant Leg? No, because that's when I was going to say, but at least it wasn't your inseam. But I didn't want to insult her. She seemed. Although I'm sure she'd have at it. Let's go to Blanderson. Hooper, you're on ESPN, New York. Hey, Bland.

Eli Manning (25:56)

Hey, Blandeson.

Alan Hahn (25:57)

Blandeson. Sorry, who is this? Blandeson. You deserve better.

Eli Manning (26:03)

Or maybe not.

Alan Hahn (26:06)

All right. Sorry about that. Danny, Long Island. What's up, buddy?

Eli Manning (26:09)

There he is.

Unknown (26:10)

Good afternoon, man. Quite a weekend. But Peter, it's such a shame we don't have drop madness because when you said I saw movements, I kept moving forward and I slid into an open spot. I saw the gap, actually. I slid into the gap. That's a solid number eight. That's a solid number eight.

Eli Manning (26:25)

It's a good point. There was some good stuff there. I didn't even think about it.

Unknown (26:28)

Great weekend, guys. It seems like Friday night's game was a hundred years ago already. I love the decompression time. It's very well deserved for you Nick fans. Everything that Michael K. Said about Juan Soto I said on this show before Michael K. Ever verbalize it. He's not the same player. He looks confused. And it was all came to a head with a half check swing. He looked like he was trying to serve a tennis ball without hitting it too hard. The announcers were shocked by the effort. Then the running down to first base, which was kind of like the culmination. Now he. This is either the watershed moment and he pulls himself out of his funk. Well, this becomes the moment that he has the first bit of anxiety and failure and not being the greatest person since he was 10 years old. This guy was probably the greatest baseball player in his town's existence. Every level of the way. Every professional athlete is probably the best player.

Eli Manning (27:21)

Not even A. And somewhere particular for sure.

Alan Hahn (27:24)

Yeah.

Unknown (27:24)

Not even question. And now all of a sudden it's not going the way you want it to. You see you stuck. Is this. I hope he's okay physically. I hope he's okay mentally. I hope there's nothing wrong behind the scenes with a family member, God forbid, where he just doesn't look like he's in the right place. And now all of a sudden, with Alonzo not hitting, all of a sudden, now the Mets can't score a run. And Donna gave you my best moment of the weekend. If I could.

Alan Hahn (27:49)

Good.

Unknown (27:50)

Got my Scott, my college son, home. Leaving next week to go play for the college league. We rush out 9 o' clock in the morning to watch the grandson play T ball. And there's my 34 year old son, fresh from working a 12 hour shift, two hours sleep. And I just look over and he's teaching somebody else's kid how to swing a baseball bat. I thought to myself, I must have done a good job.

Alan Hahn (28:11)

Yes, because he knows when you teach.

Unknown (28:13)

With other people's kids, when you're showing concern for other people's children in the manner in which he would after being up all damn night. If you're listening, Chris, I love you. I'm proud of you.

Alan Hahn (28:25)

And that's all I gotta say for sure. Because that's. Because obviously everything that he learned, he learned from you.

Eli Manning (28:31)

I mean, Danny still found a way to make it about himself, but it was a great. It was a great moment for his son.

Alan Hahn (28:36)

He's proud. Man, I cringe sometimes. Like when I sent the video to you guys. I'm sure you roll your eyes, but you know what? I don't care. I'm proud. I just. I roll whose eyes?

Eli Manning (28:47)

No, as you.

Peter Rosenberg (28:49)

I showed that. I showed that to Stephanie right away.

Alan Hahn (28:52)

See, I knew I had you.

Eli Manning (28:53)

You're talking about the Marco video. Yeah, we have it here.

Alan Hahn (28:56)

There's no one more dangerous on the planet than the guy in the batter's box. Now Aaron Judge, 3 and 2, the payoff pitch.

Eli Manning (29:03)

Trying to miss.

Peter Rosenberg (29:05)

Put it in the books. Diaz, punch judge with a 98 pile of another one. Daddy and the mix have evened up.

Alan Hahn (29:12)

The first and celebrate it.

Peter Rosenberg (29:15)

Just freeze that. Yeah, it's freeze that.

Eli Manning (29:17)

No, you listen. You should be proud. And Danny should be proud clearly for raising great boys as well. It's. It's. That's what you're supposed to be proud.

Alan Hahn (29:23)

Meanwhile, Jaylen's running around the pool looking for leprechauns and fairies.

Eli Manning (29:28)

Listen, every. No job's more important than.

Peter Rosenberg (29:30)

Than the next relatable.

Eli Manning (29:31)

That was Emma and it did a different world.

Peter Rosenberg (29:34)

That's great.

Alan Hahn (29:35)

All right, Blanderson is back. You're on ESPN New York. What's up? I'm sorry about that. I'm going to blame me.

Unknown (29:40)

That's okay. How are you guys?

Alan Hahn (29:41)

Good.

Unknown (29:44)

So I'm 47 years old and I've been a fan of the Knicks since I was 10. So it's. It's been a long time. And you know, listen, they didn't win any championships in the 90s, but I think we got spoiled from that mid to late 90s era. And obviously it's been nothing but hot trash ever since.

Eli Manning (30:01)

Pure hotshots.

Unknown (30:02)

And I Yeah. I can't tell you the amount of, like, joy and just elation that I have had watching these games over the last week. I'm with you guys, that there's no consolation prizes at this point. It's finals or bust. Like, they should beat the Pacers. I think they will. I think it'll take seven, but, like, there's. That's it.

Alan Hahn (30:27)

They have to.

Unknown (30:28)

They are a better team than the Pacers. They have to make it just about Friday night, really quick. The moment I knew they were going to win. Mitch has been a beast. And there was that sequence in the second quarter with about eight minutes to go, where he essentially rotated through every single person on the Celtics on the court and then closed out on Jaylen Brown, who looked like he had an open three. And it was at that point that I turned to my son and I said, this game is over. And he looked at me like I had two heads, because, you know, there's 32 minutes to go in the game, but you could tell that they wanted it. You know, you guys were talking about not taking your foot off the pedal or, like, putting your foot down on their throat, not taking it off. That was about as complete a performance as you could possibly see. And I'm just hoping to see that game after game against the Pacers. I don't know if it'll happen, but I'm hoping for it.

Alan Hahn (31:19)

I feel like this is going to be a lot like the Detroit series. Good defensive team, kind of back and forth, no blowouts, all the games pretty close. And you got to feel good about that because they went through that series against Detroit and they came out on top. Why? Because they got the money man and Brunson hitting those shots. So, I mean, you're the basketball savant. You're around this team all the time. Is that that crazy to think that this could be similar to the first round?

Peter Rosenberg (31:47)

I think it's gonna be a combination of the two series because the Celtics try to bury you with threes. The Pacers shoot a high percentage at three, right? So it's. You know, the Pistons couldn't shoot the three. They. They weren't a great shooting team, so you got away with a lot. But I think you're going to get a combination of the two. You're going to get physical, personal series with a lot of drama. There was no drama with the Celtics. The Celtics almost, like, disregarded the Knicks for the beginning of the series. Even. Even after they went down, Jaylen Brown saying, you got to beat us. You know, not twice, not not once, not three, four times. You got to beat us as if, like no one's going to beat us four times. So there was. There wasn't a personal thing going on there. But that Piston Series got personal. And I think you're going to get a little of both. That's what makes this series so compelling. It could be both series pushed into one and have the Knicks sort of learn from both series. Can they overcome it, you know, and win this series Again, Things to keep in mind, Mitchell Robinson was not available to play against Indiana last year. He also didn't play against them this year because he was hurt. So that's a wrinkle. That's going to be different for them. Ben Matheran didn't play against the Knicks last year. There's pieces of both teams. They're both whole right now. Like there's no excuses, which is what makes this at the very beginning so damn compelling. Like, that's just get me to Wednesday. This is going to be fun.

Alan Hahn (33:16)

Richard in Manhattan, you're on ESPN New York. Hi, Richard.

Unknown (33:26)

Don.

Alan Hahn (33:27)

Peter, yes, we are here.

Unknown (33:30)

Hi, fellas. You know, Tommy Agee came to the Mets in 68, he hit 190. This is regarding Soto and the next year he led us to the World Series. Peter, I said before the Boston Knicks series that the Villanova guys were not afraid of the Celtics. They have that pedigree of winning. And you pooh poohed me. I said the same exact thing. You remember that?

Eli Manning (33:54)

I definitely don't remember pooh poohing you, except for that I may have already said.

Unknown (33:57)

Yeah, all right. Well, I said the same thing. Alan said, fellas, by the way, Indiana and New York have played in a more important series than the one that's ready to embark. Alan, do you remember? I don't think you would. All right, 1971, the New York Nets, Lou Carnesecko, coach, Marty Glickman, colored commentator, the TV commentator, and Rick Barry, the star. We lost in six games to the Indiana paces in the old aba. That was the biggest series bad three games, closeout games this weekend. That Knick game was sick. I like to win, but I like to be entertained and I like to enjoy a game. I didn't enjoy the game except for the fact that we won and the fans had a good time and it was a party ish atmosphere. I didn't enjoy the basketball. That was terrible. I hated the Toronto Florida game last night. When you're it's 00 off the one in your home ice and you haven't won in 58 years. That was a disgrace. Don. Terrible. I hated that game. Six straight goals by Florid. And then the Denver game. Allen. I've never seen anything like it. Denver's up by eight. Two minutes into the second quarter, up by eight. And the coach of OKC puts Caruso on Jokic. I've never seen that. Never. I've never seen a 6, 4 guy designated to guard a 7 foot guy for that long a period. That was not an injury. Really not injury. Not just out of necessity. He just was designated. Well, from the point that Caruso guarded Jokic to the end of the game, they outscored Denver by 40. Fellows is 40. Now, most importantly, guys, I got one for all three of you guys. This is a fraud question, but I couldn't wait till Friday. We all know that Boonie Boone calls everybody. Goldschmidt is Goldie, Bellinger is Belly. And Judge, of course is Judgy. Are we correct?

Alan Hahn (35:52)

Yes.

Unknown (35:55)

We hate it. We hate it. But it's hokey. He's our manager. All right. After the game on Saturday, they asked Mendoza about the Diaz Judge matchup. Now, Mendoza does not refer to Aaron Judge as Judge. He doesn't refer to him as Aaron. He refers to him as Judgy. Now, I have a problem, fellas. And you guys got each answer. This is fraudulent behavior. I don't care who you are. If you're the manager of the opposing team, you cannot use a nickname given by the opponen opposing manager for his player. In other words, it's not known that his. His nickname is not Judgy. That's what Aaron Bone gave him. That is fraudulent. What do you guys think?

Eli Manning (36:45)

Mendoza was there.

Unknown (36:46)

Pleasure.

Eli Manning (36:47)

But Mendoza was there too, calling him Judgy.

Alan Hahn (36:50)

So I just think it's a real.

Eli Manning (36:51)

It's just a habit. It's a.

Alan Hahn (36:54)

And I'm sorry, no, no disrespect to the ABA. I'm sure those guys were terrific. The 72 final between the Pacers and.

Eli Manning (37:02)

The Nets and he said 71.

Alan Hahn (37:04)

But he was wrong. I hate to correct you, Richard, but you were wrong. It was 72 final. Pacers, Nets, not as big. Great. Yes, as he would say great. But it's not. It's not the conference final in the NBA. I'm sorry.

Peter Rosenberg (37:20)

No, he's going to tell you it's because. Well, that was for a championship, right?

Alan Hahn (37:24)

In the NBA.

Peter Rosenberg (37:24)

I'm going to tell you it was the ABA Championship. And it just had not the same feeling. It's not the same level sorry.

Alan Hahn (37:31)

But it was deeper in. Okay, you know what?

Eli Manning (37:36)

You know what? Listen, we did a lot today and there were some things in there. There were some things, some things were said, some things were. It just depends.

Alan Hahn (37:45)

Great.

Eli Manning (37:46)

You know?

Alan Hahn (37:47)

1-800-919-3776, Don Hannah Rosenberg taking up until 6:00 clock. Then it's Mets baseball right here on 880, ESPN New York and the ESPN New York app. You want to get the most for your money. That's why more Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda lease a new 2025 Mazda CX30 all wheel drive, only 239 for 36 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda.com choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Excludes tax title, registration, zero security deposit Vin SM 820-914 MSRP 26,680 and six.

Eli Manning (38:21)

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Sponsor (38:39)

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Don La Greca (39:31)

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

Eli Manning (39:35)

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

Don La Greca (39:36)

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

Alan Hahn (39:44)

Nick Mans joined Bart and Carlin this Wednesday for a Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals viewing party at Tommy's Tavern and Tapp in Clifton, New Jersey. Hang with the guys for the game and enjoy drink specials and giveaways. It all tips off at 7:30 and goes until the final shot. That's this Wednesday at Tommy's Tavern and Tap in Clifton, New Jersey, with Bart Scott and Chris Carlin, brought to you by Miller. Like, great. That's where our holiday party was, right, Peter?

Eli Manning (40:13)

Oh, yeah. I'm working on. I'm efforting to pull together a watch party of our own for next week because I just feel like this is such a big deal. We just need to be out there and spending time with the people watching these games. So we're working on that. I will not participate in any sort of street shenanigans. I'm not going to climb any poles. Please don't slide down any polls, for that matter. Even if it's greased well.

Alan Hahn (40:41)

How else are you gonna come down? You wanna fall?

Eli Manning (40:44)

I don't wanna. I'm not going up or down.

Peter Rosenberg (40:47)

Listen, there's polls in this city that I would watch people on, not on.

Eli Manning (40:50)

The street and not me on any of them. And you not on a bet.

Peter Rosenberg (40:53)

No, definitely not you on any of them.

Alan Hahn (40:55)

And we could be talking about a gorgeous pole.

Eli Manning (40:57)

Pole like you dream about.

Alan Hahn (40:58)

Like, it'd be gold. Brilliant. You can see from space.

Peter Rosenberg (41:01)

Yes.

Alan Hahn (41:01)

And still, if Peter's on it.

Eli Manning (41:03)

No. Once I'm not in your hole. That's exactly. Exactly right.

Peter Rosenberg (41:08)

And this is.

Eli Manning (41:09)

So this is a full TNT series, huh?

Alan Hahn (41:11)

Oh, yeah.

Eli Manning (41:12)

So does that mean we get Reggie and Harlan every night?

Peter Rosenberg (41:14)

Yeah, seems like Reggie and, oh, by the way, among the crew, this is their last hurrah, at least on tnt, as you know. So you'll have Chuck, you'll have Kenny, you'll have Ernie, you'll have Shaq on. On scene. You know who else? Draymond Green.

Alan Hahn (41:30)

Oh, I feel about that.

Peter Rosenberg (41:31)

Just to remind everybody that he did it last year. MSG Networks will also be doing post game full coverage for an hour. So when the game's over, you don't need to deal with that. Just come right to us.

Eli Manning (41:40)

You know, if you don't want to hear Draymond or. I know, Listen, I want to watch you guys just because I want all the insight of a great crew at msg. I will say, though, Draymond in that role is less annoying than he is as player, who's, like, still treating himself as if he's that role. You know what I mean? You don't get to be active player. And Charles Barkley, I'm sorry. And also, if you're going to say crazy things, you got to be as good at it as Charles Barkley. Charles has set the standard now. He's not just going to be crazy and say things to Say things A. He's going to back him up in every setting. He's going to be legitimately funny and have good basketball insight. Like people don't realize what makes those guys good. And you can't just imitate it.

Peter Rosenberg (42:21)

He plays Colombo 90% of the time, right? Where it's like he just looks like he's bumbling and confused and doesn't pay attention. And then all of a sudden he gets real and you're like, oh yeah. Oh, okay.

Eli Manning (42:33)

Oh no. He knows the game.

Peter Rosenberg (42:33)

So this is an act he would even do. Really.

Eli Manning (42:35)

You know, when he proved it to me so good, he started proving it to me more with the college stuff.

Peter Rosenberg (42:39)

Yes.

Eli Manning (42:39)

When you knew he didn't even know the people were. But just from watching the game, he's giving you actual insight. But the funniest moment that they've had in the, in the postseason was, did you see the other day when Shaq was talking about having a bad game? Who are they talking about having a bad game? Was it Tatum? I forget who it was. And Shaq's like, you know, I probably had a, I probably had a game like that, you know, once a season. And, and, and Charles goes, wait, you think you over 18, you had 18 bad games over your career? And Shaq's like, yeah. And he's like, you had that many a year. And they just stopped. And then they, they get so legitimately, personally insulting. Like cuz there's such a deep fondness that's there at least. So I believe I could just be a mark for the whole thing. But yeah, I will be tuning in though at MSG to see what the great Peto Wally and Alan Hahn have to say.

Peter Rosenberg (43:32)

And the Monica McNutt, of course, the Monica McNutt always does an appearance on.

Eli Manning (43:36)

The post after doing the great job with Tyler Murray. Yes, she stops on by. Yeah, look at that.

Alan Hahn (43:42)

And Charles did have Edmonton in the final four, but he got the other three wrong.

Eli Manning (43:48)

He, but he generally.

Alan Hahn (43:50)

Toronto and Washington.

Peter Rosenberg (43:51)

I'll tell you, the NHL needs Connor McDavid in the cup final desperately.

Alan Hahn (43:56)

Yeah, I think.

Peter Rosenberg (43:58)

How about Marner, by the way, having to call out, wake the blank up. When do you see in today's world a player, especially in hockey, visually yelling at his bench with that kind of.

Alan Hahn (44:10)

Vitriol, Especially when he was a minus two and didn't have a. I'm just saying.

Peter Rosenberg (44:13)

But.

Alan Hahn (44:13)

But when you never see that he's an unrestricted free agent.

Peter Rosenberg (44:16)

But it does show you though, an underlying I'm sick of this group kind of reaction in that moment.

Alan Hahn (44:22)

I just need somebody explain to me, I mentioned it on my podcast, how you could play God awful game five in Toronto.

Peter Rosenberg (44:30)

Yeah.

Alan Hahn (44:30)

But then play the game of your life when 2 nothing in Florida to save your life. And then go right back to being complete hot garbage in game seven in front of your building. They just fold in that city.

Peter Rosenberg (44:39)

12 and 12 to two in their.

Alan Hahn (44:41)

12 to two in five and six after winning the first two games in Toronto and then being. And then having a 31 lead in game three and then losing that game in overtime.

Peter Rosenberg (44:51)

Brutal.

Alan Hahn (44:51)

I tell you, the pressure to play, forget about like Yankee in New York or Toronto being a leaf in Toronto. It's, it's. And they just hold up.

Peter Rosenberg (45:00)

That might be the biggest one now.

Alan Hahn (45:04)

It might be. There's pressure in Montreal, but it's in that city, it's in that province. There's Canadian, there's. There's Maple leaf fans all over Canada.

Peter Rosenberg (45:10)

Yep.

Alan Hahn (45:11)

And they haven't won since 67. That was the last Cup. In the original six years, there were six teams and they haven't been to a final since then.

Peter Rosenberg (45:19)

Peter. They had to beat just five teams all year.

Eli Manning (45:22)

Yeah.

Peter Rosenberg (45:23)

To win the cup. That's all too long. Five other teams, you played the same team over and over again. And if two of them sucked and.

Alan Hahn (45:29)

Not go to a final in 58 years. Pete Stamkowski picture, if you will. Pete Stamkowski. Stemmer was on that 60, 17. He represents the Gap. Pete Stamkowski represents the Gap. Wow. Love that man.

Eli Manning (45:45)

Now you mean he has a deal with the brand? The Gap?

Alan Hahn (45:49)

No, baby. Gap.

Peter Rosenberg (45:50)

Baby Gap.

Eli Manning (45:51)

He's a banana problem.

Peter Rosenberg (45:52)

This is not a baby. Yeah.

Alan Hahn (45:54)

Let's go to Ralph in Brooklyn. You're on ESPN New York. How are you? Ralph?

Eli Manning (45:59)

Ralphie.

J (46:02)

So first of all, I think it's like poetic justice. I'm just gonna give you a little analogy. Michael K. We love him. I still listen to him. He leaves the show and, you know, could have gone one of two ways. You guys have been knocking and added a park since he left. And I wanted to relate that to our good friend Juan Soto. He leaves the Yankees. Yankees have been doing phenomenal without him. And I don't know if you remember, I'm one of those callers during the off season. Don, we had an argument. You told me. I forgot the adjective, but you told me basically I was brainless. I think, okay.

Alan Hahn (46:49)

It happened.

J (46:50)

I'm like, how could you give him? How could you. And I'm arguing with you. How could you give him a 15 year 7.

Eli Manning (46:57)

Hut.

Alan Hahn (46:58)

Who.

J (46:58)

Who used this term generational talent? I told you. And then now I just want to back it up. And it's not sour grapes, I promise you.

Eli Manning (47:07)

But it's a bit early. Do I.

J (47:11)

Hold on. That's why I want to.

Alan Hahn (47:12)

Okay.

J (47:13)

That's why I want to tell you it's not a bit early.

Eli Manning (47:15)

Okay.

J (47:16)

If you look at his stats right now, he's on course for his exact 162 game average for his career.

Alan Hahn (47:27)

But you're looking at batting average. That's not what I'm looking at.

J (47:30)

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm talking home runs. You know what he home runs. Juan Soto averages 23 home runs over 162 games. You know the RBI averages. I don't think anybody even could believe this. He averages 68 RBI over 162 games season.

Eli Manning (47:52)

I actually don't think that's correct.

J (47:56)

Oh, go look it up on espn. You want. I'll email it to you right now. I'm looking right at it.

Alan Hahn (48:02)

68 RBI home runs over, first of all.

J (48:07)

But you're averaging 62 games.

Alan Hahn (48:10)

What'd you do in 2020 when there was only. He only played 47 games. The point is you're looking proportionate.

J (48:17)

It doesn't matter.

Alan Hahn (48:18)

Dude, wait. No, no.

Eli Manning (48:19)

You're.

Alan Hahn (48:20)

You're picking and choosing. All right, what about his ops? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no way. Ops. No, no, no, wait a minute. You're looking at ops.

J (48:29)

I'll tell you. I'll tell you what his ops is. His ops where his career is. 947.

Alan Hahn (48:35)

Right?

J (48:36)

I'm giving you that.

Eli Manning (48:37)

All right, so giving you that. But real quick, just so you know. Hold on. I got to stop you. Anthony's on baseball reference right now. Over 162 games, Juan Soto's average is 34 home runs. And how many RBI is 101 and 101 RBI's and a.208. So at a 2. 8 and an over.280 average. So your. Your premise.

J (48:56)

I'm looking it on ESP. I'm looking at it on ESPN. How could it be 34 home runs if he had 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 seasons under 30 home runs?

Alan Hahn (49:09)

Because one of those seasons. You're missing the point because in 2020 there was just a 60 game schedule. So how many RB he had 37 RBIs that year? How many would he had? It was 162 games, schedule and the OPS. You're not understanding. And his OPS at 947 is 827.

J (49:32)

That'll never change.

Alan Hahn (49:35)

Listen, I'm not. This is why I called you mindless, because you don't know how to communic communicate with people.

Eli Manning (49:39)

And by the way, the numbers that he just gave us, Anthony just saw on ESPN as his projected numbers for this year, not his average over 162 for his career.

Alan Hahn (49:48)

And also they look at OPS, they look at slugging, they look at his on base percentage from last year.

Eli Manning (49:54)

He dropped dead.

Alan Hahn (49:55)

This is why I get upset.

Peter Rosenberg (49:58)

Is this where we're headed this summer, Don?

Alan Hahn (50:00)

Well, because this is what you want. Supposed to be so entertaining.

Peter Rosenberg (50:03)

So we're getting.

Alan Hahn (50:05)

I don't find it fun at all.

Eli Manning (50:06)

No. You know what we have to do? Just pray for.

Alan Hahn (50:09)

Rain.

Eli Manning (50:11)

Oh, no, wrong song. Sorry. This is what I have to pray for.

Peter Rosenberg (50:15)

Yeah, we need more.

Alan Hahn (50:16)

We'll get more Mets coming up next. Back with you tomorrow at 3 o' clock right here on Don Hahn and Rosenberg on 880 ESPN New York.

Don La Greca (50:24)

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

Peter Rosenberg (50:28)

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good here, man.

Don La Greca (50:31)

More of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.