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- [00:01]
A
Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with powerboost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Remember, goats only trust goats because they're built different. And Messi only trusts Duracell.
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B
This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
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C
That sounds like heaven to me.
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B
Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers, 502
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C
in the greatest city in the world. Han Solo with you today. Peter will be back tomorrow. Don's on vacation this week. So that's what we're going through right now. You know, it's summer book time, so that's what we do. But we're together today. The first two hours were a lot of fun. We got more calls to get to at 800-919-377. And as we started the show, I'll just repeat it for those who might be just joining us now, today is a anniversary of sorts. If you're a Knicks fan, you know what I'm talking about because June 13th will be the new date that lives forever in your mind. Because that, of course, a month ago on this day was the day the Knicks won Game 5 in San Antonio, won their first NBA championship. Here comes fox.
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D
Five seconds remaining. Fox to Wemby. Wemby tries a three, puts it up off the mark, and it'll be the rebound. It's over.
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E
Over.
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D
Nick fans, this is not a dream. Your long, long wait has ended. Go ahead and cry. After 53 years, the Knicks are finally NBA champions once again.
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C
I love that he said go ahead and cry as if you, as if you had any other choice. I think I've told everybody the story. I've mentioned it a few times. But I love, like, because it was a month ago, like, it's amazing that, that a month has already passed since then because it still feels so fresh, like in your memory. And, and I've told the story. We were on the air till 2:30am with our post game show on MSG. And we were in New York. We were not in San Antonio for this. And so we had a, we had a great after the, after the show ended, we as a show unit, not just the talent on air, which was Steve Novak, Wally Zerbiak, Bill Peto, but also everybody, you know, behind the scenes, camera, people, lighting, audio, all the different producers that do all the graphics Producers and everything else, our producer directors, we all kind of gathered outside the studio in a kitchen area and we had. Wally brought a bottle of champagne. It was a good. I'm glad he did. It was a smart thing to do. He anticipated it. No jinx. We just had a feeling. Even though the knicks were down 15 in the third quarter, down 7 going into the fourth quarter, there was like, you know what? We're bringing champagne. Because if they win this thing tonight, we're going to celebrate. It was a Saturday night. And so we pop the bottle and we make some toasts. And one of the toasts I made, one of the things I thought to say was, boy, Al Trout, we would have loved to have been part of this. And I wanted to remember him in that moment because, you know, we'd been through so much together and seen a lot of bad basketball together that we've had to get through. So it was, you know, there's just something about this, and it's this moment we all kind of shared. Then we went on to the city and the city got wild, as we know, trying to find places to celebrate. It got a little crazy. And I didn't get home till it was, you know, five something and, you know, didn't really. I wanted to sleep. Couldn't sleep, you know, you're just too wired. And eventually ended up in the pool floating by myself because everybody else was asleep. And that's when I felt it and lost it in that moment when it all got quiet, you know, I just realized, like, man, that happened. So if you've got a story like that, like when it hit you, because I. I started to believe they're really going to do this. When they won game two and Mikhail Bridges was. We did a walk off interview with Mikhail Bridges on our network on msg. And man, if you ever see this, other than if you haven't seen it yet, you got to look it up. Because his eyes were like so intense. They had stolen another game. They took game two and he just had a look on his eyes like, you know, going back to the Garden and you know, we're up two. Oh, and. And he's just like, got to get better. Got to get like. He was just so locked in. And I'm thinking, if that dude's as locked in as that, they're not losing this thing. Like they're winning this thing. I believed it for the first. I truly believed, like you always think it, you know, they sweep the Cavs and they're going into the finals for the first time since 99. There's a part of me that's going, I think they can do this. But I had a healthy respect for the Spurs. I know some guys over there on the coaching staff, and I'd been watching them and if anybody sees me on, on get up on ESPN during, in the mornings, through the end of the NBA season and into the playoffs, I had said all along, while those were trying to doubt the young spurs team as a team that could make a run that could take out the thunder, I kept warning you, no, that team, they're different. Those young kids, they. They don't know what they don't know, and they're different. And I had a feeling they could be there. So I had a healthy respect for them. So I thought, you know, I think they can do this. But after game two, in my head, I was remember driving home after that game going, I think they're going to do this. Like, I really think this is going to happen. And I'd always wondered, what's it going to be like when they win it? And I never thought to myself, like, what would I think about? How would I feel? Because you're in the moment. I mean, they win that thing, we're on the air in five seconds and I'm trying to think of all the things I got to process while also saying to myself, wait, this really happened. There's no more series to play, there's no more games to play. Like, this is it, it's done. It really happened. And it wasn't until just floating in the pool by myself, it was dead quiet and I might had a cocktail in my hand and I just kind of started to feel it, like emotionally just it overtook me because I wasn't no longer thinking about the job. I was thinking about memories and, you know, whether it was, you know, mellow getting blocked by Hibbert at the rim, mellow trying to dunk in that moment to force the Knicks to come back and that series get to pay. What a heartbreak that was. Brunson breaking his. What was it, the wrist or the L. Whatever it was, he hurt himself. Game 7. Everybody was hurt in Game 7. Two years ago, that stupid bounce. Halliburton just. The spurs lost in 99. Just Patrick couldn't play. And then Patrick telling me, you remember we had him on. And Patrick told the story about how he cried in the bus when he knew, like, I can't help these guys. And of course, you know, Starks, game seven. I love John Starks and him having this game six of his life on my birthday in 94. But that one shot that was for the moment, got tipped by Akeem Olaju on the force of Game 7. That that should have been John's moment, that shot. He was red hot in that game. And that I remember that. I'm like, I'll never forget. It's my birthday. And I saw game seven for this year was scheduled to be on my birthday. I'm like, please, God, not again. But it didn't happen. So as I'm going through all these memories, it's like it just kind of like it hits you as a fan because you live through so many ups and downs and, and so many frustrations and so many years of, God, when are this ever going to happen? And feeling how far away they felt just six years ago when Leon Rose first took over. And, you know, I remember interviewing Leon Rose, guys, do we have it, by the way? Because I remember, I see it. Yeah. So 2022. I remember. You know, Leon Rose doesn't talk a lot in the media. And just side note, I did ask Leon to join me today, but he's not like, he doesn't like doing media. And so he politely declined. And he did do the roommates podcast with Brunson and Hart, but that's. It's Brunson and Hart. You know what I mean? It's a little different than coming on here on ESPN New York. And so Leon doesn't do a lot of interviews. This was one he did with us on msg. And we were talking about, how do you get to the point where you can be a champion? This is as they were targeting Jalen Brunson, that they were trying to rebuild the franchise. And Rose laid out what the plan was. Now, listen, this is again, this is four years ago he said this. And you tell me as you listen, did his plan come to fruition? Let's talk about the big fish you did get in Jalen Brunson, as you mentioned. And yes, you've known him his whole life, but you've known a lot of players for a long time. But besides knowing him and what he's about, what is it specifically about him that fits here, that fits this team and fits playing here in New York?
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F
It's his DNA. His DNA. He has a winning DNA. And when I say you look at his history, still state champions in high school, two national championships in college last year with and without Luka Doncic leads the Dallas Mavericks to the Western Conference finals. The basketball. And he's improved every year because of who he is, what he's about. It's the character, it's the work ethic, it's the professionalism. And we brought him here, and we are so fortunate because he fills, you know, one of the biggest voids that we had. The starting point guard. You know, that is such an important role to our team, to every team, really, but to our team. We needed that person that was going to stabilize us and someone that. He's also someone we believe is going to make everyone around him better. The way he plays, his unselfishness, his basketball iq, his leadership, all those things are, you know, the reasons why. And he fits perfectly in Tibbs system. And Tibbs has known him. It's going to be a seamless transition for him into the system.
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C
Isn't it amazing? You hear that stuff now. You're like, oh, yeah, that's Jalen. You didn't know that then. Jalen Brunson was a backup point guard on the Dallas Mavericks when they acquired him. Now, I got to. I covered the Western Conference playoffs for ESPN Radio back then. And so I saw him and what he did against Utah, I saw him in those series to the Western Conference finals, they went, and I saw Brunson, and I like, the more I watched him, I'm like, yo, this, this, this guy's got bags. Like he, he can play. But nobody, nobody saw this. But Leon did everything he said there before anything happened, before he started scoring 30 a game, before he started setting records with the Knicks, before he was leading them to winning playoff series for the first time, everything was for the first time with Jalen Brunson. Think about that. How many times have we said with Brunson for the first time since. Because that's what he did ever since he got here. And that was all Leon Rose. Just knowing the player and knowing what he brought, believing in it. And that says something. But the, but the selflessness thing, you know, there's a joke going around that, did the Knicks break the Eastern Conference? Because look at the Boston Celtics do a crazy trade. Giannis gets traded, the Heat throw it all in to get Giannis. But now they don't really have much of a roster, but they have Giannis. And it's like all the different things that you're seeing. I mean, what's Detroit doing? And that's one thing. But how about, did Brunson change the NBA? Not just the selflessness, not just the importance of character, the importance of a guy who can be a leader that people rally around having, of course, your consiglieres with you guys you play with in college, the built in chemistry without having to put players together who really don't know each other well, and seeing can we mesh this right? Because you don't just throw stars together and it's all going to work because they're stars. But there's a lot of what the Knicks did with Brunson as a centerpiece that has kind of changed the way you look at how do you build the championship team. But the other thing he did that everybody's talking about now, of course, is him leaving the $115 million on the table. When it was time for him to get his first contract off of his $100 million contract that he got back in 2022, he left money on the table. And that allowed the Knicks to continue to build, to get OG on and Obi to get Mikhail Bridges, to get Carl Anthony Towns to add big salaries like that, because he didn't take all the money that he could have at the time. Why is Boston breaking. Why did Boston break up Tatum and Brown? Because both guys took every freaking penny and they were worth it and they were do it. So nobody's going to hold a grudge against them saying, well, they were being selfish. No, they were allotted that. That was their max. They earned it and they took it. But because of it, the Celtics finally, with a new ownership, said, we can't afford two guys making $70 million a year and build a championship team. So we had to break them up. So that's what happened. And now Victor Wembanyama, who wouldn't acknowledge Brunson after the NBA Finals was over, did sort of hat tip Jalen Brunson when it was time for him to get paid this off season. Did you see what he did? He signed a five year, or he's agreeing to a five year, $252 million extension. He left $50 million on the table. His supermax, which he was going to be eligible for, was 300 million. He could have easily been a $300 million player for a guy who's what, 22 years old? And he would have gotten every penny and the spurs would have given it to him because he's well worth it, as we know. But his thinking is, I don't want to strap my franchise of the ability to pay into the tax. Not the second apron, of course, but into the tax to build a team around me. He knows he's got Stefan Castle and Dylan Harper on his team, who are both young players who are also going to be do extensions in the near future. Look at Oklahoma City. They've already got to start making tough decisions on players who are due contracts. Because for them, once again, how do you keep my team together? I'm drafting. Well, these guys are going to be due money. They're going to be due max contracts. I can't give everybody a max. So for Wemby, he's saying, I'm gonna leave some money on the table just so we don't have to worry about breaking up a core of young players. Harper's 20, Castle's 21, Wemby's 22. These guys should be teammates for at least five to 10 years as a core of a team that should win multiple titles. So when Manyama took a page out of Jalen Brunson's book, now fans want this. You love seeing the unselfishness because we look at it as, come on, what's $50 million when you're still getting 250? But we know in the NBA 250 is not really 250, because you're paying a lot of different ways and a lot of different people, and you end up not with as much as you thought. That's a reality that nobody, like people like us don't want to. We can't relate to that. But it is true. Taxes paying. You know, there's this whole thing that when you're a player, it's a celebrity tax. If you play in certain markets, that state can tax you for playing in that market. Doesn't make sense, but it's what they do. So you're not really getting all that $252 million in the bank anyways. But he's given back because he doesn't want to see his team get broken up like the Celtics did and like, what's going to happen to Oklahoma City Thunder. But in doing so, he acknowledged something that Brunson did. Owners want this. They hate the second apron. They don't want to be in it. So they're now looking at their players, putting the pressure on them to give back. So it's great, but if you're the players association, this ain't. This is not what you wanted. So not only does the second apron now become something that is restrictive on how much you can build a championship team and how you have to break up a roster that might be championship caliber. So it's already going to ruin that, but now it's going to put pressure on star players who have earned a max or a supermax. And fans are going to be like, why do you got to take all that money? Wemby left money on the table. Brunson left money on the table. Why aren't you doing that for our team? Why are you being selfish? And players who have earned the right to have every penny of the 300 million or the 70 million a year that's coming in this league, every right to take it all, they're going to feel pressure to not take it all. And that's not fair because it is. Once again, it's up to the owners to decide whether they want to spend it or not. I still think they have to change the rule when it comes to if I draft well, why are those players counting against the second apron? Why? Why do I have to pay triple the tax on a player that I drafted who earned a supermax? I drafted well. It's the way the system's supposed to work. I didn't go out on the free agency and grab a player and then pay him a ton of money and got greedy. I drafted and developed the player into a supermax player and I still got to pay triple tax on that. That's something I think needs to be revisited. You should be rewarded for drafting well. And it's also why we're going to see this run of teams where it's every year we have a different champion. It's eight years in a row now. The last repeat champion with the Golden State Warriors. Now, they were already a great team, but they added Kevin Durant because of a loophole because it was a new broadcasting deal. The warriors had some players, especially Steph Curry still wasn't on a massive deal yet. And they ended up having enough money in this surplus that they got from the new broadcast deal where they could afford to give Kevin Durant a contract as a free agent. And Durant went there and they became a team that won 73 games. They became a team that just nobody could beat for three years. They went to the finals, they won two of them. You're not going to see that again, not with this system. So the giving back by players thing, it's a real thing now. And not only does Brunson do it now that Wemby does it, does it set a precedence now that as a fan, will you hold it against a player if he doesn't for his team? Take a little less to leave a little more so you could build a champion? How much is too much? 800-919-3776 is the number. So it's the anniversary of that, of The Knicks championship and celebrating something that we haven't been able to sell for years. And something that, I got to be honest with you, there was a time where I thought, I don't know if I'm ever going to see it. I remember saying to Don and Peter earlier in the run that my worry is that, like, I might never, like, if they don't win this year. I definitely was going to go into this offseason saying to myself, I don't think I'm ever going to see it. So I was blessed to be able to see it. I was blessed to be that close to it, to be on the court after game four, which is one of the most amazing atmospheres I've ever experienced in my life. And then, of course, float four of the parade, being on a float down the canyon of heroes, fly on the wall. Just watching it, man, that was, again, surreal. All of it, just a month ago. Let's get to your calls. 800 now. 193776. Frank's in Fairfield. Frank, you were there for game five. That must have been amazing.
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G
Absolutely, yeah.
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C
My original plan was to go for game two.
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H
Nobody would work for me that Saturday, so I settled for Game 5, and we all know what happened.
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C
So you weren't that upset that they lost Game three?
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H
No, I actually bought the ticket after they went up in game two.
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I
Two to two.
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J
Oh.
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H
Because with the officiating, I didn't see that game going, letting them get a sweep either way. So I even bought it before game three, just knowing that. And again, worst case scenario, they didn't have it. I mean, I'm not out anything, but. Yeah. Best decision I ever made.
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C
Tremendous. Yeah. Well, just quickly, what was the atmosphere like for you in that building? I heard it was almost 50, 50 Knick fans.
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H
Easily. Easily. I mean, everybody that told me when I got home said we couldn't tell on TV. I said, easily 50%. Knicks fans walking into the stadium, just as many Knicks jerseys, online for concessions, just as many Knicks jerseys. The chance in the concourse, there were two spurs fans next to me and said, oh, yeah, we got the home court advantage. I said, take a look around. This is not a home crowd like it could be. You can call it a home game all you like, but. And we made sure the first quarter, too. Anytime they cheered, we booed. Anytime they booed, you got to let them know you're in the house. And this is not going to be that type of atmosphere this game. And, you know, we all know what happened, but, I mean, it was Just fantastic. Like you said it yourself. I didn't realize till that week, but I had basically just, you know, assume that I was never going to see a Knicks championship in my lifetime. I had basically just accepted that. And literally after the whistle, the horn, two or three straight minutes just standing there with my hands on my head going, oh my God. Oh my God.
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J
Oh my.
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H
For three complete shock at what I just witnessed it like you said, it took hours to sink in.
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C
Yeah.
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H
I Woke up at 4:30 that morning because I was so excited for the game. I did not go to bed till 11:30 Sunday night.
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J
Wow.
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H
I was up for 43 hours. Didn't have so much as a soda or a cup of coffee. Just could not turn it off.
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C
Just pure adrenaline.
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H
I was flew out the next morning and just like finally start, I guess maybe on the plane like you said. When did it finally soak in? Maybe on the plane ride when I had a second to think and you know, just sitting still for a little while.
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C
Right.
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H
But yeah, it was amazing.
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C
That's awesome.
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H
As you know.
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C
Yeah, man. Thanks for sharing that. That's. It's one of the most remarkable parts as we tell the story. I think Ben Stiller is going to do. You know, his documentary is going to be unreal. But I do think one of the most compelling parts of this run was what he just talked about. The. The. The road arena takeovers. You got to name me another team in pro sports that did that the way Nick fans did that. I didn't think it would happen in the finals. I thought it was too far away. I was wrong. Isaac and White Plains. Isaac.
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I
Yeah. Thanks. I would say that this, this moment is going to be one of those moments that. I know sometimes we say it with tragedy, like where were you when this happened? I think with a chip when, when we tell that story. Where were you when you saw the win? I think that's going to transcend for years to come. I was a disbel disbelief. Even after the buzzard rang, I got thought, okay, how they're going to steal this from us. Because throughout the years, I mean I was there in 94 seeing Starks put up brick after brick. I saw Patrick, you and Mr. Layup and. And thinking this is the year, this is the year. And every year it was taken from us Indiana. When I remember I was watching at a bar and I was like, oh my God, we're going to win this. And then we lose the game. And then as this first two games and we won those first two games. I Remember dropping to my knees and thinking to myself, this is really going to happen. Are they really going to pull this off? And then we lost game three.
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C
And I thought, here it goes.
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I
And then we were down big in game four. I said, oh, good old Knicks, here we go.
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C
Such a bad mood at halftime. You know what?
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I
We got Jeff Hornacek as a coach.
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C
Isaac at halftime, the coach.
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I
And we're like, and we're like, oh my God, Jeff Horns, like lead us to the promised land. We get this coach. We're going to win this year. And then game four happens and you're like, halftime, this is it. We're going to, we're, we're losing it. The other shoe is going to drop. And then we pulled it off. And then even after that, still in disbelief in Game 5, where you're like, I was watching. I was like, quiet. There was like so many people around me screaming, yelling. And I was like in a sunken place and everything was quiet. And I'm locked in watching and I'm thinking, where are we going to lose this? Where are we going to lose this? And the buzzer sounds, my head, I think my head into my hands and I'm like breaking up, breaking in tears and thinking to myself, we actually did this.
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C
It's over.
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I
And I, till this moment, I think I'm still a disbelief. But thanks for. And I'll just listen to you.
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C
All good stuff. All good stuff. Isaac. That, that's, that's what it's about. And that's why I just had a month. A month later. It's like everybody said it's been a month already. Like it's been a month already. But yeah, it's been a month already. And as I mentioned. All right, so the Knicks put an end not only to their 53 year drought, but a 15 year drought of the four major sports in New York, right? The football Giants. That was the last of the four major of the NHL, NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball. The last championship we had here of those four majors was the Giants last Super Bowl, 15 years. So with thinking of it, I was saying like, well, who's next? So who would you say is the team that. Okay, the Knicks got. The Knicks ended that. But, but who else can you see now piggybacking off this and making it sort of like, all right, be a championship city once again. Don't know if we have a team right now, do you?
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K
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- [26:36]
L
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- [27:07]
M
It's Charles Barkley here with Wayfair, and let me tell you, game day is serious business at my house. If I'm grilling, chilling and watching hoops, my outdoor setup better be ready to play. That's where Wayfair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and greens accessories, Wayfair's got it all and it shows up fast. I'm talking fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game and your outdoor chill game and head to Wayfarer.com to get your outdoor space ready for the season.
- [27:34]
C
Wayfair Every style, every home thanks for
- [27:38]
B
listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [27:41]
K
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [27:43]
B
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
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C
I got a nice text from Ben Rice's dad, Dan. They're all like, they had them think about the Home Run Derby signed like 8 o'.
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M
Clock.
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C
They, they got to the stadium, it was like two o'. Clock. They've, they're there all day. There's a lot going on. So I just said, hey, when, when Ben wins tonight. Come on tomorrow. So I'll give you a reason to watch. And if you're saying home run debris, that'll be fun. You know, we're going to be all the old men going, where the hell is the Home Run Derby? It's not on. It's not on espn. Where else do we go? NBC. It's not there either. Where else would we go? It's on Netflix, everybody. Yeah. Note the start time. 8 o'. Clock. And we'll have it here too, by the way, on ESPN New York. So you, Ray, row to it live on the radio if you'd like. After me, we'll have some ESPN radio content. And then leading you into the Home Run Derby. And again, Ben Rice is in it. And that's, that's awesome. Before I get back to your Knicks calls, you, we got tons of them. I want to get to it. Just wanted to just get you all caught up on all that stuff. So that's really the big thing going on tonight. All Star game is tomorrow. And then the All Star break comes to an end and busy week. So Don's off this week. Peter will be back tomorrow. And we know Fanatics Fest going on here in New York that's coming up this week as well. So a lot of big stuff happening there. So this show is definitely one you want to stay connected to because, you know, Fanatics Fest is as a partner, as a friend is, you know, something we've been part of for the last couple of years. So keep it right here for everything you need to know about that. Big doings here in New York. But also on these calls, 800-93776. Let's go to Mike in the Bronx. Mike, you're up next. What's up, Mike?
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E
Hey, Alan.
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N
Great to hear all these Nick reflections. Mine was get on the top of the Ford train at woodlawn with my two boys, 11 and 8 years old. 5:15, get down to city hall. 6:15.
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C
Oh yeah.
- [29:53]
N
Get on a long line at church and reads around 7:30. They say no more people. We're like, oh, man. So there's thousands of people on Church street right parallel to Broadway just looking for a place to go. Everyone finds a spot to stand and we're right behind St. Paul's Church. And we could see like a 20 yard stretch of Broadway. And some nice New Yorkers helped the boys up on a big planter thing with flowers. So they had a, you know, a higher vantage point. And my 8 year old, he shouted out, I see the trophy.
- [30:30]
C
I see the trophy. Cat was holding it up.
- [30:34]
N
And that was it right there.
- [30:36]
C
It's. You know what Amazing. The reverse perspective that I had was every time say this to everybody. So you go once, you make the turn and you're down Broadway. Now you're in that quote, unquote, Canyon of Heroes. It's amazing how tight of a space that is. And if the Knicks ever win another one, they're going to have to do this parade on Fifth Avenue like they do Thanksgiving and St. Patrick's Day. You can't do it. I know it's Canyon of Heroes, but. But it's. You need a bigger space. But what blew my mind, Mike, was every time we got to a cross street, like you were just naming. I would look down the cross street and you're talking about two or three blocks deep of people lined up.
- [31:18]
H
Yeah.
- [31:18]
C
Just to get a glimpse. And I found that to be the most remarkable thing. It really is. My kids went through it too. My kids couldn't get close enough. They couldn't get onto Broadway. They were like, I think they said they were like a block away and they said they saw me for like three seconds. Just a glimpse as we went by. But that's just, that's the reality of it. But it just showed you was what, 2 million people came out to see this thing. But you know what you can say to your kids, you saw that trophy with your own eyes and that's all that matters. Means it really did happen. Thanks, Mike. I appreciate it. I love hearing everybody's experience on this thing. Go to Lamar in the Bronx. What's up, Lamar?
- [31:58]
G
Hey, what's going on, Alan? First off, I want to say you did a fantastic job throughout the whole playoffs, you know, doubling from MSG and just going to get up. You, you were magnificent. Magnificent. So I hope you can get a good vacation yourself.
- [32:15]
C
That's coming. Yeah, that's coming. No sleep, but we sleep in August, we sleep in July.
- [32:22]
G
So I was exactly one month when the Knicks first won the championship. So this means a lot to me from somebody who used to watch the Knicks on Channel nine and only see home games and watching Kelly Chipooka like beat us and stuff like that, this was ultimate. And you brought up a name when you said Al Troutwick. And I also thought about John Andrews, who was fantastic with the. Who was fantastic with the coverage. I'm still not over this, Alan. This is something that I've been dreaming about for the last, I don't know, like, 40 years. So I can't tell you if I came down yet because I don't know if I came down yet. But, you know, true Nick fans know what this is about because this is something that's long time coming for us, there's no question. Appreciate you giving me a time to say that.
- [33:16]
C
I appreciate what you said, Lamar, because bringing up John Andreas is definitely somebody I loved and revered and another guy that took me under his wing when I was, even when I was a beat writer, I was new to it. And that's. You talk about a competitive beat, man. Like, I stepped into that thing after seven years of covering the NHL, and while I, you know, I knew the game, I knew basketball, I knew the NBA, I knew the Knicks history really well. You're stepping into. That's a mosh pit, man. Like, like, it is competitive and it's tough, and you got to be ready for it. And John was so good about, like, the first year. Just kind of like get, you know, helping me out as far as just guidance and just such a smart guy, knew the league so well, introducing me to different people when we'd be on the road, you know, great, great appreciation for John. And that's why when I say this with, with a ton of humility, I swear, when I've been given the opportunity by MSG to sit in the analyst seat calling a game, you know, next to Mike Breen, next to Tyler Murray, and I get to be there, especially when it's at home game and I'm sitting in Clyde's seat, center court, Madison Square Garden for an NBA game. And I just, like, again, I, I, it's surreal. And I always think of John because John is. I grew up listening to Marvin John and calling games. And John is somebody that I related to really well because, you know, he, he didn't play in the NBA. He was a great college player at Fordham, but he didn't play in a league. But he knew the game. He knew it well. He knew the league well. He did his homework, he did his prep. He knew players, he knew coaches, he could tell stories. And I said, like, I always used to say, if John can do it, I can do it.
- [35:01]
J
It.
- [35:02]
C
I never think, I never thought I would, but. So that's why when I'm there, I always think of John like, you know, kind of a tip, tip of the hat to him. Like, I'm not here if you didn't do what you did, if you weren't good at it. So it meant a lot to me. Thank you. Let me share that, by the way. Russ, on the lie. I hope you're not stuck in traffic. Russ, what's happening with you?
- [35:25]
E
Hey, doing Alan. So I was lucky enough to be at Game 6 of the 2003 ALCS and Game 6 of the World Series in 2009. 2003 ALCS against the Sox. If you remember, the Yankees were down 4 early and seemed like they had no chance. And all of a sudden, they came back with three runs to tie it up. And you had the ninth, the 10th, the 11th, you know, and the knuckles were tight, and the whole stadium was just tense. When Boone hit that home run in the 11th inning, speaking of knuckles, it was. Yeah, it was just relief and then exultation, you know, and that kind of reminded me of Game 4 with the Knicks, because they were down early, and it was just like relief that they won in exultation. And then game five, again, the Knicks are down early, but in 2009, again, the Yankees were down early in that series. And you remember, they came back at that inning with Hideki Matsui and Posada, and you knew that once they had that lead, that they were going to win because Mariana was going to come out, the whole thing. And so they win that game. But it was. That was pure joy. And that's what the end of the Knicks game five felt like, just pure joy. You know, you couldn't enjoy game four until it was over because they had to lead for a second.
- [36:46]
C
Right.
- [36:46]
E
Same thing with Boone's home run. I couldn't see Boone's home run get into the stands from where I was, but I could tell by the crowd they won it. So, you know, so just to be there. And, you know, I was also lucky to be, you know, with those games that my father would pass since. But, you know, I was able to at least have that moment now with my kids at those games, because they were with me at both of those. And the new ones, the Knicks games, you know, we were together wherever we were, just to share. That kind of also brought back my father to me. So, again, sports, family, the whole thing. Yep, the whole thing was just amazing. But again, 2003, the stress, and then 2009, the victory, the joy just reminded me of the Knicks now.
- [37:32]
I
Yeah.
- [37:33]
C
And it's also that, like, you looked at a Team there was such. They were vets, they were pros. Like, it always felt like. Like there were a couple that, like, if they get the lead, they're not giving it up. And that was like Eric Spoelstra, I think it was last season or maybe earlier this past year, said something about the Knicks that always stood out to me, where he talked about their. Their maniacal will to win that you have to match it because they just had that spirit where if they had a ch. If you left the door open, they were always going to go through. They were going to kick the door down. They were just made like that. And I always laugh because I did it, you know, lack of toughness. Is this team tough enough? They lost Hartenstein, they lost even Shenzo, you know, do they have enough toughness? We've said this so many times over the year, the last two years about them. And then I learned during this run, even during this past season, it's like, you know, what throwing elbows and, you know, going nose to nose, confrontations and shoving somebody, that's toughness in one way. But the Knicks had a different kind of toughness where they, you know, like Brunson, you know, Trey Young rolls the dice center court, Madison Square Garden. Now, Trey Young wasn't doing that at Brunson. He was doing that mostly for fans. That was his way of kind of saying, like, you know, I own you. Even though he didn't. But he, he liked to do that stuff. And I remember, like asking Brunson about it after the game. He was so mad at me for asking that question on camera. And I felt bad that I. But I felt like you had to ask him, but I didn't realize it would like, bother him. But then when you look back, Trae Young has never beaten the Knicks since then. So is that tough? You don't think that that's a toughness of. All right, you got me, but you now get me again. And there's a different type of mental toughness that I think is special in sports where you don't show the emotion of like, getting physical, getting someone's face. You just stare at him with that calm look, just knowing you never win in again. And he hasn't.
- [39:43]
O
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K
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- [41:24]
P
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- [41:41]
B
thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [41:44]
K
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [41:46]
B
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you you get your podcast.
- [41:53]
C
What a huge Knicks fan he is speaking to Public Enemy that we're playing for you right here. But it's also his. Like he kept telling me throughout the finals, the throughout the playoffs that they are this, that this Nick team is like a very similar story. Not the team itself, but like the franchise going on a run. Like this was like the 55 Brooklyn Dodgers where you were just so used to them losing. Every year. Of course, different story because the Dodgers kept losing to the Yankees every year, but it was like when are they going to finally break through? When can they finally break through? And they did. And it's like the fan base, the Brooklyn fan base called them the bums. Like they didn't know what to do. They didn't know what to do. But it was such a, you know, a celebration when they finally did it that it was an emotional one, that. A type of championship that. Not to quote Sam Rosen, but one that would last a lifetime. And that's what this one certainly feels like. I still think they've got another in them. I don't know if they'll get it, but I just think with its team returning, majority of its roster, with the east kind of being. What are. What is the East? What do you know that Boston's going to be? What is Detroit going to be? What's Cleveland going to be? Keep an eye on LeBron. I'm telling you, I think LeBron is going to either go to Cleveland or Golden State. That's the. Those are, to me, the two logical places it could end up. Both franchises are trying to set. I know Draymond's really trying to make it happen. Cleveland's ready for it. They are basically just kind of waiting for it to happen. I think that's the place. But Golden State, to me, could be the runner up in this thing. We shall see. But what will that look like when all is said and done? Would they be a team that can challenge them finally? I don't know what Miami's going to be. Bam Is really good. Giannis, obviously, is great, but what else is on that roster? So, you know, it's still there for the Knicks if they want to. This feels so similar to the early 70s when the Knicks won those two in four seasons. They got to three finals in four seasons. It was because, you know, Bill Russell retired, the Celtics were no longer just owning the east, and there was sort of a lot of, you know, Baltimore was good for a year, Milwaukee was good, but the Knicks were good every year. And they had two healthy seasons that they were able to get a couple of rings out of it. So this group could happen. It could happen. But we got one. And that one is something that everybody's been waiting for for such a long time. Calls. You're all waiting, too, to talk to me. 800 now, 193776 with ENN coming up at the top of the hour. Let's go. Let's see. Will in Massapequa has been waiting a while. Hey, William.
- [44:37]
J
Hey, Alan. How are you?
- [44:38]
C
Good. I just wanted to call.
- [44:42]
J
This is actually perfect that, you know, you're doing this today and everything you said right after the Knicks won, that people were, like, congratulating you and you were like, well, I didn't really do anything. You know, I wasn't. I didn't play all that stuff, but I just wanted to put something in perspective for you. I became a Knick fan when I. When I got into basketball in high school. And there were all those, you know, highs. Highs of like, Lynn sanity and things like that, and all those cool moments and along. All those times you were right there, whether it was haunted Humpty or leading up to a pre game on ESPN radio or anything like that, during COVID with the Knick six, you know, you bringing us on on the air or FaceTime, and you were doing it with
- [45:28]
C
the team, with the.
- [45:29]
J
With all the fans and stuff. You were in that moment. And like, they say Jalen Brunson's like the Everyman player. You're the Everyman fan, man. So those congratulations, those flowers for you, and how happy we were to, like, celebrate with you. You earned it and you deserved it. And, like, it feels like a big Knicks family and like, you're part of that family and. And you're our. I guess you could say megaphone or if you want to put it that way. So, you know, you earned it and it was so worth it to, you know, get your reaction right after the game when we. When we finally clinched it.
- [46:03]
C
I love that. Will thank you for that. Yeah, I love that part of it. Right? Like our.
- [46:10]
Q
Our.
- [46:10]
C
The last remote show that we did, because we did a lot of them during the run, which was great, and Stout was awesome. It was just great being there. And that was right after the parade. And you guys might have remembered that I showed up no worse for the wear or maybe worse for the wear from that parade because it was just wild. And the people, like, that vibe in Stout that day was unreal. And how many fans that. That we all kind of, like, ran into each other and all the different stories I heard and I. I must have hugged a million people. And if I didn't get a chance to give you a hug, I apologize, and I owe you one. Like, it was just. That was the cool thing about it. And it's sort of that thinking of, like, growing up together and graduating. If you've ever been somebody that had the ability to go to the same school with the same group of people from kindergarten to high school, and I mean, the public school system, that could happen. Now, I know for a lot of people, you, like, you gotta get sick of these people. But there could be also, like, you've all kind of been through a lot together and you graduate together and, you know, that's it. We're all gonna go in our separate ways. And it's sort of like feels like that, right? Like that's kind of what it felt like. Like, hey, we made it. Like we finally got there. So that was the, that was the fun part of that.
- [47:29]
B
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [47:32]
D
I don't want to know how the
- [47:33]
C
sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.
- [47:35]
B
Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.
- [47:47]
Q
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