Hour 3: Pressure & Tribute Videos

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 3 – Pressure & Tribute Videos

Release Date: May 15, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Description: The trio dives deep into the intersection of New York sports, local issues, and broader cultural discussions, delivering engaging insights and spirited debates.

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1. Impact of New Jersey Transit Strike on Commuters

[00:56 – 04:33]

The episode opens with a heated discussion about the ongoing New Jersey Transit strike, highlighting its severe impact on daily commuters between New York and New Jersey.

• Alan Hahn emphasizes the scale of the disruption:
  “The buses can only handle about 25% of the train traffic. They're telling people that live in Jersey that if you can work from home, work from home, but not everybody can do that...” [01:15]

• Evan Cohen echoes concerns about increased congestion:
  “People will probably just take off or work from home or whatever. But come Monday, if this thing is still like I'm, I'm concerned about driving in because...” [02:02]

• Michael Kay provides additional context about the union's demands:
  “The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen blet. They want equal pay with the other major US Railroads...” [04:33]

The hosts express sympathy for affected workers and frustration with the potential financial strain on the city, debating the balance between fair wages and economic impact.

2. Knicks vs. Celtics Playoff Pressure Debate

[05:00 – 17:03]

A significant portion of the episode revolves around the intense playoff series between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics, focusing on the psychological pressure faced by each team.

• Alan Hahn asserts that the Knicks are under greater external pressure due to their history of disappearing in the second round:
  “How do we lose those first two games when we had 20 point leads... Same old Knicks, same garbage.” [07:00]

• Evan Cohen counters by emphasizing that a Game 7 inherently carries immense pressure for both teams:
  “Game seven, everybody's under pressure.” [07:13]

• Michael Kay adds that the Celtics, despite challenges, could receive positive reinforcement even in defeat:
  “...they will get an ovation from their fan base as they walk off the court.” [14:02]

The debate intensifies as Hahn and Cohen dissect whether the Knicks carry more burden due to their historical context, while Kay provides a balanced perspective on fan expectations and team dynamics.

3. Tribute Videos for Traded Players: The Juan Soto Debate

[25:00 – 37:02]

The conversation shifts to the controversial topic of tribute videos for players after trades, using Yankees' Juan Soto's move to the Mets as a focal point.

• Alan Hahn criticizes the necessity and sincerity of such tributes:
  “I think it's all disingenuous.” [28:02]

• Evan Cohen argues for minimal acknowledgment, suggesting that over-the-top tributes feel forced:
  “If you're running the Yankees, I give them. I don't give them anything.” [30:10]

• Michael Kay concurs, noting the importance of not overly sentimentalizing brief player tenures:
  “It's a bit much.” [33:00]

A caller further complicates the debate by sharing personal appreciation for the hosts while expressing skepticism about tribute practices:
“...it was brutal... everywhere.” [40:02]

The hosts collectively agree that while acknowledging a player's contribution is important, the industry often oversteps, leading to perceived insincerity among fans.

4. Anecdotes and Callers’ Insights

[17:03 – 44:24]

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with callers who provide diverse perspectives and anecdotes, enriching the discussion with real-time fan sentiments.

• Caller from Manhattan discusses defensive strategies of the Knicks, prompting Evan Cohen and Alan Hahn to delve into coach Thibodeau's methods and in-game adjustments:
  “... the communication wasn't nearly as good. The switching was hesitant...” [17:07]

• Caller John Owen Washington shares his frustration with tribute videos but also expresses loyalty to the show:
  “...listen to you guys pretty much every day...” [31:00]

• Caller Stephen from Melville criticizes the media's role in amplifying pre-game pressures:
  “...the amount of touching of the money that was happening before game five was revolting.” [39:27]

These interactions highlight the dynamic between hosts and the audience, showcasing varying opinions on sports strategies, media influence, and team management.

5. Lighthearted Banter and Behind-the-Scenes Insights

[19:24 – 36:53]

Interspersed with serious discussions, the hosts engage in playful banter, sharing behind-the-scenes moments and personal anecdotes to maintain an engaging and relatable atmosphere.

• Alan Hahn and Evan Cohen reminisce about past shows and humorous incidents, such as miscommunications during broadcasts:
  “...addicting, which is so... hilarious.” [30:39]

• Michael Kay and Alan Hahn joke about their contributions compared to players like Juan Soto:
  “We can reframe it. We can reframe any way we want.” [11:09]

This segment adds a layer of camaraderie and showcases the hosts' chemistry, making the show entertaining beyond just the main topics.

6. Closing Remarks and Future Coverage

[36:53 – End]

As the episode winds down, the hosts preview upcoming sports events and reflect on the day's discussions.

• Alan Hahn mentions coverage of the Thunder vs. Nuggets Game 6:
  “...coverage of the Thunder and The Nuggets Game 6 on 8:80, ESPN New York at 8 o'clock following Ty Butler.” [23:00]

• Peter Rosenberg and Alan Hahn sign off with promotional plugs, maintaining the show's branding and encouraging listeners to stay tuned for future episodes:
  “...subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.” [34:24]

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Alan Hahn on Transit Strike Impact:
   “The buses can only handle about 25% of the train traffic.” [01:15]

2. Evan Cohen on Playoff Pressure:
   “Game seven, everybody's under pressure.” [07:13]

3. Michael Kay on Tribute Videos:
   “It's a bit much.” [33:00]

4. Alan Hahn on Knicks' Historical Pressure:
   “Same old Knicks, same garbage.” [07:00]

5. Evan Cohen on Tribute Video Minimalism:
   “If you're running the Yankees, I give them. I don't give them anything.” [30:10]

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Key Takeaways

• Transit Strike Consequences: The New Jersey Transit strike severely disrupts daily commutes, forcing many to seek alternative transportation or work remotely, potentially leading to increased traffic congestion and economic strain.

• Playoff Pressure Dynamics: There's a nuanced debate on whether the Knicks bear more external pressure compared to the Celtics, considering their playoff history and current team dynamics.

• Tribute Videos Controversy: The practice of creating tribute videos for traded players, exemplified by Juan Soto's move, is criticized for being insincere and excessive, sparking a discussion on appropriate recognition of player contributions.

• Audience Engagement: Callers provide diverse insights, reflecting broader fan sentiments and adding depth to the hosts' discussions on sports strategies and media influence.

• Host Chemistry: The dynamic interplay and humor among Don, Alan, and Peter maintain an engaging and relatable atmosphere, balancing serious debates with lighthearted moments.

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This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg offers a multifaceted exploration of local transit issues intertwined with high-stakes sports discussions, all delivered with the hosts' signature blend of expertise and personable banter. Whether you're a commuter facing the strike's challenges or a sports enthusiast invested in the Knicks' playoff journey, this episode provides valuable insights and entertaining commentary.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

This episode is brought to you by Lifelock. Not everyone is careful with your personal information, which might explain why there's a victim of identity theft every five seconds in the U.S. fortunately, there's LifeLock. LifeLock monitors hundreds of millions of data points a second for threats to your identity. If your identity is stolen, a US based restoration specialist will fix it, guaranteed or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year by visiting lifelock.com podcast terms apply.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers, 504.

[Alan Hahn]

In the big city. Don Han and Rosenberg with you until seven. Then it's Ty Butler leading you into some NBA basketball coverage as OKC takes on Denver for their game six. With our coverage beginning at 8 o'.

[Evan Cohen]

Clock to this strike. By the way, as we're seeing reports on ABC7, to have to find alternatives for New Jersey Transit to get out of Manhattan is almost impossible.

[Alan Hahn]

Impossible.

[Evan Cohen]

They said that the buses, buses through the tunnel. Can you imagine the tunnel?

[Alan Hahn]

The buses can only handle about 25% of the train traffic. They're telling people that live in Jersey that if you can work from home, work from home, but not everybody can do that, which means they're probably gonna try to drive. All right, so these are people that.

[Evan Cohen]

And that you're paying congestion or we're.

[Alan Hahn]

Taking the train to maybe avoid congestion pricing. Not gonna get hit with that. They're gonna have to park their car. It's, it's, Listen, hopefully they get it resolved. They've got like six hours to get it done tomorrow. You know, people will probably just take off or work from home or whatever. But come Monday, if this thing is still like I'm, I'm concerned about driving in because like you said, if they're going to be buses clogging up the tunnels and the bridge to get people across and more people are going to be in their cars driving to get to work.

[Evan Cohen]

You got a boat?

[Alan Hahn]

It's going to be a disaster, man. Listen, I don't know what they're fighting for. I'm sure it's just they probably wages. Well, yeah, of course, but what exactly the wages or what are the things they're looking for? Listen, I'm a union guy. You know, you fight for what you got to do. But right people, I'm sure they realize it and don't care how easy it is to shut the city down, man. You know how many people that's the leverage you have forth from Jersey to New York on trains.

[Evan Cohen]

The leverage you have, though, right, isn't that. That's why you make that leverage play as a union to do it when. When you do it. But, but still it's less about that because obviously the details and everything out, you know, it's too much to discuss. It's more about just the impact right now on people and people that might be listening to our show that are now going to have to figure out ways, alternative ways to commute or those who drive who now have to realize that you're probably going to have to leave earlier or you're going to get home later because the traffic is certainly going to be astronomical.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, we're not just, you know, we're people. All right, that go ahead. That need to get to work. And whether it's congested pricing, whether it's these inconvenience, that inconvenience. I mean, you're crippling people, man. They're probably people that can't drive to work because they just can't afford it.

[Evan Cohen]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And now we're gonna have no choice. Cause they can't work from home and they're gonna have to go in. So now you're just taking money right.

[Michael Kay]

Out of their pockets. But who are you directing it to? Right. Like it's, it's. I think a lot of the people out there who are affected by it understand the position of the workers, but also don't want to have to deal with the repercussions. Right. It's a bad situation.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. But ultimately, I don't think, Again, I don't know, but I wouldn't think that the transit employees that are going on strike are asking for something that's that unreasonable. And if it is that unreasonable, then you've got to look at the structure that if they want a living wage and you can't afford to do it, then you got to figure out a.

[Evan Cohen]

Way, what are you doing wrong?

[Alan Hahn]

You're doing something wrong here that them asking for something that is fair is going to cripple you financially. Especially all the money that's being made from congestion pricing and how they're flexing on how it's worked and, and all this infrastructure that they're going to be able to fix and all that. Well, how about the people that have to do all this? You know, again, I can't imagine not knowing what they're asking for, that they're asking for something that unreasonable.

[Evan Cohen]

I thought it was just a matter of congestion pricing. Is for New Jersey transit, though, isn't it? For mtv?

[Michael Kay]

No, that's for New York.

[Evan Cohen]

New York.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I. I'm just giving examples. And New Jersey fought against that. Prob. The same reason that I'm talking. It's just that there's so much money that's being made off the backs of these people, and you just like to.

[Michael Kay]

The basic. The basic oversimplification of it. I'm sure there's someone listening who's a member of the union who could call and tell us. But the super simplified version is that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen blet. They want equal pay with the other major US Railroads. Train, Amtrak, lirr, et cetera. And they're currently not getting it. And so they're like, hey, figure it out or we're not gonna drive these trains.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Evan Cohen]

And that's fairly reasonable.

[Alan Hahn]

And, you know, I mean, yeah, if.

[Michael Kay]

There'S not parity, if there's. If they're not getting equal pay to what other people are getting.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

It feels like a pretty reasonable complaint.

[Alan Hahn]

And it's easy for New York to say, well, I guess it's not our problem. But it is your problem, because a lot of the people that are coming in from New Jersey to work in New York are to make New York function that. What if they don't come into work? And now certain things don't run well in New York because now they're home. Listen, I. It's just getting on my soap. I just feel bad for people.

[Michael Kay]

It's going to be very interesting.

[Alan Hahn]

Some people won't.

[Michael Kay]

If it doesn't. If it doesn't get done by tonight at midnight tomorrow morning will be very interesting. And particularly because you're right, Don, a lot of people will just say, all right, well, I'm not going in today. Let's hope it gets better by Monday. But you get to Monday morning and it's not fixed. And also conversation.

[Alan Hahn]

Also from a sports perspective, there are a lot of people in New Jersey that planned on taking the train to the Garden tomorrow for the game. Of course, they're now going to have to find, you know, an alternative way to go. And, you know, get ready, because if you usually take the train in the Penn Station now, you're going to drive those. Those parking garages are pretty expensive. Okay, so. And if you're going to be entering into the Lincoln Tunnel, you're going to get hit with the congestion pricing. So. So get ready the amount of money that you paid for your tickets, you know, what ticket might be the cheaper part of your way to get in. If the trains are going to be shut down tomorrow, try to go to the Garden. All right. So how you feeling? 1-800-919-3776. We had a caller earlier that thinks they're done. If they lose tomorrow, they won't go to Boston, win game seven. I'm not ready to go there, although I don't want to test that. You certainly don't want to. Because the one thing I will say about a potential Game 7, there won't be nearly as much pressure on Boston as there will be on the Knicks. Because the knicks had the 31 lead. All right? They're healthy. The Celtics aren't. So as much as they're the defending champions trying to keep it alive, I'm not going to say house money, but they're going to go in, and if they fall short, they'll go, hey, we gave. We gave our best.

[Evan Cohen]

I disagree.

[Alan Hahn]

But not even close to the Nick pressure.

[Evan Cohen]

Game seven, everybody's under pressure.

[Alan Hahn]

No, they're under pressure, but there's way more pressure on the Knicks. They had the 31 series lead.

[Evan Cohen]

Alan, game seven, everybody feels the same pressure.

[Alan Hahn]

No way. Come on, man.

[Evan Cohen]

Yes, absolutely.

[Alan Hahn]

Equal pressure. No way. Absolutely. How? Because the had a 31 lead, okay? They're going to look like absolute idiots if they blow a 31 lead. That's your pressure.

[Evan Cohen]

That's your pressure you're putting on themselves. Their pressure is the same as the Celtics at that point.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a win or take all the game.

[Evan Cohen]

You're going to tell me the Celtics are like, hey, who cares if we lose?

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Evan Cohen]

Hell no.

[Michael Kay]

They are right. But no, the Celtics are playing. The Celtics are currently playing with zero pressure. They do not have their best player. No one expects a thing out of this team.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm sorry.

[Michael Kay]

The Knicks have way more pressure.

[Evan Cohen]

You're going with the manufactured pressure, not what the players and the teams will be thinking, no way, or wants to win. You get to a seven, everyone has that sense of, we win this, we get to go to the conference finals. And if you're Boston, you want to prove that we are not dead. We can still play for a championship even without our best guy. Because we, we. We take this team out, we go play the Pacers. We think we can beat them even without Tatum. So that changed it. You want that game. So the pressure is real. Everybody feels it. The external is what you're talking about. You're talking about if the Celtics lose, people will say. People on the outside will say. That it's okay because they lost Tatum. That's what they'll say.

[Michael Kay]

They will say it's to say that.

[Evan Cohen]

In Boston they're satisfied because they gave away the first two games.

[Alan Hahn]

I disagree with Peter. There's zero pressure. Of course, any time you're on the verge of moving on to the conference final, there's going to be pressure in any game seven for an athlete. But pressure. All pressure is about is what does it look like if you don't come through. That's what everybody feels, pressure. What if she says no when I ask her to marry her? Or what if I can't get this job and how am I going to pay my bill? The pressure comes from what happens if I fail. If the Celtics fail, they'll be downtrodden, they'll be kicking themselves. How do we lose those first two games when we had 20 point leads, but they can at least look in the mirror and say, we were down three one, we forced a game seven, we lost our best player. What are the Knicks going to say when they had a 31 series lead? They haven't been out of the second round in 25 years. Same old Knicks, same garbage. And now all the chatter. You know Thibodeau, I don't know, man. Can't win a championship with Thibodeau. Brunson's a hell of a player. But you know what? You know, as great of Nick as he is, still can't get out of the second round.

[Evan Cohen]

I'm not denying any of that.

[Alan Hahn]

And that. And believe me, if balls harder on the Knicks than it does the Celtics.

[Evan Cohen]

You don't think Jaylen Brown, in the back of his mind, who knows that everybody talks about how Tatum is better than him and all this other stuff, Right? You don't think Jaylen Brown is like, I'm a superstar and I'll show it. Yeah, I'm showing it.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course.

[Evan Cohen]

Right. He's got that in his mind and what he doesn't want to do, which is why Game 5 was so important to them, why they played the way they play, why he played the way he did. Because that's his way of proving, of course, I belong in the same level as this guy. I want Finals MVP and. And they still don't put me on this guy's level. Watch me drag this team to win this series.

[Alan Hahn]

Brunson feels everybody in the world bad.

[Evan Cohen]

But it's that same thing. It's that same feeling. If he doesn't get there, he'll know that they won't Be able to say that about him.

[Michael Kay]

Remember, Don, there was a thing a couple weeks ago where Alan was completely out of his gourd and we said he was completely out of his mind.

[Alan Hahn]

What was that about again?

[Michael Kay]

And he didn't listen. And then we went to callers and they all. Oh, was it the. Was it Mets Yankee rivalry situation? No, I don't remember what it was.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I remember. He was way out there was his opinion. Which is. Makes you a great talk show host. But.

[Michael Kay]

But here we are. But here we are again. I mean, we can reframe it. We can reframe any way we want.

[Alan Hahn]

It was the warriors blowing the three one series versus the three nothing.

[Michael Kay]

Right. Right. Which we won't revisit again because it'll.

[Alan Hahn]

Be the rest of.

[Evan Cohen]

But enough days.

[Alan Hahn]

It is.

[Michael Kay]

You can. You can verbalize it any way you want. Internal pressure, external pressure from up 3:1 with the moment Jayson Tatum grabs his ankle, which turned out to be a torn Achilles.

[Evan Cohen]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

From that moment to potentially losing the series, there is an innumerable. Like you can't even quantify how much more pressures on the Knicks the second a team loses their hands down best player, no matter what all players think of what they're capable of. And Jaylen Brown knows he's the man too. And he was the finals mvp. The entire world, including everyone inside that locker room, knows the expectation changed, whereas the Knicks expectation changed the other direction. They are now expected to win.

[Evan Cohen]

They were.

[Alan Hahn]

How could you.

[Michael Kay]

It's not the same pressure.

[Evan Cohen]

You are. You. You again are kind of missing the point I'm making. I am not saying there's no pressure. I'm not saying there's not enormous pressure on the Knicks. I have completely agreed with that. All of it. But to say that it's just so much more than Boston.

[Michael Kay]

It's so much more than they're. It is so much more.

[Evan Cohen]

If they go to game seven, they're home in a game seven.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Evan Cohen]

I cannot believe that all of a sudden. That's why there's pressure in Boston. There's no. They gotta win this thing now. Like, they don't. It's there. It's real. The Nick one is real, but the Nick one is a different pressure. It's the pressure of failure. It's the pressure of you still can't get it done. Still can't get out of the second round. Even when you're gifted. This major injury that all that stuff hangs over. So it is real. But both teams are gonna feel it because it's a game seven.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't.

[Evan Cohen]

That's what I'm trying to say.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't doubt they don't.

[Evan Cohen]

Our pressure. They don't feel it. No, but they feel it after they hear about it. But, but not during the game. But I'm telling you this.

[Alan Hahn]

But you just talked, you talked about, about Brown wanting to be the man being put on. You don't think Brunson feels that? Like how. Yes, I'm sorry. There are people having a conversation. Greatest Nick of all time.

[Evan Cohen]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And he's going to be part of a team that had a 3:1 series collapse and can't get his team out of the second round. Yeah. You'll start to hear Knick fans starting to like throw the judge stuff on him. Like, yeah, he's a star, man. Come on.

[Evan Cohen]

He'll start, he'll start getting that. Where.

[Alan Hahn]

So I agree that both teams feel pressure.

[Evan Cohen]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

But if the Celtics fail, it's not going to hurt nearly as much as it will for the Knicks who had it right there and then Don.

[Michael Kay]

How about this, Don? If the Celtics lose on Friday and it's like a really hard fought game and they come up short, mark my words, because of what's happened, they'll get a standing. Oh, walking off the court.

[Evan Cohen]

Wait, excuse me. In game.

[Michael Kay]

They will get a stand.

[Alan Hahn]

You mean, you mean game six.

[Michael Kay]

Sorry, sorry, sorry. Game seven. Game seven. I mean if we end up back in Boston. Right. If we end up back in Boston in a Game 7 situation and the Celtics come up short in a hard fought battle, but Brunson's amazing and they lose close. They will get an ovation from their fan base as they walk off the court. That does not exist for the Knicks at this point with a 31 lead. There's no ovation. There's no, let's celebrate the effort. But that's the point. That's what Don and I are saying. That means there is a heightened pressure. Of course, both locker rooms desperately want to win and think they can win. But when all the dust settles, there is more pressure on this Knicks team to get it done from 31 than from the Celtics down 31 with their best player hurt.

[Alan Hahn]

It's semantics. I get it. The pressure is going to be on any athlete to go out there and finish the mission. But the Knicks just, they can't have it happen.

[Evan Cohen]

Another moment of truth.

[Alan Hahn]

It is just another example of why this team constantly disappoints you. And it hangs over these guys. It just does. And I think that when you're an athlete in New York. You could say, well, that's fan pressure. But they. Brunson understands the moment. He's connected to the fans, and he wants to elevate himself. He wants to elevate this team. He gets it, man.

[Evan Cohen]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

And you are not going to live that down.

[Evan Cohen]

No. And again, last year, they walked off the court injured, battered, bruised.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Evan Cohen]

This year would not be the case. At least right now. Not right now. And that's the. That's the biggest difference. And that's why this is the first real moment of truth for Jalen Brunson and this group. This is their first real moment of truth. Because, you know, there was a lot that people love this team. We all seen that the last couple of years. The city has fallen back in love with this team. But I do think you're right in this. If this somehow goes the wrong way and they can't get their heads out of their asses defensively, which last night was embarrassing, if the next two games is more of that and they get sent home, I promise you the love for this team will dissipate and it'll go back to the frustration and the grumbling and the demands for changes. Oh, yeah, because clearly this isn't enough. And this is the Sixers. Good regular season. Can't get out of second round, and nobody wants to see that. Year after year after year. You get to a point where you start saying you got to take it to the next step. Maybe, just maybe, you're not made up of guys that are good enough to take it to that next step. That's why tomorrow night is a huge moment of truth.

[Alan Hahn]

Again, we are a long way from that. They still have a home game.

[Evan Cohen]

Let's just win the damn game.

[Alan Hahn]

Just win the damn game. And don't even have the conversation about a possibility of a game in Boston.

[Evan Cohen]

Yeah, just guard Derek White instead of letting him walk up the floor unguarded. My God.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's go to Michael Manhattan. You're on espn, New York. What's up, Mike?

[Caller]

Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my call. So I was going to say how I agreed with you, Don, about the whole pressure thing, but more importantly, the way the Knicks play defense. I just feel like it's a constant thing with Thibodeau. He's supposed to be this defensive genius, but there's so many open threes just throughout the years with him where they're letting out wide open threes, and they seem to not know where they're supposed to be. And when to switch and not to switch. So I want to ask you, Alan, because I know you're close to the team and things like that. I've seen something where Thibodeau's teams, he doesn't really, they don't run like real team practices because he, he uses the whole thing of I play them a lot of minutes and then I, I, you know, he makes sure they're not over practicing things like that. Are they doing team drill type practices or is it just more shoot arounds and they get their work in.

[Evan Cohen]

They do walk a lot of, a lot of walkthroughs. They do practices when they get extra days off. Not on a, like, obviously if they have one day off and they played a ton of minutes, they'll do walkthroughs. They'll watch tons of film. There's a lot of work they put into it, but a lot of it is situational, who you're playing. But in a playoff series, right, you, you kind of know what you're doing. Now what, what he's saying is, is true in that there are times you just see open threes and you're like, why? Because his belief is you take the pain away first boxes, elbows, right, the elbow, free throw line and then the box. And it's sort of like set your defense to take the pain away and then go out. And that's always the way they do things. And what can happen, especially in pick and roll defense, is that you can get caught up in, are we switching or are we not switching? And in game four, they were switching phenomenally. It was beautiful. And in this game last night, for some reason, the communication wasn't nearly as good. The switching was hesitant, and the second screen that Boston was sending really messed them up. So that's another day of film, which is today to adjust them how they, how they're going to play without Jason Tatum and, you know, make that adjustment. But the, but the, the, the Derrick White thing is not a matter of not covering the three. It's completely losing the one guy who is killing you from three point range. And that doesn't make sense. There comes a time where it's like, I'm got, I got him and I'm not helping off him. So live with it. I'm not letting him get hot.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Evan Cohen]

And that's what you're looking forward to seeing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Michael Kay]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Alan Hahn]

Game Time is brought to you by televardu Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, fellas.

[Caller]

Go ahead.

[Evan Cohen]

Come on, take it.

[Alan Hahn]

I think the one of the Garden was way longer, but we only have so much time left on the show.

[Michael Kay]

It was. It was longer. I don't know if it was better.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

You know what I mean?

[Alan Hahn]

Let's listen. You're. You've got an opinion, I'll tell you that. And you're not afraid to hide it with me.

[Michael Kay]

Am I going to offend you?

[Alan Hahn]

I was actually offended. This show's been on since January 6th. It's the. That's the proudest moment of the show. So if, if, if you were. If you were to shoot that down, you. It would. You would. I'd be in a fetal position.

[Michael Kay]

I'd cripple you emotionally.

[Evan Cohen]

I thought you were in a fetal position after doing that because all the oxygen was out of your body.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, I was. I think I turned. Like a goal was scored. I turned red. No locals in action, but we do have coverage of the Thunder and The Nuggets Game 6 on 8:80, ESPN New York at 8 o' clock following Ty Butler. Oh, yeah, Telemardu. The original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemore due and try the new Telemore do, honey. During tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Telemore Due responsibly. You know, I got a lot of flack last night because of the conversation that we had about, you know, how would Divincenso and Randall be handled coming to the Garden for game one of the finals. I kind of feel like the opposite way now. We're, like, discussing, like, how would they be effective? They lost the game seven.

[Evan Cohen]

That's what I mean.

[Alan Hahn]

Your mind is always going to wander based on what you just saw. Right? So up 3 1. Why wouldn't your mind start to wander to, hey, this team might be able to win a championship to. Oh, my God, are they going to blow a 31 series lead?

[Evan Cohen]

This is why Jake told me before the show. He blames you for last night's performance.

[Alan Hahn]

Peter, was I talking to myself yesterday?

[Evan Cohen]

Touch the money, you don't put it out there.

[Alan Hahn]

But I don't even know. Was I the one to put it out? Yes.

[Michael Kay]

Which. Which one?

[Evan Cohen]

You were like, wouldn't great finals be this? And why do you think they'd be received and blah, blah, blah. And I'm looking at you.

[Alan Hahn]

It was like A call out. I don't touch the money. We all touched the money. We.

[Evan Cohen]

I didn't touch any money. I just told you you were wrong.

[Alan Hahn]

Who was that?

[Michael Kay]

I'll rub the money on my face.

[Alan Hahn]

Michael told the story. I forget what Yankee it was that got his big contract and he. He just got like a bunch of singles and just laid it all on the bed. And him and his wife just rolled around in the money. Well, I didn't do that yesterday. We just having a discussion. Why is it always on me? Because you brought it up, Peter. I don't think I brought it up.

[Evan Cohen]

Hi.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't brought it up.

[Evan Cohen]

No, the caller brought up was, is this the most beneficial trade for both sides ever between. But then you said, what if they made the final?

[Alan Hahn]

Was it that much?

[Evan Cohen]

Finals? Can we get out of the second round first?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, how come. How come my jinx didn't hurt the Timberwolves? I brought the Timberwolves going to the final. They didn't have any problem last night, did they?

[Michael Kay]

Really?

[Caller]

It's the Mets fault when you think about it.

[Evan Cohen]

Yeah, the Mets can't lose wins and losses. Wait a minute. Oh, wow, that changes Friday night now.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, now you gotta root for the Mets.

[Evan Cohen]

I don't root for anything.

[Alan Hahn]

No, you know, you root for the.

[Evan Cohen]

Mets, I root for me.

[Alan Hahn]

And I lost. Go, Mets, go.

[Evan Cohen]

But you're right, though. If the Mets lose Friday night and we'll know, right. That game will probably be over. Oh, God.

[Michael Kay]

Like you dream about. But, Don, would you be a favor.

[Alan Hahn]

Sure.

[Michael Kay]

Don't get bullied here.

[Alan Hahn]

You.

[Michael Kay]

You don't care if it was a jinx? It's not our job. I'm sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I. I don't.

[Evan Cohen]

I don't really care about me having a Friday night off.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think I had anything to do with it. Because if I was to jinx them, then the T. Wolves would have lost last night and they. They had no problem moving on. They took care of business last night.

[Evan Cohen]

No, we're not in Minnesota exactly, so it doesn't count.

[Michael Kay]

Don, you're not Minnesota.

[Evan Cohen]

This is not North Dakota.

[Alan Hahn]

This is New York.

[Michael Kay]

So it doesn't count.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, speaking of jinxes, Clay Holmes, second consecutive start now giving up a home run since our guy Jeff Pass mentioned just in passing. Hey, by the way, hey, he has a lot of home run all year. Bang, bang.

[Evan Cohen]

That's the Mets fault.

[Caller]

Same way it was the Yankees fault.

[Evan Cohen]

When they played that in that mess.

[Alan Hahn]

Dude, I got to tell you, I watched way more of that game than it deserved last night. Mets losing four nothing, by the way. So I don't have to give it.

[Evan Cohen]

Anyway, peace soup last night, I got.

[Alan Hahn]

To tell you, that was the case of the players had checked out earlier in the day. Oh, you're going to make us play. Okay, we'll show you. Like, they just listen. They haven't playing great offensively. They barely beat Pittsburgh the first two games. But I think they kind of mentally checked out at some point. And it's like, oh, God, we're playing. Because that was just a notion.

[Evan Cohen]

The only offense was what, two home runs, Right. That's basically it. It was only. That was the only real.

[Alan Hahn]

That's all the Pittsburgh had. But the Mets didn't do like six hits. They didn't even come close to doing anything at all.

[Evan Cohen]

So where was Soto? Was he. Did he. Did he have any swagger? Was he smiling?

[Alan Hahn]

No, we got a. Well, yeah, that's right. I don't know. Did he. Did he go out and embrace anybody after the game? Or was. Did he. How old of a sign, like, please, Yankees trade for me.

[Michael Kay]

I missed the Bronx.

[Alan Hahn]

I got. It sounded like Mendoza, who came for the Yankee organization. It sounded very Yankee when I was driving home listening to the pre game.

[Evan Cohen]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

When my dozer's like, well, we want to take advantage of the day off and give him two days off. You know that whole gag that we heard.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, that's very stuff.

[Alan Hahn]

But he's ready, man. He's got a couple of days. And believe me, the rest of the Mets took off too. Like, all right, Soto's not playing. It's raining. And so the Mets could feel like they're well rested because they didn't do anything last night at all.

[Evan Cohen]

Soto can't wait to play. He's. What did he say? 50,000 people? Like 50,000 against one?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that's what he told John Heyman. And it's. I think that's the right mentality to have. Like, some of these athletes are so tone deaf. They like expect maybe to get applause. Now, do the Yankees do a video?

[Evan Cohen]

Oh, boy.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, it's only one year, but you did go to the World Series and he kind of helped. I don't think. I don't think. I don't think they do just because. Because you know what? You usually do that for the fans. The fans don't want that. There's not a fan in the building, the Roots for the Yankees that wants a tribute video.

[Evan Cohen]

Do they just put up like a. Like a thank you, Juan Soto. Welcome back Juan Soto. Something on the score.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know.

[Evan Cohen]

Whoever sees it, sees it.

[Alan Hahn]

I should text Michael.

[Evan Cohen]

I think it's first at bat. You play his walk up music that he had last year.

[Alan Hahn]

Just the first because you do this for the fan. Is there any Yankee fan that is going to be appreciative of last year or just hate the fact that he chose the mets over the 8th? I think you got to give the fans what they want and the fans aren't going to want any. But what about.

[Evan Cohen]

Who cares about the fans in this situation? If you're trying to do good business and make like the like show class guy got Guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Wait a minute.

[Evan Cohen]

When you ALCs got you to the World Series, good numbers. Let's.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's get. Let's dive deeper into what you just said. Show some class, Right? All right. We traded for you. You were a free agent. You performed to the best of your abilities. You helped us go to the World Series.

[Evan Cohen]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

We compensated you for that.

[Michael Kay]

Thank you very much.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. We made you a very generous offer. You declined it and you signed someplace else. All right, what am I thanking you? You had your chance to stay. You didn't stay.

[Evan Cohen]

2024 was a memorable year.

[Alan Hahn]

Good. And you were compensated for that financially.

[Evan Cohen]

But yeah, like I said, I'm not asking you to bring out flowers.

[Alan Hahn]

Am I wrong? Like, no, it wasn't like walk up.

[Evan Cohen]

Song for his first at bat.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Evan Cohen]

Nothing.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't do it.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, I would say nothing.

[Evan Cohen]

Look, I can live with that. I'm just.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm trying to come up. I'm not trying to.

[Evan Cohen]

What's the right thing to do?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think Soto did anything wrong. I'm just saying, like, I don't know. I traded for you. I. I paid you. I offered you a decent contract. You declined the contract. You sign with the mad. Listen, these days.

[Evan Cohen]

These days everybody gets a video. Apparently these days it gets ridiculous and.

[Alan Hahn]

I think it's stupid. The Jets. The jets cut Morehead, the punter.

[Evan Cohen]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

And then they tweet out thank you. Yeah, well, if you like them that much, you would have kept them. You cut them. There's nothing worse for a professional athlete than to get cut. You think that thank you is gonna be, oh, well, at least they thank me. You think he's telling his wife, oh, they cut me and I want to kill him. I'm thinking of strapping a bomb to my chest and walking to MetLife. Wait, wait, wait. No, no, no. He just tweeted out thank. Oh, really? Oh, that's nice. I'm gonna give him a call and say thanks for the memories.

[Evan Cohen]

Thanks for the thanks.

[Alan Hahn]

There's nothing worse than getting cut. So a girlfriend, you're going out with her for like six months. You're in love with her. You actually said, I love you.

[Michael Kay]

Ooh, that's nice.

[Alan Hahn]

And then she comes by the house and starts collecting stuff. You know, I'm. I'm good. I don't. I'm out. She's walking out door. Thank you for the great six months. You look like a prune. Stop it. These guys are compensated. He spent a year. I got to send a thank you. No, we got to stop these things. People, these organizations has got to stop this. Guys that have been here for five minutes, we got to send it. The biggest joke, and I'm glad that it came across as a joke. When the. When, When? Quick with the Rangers last year, their first game in Columbus, the Blue Jackets thanked him. He got traded to Columbus. Peter never played a game, didn't even show up to the arena. Was then immediately sent to Vegas. It was a joke. Like, I'm hoping it was a joke.

[Evan Cohen]

No, I was.

[Alan Hahn]

But, dude, we got to stop with this. God forbid if, like, Aaron Judge, at the end of his contract goes to sign, you know, I'm going to go to San Francisco and play in my hometown for one last time. And then he comes back to Yankee Stadium. Yes, people should have tears in their eyes and throwing rose petals on the ground, of course. But these guys that are here for five minutes get cut and get thanked for their services on Twitter. What are you doing? I'm cutting you.

[Evan Cohen]

They do it in the NBA, you know, the throw in player. There's always the throw in player in a trade, and then that player gets waived after the trade, and then the team puts up. Thank you. What the hell are you thinking? Thanks for the cap space.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, my. The tribute videos and the thank yous. They do it in the NHL all the time. They won't give a video, but they're gonna stop at your play. They'll coming out of the commercial break, they'll show the player on the bench, and the fans will all cheer and it tips there. Stop it. All right.

[Evan Cohen]

Not a little. Not a little. Like a little ball cap tip, like, you know, out in the field. Okay, thank you, everybody.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, if your fans want to cheer tomorrow, I'm not telling you not to. I'm not saying. I'm not telling you to do anything in right field. Juan Soto, you want to play his walk up music again to thank you.

[Michael Kay]

No, it's a bit. It's a bit much.

[Alan Hahn]

We just want to stop just the first at bat. And you say it's classic.

[Evan Cohen]

That's why I can do.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the best I can do, is just do nothing. Just another point. Look, I offered you the contract question.

[Evan Cohen]

Was, do you do anything? And I said to me, at most, maybe do that. And you're jumping down my throat like I'm over the top. I'm not putting out a social media post. I'm just. If you're asking me is there something, that's the one thing I could say.

[Don Hahn]

You could do that.

[Evan Cohen]

Well, I wouldn't mind it. I'd be like, whatever, let's see if some people do a little, hey, there he is. You know, that kind of thing.

[Alan Hahn]

I think it's all disingenuous.

[Evan Cohen]

So you say, no, do nothing.

[Alan Hahn]

Zero.

[Evan Cohen]

Are there any fans that think you're wrong?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know. That's 1-800-919-3776. You can tweet at me, John Owen Washington, you're on ESPN New York. What's up, John?

[Evan Cohen]

Hey.

[Caller]

I can almost sense a rant coming over here from Don about this. But, guys, I. I think. I think just definitely. No, no, no trivia video. Come on. It was one year we got to see. I took my family yesterday, the Yankees and Mariners game. And I'll tell you what, that was. It was pretty cool. We got to see the star power of judge, you know, hitting a home run when it matters there in the seventh, eighth inning. And other than that, hey, I just enjoy listening to the show. Listen to you guys pretty much every day, you guys and Michael. So thank you, all you guys do.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you. Got a tweet.

[Evan Cohen]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

From DRO Soto's season with the Yankees. Last year was his best season by far, 8.1 war. Kind of unbelievable when you think how great he was prior to the Yankees. Based on that alone, I think that giving him. I think they give him a tribute video. His numbers don't constitute you've been compensated. I'm not just saying that as a standalone. I'm just saying let's not make it seem like, you know, he was paid for his services, he played, they traded for him, they offered him a contract. That was very fair. He said no, moved on. So, yeah, it's a breakup. So I don't feel obligated to give anything. If I'm with Alan, if they do it, I'm not going to get mad at him. And rip him. So how do you give him a shirt video? I'm just saying, if I'm running the Yankees, I give them. I don't give them anything. I don't do anything negative. I don't do anything positive. All right, you left. Goodbye. We're good. Don't, Peter, don't. The Yankee fans and the Yankee organization just seem to wreak of, you know, we're good. They moved on. So what are we doing?

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, I would think that this organization would not overdo it. I mean, this. This is. This isn't even like anything. Like, we had all the conversation about Lucas return to Dallas. That is not this.

[Alan Hahn]

That is.

[Evan Cohen]

You could.

[Michael Kay]

You could argue that was too much, and I understand it, but that is not this. There should be nothing. Yeah, there should be a. There should be. Some people stand up and give them an ovation if they want to because they enjoyed the year they had with. Others will boo. That's it.

[Alan Hahn]

Would it be very, very classy of them to do it? Yes, I would. I would say that that was. That was classy. But I also look at it as, you know, completely unnecessary.

[Michael Kay]

Classy, bordering on right on the line. Right on the line to kissing up. On kissing up. To the guy who strolled across town in an unprecedented move unlike anything we've ever seen before.

[Evan Cohen]

Maybe it's just one of those, like, letting you know, you know, in case you ever want to come back.

[Alan Hahn]

How about this?

[Evan Cohen]

Doors open.

[Alan Hahn]

How about this? How about not caring about what other organizations think? How about caring about what your fans think? And I think the fans collectively be like, we're good.

[Evan Cohen]

I would think it's more what other players around the league see, oh, they.

[Alan Hahn]

Didn'T give him a tribute video. I'm not going to the Yankees. Who says no to the Yankees other than Soto? There's like, they didn't give a tribute video to Soto. I don't want to go play there. Yeah, so go. Go play someplace where you have a. No chance to win, but they'll give you a tribute video. I'm sure some organizations will stop the game for a half hour and give you a case of wine. Thank God you played for us. I wouldn't know what to do with myself. God, I hate people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Michael Kay]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Alan Hahn]

My buddy, John Sapio from the Sports Phone, all right, says show the homer against the guardians with him. Hitting his chest and just put up. Thanks for the memories.

[Evan Cohen]

See, I'm fine with that. That's what I said. If there's the least you can do, it's to that level. That's it. He comes up first, first at bat. You show it with the call that. Thank you. That's it. We move.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, I feel like that.

[Evan Cohen]

I feel like that play that drop too.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know. Sometimes they just. You give the fans what they want. I don't think the fans want to.

[Michael Kay]

Do that even care.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Evan Cohen]

You just. You do it for the. Because it's the right thing. It's been a year with you and he was in.

[Michael Kay]

That's nothing.

[Evan Cohen]

But he was impactful for a year. Not nothing. That you got to your first World Series in forever. Not nothing. That's something.

[Michael Kay]

Don and I deserve more of a thank you for how long we were on. Yes. Than Soto deserved a thank you for his one year.

[Evan Cohen]

Guys ever get a pinstrip?

[Alan Hahn]

I mean some of the guys that. That work there. I mean.

[Evan Cohen]

No, but I'm saying on the net.

[Michael Kay]

We didn't get a stuff up on the screen.

[Alan Hahn]

A couple of Don rants, you know, on opening day. Did they. Did they take a moment, show like 30 seconds of highlights of the show and say, you know, thanks for the memories, boys.

[Evan Cohen]

Oh, no, hey, this show isn't leading into us anymore. But we want to take a moment to thank them for expected.

[Alan Hahn]

But if Soto's going to get something and we gave. We gave 10 years to the network.

[Evan Cohen]

You know what? Now if they ever want you back, I'll say right now, take a walk.

[Alan Hahn]

The only thing that beat us were the Yankee games. Crushed everything else as far as ratings on.

[Evan Cohen]

On other shows.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, everything they showed it was basketball games.

[Evan Cohen]

What about Yankee. What about the Yankee Yankeeography?

[Alan Hahn]

I'm going to give you the order.

[Evan Cohen]

All right, let's go.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. Yankee games, Michael K Show, Yankeeography nets. Israeli basketball today, center stage.

[Michael Kay]

What about the golf show?

[Evan Cohen]

What about center.

[Alan Hahn]

Center stage. Died of death there, by the way.

[Evan Cohen]

The golf show for sure.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, the golf show.

[Evan Cohen]

Think about the time.

[Michael Kay]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

The golf show, the K show, Yankeeography, nets, Israeli basketball today. Sports money.

[Evan Cohen]

That's right, sports money.

[Michael Kay]

And there you go. Now we're having a conversation.

[Alan Hahn]

Honestly, I loved every minute of it. Those guys were great. But I didn't expect a tribute video. And there should be a tribute.

[Evan Cohen]

You and Juan Soto definitely on the same level when it comes to.

[Michael Kay]

No, we gave more, we contributed more times. I think we have 10 times more completely agree.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you realize every show was game seven of the World Series and you know what's right? And we won everyone you want.

[Evan Cohen]

Everyone.

[Alan Hahn]

We went 10 0, right, Peter?

[Evan Cohen]

Sure about that?

[Michael Kay]

Every single year. No disappointments on that show?

[Evan Cohen]

No. Now forget it. But now we can't even get out of the second round.

[Michael Kay]

That's what we.

[Evan Cohen]

This is what I've brought.

[Alan Hahn]

When Peter. When Peter climbed aboard, he got nothing but abused for not having collared shirts. By the. By the end of it, he could have came in naked. They would have gave him a standing ovation. Love Peter. They might have loved Peter Jordan, K.

[Michael Kay]

One of the great turnarounds we've seen.

[Alan Hahn]

Really? And you know why? Because we were money. Let's go to Vinnie and Ron Konkama. You're on espn.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, Vinny.

[Evan Cohen]

Well, you guys are looking at me right now.

[Caller]

Hey, Don. Peter. How you doing?

[Alan Hahn]

Good.

[Evan Cohen]

What's up, baby?

[Caller]

First of all, Don, I wanted to ask you, are you going to the Patriots game on Saturday for fireworks night?

[Alan Hahn]

I am not. It's my mom's birthday.

[Caller]

Okay. Because I'm going out there with a bunch of friends. Don't run into you.

[Alan Hahn]

It is. It is a good time.

[Evan Cohen]

I'm going to Jersey from Ron Konkoma.

[Alan Hahn]

For a monthly basis, but he's gonna see Yankee double A players.

[Caller]

He's gonna see Spencer Jones, Lombard Jr.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, he just got called up to the Patriots.

[Evan Cohen]

Etiquette. I love it.

[Caller]

Yeah.

[Evan Cohen]

Very, very impressed.

[Caller]

Well, unfortunately, we won't see him, but I got the tribute video. Don, you said it that a lot of teams think that the fans want it, but a lot of owners or teams or whoever puts it together don't really know what the fans want. They're a little out of touch. But I don't think the Yankees are because how would it look if they did a video and then the fans boom.

[Alan Hahn]

And that's probably the reaction it's gonna get, right? Like what? What? You'd send it up there with the hope that the fans would cheer. He would kind of tip his helmet in the on deck circle or just have his moment. He's just gonna rile up the fans even more. So that would. I don't know. We'll see what happens. I didn't get a chance to text K. Did you, Peter? I'll text K now to see what his thoughts are on this. Because he's. He's got his finger on the pulse. No.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, he always has. You kidding me?

[Alan Hahn]

Let's go to Stephen in Melville. You're On ESPN New York. What's up, Steven?

[Caller]

Hey, guys. What did. What happened?

[Alan Hahn]

Nothing happened. We're right here with you.

[Michael Kay]

Hi.

[Caller]

Oh, no.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay with you.

[Caller]

No, I know. All of a sudden the voice got low. Yeah, I was really snapping listening to the callers and even I think everyone on. Maybe not Peter because of his Celtic allegiance, but the amount of touching of the money that was happening before game five was revolting. It was coming from everywhere.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, not just here.

[Alan Hahn]

You mean elsewhere doing it?

[Evan Cohen]

Yep.

[Caller]

Everywhere.

[Evan Cohen]

Yep. You're right.

[Caller]

I think you guys should. If you went back and listened to your show, it's like everyone was doing it. It was brutal. It was brutal.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you do know we don't have any effect on it whatsoever.

[Caller]

No, I'm not talking about. Well, you don't.

[Alan Hahn]

Anybody like you, the fans, I mean, if the players. The players should know better. If the players were touching the money, that's on them.

[Evan Cohen]

But they weren't.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think they were. And I don't think that had any.

[Evan Cohen]

It was everybody in the New York media, all this anticipation. It was.

[Michael Kay]

Everyone blames the media. That's because it comes from what. What people are feeling.

[Evan Cohen]

Of course, it's what fans are talking about and the media picks up on it and it becomes part of conversations.

[Michael Kay]

But so real, so real quick. When we do these shows, right, that four hours a day where most of our audience is with us for if we're lucky, they have a long commute. For some reason, they're with us for an hour and that's very rare, Right. More likely, they're with us for 20, 30 minutes. When they leave, we keep going. We have to keep talking hour after hour. All we're supposed to do in these moments is continuously preview and look back at the last game. We can't fantasy book at all.

[Alan Hahn]

Come on.

[Michael Kay]

That's a. Because why? Because we don't. We don't want the fans to get angry that we're jinxing. Are we five years old?

[Alan Hahn]

It's the same.

[Michael Kay]

Get a life, you freaking losers.

[Alan Hahn]

Respectfully, Michael getting heat from fans when he mentions that, you know, whoever's got a no hitter through six long. Oh, you jinxed him. Now he's not going to get the no hitter. It's stupid. It's ridiculous.

[Michael Kay]

By the way, Don, that one. So that's stupid too, but I'll give a little bit more credence to it. Only because it's during the game broadcast and it's still stupid. Of course he should be able to say it, but we're doing a sports talk show the day of or the day before, and we're not going when they win. We all know, hey, Don and I never once yesterday said. Because we got into this a lot. Allen, after you headed to the Garden or to msg, we were talking a lot about what could be. And some people got irritated by it. At no point were Don and I going, well, it's a lock. I mean, the Knicks are winning this series. Let's just talk about the conference finals. We always said if. And if they get by the Celtics, should they win tonight. I'm sorry, guys. Come on.

[Alan Hahn]

The.

[Michael Kay]

We're in pretend land.

[Alan Hahn]

No, listen, it's 45 years old right now. Channel. Channel 7. They're talking to some fan who's got all this Knick stuff. I mean, it's the second round, but that's what happens with the Knicks. They're a popular team. I was on Channel 7 yesterday. They taped it before the show. And so I couldn't watch it with sound because I was on the air. You guys saw so Nancy DVR it so the kids could watch it. And I watched it with them last night. And Joe Torres, who did a great job with the piece at the end of it, says, when the Knicks win tonight, they go on to take on the Indiana Pacer. That's just what we do, man. Like, that's just how New York is. Because, you know what? If he was around a crowd of people. Think about this. When Joe Torres did that stand up. If he was around a crowd of people and he said, if the Knicks win tonight, how do you think the crowd would react?

[Michael Kay]

They boo.

[Alan Hahn]

And he. But if he goes, when they win the chance, the fans would all cheer, right? Nobody was there. You shot the clown. That's a big Dave Maloney thing. Oh, that's like whenever. That's probably where he got it. I mean, whenever I would say that, you know, Lundqvist pitching the shutout through 2p. Oh, Don, you're shooting the clown.

[Evan Cohen]

This game's going really fast.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the. That's the other one.

[Evan Cohen]

Never say that. Wow, this game's flying by.

[Alan Hahn]

It's. And I tell you, I tell you what, every single time. David, go, man. There's only been one face off in this period. When within five seconds, there'll be the puck, there'll be a save. The puck will go over the glass or something, and I'll go, dave, you shot the clown.

[Evan Cohen]

We learned this early on, and one time, Bill Pedo was sitting in with us in the green room watching. It was a road game.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Evan Cohen]

And Bill just happened to go, wow, already late third quarter. Boy, this game's flying by. Was having a bad day and Al like stood up, slammed the table and he goes out. He kicked Peto out of the green room. Wouldn't let him back in.

[Alan Hahn]

I could picture that.

[Michael Kay]

Just on account of knowing that was a jinx to Shirley.

[Evan Cohen]

Make it a nightmare just to ruin our night. Make it go like overtime. Oh, let's hope there's no overtime. He would lose his butt. He had such a temper. It was so entertaining.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Evan Cohen]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hear more more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.