Hour 3: Tatum Returns

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast — Hour 3: "Tatum Returns"

Date: March 6, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode is a lively blend of New York sports debate and pop culture discussion, centering on the NBA playoff picture—particularly Jason Tatum’s unexpected early return for the Celtics and how it shakes up the Eastern Conference landscape. The trio also dives into sports betting odds, the value of playoff experience, and navigates a strong, occasionally heated debate about music's emotional impact across genres. The hour climaxes in classic fashion with an interactive and humorous call-in about baby names, exemplifying the show’s mix of hard sports analysis, witty banter, and listener engagement.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Music, Emotion, and Generational Debate (00:53 – 10:56)

• Father/Son Songs:
  • Peter introduces “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens, which sparks a debate about what music genres evoke the deepest emotions.
  • Don claims: “There is no hip hop song that is on that level of this song... No hip hop song makes you cry. No hip hop song hits like that.” (04:35)
  • Peter vehemently disagrees, citing J. Cole’s “She’s Mine, Part 2” as an emotional hip hop song; accuses Don of not knowing the genre (05:46).
• Escalation & Resolution:
  • The argument escalates with personal jabs (Peter: “You are a moron,” 05:39), leading to bruised egos and a need to reset.
  • Alan steps in to cool things down, stating, “music is subjective. We all have our own taste. No one is wrong.” (07:27)
  • Apologies are (somewhat messily) offered and the crew regains its composure.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg (05:46): “Go listen… to J. Cole about the birth of his daughter. Tell me songs are incapable.”
• Don Hahn (06:23): “I'm not disrespecting any genre of music. God forbid, if I disrespect hip hop like I'm some sort of freakin' moron because I don’t get hip hop, man.”

---

2. Eastern Conference Playoff Picture & Tatum’s Return (11:47 – 30:39)

• Tatum’s Status and Celtics Hype:
  • Announcement that Tatum is returning prompts discussion about Boston’s odds and the psychological impact on the rest of the conference.
  • Team T-shirts with “0” (Tatum’s number) are mentioned as part of the Celtics’ promo push. (11:47)
• Betting Odds & Experience:
  • Overview of current odds to win the East: Celtics +240, Cavs +300, Pistons +380, Knicks +400 (12:26).
  • Debate about the importance of playoff experience: Spurs and Pistons viewed skeptically for lack of it, despite strong seasons (13:15 – 14:42).
  • Historical examples invoked—Warriors’ 2015 run, LeBron’s impact “bubble Lakers,” Thunder’s rapid rise, etc.
• Potential for Upsets & Boston’s Real Chances:
  • Peter: “A narrative started to get built around OKC last year, that they were unbeatable.” (18:26)
  • Alan stresses that playoff matchups are about “styles make fights,” not just regular season dominance (19:01).
• Skepticism Over Tatum’s Impact Post-Injury:
  • Hosts question whether Tatum can return to form so quickly after an Achilles tear, comparing to Adrian Peterson and Kevin Durant comebacks (20:42 – 21:10).
  • Alan: “History tells you that’s not going to happen.”
  • Consensus: Boston’s favorite status is driven more by recent success and lazy narrative than analysis of current roster dynamics. (20:27)
• Knicks “Disrespected” by Vegas:
  • Don argues Knicks being +400 is a lucrative longshot for bettors; Alan agrees this underdog status works in their favor (21:15 – 22:20).

Notable Quotes:

• Don Hahn (20:18): “Why the love for the Celtics, then?”
• Peter Rosenberg (20:27): “They're a recent champion with a bona fide head coach, two star players, and people are lazy. That’s really the team they think they know.”

---

3. Tatum’s Comeback: Strategy, Timing, and Organizational Dynamics (26:27 – 30:39)

• Management & Medical Caution:
  • Debate over who within Celtics organization truly controls comeback decisions: Brad Stevens or coach Joe Mazzulla (28:08).
  • Alan: “Brad Stevens is the guy that runs that place... if he didn’t want him to play, Tatum wouldn’t play.” (28:39)
  • The possibility Tatum could opt out if he feels not ready; return is both a medical and organizational call.
• Resulting Pressures:
  • “All the pressure, all the attention, all the expectations are now shoved up to Boston. Nobody else.” — Don (29:49)
  • With Tatum’s return, any Celtics “no-pressure” narrative is gone; Peter points out he’d be fine if Celtics just sat Tatum for long-term health.

---

4. Conspiracy Theories, Sports Betting & Historical Context (33:33 – 44:57)

• Listener Call: Celtics Odds Conspiracy:
  • Pedro in LA wonders if Tatum’s early comeback is to manipulate preseason betting odds (33:33).
  • The hosts walk through a live on-air search of preseason odds, with some ribbing and banter—initial Celtics to win East at +1200; their win over/under at 41.5 (39:48 – 44:16).
  • Jalen Brown’s MVP odds go from +30,000 preseason to +4,000 in March, showing both how futures markets shift and how old perceptions lag.
• Fun with Gambling & Google Skills:
  • Alan, Don, and Peter get competitive about Google search prowess, while joking about possible gambling problems (41:42 – 44:16).
• MVP Criteria Debate:
  • Should MVP be “best player” or “most valuable”—are oddsmakers and voters really weighing impact? (44:16 – 45:43)

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg (44:18): “It’s always a fight between: Do you define it as the best player in the league, or do you define it as most valuable?”

---

5. Lighthearted Listener Interaction — The Baby Name Debate (45:44 – 50:43)

• Call from Leo & Nicole:
  • Nicole is literally in labor at the hospital, asking the hosts to weigh in on baby boy names: “Jackson” (Giants-inspired) or “Bryson.”
  • Don and Peter advocate for “Jackson” (with caveats about sports star inspiration), Alan backs it as strong and classic.
  • The segment is playful, supportive, and genuine; classic Don, Hahn & Rosenberg crowd-pleaser.

Notable Quotes:

• Nicole (47:54): “I love the name Jackson. I just feel like it’s getting more and more common. So that’s why I was a little hesitant and I feel like Bryson is a little less common.”
• Don Hahn (48:01): “I say Bryson only because… in like 20 years from now, they might be like, ‘Who… I named my kid after Jackson Dart…’”
• Peter Rosenberg (49:13): “[If the name flameout happens] it’ll be a funny story… It’s not the end of the world.”

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Key Music Debate: 00:53 – 10:56
• NBA Odds, Tatum, and Playoff Preview: 11:47 – 30:39
• Management Decisions & Celtics Team Dynamics: 26:27 – 30:39
• Celtics Conspiracy Call & Odds History: 33:33 – 44:57
• Listener Baby Name Call-In: 45:44 – 50:43

---

Memorable Moments & Original Tone

• The heated but ultimately reconciled argument over genre emotionality, peppered with classic New York guy ribbing and real annoyance (“You’re embarrassing… I’m sorry, you’re embarrassing” — Peter, 05:40).
• The subtle mockery and jabs over “Google skills” in finding sports betting odds, embracing the show’s self-aware, informally competitive rapport.
• The genuine, good-natured engagement with a listener in labor, giving personal life advice and sports-fan validation in real time.

---

Summary

This episode embodies the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg blend: intense and opinionated sports talk, digressions into music and culture, plenty of ribbing, and a willingness to get personal—whether through heated debate or heartfelt advice to fans. Covering nuanced NBA playoff dynamics, sports betting narratives, and Boston’s high-pressure situation post-Tatum return, the hosts inject humor and sincerity as only this trio can, wrapping it up with listener connection that reminds you why New Yorkers trust these voices for both their basketball takes and their baby names.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

Spring is here, and there's a whole new way to chai at Starbucks that's made perfect for you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Choose your sweetness.

[Don Hahn]

Dial it up or keep things light.

[Alan]

Add a touch of pistachio, a hint

[Don Hahn]

of strawberry or vanilla, or make it

[Alan]

a spring classic with lavender.

[Don Hahn]

Because this season there's endless ways to chai at Starbucks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

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

[Alan]

Sure.

[Don Hahn]

The Knicks visit the Nuggets with coverage immediately following ty Butler on 880 at 8 30. Satan Johns closes out their regular season on the road against Seton hall with coverage on 1050 at 8:40. I went back upstairs to rewound. He did say Satan John's telemore do, my son. The original triple distilled, triple blend did a triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew response. Satan John's close. Sorry.

[Alan]

Could have let it go, but. No, we can't.

[Don Hahn]

I can't. I guess Satan said, we can't.

[Alan]

We just. We won't do it.

[Don Hahn]

I had a moment because I went upstairs and I said, marco, people are talking about it. They really liked what you did.

[Alan]

He said, really?

[Don Hahn]

And then he said, thank you for letting me do that.

[Alan]

Wow.

[Don Hahn]

You only have to remind kids to say thank you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, think about. For me, I only have a song

[Alan]

for daughters, not for young sons. Yeah, right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry. We'll work on it. We'll work on that.

[Alan]

Oh, no, I have one I can send you, Anthony. It'll make him. He'll weep if you play it.

[Don Hahn]

What? Cats in the Cradle?

[Alan]

No, that. That's one for sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Father and Son.

[Alan]

It's a country Stevens. Oh, no. It's a country song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A father and son one.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. They're drunk in a pickup

[Peter Rosenberg]

now.

[Alan]

I'm not gonna play. You know what?

[Don Hahn]

What? So bad.

[Alan]

No, go ahead, Don.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know Father and Son. You know Father and Son by Cat Stevens, of course. Right.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, that's a good one. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's as good as it gets right there.

[Alan]

Is it though?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. No, but you know what? You know what? Alan Jacob Find it?

[Alan]

Yeah. Besmirch Cat Stevens.

[Don Hahn]

Great. Cat Stevens.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was there.

[Alan]

He doesn't even go by Cat Stevens anymore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's Yusuf.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, right. He's. He's. He's balancing it out. And I got the book. Again, I'm gonna probably hear the whole story because again, it's the Baseball encyclopedia. His book is Father and Son. Got more pages than Lionel Richie's book. The Audacity.

[Alan]

The Audacity.

[Don Hahn]

Let's hear.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let me give you. Let me give you a taste of father and son, everyone. Here it is, father and son. Cat Stevens, folks. Get the tissues.

[Don Hahn]

Dads. Sorry, YouTube.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that's strum.

[Don Hahn]

Play it yourself. It's not time to make a change.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just relax, take an easy.

[Don Hahn]

You're still young.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's your fault.

[Don Hahn]

There's so much. You don't like this, Alan?

[Alan]

No, it's all right.

[Don Hahn]

You know what? Then we're good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now you both. I gotta tell you.

[Don Hahn]

How about that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, how about this? You both make me sick.

[Don Hahn]

Peter, you. You good with Melman.

[Alan]

You guys cut me out.

[Don Hahn]

Can I go?

[Alan]

No. Can I go?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. For him to turn on that song of all songs on this holiest of days.

[Alan]

I didn't turn on it. I just, you know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you. No, you both. But you both make me sick. Because you're both music people who after seven seconds of a song will go, I'm good. Or sometimes you just go, oh, you know, sounds pretty good.

[Don Hahn]

I gotta.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The rest of it. You gotta spend time with a song like that. That song is deep.

[Alan]

I don't know. It's gotta hit you right away. Don't know. No, because I'm telling you, I'm a big name. That tune. If it doesn't get me in the first couple of notes, you gotta hear,

[Peter Rosenberg]

that's not Cat Steve. But like, that's Dom Went to Black.

[Alan]

He's so upset.

[Rich Eisen]

Sending everything crazy.

[Alan]

No, Don ran away.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We're going crazy over here on YouTube.

[Don Hahn]

I'm real. Honestly, Alan, I'm really disgusted with you.

[Alan]

I'm sorry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you did it recently too, Don, where I played a song for eight seconds and you went, hey, I'm good.

[Don Hahn]

It was not at this level.

[Alan]

That's cool. There you go. Alan, you move to the right. Oh, no.

[Don Hahn]

There we go.

[Alan]

Wait, Peter, here's Jad Invit.

[Don Hahn]

All right, you ready for this? You ready for this hot take? There is. There is no hip hop song that is on that level of this song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, that's a terrible take.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's not a terrible take. And no hip hop song makes you cry. No hip hop song hits like that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course they do.

[Don Hahn]

No, they don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Alec. Don, you're out of your depths. You don't know the music.

[Don Hahn]

How you living.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What?

[Don Hahn]

That's not this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What?

[Alan]

Wait a minute.

[Don Hahn]

It's not. No, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not meant to do that.

[Don Hahn]

It's not like me playing the metal song like no metal song hits.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like Allen angered Don so much that he turned on an entire genre that

[Don Hahn]

I'm not turning on it. I'm just saying it's not what it's about. I love metal. There's no metal song that hits like that. There's no metal song. Hip hop get that kind of an emotion singing about his son.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Metal doesn't have any ballads that hit any serious song.

[Don Hahn]

Not like that. This is hip hop, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that. Speak. Speak for metal. Don't speak for hip hop.

[Don Hahn]

No, I'm speaking for hip hop.

[Peter Rosenberg]

None. Zero.

[Don Hahn]

I'm telling you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Zero.

[Don Hahn]

No, you stop.

[Nicole]

You are a moron.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're a. You're embarrassing. I'm sorry. You're embarrassing.

[Don Hahn]

It's just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're embarrassing.

[Don Hahn]

It's impossible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course. Go listen. All right. During the commercial, go listen to She's Mine Part 2 by J. Cole about the birth of his daughter. Tell me. Songs are incapable.

[Alan]

Sorry, what do you mean?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nobody. You're making a fool of yourself. You're embarrassing your family.

[Don Hahn]

Embarrassing. Because it's hip hop. Just like metal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, hip hop, metal. Do you know how much hip hop has surpassed metal doesn't work. You know, you hold on. You know, hip hop. Metal is not in the conversation with hip hop. It doesn't even exist.

[Don Hahn]

Why?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why you get sensitive, infant.

[Don Hahn]

Why you getting so sensitive when I'm not talking about quality. But you'll get so friggin sensitive, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Saying something.

[Don Hahn]

No, stop it. I'm just saying it hits different and you've got a default saying. It's bad. No, stop. Let's change the subject. Seriously, man. You said you're pissing me off right now. Because I'm not disrespecting hip hop. I'm just saying it hits different. Different than an acoustic guitar singing about your son. Don't be above, man. That's not right. No, it's not right what you did. It's not right what you did. I'm not disrespecting any genre of music. God forbid, if I disrespect hip hop like I'm some sort of freaking moron because I don't get hip hop, man. I'm not as cool as you.

[Alan]

No, no, no.

[Don Hahn]

Sorry. I'm not as cool as you. You are not disrespecting music, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't go there.

[Don Hahn]

It's disrespectful.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you did.

[Don Hahn]

What you did was wrong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You did say.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, I'm not disrespecting you, man. What are you, Mr. Hip Hop?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're lashing out. When I said your opinion made no

[Don Hahn]

sense, you didn't cross the line.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, across the line. I'm sorry I said you're a moron.

[Don Hahn]

Hip hop is just so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I. I can't disrespect it.

[Don Hahn]

God, you're gonna have a fun conversation, man. Like across the side of line.

[Alan]

Mute the mic. Mute your mics. Because first and foremost, as I have said, music is subjective. We all have our own taste.

[Don Hahn]

I was not going after the music.

[Alan]

No one is wrong. No one wrong.

[Don Hahn]

But no one is wrong with their opinions.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no, no. Don, go back and listen to what you did. You decided to arbitrarily go hip hop. Can't go there. I went, yes, it can. You went, no, it cannot. I went, you don't know enough to say that.

[Don Hahn]

And then now you're going with the ignorant stuff. I just brought up metal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why'd you do that?

[Don Hahn]

It's different when it's an acoustic guitar. Okay, you're saying that's what I'm saying. I never said it could go there because it didn't have the ability to go there. You took it like that because you're just a sensitive boy. No, God forbid white guy crosses the line talking about hip hop. I'm the old white guy and I'm a moron, so I should shut up.

[Alan]

It's not.

[Don Hahn]

I will. I will shut up.

[Alan]

But moron is not. Was not the right thing to say.

[Don Hahn]

That was Alan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How many times I've say, sorry. I'm sorry that I said you're. Well, that's fine. I. I'm sorry I was emotional in that moment, as I think you have been.

[Don Hahn]

But I don't understand, like when you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was a silly tactic in an argument. We were supposed to be going after

[Don Hahn]

Alan and then he's like, is you're the ruler of hip hop? That. How dare I even have a say. I have a. Have a thought about it. When I once I brought the metal in, it should have been done, but genres.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But just because you're saying metal doesn't have stuff like that doesn't mean hip hop doesn't have stuff like that. That's how I does have. When you're like that. But when you're saying, I thought you were wrong. About metal too, frankly. But just. If you said specifically was about acoustic guitars, then I would have said, I agree. You didn't express yourself like that. And now you're lashing out at me

[Don Hahn]

instead of giving me the benefit of that, you got to jump down my throat because God forbid if I have a music opinion around you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You could have just backed off the opponent.

[Don Hahn]

I don't feel like backing off.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's. Then you played yourself and that's what you did. You dug yourself a hole.

[Don Hahn]

You're right. I played myself. I'm a. I'm an old man. Next. Alan, just please, dear God in heaven, change the subject.

[Alan]

Yeah, I'm trying to a couple of times, but you know, at some point, Peter, you just got to let it go. We got to let it go because first and foremost

[Peter Rosenberg]

I noticed I'm the one who said sorry. I said I'm sorry.

[Alan]

Yes. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Someone else did not say, well, I

[Don Hahn]

don't have to apologize because I wasn't attacked. I didn't attack you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So the only word, the only part that was rude in this conversation was me saying the whole tone.

[Don Hahn]

Don't even go there like. Like what you are.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was. It is what I am. And that was a bad take. You got a bad move on.

[Alan]

Yes. Done, done, done. The worst part about this whole thing is that I was joking about the Cat Stevens song just to get a rise at it. Done and went the wrong way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know how it went there because of you. It just doesn't make you guys.

[Don Hahn]

Don't you talk down to people. You don't even realize you do it.

[Alan]

That. That. That. I don't want to go any further. We'll do this off air. That does happen a lot. But let's just leave it there. Okay? Let's leave it there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There is apologies live on the air. That is it, folks.

[Alan]

Yeah. Well, no, that's it. And we heard it. And we heard it. And we heard it. We heard it.

[Don Hahn]

I really did love the music conversation on this show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I think the music thing used to be fun.

[Alan]

Talking music until we all. We get part. We take it personal again. Again. When the debate is lost, Slander is the tool of the loser. Keep that in mind. That's why we don't do that. Keep that part in mind.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, people.

[Alan]

That's why we don't do it and end up conversation. We're done. But we're done.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you don't know, I'm not six, Alan. Don't tell me when I'm done. I'm not done.

[Alan]

Somebody's got to tell you you're done. We have to move on that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We could have just moved on and then you got to come back and pile on again. Just because I said a rude thing doesn't mean that the tone to me leading up to that wasn't rude. My thing was the be all, end all. Stop it. I'm not getting ganged up on here simply because I thought an argument was bad. I said one rude thing. You're right. There was a myriad of rude things that were said between everyone and I'm the only one who said, I'm sorry. That's my bad. And now we keep going on. We're going to mention it again and Alan, you're going to jump in now and go, well, you know, the loser is the person who said blah, blah, blah. I said I'm sorry. I said I'm sorry.

[Alan]

Socrates is what I did there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I mean, it was a good Socrates quote. I'm not saying it's wrong, but it wasn't. I don't know if we needed it.

[Don Hahn]

Apology.

[Alan]

Let's move on. There you go. Now we got the accepted apology and now we can.

[Don Hahn]

We talked about this yesterday, guys, about the Celtics being the favorite and Tatum's coming back tonight. Did you see, Peter, that they're actually going to give away T shirts. The zero for Tatum, so they're really leaning into coming back here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I mean, we talking a Jersey T shirt.

[Don Hahn]

We talking a. I. I don't know. I saw the picture. It looks like it's just a T shirt, but it might be something nicer than. I don't think they're going to give away a replica. It's not. It's draped over all the seats, so I would think it's probably just a T shirt, but Celtics at 240. Minus 242 for 240 to win. The east should be plus, right? Plus two.

[Alan]

Everybody's plus.

[Don Hahn]

Cavs plus 300. Pistons plus 380. Knicks plus 400. Right now there are some places where you can get better odds in the Knicks than the Pistons because Michael opened his show. I don't know where he got it, but he actually got the Knicks being ahead of the Pistons making out of the East. Now you say, well, they got Tatum back and they were the defending champions last year and all that, but this one bothers me, guys. The Thunder are minus 115 to come out of the West. The Nuggets are plus 380. But the Thunder own the Spur. The spurs own the Thunder. Are they just. Are they just leaning into the fact the regular season really means nothing? I mean, the spurs own the Thunder,

[Alan]

yes, but the Spurs. The reason why you don't give the Spurs a lot of belief or trust is the fact that they're extremely young and there's no history of a team that has zero. Their core has zero playoff experience and they go on a run. They like to get to the finals with zero playoff experience. Their core does not have any experience. Only Harrison Barnes does.

[Don Hahn]

How much? How much?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And also you got to give. Sorry, Don. You also do have to like there's a certain level of credence just to the fact that OKC shown they can do it throughout an entire playoff. This is the first year of this spurs team being what this spurs team is. But Alan, we don't know what they're like come May June.

[Alan]

And so that's the quite. That's the biggest question. See, same thing with Detroit. Detroit, there's really no. They have one series of playoff experience and they didn't win it. So they have zero playoff wins. When you look at teams in the history, right. The Laker team that won in the bubble, they are a team that didn't have prior experience as a group, but because they put that thing together, LeBron just showed up, so it doesn't count. I'll go back to the 2015 warriors they had. They're the first team to not reach a conference finals the year before to win a championship. But you have to think that they also had two years though of at least advancing one time in the playoffs and having three playoff series in their pocket. At least they had that. The spurs have none of that. The Pistons have even, you know, have a little more, but not much. Just one playoff series.

[Don Hahn]

But, but.

[Alan]

So that's why those teams, despite the fact that one is two in the west, one is number one in the east, it's hard to make them the favorites. The betting favorites when you're looking at experience.

[Don Hahn]

I know, but like, but Peter's right. Like you look at the Thunder, they won the finals last year and just like you said, second round and then. And then nothing. They had one playoff win going into last year.

[Alan]

The Thunder.

[Don Hahn]

The Thunder, right.

[Alan]

They've. Yeah, they had, I think they had two years of playoff experience, didn't they? And then they. Then they had two rounds last year.

[Don Hahn]

The previous year, that was the first time. Just looking at basketball reference, okay, they lost in the Western conference in the first round in 1920.

[Alan]

Okay. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So no playoffs in 21, 22 or 23, then 24.

[Alan]

They had the two rounds. They lost to Dallas.

[Don Hahn]

They. They lost.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was Dallas, right?

[Alan]

Dallas, second round.

[Don Hahn]

Wait a minute here. They beat. They lost. They lost to Dallas in six.

[Alan]

In the second.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That one.

[Alan]

They.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. I feel like they were up in the series, then blew it.

[Alan]

I could be wrong. That's. That sounds about right.

[Don Hahn]

Now I'm just looking. Was. And they. Because. And then they. Was that the Western. No. Yeah. So that was just one. They didn't even win a series. Yeah, they lost in the semis. They had not won a series. They lost to Dallas in six. So they had all of six games of postseason experience going in last year. So that from minus 115 to the spurs at plus 380. But. But the Knicks, who went to the conference final last year, a Pistons team that hasn't been out of the first round since 08. So you say. Well, they beat them all three times this year. Killed them. So that's why the Pistons would be the slight favorite over the Knicks. But that didn't help the Spurs. Now, I know that the Thunder did what they did last year, but it just. It seems odd to me that they would be that. Is it that crazy to think the spurs can beat the Thunder?

[Alan]

It's not because the history of their matchup in the regular season does. Now, the Thunder swept the Pelicans in the first round, then they lost to Dallas in the second round. They had two rounds of experience. They won one round that year before they won the championship again. Spurs have nothing. They have no collective. And they also don't have any as a team. And that's the old adage of you got to go through the pain, you got to play. You got to have been through a war and had the, you know, the comeback the next year at least better for. With at least, you know, some calluses from the year before. The spurs don't have that yet. And I think there's some questions about that durability with Wemby in a playoff series. We haven't seen it yet, so I think that's the only reason why there'd be any type of, you know, being hesitant about them and believing more in a team like Denver, who's been banged up all year. They've fallen a fifth in the West. But a lot of people look at them. As Stan Van Gunny said it last night on the call, the Nuggets played the Lakers last night. He said, this is this team. When they're fully healthy, he said. I think they're the best team in the west. And they get Aaron Gordon back, they'll get Peyton Watson back, their defense will be better, and they've got two megastars who can carry you offensively and then the best player in the game in Jokic. So that's why there's also part of this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Allen, I'm sorry to cut you off. There's also a part of this when people talk about Oklahoma City. They were so good in the playoffs last year, up and up until the final. And then, you know, of course they got it done. And then they've been so good in the regular season this year. For the most part, though, as you pointed out the other day, a little bit of slippage, some, some more let your guard down. Dumber losses than maybe we've seen in the past. But I do wonder how much a narrative start, a narrative started to get built around OKC last year, that they were unbeatable.

[Alan]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like early in the playoffs, it was like, they're not losing. No one's beating them.

[Alan]

They were mowing people down.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They were mowing. And then, and then, you know, listen, we have. Respectfully, we're a little bit lazy about storylines. So once the storyline became Oklahoma City, just not losing, that's how everyone felt. Even though Indiana, a team who no one had been talking about two months earlier, pushed them to the brink in seven games. So I just wonder how much of its laziness and people not really wanting to open their eyes to the fact that, no, they could lose to Denver this year. They could lose to San Antonio.

[Alan]

Well, remember Denver took them to seven games last year in the second round. Yeah, but I'll use the phrase that Bart Scott uses all the time. Styles makes fights. Right. Like that. That's. And I think that's the part. Indiana had the right game. Like the way they played up tempo, fast and they had length and they had guards they could throw at you physically, defensively, that I think it's just. And they had a head coach who's very smart. And I think that's part of it. And as we know, with young teams, it's like climbing Mount Everest. The higher you get in the playoffs, the thinner the air gets. It's harder to breathe. You get tired faster, you get a little more nervous, you get a little tight because you haven't been through that, you haven't been that deep. So I do think there is something to be said about matchups, which is why no matter who you're talking about the wrong matchup early in this, early in the playoffs could knock a good team out, and I think that's a real thing. So, you know what, What Boston's going to be with Tatum is going to be very interesting to watch. But I don't think you can make any declaratives about Boston just because Tatum comes back eight months after popping his Achilles, and the assumption is he's going to be the Jason Tatum that he was right before he popped his Achilles. We all know history tells you that's not going to happen.

[Don Hahn]

So why the love for the Celtics, then?

[Alan]

Because they have experience.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's. Don. It goes back to what I was just saying. It's, it's, it's.

[Don Hahn]

I'm sorry.

[Alan]

It's lazy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, there. It's late. They're a recent champion with a bona fide head coach, two star players, and people are lazy. Like, that's really, that's the team they think they know. Even though, as Alan pointed out, once you get past Peyton Pritchard, you don't know this team. You really don't know them.

[Don Hahn]

You really think that Tatum is going to be anywhere near what he was before the injury? Who is the guy that comes back from an Achilles in 10 months as if, like, nothing happened? Was it, like, Adrian Peterson? Like, I, I can't think of any other guys. Halliburton's not close. Like, if you tell me Halliburton would come back if the Pacers were in contention.

[Alan]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Or is he just not back because they're out of it?

[Alan]

He's even said that, that he's nowhere near it.

[Don Hahn]

All right. Did Durant come back?

[Alan]

No, he took, he took even more time, remember? And then the guys went to the Nets and didn't play.

[Don Hahn]

I really, honestly think it's Vegas disrespecting the Knicks. I understand. Disrespecting the Pistons. I get it. Because they've never done it, but Vegas is telling you last year was a fluke, and the Knicks can't do it again.

[Alan]

I'll take it.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, they should.

[Alan]

I think it's fine. I think it's what you want.

[Don Hahn]

Get him at plus 400. I think that's a, that's a, that's a nice bet to take.

[Alan]

Yeah. And again, I, I, I think it's. Honestly, I've said this yesterday, but I'll repeat it. If you're the Knicks, this is what you want. Because we know what happens. We saw one playoff win in 7th Avenue, got shut down. Right. We know it just the overreaction sometimes creates energy that can create maybe too much expectation, too much of a demand and that could weigh on a team. I think removing it is the best. This Tatum. Tatum returned to the Celtics. His a crazy take. Tatum's return to the Celtics could be the best thing that happened to the Knicks. I totally feel you get what I mean by that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes. You're changing. You are fundamentally changing what this team is. And when he puts down his head on his pillow at night, there's no question Jalen Brown is going. Couldn't he just wait until next year? Like, I got this thing going right now. I know where we are as a team and if you're not going to be 100%, are you really adding to what we're doing?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, and I'll even add to that of what a guest said last week to us that backs up what Peter and Alan are saying Want to earn

[Peter Rosenberg]

extra income for your business? Amazon Hub Delivery is looking for ambitious business owners to assist with local deliveries. When you become a partner, you and your staff will deliver packages to customers and you your area on a schedule that works for you. With each package delivered, you'll gain extra income and exposure for your business. Plus, Amazon Hub Delivery makes it easy to get started. There's no upfront costs, delivery experience or long term contracts required. Sign up to learn [e-mail] hubdelivery that's Amazon.com hubdelivery if you've shopped online, chances

[Shopify Announcer]

are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify. You know that purple Shop pay button you see at checkout? The one that makes buying so incredibly easy? That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it. Because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful ready to go templates to express your brand style and forget about the code. Tackle all those important tasks in one place. From inventory to payments to analytics and more. Spread your brand's word with built in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers. And did I mention that iconic purple Shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to Head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shop shopify.comnetwork go to shopify.comnetwork shopify.comnetwork

[Don Hahn]

quick time

[Peter Rosenberg]

out Some breakfast intel you want to know about. Kodiak Frozen Power waffles and flapjacks are built for busy mornings. Heat it, eat it and you're out the door. No long prep, no complicated game plan. They're packed with 12 to 14 grams of protein per serving, a good source of fiber and crafted with 100% whole grains, not refined white flour. So you're getting something that actually fuels you and there's depth on the roster. Buttermilk and vanilla, blueberry chocolate chip. Even gluten free options. Breakfast that delivers, snack that delivers. Find Kodiak frozen waffles and flapjacks in the frozen aisle at your local grocery store. They're the ones with the bear on the box.

[Alan]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don Hahn]

ESB in New York is taking over Calandra's Italian village in Caldwell, New Jersey on Wednesday, March 18. Join us live starting at 3pm with a special happy hour you do not want to miss. Come hang out, talk sports and get ready for a huge night on the ice. Then stick around for the Rangers and the Devils. Watch party at 7pm that's when the puck drops. Big screen. Great food, unbeatable atmosphere and the best fans in hockey. All under one roof. Reservations are recommended. To book your table, call 973-226-8889. See Donna Rosenberg live at Calandra's Italian village in Caldwell, New Jersey Wednesday, March 18th starting at 3pm Anthony Pusick is going to be there. Oh wow.

[Alan]

Now you know it's an event. I'm sticking around for the for the game. Now you know it's an event. If he's going to.

[Don Hahn]

That's I was a little taken aback when he said that. You know, if you remember, we had Kendrick Perkins on. I think it was early last week we had him on and he had said there's no pressure on the Celtics. Nobody thinks they can do anything. That's why they're so dangerous. That changes everything that you said. And now Tatum comes back. They're the Vegas favorites to come out of the east. So that's gone now.

[Alan]

Right? And they're going crazy, by the way. They're going crazy in Boston. I was watching. I Was watching a show up there. One of my friends is on it. So I was watching it and they were saying, like, this is the biggest comeback in season comeback in the NBA since Jordan came back in 95, 96. That. That's how big this is.

[Don Hahn]

Wow, that's.

[Alan]

And that's a lot. Now I also want to point this out. So the Celtics play, you know, again, a depleted Dallas Mavericks team tonight at home. It's the right way to return. But you know what they're, you know what their schedule is next week. Listen to this. It starts Sunday at 1 o' clock in Cleveland. Then they go to San Antonio and play the spurs. And then they go to Oklahoma City, play the Thunder. That's your next three games. Is he gonna play in any of those games?

[Don Hahn]

Well, he might play in one or two of them.

[Alan]

And how much is he gonna play? Like, this is. This is gonna be interesting on many levels. They have. What do they have 20 games left in their, in their season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wouldn't you be interested in what the Brad Stevens conversation is right now? Like, how much of this.

[Alan]

How do they manage.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Where does Brad Stevens fall on this?

[Don Hahn]

Where.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And this actually might be interesting, Alan. You know, people get us a Celtics guy in the next 10 minutes. Where does Joe Missoula fall on this? Where does Brad Stevens fall on.

[Alan]

Well, they have to all be in lockstep, don't you think? They'd all have to be in agreement,

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don, do they all have to be in lockstep? Is it not possible that two could be pushing one like that?

[Don Hahn]

Missoula.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I could see Missoula being a crazy person who's like, no, no, we're gonna win it this year. Like, we're here. Let's go for it. And I could see Brad Stevens being a guy who's like, hey, dude, we don't need you this year. This was all about the long. The long.

[Alan]

They always let him believe it. And if I'm telling you from what I know there, first of all, they play at 7, so there's no one available at 5:30 in Boston right now. They're getting ready for the game. But the. But Brad Stevens is the guy that runs that place. He runs the show. They would, he would not be playing if they didn't want him to play. Well, they see he's ready, they want to give him the chance to do it. Now, one theory up there that I heard was, you know, he might play a little bit. And if it's just, you know, if he's realizing, like, I'm not close and I don't want to hold the team back, that they'll leave it to him to say, I made my comeback, I'm back, I was able to play, but I'm not ready to play playoff level. I don't want to take away from the team. It is possible that could be the outcome before we get to game 82.

[Don Hahn]

I guess it'll depend on how he feels. But is it really that strategic or is it just, hey, he wants to play, we got to let him play. Nobody wants to tell him no, I want to come back and play. Are you going to tell him no? No. It's one that leaves it up to you. But if a star player says, I want to come back and play.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Is there anybody in that organization is

[Alan]

going to tell him no, no, no, you can't. If he's cleared, if he's cleared, you play him, you play him. But I'm telling you, all the pressure, all the attention, all the expectations are now shoved all up to Boston. No one else. This is good for Detroit. This is good for the Knicks. All the pressure, all the, all the expectations, all of it now are up there.

[Don Hahn]

And if, if you believe like Perk did that one of the benefits of picking Boston or one of the reason you pick Boston is because there's zero pressure on them, that that ship sail, that's now over. If that's the reason why you thought they were dangerous, they're now no longer dangerous because like you said, they're going to have a target on their back. Yep. And it's going to be the talking point for the rest of the season. Every time they play, it becomes a big deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just want to say, as a, as a Celtics fan, fraudulent as you may be, world, I would have been so okay with a decision being made at this point. Hey, we know the rumors are out and we know, you know, Jason's practicing and he's doing his best to get back. We're going to go ahead this year and go on without him. Like, we want this to be a full year recovery. He is too valuable to this franchise. And as much as we'd love to have him be a part of this year, this is a long term play and you know, he's not happy about it, but this is what we're doing. I just want to say that me as a fan, I'm good with that. That answer to me is professional and okay. I mean, you guys remember last year how quickly I was in on the bench. Jaden, for the rest of the year. I didn't need to see. Once Jaden Daniels had hurt his arm badly and it was freaked me out and it looked like his arm bent inside, I didn't want to see him again, like go away. When it's someone you believe could be the future of an organization, any sort of rushback to me guys, is just. I don't know if the juice is

[Alan]

worth the squeeze now to. To. I completely agree. Now our good friend Kofi did point out.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[Alan]

That that Dominique Wilkins returned in a short amount of time and averaged 29 a game in the 9293 season.

[Don Hahn]

He was 34 91, I guess at the end of the early in the 9192 season and came back in 9293 and averaged 30 points a game.

[Alan]

Right? He only played 40. Yeah, he had only played 40.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a human highlight reel to you and me.

[Alan]

But he played 42 games the year before, so that's half the season and then came back. But I point out to everyone he came back at the start of the season, had a. Had the ability to play a training camp, played 70 games. Like this is not parachuting into the playoffs. You know what I mean? Like this is not. Well, just isn't. I'll tell you what, his first game that season was against the Knicks and he had 30. His first game back, Wilkinson had 30.

[Don Hahn]

He's different. Would anybody have batted an eye if he just stayed in the G League or just waited it out and then just came back with a couple of weeks left in the season? The fact that he went to the G League and then came back, he must feel good.

[Alan]

Well, you got to ramp up, right? Because, you know, you don't have much time. You've got to get games in. You got to get through the soreness and all the things that happen when you haven't played as long as he has. There's a lot he's got to get through to see if he can do it in the playoffs and that's what these next, I think six weeks are going to be. They know they're going to make. They know they're going to make the playoffs. They're not worried about what impact it could have on their team right now. I think it's to see can he ramp it up to a point where he is showing you okay, there's the Tatum that we remember. He's got about six weeks to do this.

[Don Hahn]

Pedro in LA has got a conspiracy theory about the Celtics. I love it. What do you got?

[Alan]

Pedro Drum Love conspiracy theories. Hey, what's up guys? Do you think the Celtics does that? Does Tatum coming back so early. Does that have anything with the. Anything to do with the Celtics having like really bad odds before the season and maybe somebody. A lot of people took the bet

[Don Hahn]

and they comes back and oh my.

[Alan]

Kind of wrecks the odds in Vegas. Wow, you are.

[Don Hahn]

I mean another thing, you're very deep. You watch.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You ever watch YouTube?

[Alan]

Wow, I love this.

[Don Hahn]

This is a dark place all the time, Don. So I think if.

[Alan]

If Peter calls you a. You gotta be able to take it because you call people more on a lot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I love that Don is a big guy.

[Alan]

He does use it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe I don't even know what it means. If I'm being totally honest with you. I do not know the actual definition of.

[Alan]

I need the origin of word actually, but.

[Don Hahn]

But not a coat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not your friends to their face by their back perhaps.

[Alan]

You know, this was. You know, moron was a medical term really. Early 20th century.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, sounds right.

[Alan]

Take me through it. Yeah. So from the Greek, moron, which is meant to say foolish. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So those. Back when. I guess when people were foolish. Whether they institutionalized them.

[Alan]

I guess so.

[Don Hahn]

Well, listen, it's. It's far fetched, right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a bit of a reason.

[Don Hahn]

But this is what happens when you have legalized gambling and stuff like, oh, look at the odds we got. Look at how much they changed. What were the odds at the start of the year? Sure. It sure exact wasn't. Plus 240.

[Alan]

Let me see if we can. Can we find that. Is that. That's findable, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I'm sure either Anthony or Jacob confined with the Celtics odds were they. It had to be God probably plus a thousand.

[Alan]

They were to reach the NBA Finals. No, that's the. That's the wrong season. See, don't trust AI. I have now the 20. 25, 26.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Alan]

Plus 750 championship odds to win the championship. NBA finals winner. Yes. Plus 750.

[Don Hahn]

So it's probably like a plus.

[Alan]

By the way, that's the Knicks were. Wait a minute. See, no, this isn't preseason either. I apologize. This is. We're doing this live, folks. We're doing this folks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Folks, we're going through this live.

[Alan]

You know what I mean?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Stay with us. Stay with us till we get there.

[Don Hahn]

Don't ever do this live.

[Alan]

No, do it live.

[Don Hahn]

Well, not if it's gonna be this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, well, yeah. Allen, how soon? I was defending you. I got a War on lined up for you, by the way.

[Don Hahn]

Great idea.

[Alan]

Not like, not like that you don't, you don't like it this way.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, well, I mean, we'll get there eventually, but hopefully we'll have it when we get back. It'll make for a nice tease. A lot of calls to get to 9193776.

[Alan]

I got it now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's too late.

[Don Hahn]

We'll hold on to it.

[Rich Eisen]

Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it and you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way, you hand everything off and then silence. Days pass, weeks pass. You start wondering, should I send another follow up email? It feels like you're chasing updates and getting nowhere. But now taxes are different because your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full service expert. With Intuit TurboTax, you can match with your dedicated tax expert and hand off everything right in the app. And while your expert checks for every deduction, you'll see real time updates on your phone. So you always know exactly where things stand. Suddenly you're not refreshing your inbox. You're going for a run. Grabbing a coffee, scrolling anything other than a just checking in message because your TurboTax expert is handling it and keeping you you in the loop. So this tax season, get your best possible outcome and every dollar you deserve without the guesswork. Visit TurboTax.com today to learn more. Real time updates only in iOS mobile app only available with TurboTax full service experts. If you're ready for an oil change, trust the professional parts People at O'Reilly Auto Parts to recommend the best products for your vehicle. Right now, get five quarts of Valvoline, full synthetic motor oil and a Wix filter for 35.99 and receive a $15 O'Reilly gift card. After rebate, upgrade to a WIX XP oil filter for just $2 more. Limit supply. See Store for details Stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts store or shop online@o'reillyauto.com when was the last time you

[Peter Rosenberg]

felt in control of your business? Finances, Expenses tracked, Invoices sent, taxes ready. That's where Found comes in. Found brings your banking, bookkeeping, invoicing and taxes together in one simple app. Manage expenses, invoice clients, send payments, and prep for tax time right where you bank. Join the hundreds of thousands who have already streamlined their finances with Found. Open a Found account for [e-mail] that's f o u n d.com found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by lead bank member fdic.

[Alan]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don Hahn]

See us live from the Irish exit at Moynihan train hall, Friday, March 13, before the semifinal round of the Big east tournament. Stop by before heading into the Garden or before your commute home. Don ON a Rosenberg live from the Irish exit at Moynihan Train hall starting at 3pm Friday, March 13, just steps away from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. Brought to you by Schweppes above the Rim Refreshment. Feel the madness and refresh your game with a Schweppes Seltzer or Schweppes ginger ale. Sam Adams and Sun Cruiser vodka iced tea available at Jack Doyle's and John Sullivan's. Must be 21 or older to purchase. Please drink responsibly. All right, more calls.

[Alan]

Wait, wait, wait, wait. Don't you want me to get you the right number?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Very good. Pale. I thought maybe you were still trying to find it.

[Alan]

No, no, no. I have it. I found it. A fanduel. And this is from October of 2025. Right. The start of the season. And if we could find ourselves a DeLorean and a Flux Capacitor, boys, we'd be rich. So the to reach the NBA Finals, meaning winning the Eastern Conference was plus 1200.

[Don Hahn]

Wow.

[Alan]

So, all right, it gets better. The win total over under was 41.5. And they suggested take the under, which was minus 124. If you took the over plus 102, they're at 41 wins right now.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, so that's. That's done. That's easy.

[Alan]

And then one last thing. This one also caught my eye. Odds to win the NBA MVP Jalen Brown plus 30,000.

[Don Hahn]

Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And what is he right there? Plus 500.

[Alan]

He's right there, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, what other reason? Yeah, what other reason he doesn't need Tatum back.

[Don Hahn]

I. I don't want to take the chance of trying to do it in segment, but can we get the odds on what Brown right now is to an MVP? Peter says plus 500.

[Alan]

You're daring me to do this. Are you? Okay, please don't.

[Don Hahn]

I would suggest that maybe Anthony do it.

[Alan]

Wow. You lost all your faith in me, didn't you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don, you're not trying to say that Alan is a bad at.

[Alan]

Bad at Google? No, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're not suggesting that, are you?

[Don Hahn]

I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't do that to a teammate. But I tell you that when I asked Anthony if he could before the start of that segment, when I brought up the odds to win the east and the West.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know if I put my phone down before he had sent it to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he's very good.

[Don Hahn]

So this is more of a compliment to Anthony or a gambling issue that I have? One of the two?

[Alan]

Well, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Severe gambling problem possible on the table as well.

[Don Hahn]

So how are we doing?

[Alan]

Do we have it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, how are we doing? It's a good question.

[Alan]

Did Anthony find it?

[Don Hahn]

So we're giving up here It.

[Alan]

Well, you just told me that you wanted Anthony to do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thought I wanted to see if

[Don Hahn]

he power through, but I assumed because you were offended, you were powering through to do it. And we still don't have.

[Alan]

All right, what are we looking for? Do I really get offended?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Jaylen Brown, MVP odds right now.

[Alan]

Let's take it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that.

[Alan]

That's. So. That one's hard to look at for us because we're in New York. In New York. You can't. Yeah. Bet it. I can't find it, so I don't know. If I look for it, I'll find it, but I'll see if I can find it online.

[Don Hahn]

You know what? But I'm. I'm in Nueva Jersey, so.

[Alan]

Oh, okay.

[Don Hahn]

Now you could do it now. Now let's see if I'm any better at it than Alan.

[Alan]

You're better than me at everything.

[Don Hahn]

That's not true. Odds to win mvp. See if he's even on the list. God, I'm looking. I'm just looking at.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he's definitely on the list. He's, like, third.

[Alan]

Yeah, he's in the top five for sure.

[Don Hahn]

SGA at minus 260. Okay. Jokic at plus 450. Cunningham at plus. They don't have him here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What?

[Alan]

That's insane.

[Don Hahn]

That's a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's crazy.

[Don Hahn]

All right, plus. Plus 4,000.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow. He's still plus 4,000.

[Alan]

Well, because the feeling is it's either SGA or Jokic.

[Don Hahn]

Right. I mean, again, because people are lazy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Still. Be honest.

[Don Hahn]

But. No, but think about it, Peter. I had it right the first time. He went from plus plus 30 to plus 4,000. So that's.

[Alan]

That's.

[Don Hahn]

That's pretty good. That's pretty good movement.

[Alan]

Yeah. Oh, yeah. From 30. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that.

[Alan]

That's.

[Don Hahn]

That's a movement. Of 26,000, for God's sake. So that's pretty good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm curious about this one, too. While we're playing this reindeer game 2025 season, what was the Celtics win total projected to be?

[Don Hahn]

41.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You just said that 41 and a

[Alan]

half was the over. Under. Yeah, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And it was plus money. And then the over was plus one of the.

[Alan]

Yeah, so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But is it. So shouldn't that statistic, seeing as they're going to cruise past the over tonight, probably shouldn't. Shouldn't that factor into the MVP conversation in a big way? Like, isn't that. This is where I always don. This to you is always.

[Alan]

You're not wrong. You're not wrong.

[Rich Eisen]

It's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's always a fight between. Do you define it as the best player in the league, or do you define it as most valuable? The Celtics this year, minus Jalen Brown, in spite of the great coaching, in spite of the great defense. Allen, if they're down Jalen Brown, they're not win team.

[Alan]

Yeah. They're 30, 15, 18. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

No, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like that to me is yes.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's better.

[Alan]

That's why I said. I said I. I believe Joe Missoula should be coach of the year. I think he's been. It's an incredible job. Yeah. And by the way, his coach of the year was a plus 1500 to start the year.

[Don Hahn]

But these MVP odds are based on who the best player is not the most valuable because Cunningham should be the most valuable. Pistons have the best record in the NBA. Right. Why would Jokic be the second favorite? Where's Denver?

[Alan]

Yeah, it's true, but he's going by who the best. Has like 30 triple doubles and he's still the best player in the league.

[Don Hahn]

The Pistons weren't the favorite coming in and. And they have the best record in the NBA right now. And meanwhile, Cunningham's got what, the fourth best odds? Third best odds and ridiculous. And you look at Brown with no Tatum, having them in the conversations. The top three team in the east to have it be minus 4,000 plus 4,000 is giving. Basically, they say that SGA is the best player and that's why he's the favorite.

[Alan]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

Now, obviously, you take any of these guys away from their teams, it's going to be huge. Of course, but I think they're just giving it to the bet that that's where those odds come from anyway, as far as I'm concerned. All right, let's go to Leo in the Bronx. He wants to show off a Little bit. What do you got, Leo Flex. Hey, guys, as always, thank you so much for getting me through. Just take a couple of minutes. I don't want to waste the other

[Alan]

callers time with her Sports point. But my girlfriend and I, Nicole, we're right now at the hospital.

[Don Hahn]

We need a little bit of help. We're debating between Jackson, like Jackson daughter.

[Alan]

I'm a huge Giants fan. I like that he likes Bryson.

[Don Hahn]

Babe, which one you think they should go with?

[Nicole]

I think that they should tell us what they like better.

[Alan]

So it's Jackson or what's the other option?

[Nicole]

So Jackson would be J, A, X, S, O, N and then Bryson, B, R, Y, C, E, N. And I'm literally actively contracting as I'm asking you guys a question because my. Because my man loves your show so much that this is the priority.

[Alan]

No, it's not. You are the priority. First and foremost. What is your preference?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And what's Bryson for?

[Nicole]

So neither have any significance to me other than I just like them both. But he is a die hard Giants fan, so he is ready to name our first child after their new quarterback.

[Alan]

I just want to take a page out of Peter's book. That's it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He did it for his daughter last

[Don Hahn]

year or two years ago.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I just want the middle name.

[Don Hahn]

Because you don't want to, right? Peter, we jumped you because we're like, what if Daniels doesn't turn out to be anything? And unfortunately he had the season that he had. But the big.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, the biggest. The biggest piece also is two things. My how into it.

[Don Hahn]

What's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's the woman's name?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, what's your wife's name?

[Nicole]

Nicole.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm sorry, Nicole, where are you at? Where are you at with Jackson as a name or the Giants like Natalie loved the sportsman at all.

[Nicole]

I love the name Jackson. I just feel like it's getting more and more common. So that's why I was a little bit hesitant and I feel like Bryson is a little bit less common. But my boyfriend's name is Leonel so it would be Jackson Leonel or Bryson Leonel. So we just need opinions. We're having all the nurses.

[Don Hahn]

My opinion should not matter. Your opinion matters more than anything. And of course your boy. You know what?

[Alan]

You're not.

[Nicole]

You're not. I appreciate you and I agree. You're not wrong.

[Don Hahn]

I say, I say Bryson only because again, we all hope Jackson Dart's going to turn out to be great. Peter named my Daniels playing the championship game. Jackson Dart doesn't turn out to be any good forever. You're gonna say that people I named my kid after Jackson Dart. In like 20 years from now, they might be like, who, what happened? The guy that got hurt in his second year? I don't.

[Nicole]

I said that. I said Bryson Leonel sounds like the next famous, you know, sports star. So you never know.

[Don Hahn]

It's gotta be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to. Nicole. I don't want to. Listen, this is your guys choice and so you're gonna have to do a trade for you.

[Nicole]

Well, you don't understand that my boyfriend loves you guys more than me. So if you guys could just give

[Don Hahn]

us a tally for our board begging

[Alan]

you to just make a decision so they can move on and she can have this baby.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, you can hear it.

[Nicole]

I'm contracting. So as a favor to me, you guys, please pick a name.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I'm out on Bryson. Alan, Alan, we need you to weigh in because I do. I think the name Bryson is Nazoli. I'm out on Bryce. Wow. I'm out on Bryce. Could be a good golfer.

[Don Hahn]

We don't know.

[Alan]

Honestly, that's what I'm saying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's so golf. I. I just am not there for it.

[Alan]

All right? And maybe it's coming whether you make a decision or not. I'm not. Yeah, exactly. And I'm not saying this because I'm gonna try to rush through this because there's urgency in your voice, sweetheart, and I. All the best to you. God bless. I am saying Jackson as well. Just, it's a strong sounding name and I like it.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's a great name. But unfortunately, two things. Number one, sounds like she's leaning towards Bryson. That's why she should have the say and vote. Brad Jackson. Because of Jackson Dart.

[Alan]

Well, it's because of Jackson Dart. But in the end, it doesn't have to be. It has to be that because it's just. This is the name we, we came up with that don't make it great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the thing. I think if she had told me I hate the name Jackson, that's a different story. She said she loved it. So if you love it and Don, here's the thing. If Jaden Daniels turns out to not be the guy who I believe he's gonna be, it'll be a funny story. I'm like, remember when they had the guy, Jayden Daniels? We loved the name. He was playing great. We went with Jaden. It's not like you literally now, unless he goes out now, if he goes out and pulls an O.J. god forbid. Well, then we've got a problem. But assuming that the career just flames out, it's not the end of the world.

[Don Hahn]

Jalen's middle name is Michelle, after the Beatles song, and Marco's middle name is Harrison because of George Harrison, they can't be tarnished. One's a song, a great song, and one was a great Beatle. That's no longer with us. But when you George of the NFL, man, I'm sorry. No, no, no.

[Alan]

All right, well, the votes are in. All right, get to having a baby. Let us know Monday how we did

[Don Hahn]

contractions.

[Alan]

That's awesome.

[Don Hahn]

Lead into Ennis.

[Alan]

I love it.

[Don Hahn]

Espn.

[Alan]

What a show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the

[Alan]

sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers. Monster Energy. Everybody knows White Monster Zero Ultra, that's the og it kicked off this whole zero sugar energy drink thing, but Ultra is a whole lineup now. You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian Sunrise, and Vice Guava.

[Shopify Announcer]

And they all bring the Monster Energy punch.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So if you've been living in the White can branch out. Ultra's got a flavor for every vibe, and every single one is Zero Sugar. Tap the banner to learn more.