Hour 3: Yankees Injuries & Brunson Update

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 3: Yankees Injuries & Brunson Update
Release Date: March 17, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Alan Hahn, Don La Greca, and Peter Rosenberg delve into pressing sports topics, primarily focusing on the New York Yankees' injury woes, the New York Giants' quarterback dilemma, and the New York Knicks' injury update on Jalen Brunson. The discussion is rich with insights, expert analysis, and spirited debates, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current state of New York sports.

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Yankees Injury Concerns

Timestamp: [00:36] - [08:43]

The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the New York Yankees' ongoing injury troubles. Peter Rosenberg expresses growing anxiety over the team's mounting injury list:

"They’re already down Luis Hill, Garrett Cole for the whole season... Hearing that just brings more anxiety to a starting pitching rotation."
— Peter Rosenberg [00:36]

Alan Hahn provides a historical perspective, highlighting that injury issues are a perennial challenge for the Yankees:

"If you're a Yankee fan, it should bother you because this seems to happen every year that somebody of importance breaks down."
— Alan Hahn [02:55]

Key players affected include:

• Clark Schmidt: Initially slated to start in a spring training game but held out due to shoulder soreness. Hahn remarks on Schmidt’s reliable bullpen performance despite the injury, emphasizing the strain on the Yankees' rotation.

• Garrett Cole: Out for the entire season, adding to the pitching woes.

• Paul Goldschmidt: Recently experienced back soreness, exiting a game early. Hahn discusses Goldschmidt’s durability over the years but notes the challenges of managing an aging player:

  "He played 154 games last year... You can't say that they acquired an injured player... you're trying to piece it together."
  — Alan Hahn [07:09]

The hosts debate the Yankees' playoff prospects amidst these injuries. While Hahn remains cautiously optimistic about the Yankees being a playoff contender, Rosenberg questions the team's ability to compete against rising contenders like Boston and Baltimore:

"Boston's not a bad team. Baltimore is a very good team that just hasn't learned to win in the postseason."
— Alan Hahn [05:01]

Hahn underscores the compounded issues with pitchers’ health:

"Now two of the members of the rotation will not be available... and you've got Cole out for the year."
— Alan Hahn [08:43]

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New York Giants' Quarterback Dilemma

Timestamp: [08:50] - [20:19]

Transitioning to the NFL, the discussion focuses on the New York Giants' struggle to secure a franchise quarterback. The conversation centers around potential candidates Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson.

Peter Rosenberg outlines the complexities facing the Giants:

"They are waiting on Aaron Rodgers... and what if Russell Wilson says, 'I'm not playing for anything less than $30 million'?"
— Peter Rosenberg [15:04]

Alan Hahn provides an analytical take on the Giants' predicament, weighing the options between Rodgers and Wilson:

"If you go to Minnesota, eventually McCarthy's going to take over... Pittsburgh would be way more attractive... how could Pittsburgh do that when they don't have a quarterback?"
— Alan Hahn [18:28]

Key Points Discussed:

• Aaron Rodgers: Currently contemplating his next move, with hints pointing towards the Minnesota Vikings working on details. The hosts speculate on Rodgers’ potential decisions and the strategic moves by the Giants.

• Russell Wilson: Explored as an alternative, but concerns about his fit and remuneration raise doubts. Hahn rhetorically asks:

  "Is Rodgers that good or is Russell Wilson that bad?"
  — Alan Hahn [11:28]

• Kevin O'Connell: The Vikings' head coach remains pivotal in Rodgers' decision-making process. The uncertainty surrounding this adds to the Giants' executive challenges.

• Impact on the Giants: The inability to secure a dependable quarterback could leave the Giants with emergency options like Joe Flacco or Jameis Winston, neither of whom are seen as long-term solutions.

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New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson Injury Update

Timestamp: [24:12] - [32:36]

Shifting to the NBA, the focus turns to the New York Knicks and their star player Jalen Brunson. Sham Sarania, the ESPN NBA Insider, provides an update on Brunson's injury status:

"Sources tell me it's more of a three to four week minimum return time."
— Alan Hahn [25:32]

Peter Rosenberg concurs with the cautious outlook:

"I believe I said we probably won't see him until early April... It's at the least four weeks."
— Peter Rosenberg [25:35]

Key Discussion Points:

• Brunson’s Recovery: Emphasis on the importance of ensuring Brunson is fully healed to lead the Knicks effectively into the playoffs.

• Team Impact: Without Brunson, the Knicks are grappling with offensive inefficiencies and a lack of cohesive playmaking. Alan Hahn highlights:

  "There are possessions when you just don't know where they're going to go with the basketball... you want the ball in Brunson's hand."
  — Alan Hahn [27:21]

• Leadership and Morale: The conversation pivots to the Knicks' internal dynamics, questioning the leadership and support among teammates in Brunson’s absence.

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Knicks' Team Morale and Leadership Issues

Timestamp: [32:36] - [44:53]

The hosts delve into a critical analysis of the Knicks' internal team dynamics. Observations include:

• Lack of Visible Support: Peter Rosenberg points out the absence of obvious team camaraderie during confrontations:

  "They didn't do any of that... they went the full nine... like nothing happened."
  — Peter Rosenberg [33:15]

• Leadership Void: Concerns are raised about the absence of key leaders like Brunson to guide and motivate the team:

  "If Brunson's healthy, they're taking their cues from him... but he wasn't there."
  — Alan Hahn [37:48]

• Team's Fight Ethic: While the team displays resilience on the court, there's a palpable lack of intangible elements like mutual support and collective aggression when needed.

  "It's not the tangible one... they seem to just be passive about it."
  — Alan Hahn [37:59]

• Historical Comparisons: Alan Hahn references past teams renowned for their toughness and unity, questioning where the Knicks draw their inspiration.

  "They better find it because it's really, really hard to win a championship."
  — Alan Hahn [37:48]

• Tom Thibodeau’s Role: Speculation about whether the coaching staff is addressing the lack of team cohesion and aggression.

  "Maybe it'll get their attention, but only if the media brings it up."
  — Peter Rosenberg [37:48]

Notable Quote:

"Can't do it without one. Can't have a Hall of Fame career... But these guys could still play."
— Peter Rosenberg [20:18]

This quote underscores the critical importance of leadership and team integrity beyond individual talent.

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Listener Call-ins and Community Engagement

Timestamp: [39:04] - [44:53]

Engaging with listeners, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg entertain calls that further explore the topics discussed:

• Joe from Chappaqua pondered what legends like Charles Oakley and Patrick Ewing would do in today's Knicks' scenario, highlighting the perceived lack of toughness.

  "The team doesn't seem to have the toughness that those teams had and it just... I don't know what they do to rectify that."
  — Peter Rosenberg [39:25]

• Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg debate the Knicks' current state, emphasizing the need for the team to "conduct themselves in the right way" and build the necessary intangibles for championship contention.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reaffirm their concerns and hopes for their respective teams:

• Yankees: Struggling with a beleaguered pitching rotation but still holding onto playoff aspirations.

• Giants: Facing a significant challenge in securing a reliable quarterback, with high stakes hinging on the decisions of star players like Rodgers and Wilson.

• Knicks: Grappling with key injuries and internal team dynamics that may hinder their playoff performance.

Peter Rosenberg concludes with a reflection on the Knicks’ resilience but underscores the necessity for tangible signs of teamwork and leadership:

"The offense doesn't run the same... but there's a camaraderie that's missing there."
— Peter Rosenberg [44:53]

Alan Hahn echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of building team cohesion alongside skill:

"There are other intangibles that make for a team... they haven't been eliminated yet."
— Alan Hahn [44:53]

Listeners are left with a comprehensive understanding of the current challenges and potential future developments in New York sports, guided by the insightful and candid discussions of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg.

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Notable Quotes

1. Peter Rosenberg

   "They’re already down Luis Hill, Garrett Cole for the whole season... Hearing that just brings more anxiety to a starting pitching rotation."
   [00:36]

2. Alan Hahn

   "If you're a Yankee fan, it should bother you because this seems to happen every year that somebody of importance breaks down."
   [02:55]

3. Alan Hahn

   "He played 154 games last year... You can't say that they acquired an injured player... you're trying to piece it together."
   [07:09]

4. Peter Rosenberg

   "What if Russell Wilson says, 'I'm not playing for anything less than $30 million'?"
   [15:04]

5. Peter Rosenberg

   "They didn't do any of that... they went the full nine... like nothing happened."
   [33:15]

6. Alan Hahn

   "There are other intangibles that make for a team... they haven't been eliminated yet."
   [44:53]

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This detailed summary encapsulates the critical discussions from the episode, providing a clear understanding of the key issues, expert opinions, and the overall narrative that unfolded during the podcast.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

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[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 with Don McGregor and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. 800 now 193776. We'll get back to your calls momentarily. A lot of little headlines today. The Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden against the Heat. They're back from a long road trip. They have this game and then back on the road they go for a back to back San Antonio Wednesday and Charlotte on Thursday. We're winding down the NBA season, however, before the Knicks. It's time to ramp up and it doesn't feel like they have that the right intensity, at least from what we saw at the end of their loss in Golden State on Saturday night. We'll talk about that in just a few minutes. But a few other things to discuss here, guys in the realm of sports here in New York. And one of them is just the continued frustration of injury news at a Yankee camp. Clark Schmidt was supposed to start today in a spring training game. Clark Schmidt, one of the at least was healthy starters for the Yankees. He had a little shoulder soreness so they held him out, although he said that, you know, the bullpen that he threw, everything went great, but still because you're already down Luis Hill, you're already down Garrett Cole for the whole season. Hearing that just brings more anxiety to a starting pitching rotation. That just feels like now you're trying to piece it together. And Marcus Stroma because more and more important, which is never a good thing. And then here's today. Brian Hoch tells us this guys, Paul Goldschmidt said that his back has been a little sore. So after three innings he came out of the game today instead of playing the whole game right now. I don't want to overreact because it is spring training and during the regular season you'll probably play through some things more than you will at this time. But I mean, when do you reach that point of when the season starts, you feel like a sense of alarm about where this is headed because it does feel like everybody has something going on physically with them unless they're named Ben Rice, who seems to be just mashing the ball left and right. That kid might be the only one that is feeling great in spring training right now. But Donnie, I know this is an every year thing, but this is starting to drive me crazy, these updates.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, if you're a Yankee fan, it should bother you because this seems to happen every year that somebody of importance breaks down. Now, The Goldschmidt, there's two stories to it. Number one, well, what do you expect? He's gonna be 38 in September, but he's also somebody that basically played every day in his career. He played 154 games last year, 154 games the year before. I mean, just taking a look, the last time he missed any significant time was back in 2014 in Arizona when he played only 109 games. So you can't say that they acquired an injured player. What do you expect? You could say that about a lot of the guys that have gotten hurt over the last few years, that they were injury prone and just continued to be injury prone with the Yankees. That's not the fact with Goldschmidt. But you did Invest in a 37 year old player. And this is kind of what happens to players north of 35 in the post ped era. These guys will get hurt and a back, you know, Allen from covering multiple sports, those things kind of just linger and especially at that age, get used to the fact that there's probably going to be a lot of times he's not going to be able to play because the back is sore. And you didn't mind as much about maybe losing a little offense because they had an elite rotation. Well, now two of the members of the of the rotation will not be available for the start of the year. In heel probably won't be available till June and you've got Cole out for the year. And now Schmidt's not feeling 100%. Stroman looked like he was going to start the year in the bullpen. Now he's become your third starter. So now the elite rotations that not there. The only thing the Yankees really have that's special is a bullpen, which is not nothing. But you could live with the lack of offense from last year if the pitching was great. But now the pitching's compromised. So listen, I still think they are a playoff team, but as each day goes by, man, the more injuries that creep up here, you start to. You start to wonder, you know, Boston's not a bad team. Baltimore is a very good team that just hasn't learned to win in the postseason. But that's. Those are two teams right there that could definitely take advantage of the Yankees.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Play slow out of the gate is what worries me. And everybody will point to, well, look at the Mets last year, and that feels like. I don't know if that's apples to apples. Now, I know the American League isn't said to be strong. I completely get it. But slow out of the gate for some reason really worries me with this team and that I don't know what the other side. Well, what the other side of the trade deadline would bring because if they're talking about budget and they're not going to do anything significant and the things don't go well at the start of the season because of all the, like, I don't want to say that they have built in excuses to kind of mail it in this year because I don't think the Yankees are built that way. I don't think their mentality is that way. They don't operate like that. But it's still, though the signs don't point to, hey, we're going to, we'll. We'll reassess and maybe reinvest in the team and all that stuff. There is no go for it with this team unless people get healthy. And one of the most important pieces you know is not coming back this year. And another one, you have no idea in Stanton what's going to happen. The only redeeming thing I have is what I just mentioned, how there's a couple of really good, talented young players who are telling good stories in spring training. And one of them happens to be Rice, who we saw last year. And he had some moments, but he looked like a guy that wasn't quite ready yet. And they had him playing out of position at first base. But, I mean, he's. He hit what, he hit another home run today and he's mashing the baseball. Showed up in great shape. Showed up looking strong. Like, that's like, those are the types of stories that I feel like are. The only thing that could save it is Austin Wells has himself a run where he's feeling like, okay, this is my job now. Like, this is my job. He's got the bat back from last year, which we know was a bit of an issue later on, they couldn't even play them. And are you looking at now where it's the next generation that is going to get you through the start and give you a little bit of that. You know, just. I just don't feel like some of the guys that we are. We think this team's going to depend on are going to be dependable early in the season. So I don't even know what to expect.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, if you look at the history of the Yankees injuries, and they go back to Girardi, the. They found players that raked when they came in, and even Heal last year, from a pitching standpoint, you know, Cole's down, Heal picks up the slack. But over time, you saw it two years ago when they went 82 and 80. The injuries caught up with them. The year before that, the injuries certainly caught up with them in the playoffs when they were swept by Houston. Can't keep going to that. Well, I mean, these kids are kids for a reason. Like, you want to have to groom them to either trade them or eventually come up here and play. But when they're forced to play because there's so many injuries, yeah, there's going to be a year where it just doesn't click. The Yankees haven't had that happen in a long time. Like I said, a couple of years ago, 82 and 80, but they still finished above.500. But like you said, you get off to a slow start even in a weak American League. It's. It's not what you want. And the injuries, and we're not even. When's opening day? It's still a couple of weeks away. I mean, it's another.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it's a little less than two weeks.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, a little less than two weeks. So it seems like every day it's something. Now, the Schmidt thing not get crazy. He did have a good bullpen. He might be fine, but still something to keep an eye on after you've already lost two starting pitchers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly.

[Alan Hahn]

And, you know, Goldschmidt's back. I mean, I don't know. Back. You hear back, older player. It's not something that's gonna go away. Right. It's something that he's probably gonna have to manage, work through, not play as many games as maybe he had hoped because of the fact that the back could flare up. It just happens, man. Eventually you get back problems, and they just become the reason why you never play again. I wouldn't worry about if he was 25, but when you're 37, going to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Be 38, it's a problem on the football front, everybody.

[Alan Hahn]

Surely some good news is coming Here we go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, the Giants are, you know, working through finding a quarterback to start for them this season. So, you know, as you're waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make his decision, he seems like a guy that is just staring at Minnesota and waiting for Minnesota to decide what they want to do. And it seems like it's not even Rogers. Kevin O'Connell is the head coach in Minnesota. He has done wonders with the quarterbacks there. Is he the one that's making the final decision on Rodgers? Listen to what Mike Silver had to say about that situation. Well, deciding Aaron Rodgers waiting because the Vikings are his first choice. But we now can source, you know, through sourcing, we can conclude that ownership and the front office will not stand in his way. It's all on Kevin. We know a lot, but one thing we cannot tell you, and that's because it hasn't been decided yet, is what will Kevin O'Connell ultimately choose? And some people who are pretty familiar with what's going on in that building have told us it's literally 50, 50 in their eyes. 50, 50. The domino. Like, that's it. Minnesota's the domino that will decide the rest. Now it feels like guys from everything that you, you know, when you take it all in, if Minnesota decides, we're going to stay with J.J. mcCarthy. And by the way, how much time do you need to decide whether or not you want Aaron Rodgers? I mean, it's just like it's either a yes or a no. Right. So this is lingering, which feels like they don't really want him. Maybe they're trying to convince themselves of why they do need him. Maybe they have to get some tests back from McCarthy. Who knows? But that's holding everything up. But if. If that doesn't work out, doesn't it feel like Pittsburgh is probably the logical, the most likely place he would want to go versus the Giants? And that would leave the Giants with Russell Wilson and some other choices. And Don, I know you spit on the ground when you saw Joe Flacco. Can I give you another name? That is in New York this evening, visiting with the Giants.

[Alan Hahn]

I saw this. James Winston.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, fine. I mean, compared to Flacco, it's like it's a. Gets stall back, guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it, though?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I honestly, in terms of what he's capable of giving you next year, it's John, it's Johnny. You compared to Joe Flacco. But. But it's not ideal if you want to have a real football season. I get it. I keep doing your due diligence. I get it. But Guy, it just comes across like. Like me. Can a quarterback like me? I'm the Giants. We've been around since 1925. We've got four super. Will somebody, for God's sakes, like me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, God.

[Alan Hahn]

And any other thing. Let me ask you this. Let me ask you this. Go ahead. Is Rogers that good or is Russell Wilson that bad? I mean, if I'm Pittsburgh, I'm like, you know what, Aaron, we've waited this long. You know what? Goodbye. We're going to re sign Wilson and let's play, you know, or the Giants, they had. Listen, I'm no fan of Russell Wilson. I don't know him. He's a nice player at this stage. He's a great player. Once upon a time. You have him into your facility. What did they say to him? We like you, but we're waiting on Aaron Rodgers. We think we could do better. I'm really thinking about asking this girl to the prom and she might say yes, but in case she says no, will you please, please go to the prom with me? Listen, you're Russell Wilson. You won a Super Bowl. You won more games than you lost last year. My team stinks. We're signing you. Bye, Aaron. Blanker, get off the pot, Aaron. So Russell Wilson, is he that bad? Like, we really don't want Wilson, man. I'd rather just wait for Aaron. My God. Or is Aaron like, Sorry, Aaron's like too good. He's too good to let him go. God, he's just. You know what? There's a phrase I want to use. I'll use it off the air because I can't use it on the air.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can you rhyme it?

[Alan Hahn]

Those who hesitate, blank. Yeah, that's what. That's what the Giants are doing. They're digging for gold down there. You know what? Keep playing with yourself. Because you know what? You're not playing anybody else. You don't have a quarterback to play. Did you dump it? No, because it makes sense. What I'm saying makes sense. You're a 16 year old, can't get a date, so you lock yourself in your room. Mom's on the bathroom. Hello, Giants. Why you taking a three hour shower? It should only take you 10 minutes to get clean.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Billy Joel's Captain Jack.

[Alan Hahn]

Captain Jack, Yes. There you go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lyric from Captain Jack.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what you just sit at home. That's what the Giants are doing. I'm not right. I feel bad about, but it's like if you got Russell Wilson, he came to your facility. Sign Them wait for Aaron Rodgers. Yeah. How big? Listen, I think the gap. I think Rogers is better than Wilson. I agree. But how big is. How much better? Apparently, the Grand Canyon, because they let the guy leave. What did. I want to know what they said to him. What did Shane say to him?

[Peter Rosenberg]

We don't know yet. Well, thanks. We'll give you a call.

[Alan Hahn]

And I think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do that. Like, did he really do that? Like, he went for his audition. Like, you guys have done the audition thing, right? Where you go and, like, you're just waiting for some type of positive feedback and all you get is, thanks. We'll be in touch.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You just know, like, all right, well, I didn't get it.

[Alan Hahn]

No, the Giants are all of us. So we could pick on the Giants. They're a mess. All right, but the same thing with the Steelers. What are you doing? You had Russell Wilson. You must really not like him. But nobody has said we don't want him. You're waiting on Aaron Rodgers. And then what if Wilson signs with somebody else? But at least Pittsburgh could sit there and go, listen, you'd be nuts to go someplace else. Where? The Steelers. But Minnesota's over there. Minnesota won 14 games last year. Well, that's why I want to go back to what Allen said. What the hell is Minnesota doing? But maybe you're onto something other. Medical's not good. Has McCarthy's knee not progressed? So are they concerned about that? Well, if you're that concerned about it, you're going to sit there and wait for all these other quarterbacks to get gobbled up. I mean, so it does not reflect well on Russell Wilson. He's got his hat in his hand. Going to Cleveland, going to Minnesota, going to Pittsburgh. Go, go. Going to the Giants, not signing because we're waiting on Rogers. I want Rogers, too. And I would take Rogers over Wilson.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But, well, what if Russell. Hang on, Dom. What if Russell Wilson, after the conversation you have with him, said, I'm not playing for anything less than 30 million? And you're like, yeah, like, we're not paying you 30 million.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, what if.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What if that. What if it wasn't the Giants who said, don't call us, we'll call you? What. What if it's Russell Wilson who, when it was all said and done, everything sounds great. Then it's like, all right, well, let's work something out. He's like, yeah, I'm going to need. I'm going to need at least.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I know what I'm worth. Let me know. Wouldn't that come out two fully guaranteed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Years and at least 30 million.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I would slip that, wouldn't I? Say if I'm Pittsburgh, if I'm the Giants, wouldn't I like let that slip?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, because you might need them. Why would you do that?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't burn the bridges. Nobody could say.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you know, you can't burn it though.

[Alan Hahn]

30 million. Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I'm just, it's a hypothetical, but I'm just saying what if that is the case, you know, you're not going to come. Well, we'll have to talk, but you know, you might have to poison pill it. You might have to swallow that pill, but you don't want to right now. Let's see what Aaron's going to do.

[Alan Hahn]

But, but don't tip your hand like, don't ask for the 30 until Roger signs because then you might actually get it. Like you won't get it now that there's the perceived option of Rogers choosing you. But once Rogers makes his decision to go to Minnesota or go to Pittsburgh, then the team that loses the face off might have to give Wilson 30 million. But you're not going to give him 30 million now and you're not going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To do it for two years. Especially if, you know, and I know you hate this, Don, but it's a real thing. Next year's draft will have a Manning in it and if we don't think we're going to be very good or if he's not going to be the first quarterback taken, it's, it's still a guy that we want to align with. So I don't want to be locked in with two, you know, for two years with a quarterback, especially at that price now I want to be able to get out of it. So maybe that's the case. Maybe that's what they're waiting on. But they're going to have to swallow the pill on someone, whether it's swallow the pill on Rodgers or whether it's going to be Wilson. But they're bringing in guys like Jameis Winston and talking to guys like Joe Flacco because, you know, if the music stops and there's no chairs left, they're screwed.

[Alan Hahn]

And did you see Ojalari sign?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He'll be Tommy DeVito.

[Alan Hahn]

Ojalari signed a one year deal with the Eagles.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course, the Eagles.

[Alan Hahn]

Now if he signed, if he signed with Cleveland, you'd be like, all right, whatever, whatever. He signs with Philadelphia, he's like, oh my God, we lost a really good player because otherwise Philadelphia Wouldn't be interested. I like them and we'll see what happens there. But really notice we're only a one year deal. So it's not like they're overly committed to him. Not for a ton of money either. But you know, back to the quarterback situation, I just would love to know what they're, what these teams are saying to Wilson. We'd rather have Rodgers. And now I'm starting to go on your side, guys, where like I think Rogers is playing the game because he just knows, oh yeah, he's the man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To be fair, I do think if Minnesota a week ago said to him, yeah, you know, yeah, we want to bring you in and it was a situation that was amenable to him. Meaning like, you know, we want to bring it, bring, you know, J.J. along slowly. We're going to need you to start and all the things that he would want to hear, I think that would be done. I don't think he would drag it out. I think it'd be done. I think it's because as you heard what Mike Silver said, I think Kevin O'Connell is the one. They're kind of dragging their feet because maybe they don't know enough yet about McCarthy's knee and the situation they're going to be in. And so they're telling Rogers, just hold up a minute, we might need you.

[Alan Hahn]

But still we with everything there now, Minnesota is a better team. They won 14 games last year, I get it. And Pittsburgh's in a much tougher division and they didn't win 14 games last year. But wouldn't Pittsburgh be way more attractive than Minnesota just because of the fact you'd have zero competition? Mason Rudolph's not taking your job. You could be the quarterback there for the rest of the season. Even if he goes to Minnesota, at some point McCarthy is going to be cleared to play and at some point they're going to want to try to get him back into the mix.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

So. And with the Giants you might have a first over a first round draft choice that's going to competing for the job in Pittsburgh. Honestly, he could sign a two year contract with Pittsburgh and I would think he'd get a real legit shot to play those full two seasons in Pittsburgh and really show what he was able to do if he stayed healthy. If I go to Minnesota, eventually McCarthy's going to take over. The Giants aren't very good and might draft a quarterback. They're going to want to take over in 2026. Pittsburgh, that's your job for as long as you play well, that's going to be your job for as long as you want it. So I would think it's a no brainer unless they're paying no money. But how could Pittsburgh do that when they don't have a quarterback?

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's two teams. Think about it though. There's two teams right now that do not have a quarterback. They have no answer there. Like, the Raiders made their move, right? You saw, you know, the Seattle did their move. Like everybody made a move. The jets did something. Yeah, the jets were pretty quick about it too. They didn't wait. So when you see that and you realize there's still two teams and there's literally two quarterbacks left, right? Like, like again, Flacco, Winston, these are not real options. These are. These are emergency. These, these are nuclear options. Peter, I think you got it right. No, no, I didn't say nuclear.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, he did. He nailed it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think I purposely did that anyways. Like, these aren't real options. There's two quarterbacks left. There's two teams that need quarterback. It's funny that there's a third team that doesn't know if they need a quarterback. And that's holding up the whole process. It just shows you how unattractive these jobs are, if we're being honest. That's what it is.

[Alan Hahn]

And what a weird position it is to be quarterback where it's this glorious thing for your career and you can have a Hall of Fame career and at the end you're still wandering around with your hat in your hand being like, hey, I'd love to play if someone will give me the chance. Because. Because the way the position is protected now, this is the one job that you could literally do into your 40s if you stay healthy. So. And that's where these guys are at now, right? I mean, Russell Wilson's not that old, but the body type he has and the scrambling ability probably made him a little bit older, you know, But Roger's gonna be 42 and 20 December. How old's Flacco now? But by the way, you know, so. But these guys could still play. Like, that's the funny thing. And also, there's no quarterbacks. It's a quarterback league. And you can count the really good quarterbacks on one hand, like, and you can't win without one. Can't do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And by the way, if something does happen to your quarterback, if you're the Giants right now, the only other option you have is Tommy DeVito. That's it.

[Alan Hahn]

That's all you got.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the, that's, that's your reality. All right. 800-919-3776. Your thoughts on the Giants, on the Yankee injuries. And coming up, an update on Jalen Brunson's injury status. How soon can the Knicks get him back? How bad do they need him back with 16 games to go? Stay with us. But for we have a message. Oh, I do, Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Shares on game day.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm Ann.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm running the Boston Marathon. Presented by bank of America. I run for Dana Farber Cancer Institute to give people like me a chance.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To thrive in life, even with cancer.

[Alan Hahn]

Join bank of America in helping Ann's cause. Give if you [e-mail] supportann what would you like the power to do references to charitable organizations is not endorsement by.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bank of America Corporation.

[Alan Hahn]

Copyright 2025. You don't wake up dreaming of McDonald's fries. You wake up dreaming of McDonald's hash browns. McDonald's breakfast comes first.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

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. It's time now for a tournament update brought to you by Sun Cruiser and Sam Adams, American Light, St. John's 2 seed in the west region in March Madness. They will face Omaha in Providence, by the way. West region, but they'll be in Providence, Rhode Island. Rick Pitino's old stomping grounds back in the day. That game is Thursday. Note the start time. 9:45 is a scheduled tip off PM Eastern. That is correct. That was your tournament update brought to you by Sun Cruiser and Sam Adams, American Light 800 now. 193776. We'll get back to your calls momentarily. Knicks and the Heat tonight at the Garden. That's where I am right now. And then they'll get back on the road. But while during Saturday's broadcast, or actually before Saturday's broadcast, Sham Sarania, who is our ESPN NBA Insider, had an update with Malika Andrews on the status of Jalen Brunson. And remember, he was originally it was reevaluated in two weeks. Two weeks will be this week, Thursday. Okay, so how close is Brunson ready to return? Here's Charonia so Thursday marks two weeks for Jalen Brunson.

[Alan Hahn]

Sources tell me it's more of a three to four week minimum return time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Frame for Jalen Brunson.

[Alan Hahn]

That sidelines him through late March, early April. The key for the Knicks and Jalen Brunson is keeping that swelling down in that ankle, getting it lower and then increasing the mobility in the ankle. They know they need to get him right for the playoffs. That's of the utmost importance.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not surprised by this. I think this is if you would have asked me like where do I think I believe when we talked about it, guys, I believe I said we probably won't see him until early April. I think that's going to be the timeline. It's at the least four weeks. And if the Knicks get him back in four weeks, that's still, by the way, that ankle looked in that game last week, last Thursday, actually. No, it's not last Thursday. What am I saying? That's like two Thursdays ago almost. That ankle that looked terrible. If they can get him back in four Weeks they got to look at that as a win. I wouldn't rush him personally. I think you need to get him 100% for the playoffs and that's the only thing that matters, not getting him back on the court. They look like they're locked in for the third seed. At worst they'll be a fourth seed if things really go south. I think just hearing that they can get him back by April would be a positive.

[Alan Hahn]

Just get him back where he can play some. At least a handful of regular season games before the playoffs. You'd hate to see his first game be in the postseason.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Remember last year? It was the same thing last year waiting on Julius Randle. Remember that? Like that was a whole thing with him in the shoulder and would he be available. And then OG Anunoby, they got him back at some point. Then he had to be out again. Like they've been dealing with this. They dealt with this last year as well. And then Randall never really came back. He had to shut it down. He needed surgery. This won't be the case.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I mean, listen, obviously a nightmare scenario. They somehow fall apart and you start getting in danger of sliding into the plan. That would change the way you feel about things. But assuming they can just tread water and play 500 ball, then all you got to worry about is him getting back. But I will tell you guys and watching that game on Saturday night and this is always how it feels to me with Brunson out there are possessions when you just don't know where they're going to go with the basketball. And it resulted on Saturday in a couple of ill advised threes from Kat that he missed late. Where you're just going, you want the ball in Brunson's hand for this possession and they are a different team without him. There's no way around it. That's what it is to lose your best player and your captain.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's I think why you saw the confrontation between Hart and Tibbs. That wasn't Josh Hart yelling at Tom Thibodeau. That was Hart saying things in the huddle to his teammates about the way the offense was not flowing. Where he was in the offense where he, you know, he feels more part of like, you know, he's in pick and roll. When Brunson's on the floor, Hart's more involved. Not necessarily because he's getting the ball as a scorer. It's that he's getting the ball as a playmaker and he's setting screens and he's cutting and he's rolling like, with. With Deuce McBride, who's more of a, like, ISO kind of like, spot up three guy. They're trying to get Bridges as sort of the main piece now. And Bridges has. Offensively, he's really stepped up, you know, and scored. But now Hart is sort of left out, and he's frustrated because what's happening to him, guys, he's getting the. He's getting the grenade thrown to him, and he's being asked to do something that he's not good at, which is space and shoot threes. We know he's not good at that. I think he was over seven in that Golden State game. So he was getting frustrated and started talking about, we got to get into offense sooner. We got to do this. And Tibbs finally had heard enough. Stop badgering your teammates. And that's when he barked at him to shut the hell up. So I do think what you're saying, Peter, is true, that their offense has been clunky. Their numbers aren't nearly the same as it was before the All Star break. And playing without Brunson, it just shows you that it's a much different look. They're better defensively, but, man, the offense doesn't run the same. And the frustration starting to boil over. I don't know how this stuff gets fixed other than the more they play, the more they'll figure it out. But the grit that you guys talked about, that we talked about earlier in the show, I actually texted RJ Richard Jefferson. I wanted to see if we can get him on. I. I have a feeling either he's doing NBA Live or whatever it is, but we won't be able to get him on. I want. I wanted to get him on for this reason you asked for. For it, right, Peter, I believe you said, I want to get a player on.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I really did, and I feel like he would keep it, so I texted him. I feel like he was. He did the game, and he keep it very real about that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He would. He did the game, and I wanted to see what he thought about what happened at the end of the game and the. The players and Tibbs dapping up with Draymond, Draymond Green, knowing that there was beef before that game and even during that game with Green and you both kind of made that point that it's another example of sort of a missing element with this team that might go beyond talent as to why when you say, oh, can they contend for a championship? And you say, I don't think they can this year, and It's. There just seems to be that they were not pissed off at the end of that game for losing it. They were not annoyed that Green was sort of chastising their star player in Kanthony Towns and mocking him at times, like. And said that what he said going into that game, that didn't seem to be any emotion about it. And they seemed to be fine just giving him a hug and adapt and walking off the floor while he stormed off. I don't know. How do you. How do you create that element? You either are. You aren't, but something definitely was missing there. And the only thing I could say is, as I talked about with Brunson and the injury, he wasn't there on the floor to do something or say something about it. That's the only thing I can hope for, is that if he was there, this wouldn't have happened. But who knows?

[Alan Hahn]

He's obviously not on the trip, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He wasn't on the trip, no. They said, well, he was. They sent him home.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Remember, because he had the injury. So they wanted to get right to the treatment and everything else.

[Alan Hahn]

I would love to hear what he has to say about it now. Usually when guys are hurt, it's really difficult for them to get involved. That's like, a lot of them don't even want to be near the court because they feel like they got to play in order to lead. But I wonder if that. I wonder if he's communicated with any of his teammates about how that looked and how that shouldn't have happened. Because you are still the leader of the team. It's still your team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

True.

[Alan Hahn]

But he wasn't there. I don't know how involved he is away, but knowing him, I would think he's watching, he's engaged. I just think something communicated. Something has to be communicated. But this is. But this, you know, and the argument that I hear in defense is just, this is how the NBA is. This is just how it is now. So I don't know. You're close to it to me, but are there examples of teams like. Give me an example of something similar where a team did show support to a team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, flip it. Let's flip it. Do you think Draymond Green is out there like that? If it was the other way around?

[Alan Hahn]

No way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's say. Let's say, you know, let's say the Knicks had a guy who was, you know, had a lot to say. And you think after that game, they're still going to, like, do all that stuff, or do you Think Draymond Green. Like, let's say it was about Steph Curry. Let's say whatever it was. I just get hypothetically, you're saying something about whether it's Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler, whatever you want. You think that game ends and the Knicks win the game and they're just like, you know, hey, what's up boys? You think that Draymond Green is going to let teammates do that or is he going to get in guys faces say, no, get off the ice. So who get off the. Get off the court, right?

[Alan Hahn]

So who's that guy? Like, who are they taking their cues from? If Brunson's healthy, they're taking their cues from him. But on Saturday, who's got to be the one to send the message? Who's got to be the one that tells everybody this game is all we're walking off?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or Josh Hart, I have always called him the consigliere. I find him to be the lieutenant.

[Alan Hahn]

So what was he doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's lockstep with Brunson. They are very, very close. And he usually keeps the locker room tight. He usually. But he was too busy focused on his own teammates. You could see he was just pissed off about everything else that didn't have to do with anything outside of his circle. I think he was so distracted by the frustration of his own game and his role that I bet you that just slipped his mind completely.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's just an instinct of how are you going to conduct yourself? Like it shouldn't even be told to a championship caliber team. It's not even told. You just have the guys back. Like we always refer back to hockey because there's that built in fighting. But you don't have to go tell somebody to go support their teammate. If you see somebody's in trouble, you skate over, you separate it, you get it, you get involved. The coach doesn't have to tell you, you just do it instinctively. And if you don't do it, then what do we always say? Covering the sport, There's a problem there. This team's not close. Why didn't they come to his support? It's the first knee jerk reaction. Can you imagine a baseball player getting hit by a pitch and it not clear the benches that he was just. He just walked the first pace and nobody said anything. The first thing you would ask is what's going on here? Why didn't they come to his support? What happened with Derek Jeter when they got into that brawl with Seattle and he's sitting there having a Conversation instead of getting involved in it. His leadership was questioned then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yup.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, of all people, Derek Jeter, his leadership was questioned because that was not the right thing to do. These are the things we're talking about. It's not just basketball, it's all sports. Football's a little strange because you go back to your huddle, you're wearing equipment, but still, if you see your quarterback got hit late, yeah, you take the penalty, but you don't think you get in that guy's face, that you're dissatisfied with that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I have not seen that he's get built like this.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This team this year has been resilient and in game tough when it comes to. They don't give in. If a team goes on a run like, like Golden State, they went up 9 early in the fourth quarter. It's the last game of road trip. They could have easily let go of the rope and laid out. They could have, but they did. They fought. They fought. That's what they're made of. So there is a fight in this team, but not the one that's tangible, right? Exactly, Peter. It's not the tangible one that where you see it and you realize that they're not going to put up with anyone's crap. No, they seem to just be like sort of passive about it. And I go back to the dice rolling thing with Trae Young. They did nothing about it. They said nothing about it. They didn't care. Their whole thing was, well, if we beat him, he doesn't do it. So that's on us, you know, like they don't seem to get caught up in that kind of stuff. The way that I think a lot of New York fans like to see it and the way I think we saw more last year when Isaiah Hartenstein and Dante DiVincenza, who were the two of the more fiery guys on last year's team, they were quick to do stuff like that. That element doesn't exist on this team. And even with the addition of PJ Tucker, who everybody knows has a history of being an enforcer in the NBA, he's 39 years old. He hasn't even gotten a minute, a second in a game yet. And he's. He's known Draymond forever. Like they're close. He's not doing anything right. Like he's talking. He's more talking to Towns on the bench. We saw that where he was trying to like just kind of get in his head about how he has to be and he kind of. I feel like he kept him locked in. But confrontation, retribution, any of that stuff that does not exist on this team, I think they're made up this way.

[Alan Hahn]

They better find it because it's really, really hard to win a championship. And it's one thing, it's hard to win it by just going out there and executing on the court, field, ice, whatever, that makes it hard. But there's a camaraderie. There's support for each other that makes you strong on and off the field of play. That also helps you win a championship because it's so hard and it takes so much from you and you're going to be facing adversity. And it's easy on the basketball court to just go out there and I would just play harder. I get it. But there's other intangibles that I think make for a team. And listen, they're new. CAT hasn't been here a whole full season yet, Right. So maybe that will develop over time. Hopefully this is a turning point. Hopefully this is something to look back at and say, this, that can't happen again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe it'll get to their, get their attention, but only if the media brings it up. I think they will. Tom Thibodeau is talking in just about a minute here at msg. I wonder if the media will ask him that question.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

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.

[Alan Hahn]

Your podcasts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Back to calls 800-93776. We start off with Joe and Chappaqua. Hey, Joe. Hey, guys.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for taking a call.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You got it.

[Alan Hahn]

Always. Yes, we got you, buddy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, so, yeah, I'm wondering what the.

[Alan Hahn]

Charles Oak Oakley and Patrick Ewing mix.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would have done because sure, you know, Oakley would have probably choked the guy.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, and I don't know, this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Team doesn't seem to have the toughness that those teams had and it just. I don't know what they do to rectify that. Now. Here's the one thing, Joe, I will say because I grew up with those teams, so I agree with you that they wouldn't have let that slide. You're absolutely right. But I also know that what probably would have happened was technical fouls and injection and somebody suspended and you know, like, like all, all extra stuff that's unnecessary. That would get frustrating as a fan to say, you know, because then you'd get to see it's only with the media right now. It's the Knicks aren't showing toughness, but if they did all that stuff, it's the Knicks can't. Can't control their emotions. You know, like it's two sides of it. So I understand those days are over. Joe, I hate the fact that we have to say this, but it is true. The league really doesn't go for any of that stuff anymore. But Don, I. There is though that sense of like, I'll say this, and I love Tom Thibodeau. Pat Riley would never have done that. Like, like Pat Riley would have put. Would have been a guy that said get off the, get off the court. I don't think even Jeff Van Gundy would have done that. But you know, Tom Thibodeau has that background and relationship with Tibbs and with a Green. And for some reason in that moment, they had to have that moment dap it up and give a hug and I did. Just doesn't look great.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I guess to Tibbs defense, he. Nobody's going to know that more than him what he has on his team. And if they don't have it, well, then I guess just, just roll with it. But I, but what do I say to Cat? Like, I don't know how Cat feels about it, but he stormed off the court. Now it gets back to him that his teammates, his coach went and bend the knee to the guy that insulted him. I'd be in a real way about that. I'd be in a real way about that. But Maybe Cat's different. He's the one saying, I'm going to come there with love. So maybe he doesn't care.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right. Maybe true. He is the one that set that tone.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. And if he doesn't care, and if he doesn't care, then his teammates don't care. And it's not a big deal. But that's how far away we are. Because not only did they not do anything, but they went over and dapped them up and bent the knee and everything. So it's like they went the full nine. It was like nothing happened. So maybe I don't know what Kat's message was. Hey, it's no big deal. Who cares? Just don't do anything. Let's just focus on basketball. So maybe in a way they believe they're honoring their teammate by not doing anything. But I just know myself how I felt bad as somebody that played sports. Not at that level, but I had teammates. I got teammates. Now, what if somebody at the fan called you out, Alan called you, said the same things. Or at the same level.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was already proven it to me with a caller. You already proved to me with a caller. When a caller was coming at me, you jump right in. And what happened?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, because I'm going to have your back, because that's the way I look at it, or at the office or whatever. But if somebody in the fan ripped you a new one and then you found out I went out to dinner with that guy and I'm laughing and hugging and kissing him, I think you'd be like, you know what? All right, listen, I like Don, but I know he doesn't have my back. I know he's not a great teammate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

About that. Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. You just know where you stand. And I would think that right now, Cat, who's probably, in some people's eyes, the best player on the team, I think he's the second best player on the team now knows that the only guy that really had his back was Mitchell Robinson and everybody else didn't. I mean, how's that going to make you feel? And it certainly is. You said does not look good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no. Optics are everything. Unfortunately, It's a real thing. And again, I can't wait to get down there and talk to some of. Some of the guys because I am curious of what the mood is or if they even are aware that this is a thing. Alex in the Al is in the Bronx. Al, what's happening?

[Alan Hahn]

Hey.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, guys. How you doing?

[Alan Hahn]

Two things. One, Peter. Yo. You're absolutely right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If a 62 year old bus driver's dating a 23 year old girl, something's seriously wrong.

[Alan Hahn]

Everybody's complain and he's a pervert. I know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's get that out of the way.

[Alan Hahn]

Bill Belichick getting pass. I hear you. So, yeah, the Knicks. Listen, the deal with the, the Knicks, they're not ready.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're just not ready.

[Alan Hahn]

And you can tell they lose to all the best teams because they don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Believe they can beat them.

[Alan Hahn]

They are bending the knee like Don said. All right, there's, they're in JV mode. Allen on the pickup court, you know, there's the big court where the guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The older guys are playing and you, you can't wait to get over there.

[Alan Hahn]

That's where the Knicks are right now. They're on us. They're on a little.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're on the JV court. Moving on to the big court later on.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks, guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you.

[Alan Hahn]

It does feel that way. It feels like in their own head, they don't believe that they can compete with the big boys. And then when you seem satisfied, for lack of a better word, everyone except Mitch and Cat seems satisfied after a close loss to a team that's not that much better than them. That's weird. I do think that maybe there is that level of acceptance. You're right, Peter. We know we are. We know we're not at that level yet. But this is how you get to that level. By doing the right things, conducting yourself in the right way. They haven't been eliminated yet. I don't believe they're good enough to win a championship. Neither does Alan. You. Most people who watch realize they're not ready yet. But that doesn't mean you can't conduct yourself as if there's a still a chance. And you build, you learn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, you're not ready yet. But how about take, you know, take a piece of them with you while you're not ready yet. Like, how do you show that you're getting ready? Like the, like if I'm already seeing, like, yeah, we're not that good, you know, there's no fighting us. Like, doesn't it always just take like the one guy? Like what? Like the Rangers are a great example. This J.T. miller shows up, right? He, he plays a certain way, right? Like there's a certain level that he's playing. And he. I'm dragging you with me because I'm not going to let everybody, like, we're not going to just throw the pucks out there and Skate like we're going to play. If we're going to play, what are we doing? And so that's why I look at. This is the end of a trip. Yeah, we all want to go home, but we just lost to this team in our place and we should have beat him. So. And this guy's running his mouth. So let's take a piece of them and we're on national TV where we haven't won in six games. Like, let's, let's be aware of this stuff. I can't stand when athletes pretend they don't pay attention to it. Oh, that stuff doesn't matter to us. That stuff only matters to fans. That's a bunch of crap. It should matter to you. And usually the good teams are the ones that are well aware of all this stuff because they know, okay, it's perception. Okay, maybe it's not really what we're about, but there has to be a part of you that knows that every now and then you're gonna have to throw a punch just so everybody knows that you're willing to throw a punch. That, okay, we're in this game, we're gonna put up a fight and this guy's running his mouth and that's our guy. And we got to kind of stand up, we got to show out. They didn't do any of that. Did they play hard? Yes. Did they come close to winning? Yes. But in the end, did they look like they were pissed off that they lost the game? No. And there's a lot of that that concerns you about what this team is made up of and do they have enough, not talent, but enough for the other stuff, the intangible stuff that it takes to win a championship, which, last time I checked, that is the goal of this group they have talked about. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's. 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. In case you didn't know, these young men are driven. They are prodigies, the savants, the ones we've been waiting for, like Damian Lillard, for instance. He doesn't seek guidance or mentorship. He's a leader. He isn't waiting for the baton to be passed to him. He's taking it for himself. He's relentless in a pursuit of greatness, always pushing to one up himself. He is accomplished, but far from satisfied. He embodies what it means to have an unstoppable drive and are shaking up the status quo in their community and beyond. And Damien Lillard drives a Toyota. A new generation of Toyota drivers are here, and they want you to know one thing. You can't stop my drive.