Hour 4: Alan on SC

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – "Hour 4: Alan on SC"
Release Date: June 3, 2025

Host/Authors:

• Don La Greca, ESPN New York and New Jersey legend
• Alan Hahn, renowned sportswriter and New York Knicks broadcaster
• Peter Rosenberg, opinionated Hip Hop veteran and WWE personality

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Introduction

In the fourth hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, titled "Hour 4: Alan on SC," the trio dives deep into the recent upheavals within the New York Knicks organization. The episode blends insightful sports analysis with the hosts' trademark humor and engaging interactions with callers, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the team's current situation and future prospects.

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Humorous Banter: Are Alan Hahn and Frank Isola the Same Person?

Duration: 00:33 – 02:39

The episode kicks off with light-hearted teasing between Peter Rosenberg and Alan Hahn, centered around the possibility of Alan appearing on "SportsCenter." This playful banter segues into a humorous debate about whether Alan Hahn and fellow ESPN New York journalist Frank Isola could be the same person due to their similar appearances.

Notable Exchanges:

• Peter Rosenberg [00:42]:
  “I don’t want anybody to turn off the radio, but you can multitask. I’m sure any moment now, Alan Hahn’s gonna be on SportsCenter. That’s why we lost him here on the end of the show.”

• Alan Hahn [01:13]:
  “An interesting moment because Frank Isola is on Pardon the Interruption right now. There are people out there who believe that Frank, a Solo, and Alan Hahn are the same person.”

The discussion highlights their camaraderie and sets a humorous tone for the episode. The segment concludes with Frank Isola joining the conversation to clarify that he and Alan are indeed separate individuals, dispelling any confusion.

• Frank Isola [14:42]:
  “Hey.”

• Alan Hahn [14:58]:
  “I have proof now that you are not the same person.”

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Main Discussion: Knicks Coaching Changes and Future Prospects

Duration: 03:26 – 25:16

The core of the episode centers on the New York Knicks' recent decision to part ways with coach Tom Thibodeau ("Tibs"). The hosts and callers dissect the implications of this move, debate potential replacements, and analyze the broader impact on the team's trajectory.

Callers' Perspectives on Coaching Changes

Caller Lavelle [03:26 – 07:28]:
Lavelle passionately advocates for seasoned coaches as replacements, mentioning names like Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Rick Brunson.

• Lavelle [05:27]:
  “I would also be happy with Jeff Van Gundy. And here’s my dark horse who if it ends up happening, I’m gonna call and say I told you so.”

Peter Rosenberg [05:22 – 07:28]:
Rosenberg counters Lavelle's suggestions, expressing skepticism about the potential candidates' ability to elevate the team.

• Peter Rosenberg [05:22]:
  “The fact is, they didn’t beat the Pacers. What championship is this Knicks team winning right now with the roster that they have?”

Caller Dave [12:54 – 14:15]:
Dave introduces Mike Malone as a viable option, praising his track record and emphasizing his connection to New York.

• Dave [14:15]:
  “Mike Malone has got to be the only guy, unless he wants it. But Tip should never be gone. Never.”

Caller Javier [19:21 – 25:04]:
Javier offers a balanced view, expressing gratitude for Thibodeau's contributions while cautiously assessing future coaching options.

• Javier [23:09]:
  “I just hope it's not like Tom Collins and McAdoo when college left. Thank you, guys. Thank you, Tom.”

Host Insights and Analysis

Alan Hahn [07:23 – 08:10]:
Hahn discusses the complexities of replacing Thibodeau, highlighting the high expectations placed on any new coach.

• Alan Hahn [07:23]:
  “That's the problem with this whole situation. All of it’s a lot to ask. The Knicks, really, they shook things up today.”

Peter Rosenberg [12:03 – 14:15]:
Continuing the debate, Rosenberg criticizes potential replacement choices, questioning their ability to meet the franchise's lofty standards.

• Peter Rosenberg [13:00]:
  “He'll win us 50 games. He'll get us into the third round of the playoffs. Nobody's been able to do that since Van Gundy.”

Organizational Dynamics and Blame Allocation

The conversation shifts towards assigning responsibility for the coaching change, with discussions about ownership influence and internal decision-making processes.

• Frank Isola [21:30 – 21:56]:
  “He has to trust my people and this is the decision they came to. And so he trusted them.”

• Peter Rosenberg [25:09 – 25:16]:
  “Let's not.”

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Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Duration: 25:16 – End

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reflect on the multifaceted discussion surrounding the Knicks' coaching changes. They acknowledge the diverse opinions expressed by callers and reiterate the uncertainty surrounding the team's future direction. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming sports topics, including Yankees and Mets games, and a reminder for listeners to tune in for future discussions.

Final Remarks:

• Peter Rosenberg [25:16]:
  “Alright. This was a lot of fun. We'll be back with you again tomorrow at 3 o'clock.”

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Key Takeaways

• Coaching Uncertainty: The Knicks' decision to fire Tom Thibodeau has sparked a nationwide debate on ESPN New York, with opinions divided on the best path forward.

• Potential Replacements: Suggestions range from experienced figures like Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy to more unconventional choices such as Rick Brunson and Mike Malone.

• Organizational Trust: Trust in leadership, particularly Leon Rose's decisions, plays a critical role in shaping the team's future.

• Fan Expectations: The passionate New York fanbase holds high expectations, intensifying scrutiny over any organizational changes.

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This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" offers a blend of humor, insightful analysis, and engaging listener interactions, making it a must-listen for New York sports enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive look at the Knicks' tumultuous coaching landscape.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want anybody to turn off the radio, but you can multitask. I'm sure any moment now, Alan Han's gonna be on SportsCenter. That's why we lost him here on the end of the show.

[Alan Hahn]

You know? You know, listen, they said he's gonna be on Sports center at 6:30. Okay. Now he got up and left the room at 6:20.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

I think that's just him not wanting to spend time with us because he only went across the hallway. Don, it was like he commuted to the seaport, for God's sake. No, he could have been with us longer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Although I think by the time he gets on SportsCenter, he could have commuted to the seaport.

[Alan Hahn]

That is a good point. By the time he gets on. Exactly. Now here's the question. An interesting moment because Frank Isola is on Pardon the Interruption right now. There are people out there who believe that Frank, a Solo, and Alan Hahn are the same person.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Think about it. Think about it. Go ahead, think about it. Like their general look, they're good looking guys, but a similar kind of good looking. No?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but I guess television doesn't show it. But Allen's like a foot taller. Like Allen's way taller than.

[Alan Hahn]

What's Frank?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Six feet. Frank's like six feet but still on TV there.

[Alan Hahn]

Looks the same, no?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I guess.

[Alan Hahn]

Like if your sister dated both these.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Guys, you would say that.

[Alan Hahn]

She type.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, okay, Right. And then what's the. And what's, what's Frank's path to being on television?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Being a writer.

[Alan Hahn]

Hmm. What's his primary sport?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Basketball.

[Alan Hahn]

Where?

[Peter Rosenberg]

In New York.

[Alan Hahn]

What about Alan? Where'd he start?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He started in New York as a writer.

[Alan Hahn]

And what does he cover?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Basketball. Islanders first. Well, he's covered the islanders first.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but that's a setup. Let's be honest. Now here's the thing. I'm Looking at Frank Isola right now. We're in a beige suit and a blue tie. Beautiful. The question will be, will Allen appear on our TV at the same time? Oh, that Isola's on. Or will Isola disappear and immediately Allen pops up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In which case you're the same person.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what I mean. In which case we don't get the proof that they're actually different people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what? I have never seen them in the same place at the same time.

[Alan Hahn]

Have you? What? Could you imagine the news that would be if we found out tomorrow and it was being reported that Frank Isola and Alan Hahn were the same guy? God, that would be great for us.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think Frank's a little older, but I can't prove it.

[Alan Hahn]

Really? How much more you think? Because he looks great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, they both look really. I think Alan's a better looking guy.

[Alan Hahn]

You think Allen's better? Yeah, no, he's a notch, but. Half a notch.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's interesting. I think they've taken the same path. They could be the. You know, if you needed Alan Hahn for something and he wasn't available. The pivots, Frank.

[Alan Hahn]

Absolutely. Vice versa and vice versa.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And nobody's going to question it. All right. Like, they would both come up one, two or whatever. In that order. 1-800-919-3776. Lavelle and Yonkers, you're on the.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, Lavelle.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's up, baby?

[Lavelle]

Oh, my. Guys, I love you guys. Listen, I love Allen, but, boy, do I love a wolf pack vehicle.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, it's. It's bringing. It's giving throwback, isn't it?

[Lavelle]

It's a beautiful day. I'm driving through the streets of Yahoo. This is the day I've been waiting for, boys. Oh, I'm sorry. You know, this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I.

[Lavelle]

You know, I'm not gonna cry no tears for him because he's still gonna get his $30 million. It's not like when you and I get fired. Here's the thing. We should still be playing this week, Don and Peter. We should be. And we could be. We really could be. And it's funny, a friend of mine who is unfortunate and shout out to Edwin, because he's a. He's a loser. I love him, but he's a loser. To be a New Yorker and be a Celt is sacrilegious. But anyway, he. He's really took a lot of joy out of our. Out of our. He's probably listening right now. He took a lot of joy at our getting defeated by the paces, like we didn't defeat his team. But he said something funny to me today. It was Jeff Teague and I'm sure Peter, you know, Jet has a hilarious podcast. He's a really funny guy. He was talking about when he used to play under tips and he was like, he wasn't trying to diss tips, he was just trying to tell a funny thing. He was like, tips don't. He just yells like, he doesn't really coach us. He doesn't tell, he doesn't say, Jeff, you go here. Just says, oh. He's cursing. He's like, get back. And you know, it was a funny story. But always hark back to, huh?

[Alan Hahn]

I said, was it?

[Lavelle]

I mean, no, no, but, but I'm just saying it's, it's, it's, it's how we saw that in this series. If we're just being honest, I think sometimes we have like revision. Like we're not seeing what really happened here. We got really fortunate to get past Boston. It wasn't like great coaching. Mikhail Bridges did two amazing last second steals at the ends of game one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, so who is going to do better job, Lavelle? I mean, I understand how you feel about Tibbs, but who is out there that is going to make you feel better?

[Lavelle]

Okay, well, obviously if, if James Dolan called my phone, I would say Mark Jackson.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Lavelle]

I would also be happy with Jeff Van Gundy. And here's my dark horse who if it ends up happening, I'm gonna call and say I told you so. But remember, Phil Jackson was a nobody until they gave him a shot with the Bulls. He was nothing. So everyone's got to get a start. You asked me for a guy. Because Alan does make a good point when he says you can't bring in someone who doesn't know the team. Who's who taught Brunson everything he knows. He used to be a Nick. He's been sitting on that bench all these years. I don't think Rick Brunson would be a bad coach.

[Alan Hahn]

Hold on, hold on, Lavelle. You think it would.

[Lavelle]

Look, I'm not saying they would do that, but.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, it's been, it's been, it's been, it's been speculated a bit. You don't think that would be a podunk looking move to make the kids father the coach.

[Lavelle]

But here's the thing. You're a Celtics fan. Let's be honest, okay? Joe Mazzulla just won a championship. He was really just an interim coach. And the easy way out of it is you just make Brunson the interim coach. You test the waters. If he stinks, you could bring somebody else in. But I'm telling you, when I watch footage on the Internet of how he used to train Jalen. Bro, he knows what he's doing.

[Alan Hahn]

This kid is so. Wait a minute.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay. We gave you your time. Thanks. All right. And I get. I'm not going to try to come across as some Tibs, apologies, but you're going to go with somebody who's got no experience off of something you saw on YouTube with his son.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm amazed at how and not respect.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The fact of where the Knicks were before Tibs got here and where they are now. Like, that's nothing. Peter, forget it. It's garbage. He can't take us to the promised land. He'll win us 50 games. He'll get us into third round of the playoffs. Nobody's been able to do that since Van Gundy. And your choice is to replace him. And I'm not saying they're bad selections in Jackson or Van Gundy, but guys that literally have not coached in the NBA in a decade. And you're gonna go with Jalen Brunson's father because you like the way he trained Jalen?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, he saw videos.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hand him one of the jewels of the NBA. The New York Knicks.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In the biggest city in North America for a franchise that hasn't won a chip since 1973. Yeah. All right, I'll play along. I mean, what is. I just love the fact. All right, if you want to tell me Tibbs isn't the guy who's. The guy who is going to give you more confidence than a guy that literally lifted this franchise out of an abyss? Like, that was nothing, Peter. That counts for nothing because they didn't beat the Pacers. Still, the disrespect the Pacers are getting. What championship is this Knicks team winning right now with the roster that they have? They still have to tweak the roster, but not. This coach isn't going to be able to get us there.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but listen, I saw a good video online. I saw. No, I saw the video and. No, stop. That would be really bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But listen, I don't think Mark Jackson's a bad idea.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not our time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mark Jackson was in the same situation that Tibbs was in. He couldn't get Golden State hump and they hired Don.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not happening. There's something up with Mark Jackson. For whatever reason, whenever it's up, they never go to him. Same with jvg. It's not happening.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's not happening.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I had to guess right now, I would think if they could find a way to get Kid out of his contract in Dallas and that could all be worked out. If it's true, that Kid is itching to get out of Dallas and the Knicks are willing to give up picks or whatever they have to do for compensation. Jason Kidd sounds like it would be the guy, but are you confident that he'll do better than Tibbs? I mean, slam dunk, I don't know how you could feel that way. I like the guy. He's a personality. I think he's a really good coach, but that's a lot to ask him. I know he played here, but that's a lot to ask, man.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's the problem with this whole situation. All of it's a lot to ask. The Knicks, really, they shook things up today, man. This, this. No one was expecting them to do anything right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they have set themselves up where the margin for success is so slim. The next coach can come in here, win 60 games, win the conference, be the 1 seed, and if they lose in the conference final, huh, Is that guy going to hear it? He's the next coach, has to take this team to the NBA Finals. Otherwise it's going to be like, what'd you do? And God forbid, if they, if they don't go as far, get picked off in the second round or maybe underachieve, and they're a seven seed, get bounced in the first round, forget about it. Let's go to Dave in Westchester Yarn, espn New York.

[Dave]

Hey, how you doing? Yeah, you're right. Forget about it. That happens. But this was bogus. This is not Dolan. This is Leon Rose looking to put the blame on somebody. He's the one who gave five draft picks away. For some, I won't say bum, but for a basketball player named Bridges, you know, he's the one who's got cat who can't cover anybody. It's, you know, the only first phone call. Alan was right. First phone call you make, try to give the best deal you can to Jeffrey and Gundy, he's not going to probably take it. Rick Patino doesn't take teams over unless they're horrible and he makes them better. So he looks like a genius. He would Never take the team over unless they already had Giannis on the team. I would just say, you know, try to. Try to get Mike Malone at least he's a, you know, he's a proven NBA coach. You know, he won and he's from New York. I mean, that's. That's the only thing I could say. I never would have got rid of Tips. No way. Never. You know, it's a win now situation. I've been saying this all along to, you know, get Kevin Durant, because I only care about two years. That's all I care about. I'm not worried about when I'm 77 years old, 15 years from now, like when, when Soto's got a 15 year contract, I want to win next two years. So whoever I got to give for Durant, I do it, or I'm going to give for Giannis, I do it. So Mike Malone has got. He's got to be the only guy, unless he wants it. If they've got one guy wants it, I give it to him. But Tip should never be gone. Never. This is just a scapegoat situation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It feels that way. We got to blame somebody. For what? It's amazing, guys. I know that they were the favorite against the Pacers, but we're talking about as if the season was a failure. You failed third round for the first time in 25 years. Beat the Boston Celtics in the playoffs. We're a three seed and it's a failure.

[Frank Isola]

Can it be looked at?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Alan's back, by the way.

[Frank Isola]

Hi.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you did a great job on tv.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah, you could tell you looked terrific. How did it look, though? Because that was. You talk about just throw something together.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It looked perfect. The ultimate compliment. He thinks you and Frank Isola are the same person.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought you were until that moment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Two gorgeous basketball journalists.

[Alan Hahn]

And now I have proof. At least.

[Frank Isola]

Frank suit on.

[Alan Hahn]

It's on my story. It's on my IG story. I have proof now that you are not the same person.

[Frank Isola]

No, we are not.

[Alan Hahn]

Didn't know till then.

[Frank Isola]

I was thinking about this just a minute ago while waiting to go on SportsCenter. Is the failure thing the failure works? I was wondering, would I use that word? And then I said, could it be that the season. It's not a failure? You fire your coach, then you feel like your coach failed. Right. Or you feel like this is as far as your coach can take you and you need somebody that can take you a step further, which means you don't believe in the coach taking you any further than this. But it doesn't mean that the season itself was a failure. It's just that this is as far as we can go with him, but we need to go farther and we don't think he's the guy that can do it. Let's does that make sense or am I just now completely out of my mind?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I want to expand on that because I think what you said is very important, but I want to expand on it.

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, let's close out of your phone calls at 1-800-919-3776. Then we'll hand it off to Dan Grassa will take you up until mets Dodgers at 9:30. Let's go to Jonathan out in LA. You're on ESPN New York. Hi guys.

[Lavelle]

Hi guys no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep. I'm with you, baby.

[Alan Hahn]

Jonathan, you coming to Money in the Bank?

[Lavelle]

No, I'm not, Peter. I'm still in debt from WrestleMania.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, you know what you did, that's that. WrestleMania was a big trip.

[Lavelle]

It sure was. But Peter really quick, really quick on the mic on the Knicks situation. I actually think the Knicks are gonna get a Mike Mal. I mean, he was an assistant back in the day for the Knicks for four or five years. He's from New York and he's a championship caliber team. That's my prediction. But I mean, I, I hope they get whoever and works out. Man, Peter, I was gonna, I was, I was meant to call you yesterday. But hey, man, what's the deal with all these wrestlers? Pretty, you know, legends getting just cut from the wwe? Something going on or is John Cena getting the whole check or what's the deal with that? Man?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is, it's.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a crazy time, bro. I can't even make sense of everything.

[Lavelle]

Yeah, because even Don R. Truth, the wrestler that defeated Peter for the. He got cut.

[Alan Hahn]

We covered it yesterday. Like you dream about.

[Lavelle]

Oh, yeah, sorry. Sometimes I gotta take break.

[Alan Hahn]

I was truly shocked by it though. I was. I. I love the guy, man. It's, it's. I hope it turns out to not be true, but it sure seems like it is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Javier in Queens, you're on ESPN New York.

[Javier]

Hey, what's going on, guys? Thanks for taking my call. It's like. Don't even feel like I can joke with you guys. I was going to say I knew the series is over when Donald Greco said Judah kiss instead of Jada kiss.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But if you want to put. Man, maybe they're.

[Javier]

No, I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm just.

[Javier]

No, no. And it's not on. No, it's not even on him either. Like, you guys are the least responsible. But I think, I think when it comes down to it, right, I think the first thing that people would say when they thought that he was safe was that he was Brunson's guy. Right? So I'm thinking obviously Brunson is okay with this. Like, I don't, I don't see them not having put this past him or like just doing it without his approval. So if the captain's okay with it, like, obviously, you know us, we should be too. And to me, I think it's like no coincidence that Malone's available. Like, the timing of it is funny. Like, it's either that, you know, they were planning on Malone, like You should have a plan. Or maybe that athletic article. And maybe the idea that Tibbs was speaking more of the media than maybe Dolan likes, because clearly, like, Dolan has weird media policies. So I don't know. Yeah, you know, I wanted to shout.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It, but I wanted to, I wanted to bring this up. We just had a promo and thank you for the phone call with Michael where he absolved Rose and said this had to be above Rose, like saying it's totally Jim Dolan. I don't agree with that, Alan. You're closer to it than I am, but. Yeah, no, I don't, I don't. It's so easy.

[Frank Isola]

I mean, he obviously has to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, of course.

[Frank Isola]

But he has a last say.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know there's a history, trust his.

[Frank Isola]

People.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I don't. I don't think his involvement is to the level it was a few years ago. I think what we saw with the Rangers, if he trusts the people that he's hired. When Jim Dolan fired Gordon and Davidson, that was him. Right. He fired his brain trust. That's obviously the owner. Right. But I think this is a Leon Rose thing. Do I believe, according to all the reports, Dolan was there, players were there. I'm sure it was a community decision, but I don't think this is Dolan going rogue. I know that's an easy thing to sink your teeth into because of the history, but I don't think that's the case.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah, I'm with you from everything I know. This was Leon Rose decision and one that the owner then had to. Because again, you had the last say and you trust your people. And that's something that he has said several times whenever he has done interviews. He has made that clear. I have to trust my people and this is the decision they came to. And so he trusted them. And why wouldn't you trust Leon, Rosie?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, no, I agree. Ricky in Queens, you're on ESPN New York.

[Javier]

Hey, guys, good afternoon. I've been listening all day, shocked as everybody and I just had to call and say thank you, Tom Thibodeau, thank you for bringing basketball back to the Mecca. Thank you for bringing the Knicks. I've been watching for. I don't even know how, not as long as Spike, but I've been watching for many years and these last couple of years was great under Tom Tibbel. What more than a championship or Eastern or a finals appearance could we ask for? I don't necessarily agree with it, but you have to trust the people at the top to make the Right decisions. Maybe it's a Mark Jackson, Steve Kerr kind of thing where he took us as far as he could. But thank you. I think our listeners of this station need to reflect and thank Tom Thibodeau and just really be thankful for the great basketball we had and hopefully great basketball ahead. I just hope it's not like Tom Collins and McAdoo when college left. As a Giants coach, I felt like they should have kept him and maybe if he went into that next year with that playoff run, we wouldn't have lost. But I don't want to digress. Thank you, guys. Thank you, Tom.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The thing is, when the Yankees did it, they're held to a different standard, right? They win championships a lot. I don't know. There seems to be like a level of like, you can't, you're not the Yankees. You haven't won since 1973. I mean, this is not.

[Frank Isola]

Tom Coughlin 1, 2, 6, right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I know the expect see this. To me, if they are listening to the fans, and I don't think they are, but this is the negative byproduct of, of how positive the fan base is. Like, the fan base is so into this team, you know, going to the streets on 7th Avenue when they win a game in the first round to just being so confident that they were going to go to the NBA Finals. That were the expectations realistic now, now you're hammering them for not living up to your expectation. But now it adds fuel because it's like the organization agreed with you, right?

[Frank Isola]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, oh, conference finals, not good enough. Really? Like, who were you to say that you haven't done anything. It's your first conference final appearance since 25, and the guy that got you there, you've now declared not good enough. Because to follow the tease that I was going to say Allen is last year, they probably go to the conference final, but they were injured. The year before that, it looked like a huge disappointment. They lost to Miami, but then Miami went on to go on to the NBA Finals, right?

[Frank Isola]

They were a good team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So what are your expectations, man? Like, are we putting this team and I'm including the Knicks in the way, are we overrating this team?

[Frank Isola]

You have to also understand and you trust the reporting because there's guys like Ian Begley who you trust. And if the reporting says that after meeting with the players and exit interviews, they came to that conclusion, that it does kind of feel like a collective feeling that it was time.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, if you heard it from the right people and you already had the thoughts yourself. And maybe it was just a perfect storm.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just, hey, but now the higher is going to ultimately determine how we end up feeling.

[Frank Isola]

I'm really curious, man.

[Alan Hahn]

If it's Woodson and Jace, it's not what you want.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And even after they hire him, you're not going to know until we see how he executes the plan going forward. All right. This was a lot of fun. Dan Grass is coming up next. We'll be back with you again tomorrow at 3 o' clock. We've got the Yankees in play tonight. The Mets are out on the left coast and of course, more after the firing of Tom Thibodeau. Thanks for joining us. Talk to you Again tomorrow on 880 ESPN New York.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Frank Isola]

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

[Don Hahn]

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.