Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 4: "Hahn Solo"

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Alan Hahn (solo)
Podcast: ESPN New York

Episode Overview

Alan Hahn flies solo for the fourth hour, digging deep into the state of the New York Knicks following a tough road loss in Miami. Responding to calls for more Knicks talk, Hahn takes advantage of his solo airtime to offer clear-eyed analysis of the team's strengths and weaknesses, what they need to become championship contenders, and responds to fans’ trade hypotheticals and roster questions. The hour is filled with nuanced breakdowns, spirited debate, and a uniquely “Knicks fan” perspective that leans critical but still carries hope.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Knicks Loss in Miami & Recent Performance

Timestamp: 01:20 – 07:30

• Recap of Miami Game: Knicks lose 115-113 in a tight, grind-it-out game, missing key players Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby. Hahn notes the particular challenges of NBA “home and home” series and credits Miami’s preparation under coach Erik Spoelstra.
  • "It's hard to sweep a home and home series in the NBA. It's difficult. And so that game was a grinder to the end. And the Knicks still had a chance to at least tie...and they just couldn't do it. You missed Brunson in that situation, clearly." (03:19)
• Clutch Possession Issues: Emphasizes the need for a true ball-handler in late-game situations. The last possession—McBride forced into tough shots, Towns’ miss—highlighted lack of a stabilizing veteran presence off the bench.
• Three-Point Shooting Woes: Only 9 made 3s on 36 attempts (25%). Hahn is confident this won’t be a season-long issue, calls it an off night.

Memorable moment:
"The first shot he took was a weird kind of runner with plenty of time left. But they get the rebound and then they have a stoppage. ...and Deuce drives again and throws up a bit of a crazy shot, misses. And Towns gets it again. And this time his shot, which was like little Dirk fadeaway, rattles out." (05:10)

2. Knicks’ Season Context and Contender Conversation

Timestamp: 07:30 – 13:00

• No Panic Yet: Hahn urges patience—wait for 20 games before making declarations. Knicks and Cavs were pre-season top-3 title favorites behind OKC and Denver. New York has had a favorable schedule but must prove itself on the road (0–4 away from MSG so far).

• Defensive Concerns:

  • "My concern for the Knicks is about their ability to defend.... Teams shoot a high percentage. I think they're like 29th in the league in three-point defense. And in today's NBA...you can't afford that." (10:20)
  • He praises offensive firepower but says “they are not playing championship defense right now.”

• Roster Needs:

  • Lacks “another ball handler off the bench you can trust with the ball in their hands late in the game if Brunson isn’t available.”
  • Needs more length and a “bouncy big man off the bench” with size and wingspan, and a ballhandler who’s “steady...under pressure.”

Notable quote:
"These feel like final pieces to the puzzle-type moves that gonna have to be done before the end of the season if you really want to close the deal." (12:00)

3. Brunson Injury Update & Road Trip Outlook

Timestamp: 13:00 – 18:00

• Brunson’s Status: Grade one ankle sprain; warming up in Miami but not fully active. Likely out a week to two, but “he’s got that Vulcan blood... he could be sooner.” Team is cautious—may wait until fully 100% given this is the same ankle as last year’s injury.
• Upcoming Games:
  • Dallas (Brunson’s old team, personal for him), Orlando (physical and tough), Brooklyn (not contending), Charlotte (pesky team for a road-trip end before Thanksgiving).

Notable insight:
“If you're being smart...you can get a whole like week and a half in, full 10 days if you wait till Saturday and you play the team where you got hurt again. So scene of the crime, Orlando Magic Eastern Conference game.” (17:15)

4. Fan Callers – Trade Proposals & Bench Issues

Timestamp: 21:00 – 29:00

A. Caller 1: Didier – Proposes Trading Brunson for Giannis

• Suggests Knicks would be more complete trading Brunson plus picks for Giannis.
• Hahn: Dismisses idea, says there's “zero chance” this type of trade happens straight-up. Explains importance of Brunson:
  • “Jalen Brunson is the best player your franchise has had in 25 years. He has done more than anyone, including Carmelo Anthony in a Knick uniform since Patrick Ewing.... What you'd be trying to do, and I think what Giannis would want, is to have a guy like Brunson to play with, because that's what Dame Lillard was supposed to be for him.” (15:26–16:05)
• Adds, unless Knicks make the Finals, huge trade rumors get louder next summer, but Brunson shouldn’t be in such proposals.

B. Caller 2: Rob – Why Not Mo Bamba or Bol Bol?

• Wonders why Knicks don’t sign Mo Bamba or Bol Bol as low-cost bigs for depth.
• Hahn: Explains roster realities—30 teams passed on Bamba so far, potential attitude issues, contract guarantees not until January, might revisit after holidays or injury.
  • Also mentions Ariel Hukporti is intriguing but totally untested and Yelli (Yabusele?) might not have NBA size.

C. Caller 3: Ron – Play the Bench More

• Complains rotation is too tight, young guys like Hukporti not getting enough real minutes.
• Hahn: Pushes back; “Mike Brown has finally figured out the rotation... I just think, you know, we're 13 games in, so that's where we're at right now.” (28:13)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Defense:
  "If you want to be a champion team, you gotta play championship defense. They are not playing championship defense right now." (10:43)
• On Jalen Brunson:
  "Please don't anybody come to me with a trade idea that includes Jalen Brunson. Please don't. That guy is going to retire a Knick. He should anyway." (18:32)
• On Roster Holes:
  "I need to find a bouncy big man off the bench who's got...seven-footer with a big wingspan. Like, I need that. And then I need a veteran ball handler, somebody who's steady, who can handle the basketball under pressure, who can make good decisions. Everybody wants these guys." (11:17)
• On Fan Patience:
  "This is as good a Knicks team as we've seen in a long time when it comes to offense and the way they're scoring. But this year is going to be measured on can they get to the Finals, can they play for a championship." (10:55)

Chronological Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–01:15 — Opening remarks; short Mint Mobile ad
• 01:16–07:30 — Knicks-Heat loss recap and postgame critique
• 07:31–13:00 — Knicks’ current status, weaknesses, team construction
• 13:01–17:30 — Injury updates (Brunson, Anunoby); importance of upcoming road games
• 21:00–27:00 — Callers on trade hypotheticals, roster weaknesses, potential low-cost big men
• 27:01–29:00 — Callers on bench usage, minutes distribution, and Alan’s answers
• 29:01–end — Closing, sponsor reads

Tone and Style

• Candid, direct, passionate Knicks talk.
• Quick to correct misconceptions, challenge wild trade proposals, but also open to discussing possible roster tweaks.
• Uses humor (“he’s got that Vulcan blood”) and nostalgia to keep fans engaged and hopeful.
• Empathetic but realistic with fans (“But I'm not ready to start, you know, pulling the plug.”)

In Summary

This “Hahn Solo” hour is a treat for Knicks fans seeking substance over hype. While Alan Hahn remains optimistic about this Knicks squad’s offensive firepower and overall progress, he raises valid concerns about defensive shortcomings and late-game ball-handling depth. Hahn urges patience, cautions against rash trades involving franchise cornerstone Jalen Brunson, and explains with clarity why simply adding cheap seven-footers isn’t a panacea. Future focus: health, smart roster tweaks, and finally getting over the championship hump.

Best for: Knicks fans who want in-depth, intelligent, real-time analysis and a taste of lively New York sports talk radio.