Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

December 24, 2025 – Hour 4: Knicks Preview

Hosted by Pat O’Keefe and Ty Butler (in for Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg)

Main Theme/Purpose

This hour is a blend of in-depth New York Knicks analysis and wider NBA and NFL talk, driven by listener calls and lively host discussion. The tone is classic New York sports radio: direct, opinionated, and a little weary from long-term fan suffering—especially with respect to the Jets. Key subjects include Knicks’ trajectory under new leadership, Mitchell Robinson’s role, NBA Cup reactions, anti-tanking solutions, the Draymond Green–Steve Kerr incident, and the enduring frustrations of New York football fandom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New York Jets: End-of-Season Gloom

[00:53–07:17]

• The hosts lament yet another lost Jets season, zeroing in on long-term dysfunction:
  • “Is there any reason for optimism coming out of this year?” — Pat (01:02)
  • Jacob (Jets fan) immediately: “Nope. Not one thing.” (01:11)
• Discussion of repeated cycles: high draft picks, failed quarterbacks (Darnold, Zach Wilson), and the brief Rodgers era felled by injury.
• Coaching concerns: Uncertainty surrounding Aaron Glenn’s future and a general culture of instability.
  • “15 years in a row…without the playoffs.” — Pat (04:16)
• Frustration at wasting young talent like Garrett Wilson, who leads the team in receiving yards despite being out since October (06:08).
• Notable: Sense that the franchise “does not know what it’s doing” (07:17).

2. Knicks Deep Dive: Roster Maturity & Coaching Shift

[09:15–16:08]

• Call-in from Spike in St. Pete highlights Mitchell Robinson’s value on both ends—“the key player for the Knicks, not the best player”—and praises his progress in foul discipline and rebounding (09:15–11:09).
  • “He may be the best offensive rebounder, per minute, in the NBA.” — Spike (10:09)
• Pat breaks down the Knicks’ recent transition:
  • Tom Thibodeau changed the culture, setting a playoff foundation.
  • Mike Brown’s promotion signals a new phase: “They wanted Mike Brown to have a more egalitarian offense, not so much Brunson-centric…and that has happened.” (12:10)
  • The Knicks are “on pace to win 59 games” (15:50), which would be historically significant for the franchise.
• Emphasis on new priorities: depth (more minutes for Kolek, Shamit), and a focus on keeping players fresh for the postseason—contrasting Thibodeau's and Brown’s approaches.
• Discussion of how regular season rest is tolerated due to the weak Eastern Conference.

3. Knicks Recent Games & NBA Cup Reflections

[27:12–34:58]

• Knicks’ resilience after a home loss to the Sixers and satisfying win over the Heat (despite missing star players).
• Positive NBA Cup experience:
  • “They played…in a tough, physical, hard-fought game against the Magic in the semifinals and the NBA Cup championship…” — Pat (28:15)
  • Knicks “are the only NBA team to reach the knockout round all three years” (29:09)
  • NBA Cup’s aim is “to assign a little bit more intensity, focus, attention, excitement on some regular season games…” (30:30)
• Critique of scheduling disadvantage: Knicks had to play three tough games immediately following the Cup win with minimal rest, potentially leading to a slide.
• Suggestion: League should address scheduling disadvantages for Cup-winning teams (32:47).

4. Anti-Tanking Proposals & League Policy Talk

[34:58–45:01]

• Caller Andrew suggests for tanking: after March 1, lottery teams are locked, or teams compete post–March 1 for draft position based on best record.
  • Pat sees “the inverse lottery” as too favorable to mediocre teams, but is open to the March cutoff concept.
• Another caller (Mark) suggests “forcing teams to win at least 15–20 games or lose lottery odds.”
• Discussion about lottery manipulation (“Part of me thinks the NBA's just kind of telling everybody who's got the number one pick anyway…I don't have any proof, but it is what it is.” — Pat, 45:01).

5. Around the NBA: Draymond Green–Steve Kerr Incident & Dynasty Decline

[35:40–47:17]

• Heated sideline altercation between Draymond Green and Steve Kerr gets dissected.
  • Pat plays postgame reactions:
    • Draymond: “Tempers spilled over, and I thought it was best that I got out of there…just best to remove myself.” (41:15)
    • Kerr: “We had it out a little bit…he made his decision to go back to the locker room to cool off.” (41:40)
    • Kerr clarifies: “No, he wasn’t going back in.” (42:00)
• Pat details the end of Golden State’s championship era: “This era of [Warriors] basketball…has been one of the best eras for any team in the history of the league” (36:20).
• Draymond’s lack of accountability and continuing self-centeredness is mocked.
  • “He is one of the least accountable athletes I think I've ever seen and very, very, very self-unaware.” (43:20)
• Final caller (Tom): “I think [Draymond Green] is sociopathic to the point where it’s dangerous.” (46:50)
• Response: NBA has punished Draymond, but there are ongoing concerns about his behavior being condoned at the team level (47:17).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jets Futility:
  • “Not one thing.” — Jacob, on Jets positives (01:12)
  • “You’re just talking about who you’re going to take at the top of the draft as your next franchise quarterback.” — Pat (01:55)
• Knicks’ New Direction:
  • “They wanted Mike Brown to have a more egalitarian offense, not so much Brunson centric…that has happened.” — Pat (12:10)
  • “On pace to win 59 games. Knicks as a franchise have only won more than 57 games twice in their history.” — Pat (15:50)
• NBA Cup:
  • “If you have to pay players a monetary incentive for those games to implement this tournament, who cares? It’s not coming out of your pocket.” — Pat (30:59)
• Draymond Green, Warriors Frustrations:
  • “He is one of the least accountable athletes I think I've ever seen and very, very, very self-unaware.” — Pat (43:20)
  • “I think [Draymond Green] is sociopathic to the point where it’s dangerous.” — Tom (46:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jets postmortem & franchise woes: 00:53–07:17
• Mitchell Robinson/Knicks culture and coaching shift: 09:15–16:08
• Knicks recent games/NBA Cup recap & criticism: 27:12–34:58
• Anti-tanking proposals: 34:58–45:01
• Draymond Green–Steve Kerr altercation & dynasty decline: 35:40–47:17

Additional Notes

• Throughout, the hosts maintain a conversational, sometimes sardonic and always knowledgeable tone—reflecting classic New York sports radio sensibilities.
• Frequent references to NBA history, the perils of “windows” closing for competitive teams, and the unpredictability of championship opportunities.
• Regular shout-outs given to behind-the-scenes staff and call-in regulars, fostering a sense of community.
• Knicks coverage is layered, acknowledging past failures, crediting culture change under Thibodeau, and optimism about the new direction under Mike Brown.
• NBA Cup segment argues decisively for its entertainment value, while also urging the league to fix new scheduling problems.
• The episode ends on a typically skeptical New York note—whether about the Jets’ future, the NBA’s commitment to anti-tanking, or the Warriors’ decline.

This hour provides an essential, thoughtful catch-up for any New York sports or Knicks fan, combining sharp analysis with relatable fan angst—and the occasional well-earned exasperation.