Hour 4: Last Call Crew

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: Last Call Crew

Release Date: June 4, 2025
Guests: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: ESPN New York and New Jersey

---

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage

The episode begins with Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg engaging in light-hearted banter about music and popular culture references. They delve into the meaning of the phrase "castles in the sky," with Hahn humorously questioning its imagery:

• Don Hahn [00:43]: "Why isn't it just a castle goes into the sky?"

This playful exchange sets a relaxed tone before transitioning into more substantial sports discussions.

2. Tom Thibodeau's Firing and Coaching Reactions

A significant portion of the episode centers on the recent firing of Tom Thibodeau, the New York Knicks' head coach. The trio discusses reactions from established coaches and the implications for the team.

• Peter Rosenberg [01:35]: "Let's hear some established coaches reacting to Tom Thibodeau's firing. Do we want to hear from Rick Pitino?"

They present insights from Rick Pitino and Rick Carlisle, highlighting their surprise and respect for Thibodeau's contributions:

• Rick Carlisle [03:06]: "I have great respect for Tibbs. I go back with him a very long way. And I was surprised."

The conversation underscores the unexpected nature of the firing, with Butler commenting on the collective shock within the league:

• Ty Butler [04:24]: "It was very few people that really felt like this was an anticipated move, at least right now."

3. The Impact of Coaching Changes on Team Success

Hahn, Butler, and Rosenberg explore historical instances where coaching changes led to immediate championship success. They reference a list they compiled, noting five key examples where replacing a coach resulted in swift triumphs.

• Peter Rosenberg [05:19]: "We made a list of five examples. The best changes that were made that led to immediate championship for a team that had a coach and he was successful, but the team fired him anyway, brought in a new coach, and that new coach took that team to a championship."

Butler adds perspective on the risks involved:

• Ty Butler [05:50]: "It's either going to be a colossal disaster or be amazing. Like the amazing is. Is that they win the title. That's the reason they're trying to do it. But there's a lot more ways you can go sideways and just be a disaster."

This discussion highlights the high-stakes nature of coaching decisions in professional sports.

4. Caller Interaction: NHL vs. NBA Finals Ratings

The hosts take a call from Howard in Boston, introducing a two-part question focusing on NHL Finals ratings compared to the NBA Finals.

• Howard [06:10]: "The Knicks are 16 and 26 each of the last three years against playoff teams in the NBA. That is just not a good body of work, you know?"

The conversation pivots to the competitiveness and viewer interest in the NHL versus the NBA, debating which series might draw more casual viewers.

• Peter Rosenberg [20:17]: "It's the Stanley Cup Final. I think it just comes down to this. What's more competitive do I think it's possible that if OKC wins four straight all by 20 points and we get a best of seven where you get maybe three games go overtime, there may be a game that surpasses an NBA Finals game."

5. Knicks' Coaching Staff and Jalen Brunson's Role

Howard raises a pertinent question about the future coaching staff of the Knicks, specifically regarding Jalen Brunson's father.

• Howard [06:38]: "What do you think ends up happening? Jalen's dad, does he get onto the new staff or do the new coach?"

The hosts discuss the delicate balance of maintaining team chemistry and respecting existing relationships within the organization.

• Peter Rosenberg [07:24]: "It is a very interesting question. I don't think I'd be surprised if it was forced on the new coach."

This segment emphasizes the complexities involved in restructuring team dynamics after a coaching change.

6. Highlight on Lois Boisson's Tennis Achievement

The discussion shifts to tennis, celebrating the remarkable performance of Lois Boisson, a 22-year-old player making waves at the French Open.

• Don Hahn [14:34]: "Lois Boisson is this incredible player who's ranked outside the top 500. 22 years old and this run really is epic."

They marvel at her unexpected success, highlighting her journey from being a qualifier to reaching the semifinals.

• Peter Rosenberg [15:59]: "She's reaching the semis. The third woman in the past 40 years. In her Grand Slam debut as an unranked, she was a qualifier."

This segment showcases the hosts' appreciation for underdog stories in sports.

7. Debate on the Next Face of the NBA

A spirited debate ensues regarding who should be considered the next "face of the league" in the NBA, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) being a focal point.

• Peter Rosenberg [21:16]: "Is SGA the best player to wear a Thunder uniform? I'm just not ready for stuff."

The hosts weigh the merits of current stars like LeBron James against emerging talents, discussing the criteria that define a league's face.

• Peter Rosenberg [23:02]: "I was going to ask you about it. Yes, please. I was going to ask you about it."

Despite differing opinions, the conversation underscores the importance of star power in driving league popularity and engagement.

8. Responding to Listener Feedback on Coaching Lists

In response to a caller's critique, the hosts defend their previously mentioned list of impactful coaching changes, clarifying their selection criteria.

• Peter Rosenberg [24:01]: "Here's why. The list isn't about the coach who replaced him. It's about the coach that was fired. Context and the amount of success that that coach had."

They address the nuances of evaluating coaching decisions, emphasizing that context and individual circumstances play significant roles.

---

Conclusion

Throughout this episode, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg offer insightful commentary on coaching dynamics within professional sports, the impact of leadership changes, and emerging talents that shape the future landscape. Their discussions are enriched by listener interactions and a deep understanding of both basketball and tennis, providing a comprehensive analysis for sports enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes:

• Rick Carlisle [03:06]: "I have great respect for Tibbs. I go back with him a very long way. And I was surprised."

• Ty Butler [05:50]: "It's either going to be a colossal disaster or be amazing."

• Peter Rosenberg [15:59]: "She's reaching the semis. The third woman in the past 40 years."

• Peter Rosenberg [23:02]: "I was going to ask you about it. Yes, please. I was going to ask you about it."

---

Stay Connected:

For more in-depth discussions and expert analyses, tune in to Don, Hahn & Rosenberg weekday afternoons starting at 3 PM on 880 ESPN New York, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

The Starbucks Summer Berry Refresher is officially back. Bold notes of raspberry, blueberry and BlackBerry shaken with ice and poured over raspberry flavored pearls. Try it with lemonade or coconut milk. Available for a limited time. Your Summer Berry Refresher is ready at Starbucks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Ty Butler]

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.

[Ty Butler]

Oh, good job.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Takes them in. He gets it. It's such a beautiful song.

[Ty Butler]

It is.

[Don Hahn]

You like it better than the Will Smith vehicle?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Way better. See, that was you, Peter. You were supposed to come in with that. Castles in the sky. By the way, castles in the sky is a phrase used a lot in music. Sure. What the hell does it mean? It's a castle in the sky.

[Don Hahn]

It's a cloud.

[Ty Butler]

McLean used it, too.

[Don Hahn]

Why isn't it just a castle goes into the sky?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Building castles into the sky?

[Don Hahn]

No, in the sky.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thought it was castles in the sky.

[Don Hahn]

The castle exists in the sky or the castle goes into the sky.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it always confused.

[Ty Butler]

It's used. Don McLean uses it in Vincent. Is it something in a painting? All right, I'm gonna find this out. Now I'm intrigued.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, you look it up because.

[Ty Butler]

Why don't you ask Siri?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, let's do that. Well, in the meantime, let's hear some established coaches reacting to Tom Thibodeau's firing. Do we want to hear from Rick Pitino? First St. John's coach here in New York, former Knicks coach as well.

[Don Hahn]

If I play him out, you know what happened.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Okay. Well, here's Rick Pitino reacting.

[Ty Butler]

You know, I feel bad for Tibbs because I think all of the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He captured all of New York, built something very, very special. A lot of us don't comprehend what happened, but Tips is going to be well taken care of and he'll move on to.

[Don Hahn]

You don't know the pastures.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you think it's going to stay 30 minutes ago?

[Don Hahn]

Only.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Only time tells with those things, so we'll see.

[Ty Butler]

He's not wrong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He made it clear he's not thrilled about this. By the way, why you're hearing music in the background. I believe he's throwing out the first pitch. Yeah, right.

[Don Hahn]

Hello.

[Ty Butler]

He said not to worry about Judge in the postseason. He's going to be fine. He's a big Yankee fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Ty Butler]

Unless the Mets were good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Fraud and whoever wants him throughout the.

[Don Hahn]

First pitch, of course, we got to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Get Patino on just to mess with him about all this stuff. But. All right, so that's. Rick Pitino didn't sound thrilled about it, but any coach. No, Any. No coach likes to see a coach get fired. Nobody, unless you're the guy replacing the coach. Of course, Rick Carlisle is the coach. That kind of led to the firing of Tobit Thibodeau in some ways. So here he is as he's meeting with the media, getting ready for the NBA Finals. Carlisle reacting to Tom Thibodeau being fired.

[Rick Carlisle]

The guys that have been most successful, you know, Red Holtzman, Pat Riley, Jeff Van Gundy, Rick Pitino had a short run, but a very. But a very effective run. And then, you know, there were a lot of lean years and, you know, Tibbs went in there and changed so much. You look at all that and then what happened yesterday. And when I. When I first saw it, I thought it was one of those fake AI things, you know, that no way. This no way possible, you know, And I know how the players feel about him, too. Teams and ownership can make these decisions unilaterally, and it's their right to do that. And so Tom will certainly be fine. I don't think he's going to have any problem finding his next job is just going to depend on when he's ready to jump back in again. But I have great respect for Tibbs. I go back with him a very long way. And I was surprised.

[Ty Butler]

Oh, very thoughtful.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. But again, surprised. Which has been the prevailing reaction. Yeah, it's hard for me, for everybody around the league. I got texts from people that actually are in the league, the NBA themselves. And there was even that same kind of shocked reaction of really, this. Why now?

[Don Hahn]

Silver texture.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was not him. Not Adam. You can't do a drop there.

[Don Hahn]

I was waiting for him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I know, but I would if it was.

[Ty Butler]

We were all shocked. I mean, yeah, was not expecting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was very few people that really felt like this was an anticipated move, at least right now. But the next move, even more obviously shocking.

[Ty Butler]

But back to Rick. He's right. We don't know. We may look back and go. Is the greatest thing never happened to the organization.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We made that list. For those who missed it, today was the list. And we made a list of five examples. The best changes that were made that led to immediate championship for a team that had a coach and he was successful, but the team fired him anyway, brought in a new coach, and that new coach took that team to a championship. There are five instances of that happening, at least on our List. There's five. There was a couple we left off the list that some people believe should have been on it.

[Ty Butler]

Yeah. With Jackson replacing Collins.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. It's just that Jackson never got that team out of the first round.

[Ty Butler]

But there's a lot. There's plenty of examples where it doesn't work. And so far it hasn't worked with the Rangers. Maybe they will eventually get there. Maybe Mike Sullivan's going to be the guy to do it. But it's. It's very interesting. Is it fair to say there's like no in between? It's either going to be a colossal disaster or. Or be amazing. Like the amazing is. Is that they win the title. That's the reason they're trying to do it. But there's a lot more ways you can go sideways and just be a disaster.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Well, it's the Jenga piece. The wrong one gets pulled out. The whole thing can come down, win, or it collapses. Yeah. So it is certainly something to watch. Calls here, boys.

[Don Hahn]

Why not?

[Peter Rosenberg]

800 now. 193776. Let's go to Howard in Boston. Howard.

[Ty Butler]

Hey, Howard.

[Richard]

Hey.

[Howard]

Hey, guys.

[Don Hahn]

How are you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[Howard]

Well, I may be one of the few people that isn't surprised. I'm surprised by the timing about Tibbs. But I want to throw a stat at you. And then I also have a question, if you'll indulge me. The stat is this. The Knicks are 16 and 26 each of the last three years against playoff teams in the NBA.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That.

[Howard]

That is just not a good body of work, you know?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ty Butler]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This year, especially this year, the most notable one.

[Howard]

But you know, people have short term memory, right. They think it's about Saturday night. It's not about Saturday night. Anyway. Hey, so the question I have, unless you guys have addressed it, sorry, if it's redundant. What do you think ends up happening? Jalen's dad, does he get onto the new staff or do the new coach.

[Don Hahn]

Say goodbye to him?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's interesting. It's a good question. I think a lot of us are wondering that is, does the head coach acknowledge that Rick Brunson and his relationship with Jalen, like that's an important piece to it all. And he does work him out. He trains him. The players all know Rick and he's well liked. So is. Do you consider that a useful piece on the staff? I don't think I'd be surprised if it was forced on the new coach. I think it's one. It's one of those. He could. It doesn't mean Rick Brunson goes away. So he just goes to games now and watches his son play. He lives in New York. But it is a very interesting question.

[Ty Butler]

I would think you don't want to force it. But if I'm the new coach, even if I'm somebody that has a history, why do I want to tick off my best player? You know, if he makes Jalen play better, then that's a reason to have him on my staff.

[Don Hahn]

How big a deal is it really?

[Ty Butler]

I don't not enough that you're going to want to disrupt a guy like Jalen Brunson and upset your all he.

[Don Hahn]

Needs to do is wear a team issued sweatshirts sometimes and stand on the sidelines.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But seriously, if you think about it, you probably already have Jalen feeling away because there's you got to think that the way Jalen feels about Tibbs, that he's not thrilled about this already.

[Ty Butler]

And that's why you got to be careful.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah this is an ad by BetterHelp for Mental Health Awareness Month. BetterHelp surveyed 1600 people across 23 countries for its first ever State of Stigma report and found that while 75% of people believe it's wise to seek support, only 27% of Americans are in therapy. When people hesitate to get help, it doesn't just affect them, it impacts families, workplaces and entire communities. Let's encourage everyone to take care of their well being and break the stigma. The world is better when people are healthy and happy. With over 35,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. Plus switch therapists at any time. We're all better with help. 72% of better help members report a reduction in symptoms. Visit betterhelp.com timeout to get 10% off your first month of therapy. That's betterhelp.com timeout.

[Advertiser]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void? Well, with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers. You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company seniority, skills. Wait, did I say job title yet? Get started today and see how you can avoid the void and reach the right buyers with LinkedIn ads. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started at LinkedIn.com results, terms and conditions apply.

[Ty Butler]

You guys, it's been a while, but you ready for some Richard?

[Don Hahn]

I'm always ready for Dick, I guess.

[Ty Butler]

Interesting. So let's go. Richard in Manhattan. What do you got going on?

[Richard]

Don, Peter Allen. Did you guys see this girl from the French Open, ranked 300. She beat the number three seed, number five seed. She's playing tomorrow. Unbelievable. Can you back to back the 3 and 5 seed?

[Don Hahn]

Who is. What's her name?

[Richard]

Russian girl, lives in Europe. I don't know her name. Russian girl, 360, fellas. Devin Williams, six straight games, eighth inning, pitching. He was perfect. You put him in the ninth inning and look what happens. You don't do it. Why change him? If you have a good thing, put somebody else as your closer. I mean, eventually he'll close. You don't need it right now. He was great. In the eighth inning, some unknown coaches who did pretty good for us here in New York. Red Holtzman, he was a scout. Ali Sherman was a coordinator. Three championships. Bob Lemon took over for Billy Martin. He did pretty well. You know, the Knicks were outscored by Indiana in the six games. Outscored 701 to 690. So the average score was 117 to 115. And Carlisle is a genius. And Tibbs is kicked out. I don't feel Sorry for Tibbs, though. He's going to get 30 million sitting on the couch, fellas, from April 24 to May 31, that's 38 days. The Knicks were exhilarating. They went 10 and eight. And in those 38 days, boy, they kept me so engaged. I am so thankful to the Knicks organization and what the Knicks did. And one last thing, you guys were talking about great TV shows, fellas. Mary Tyler show spurned off eight, eight stars. You had John Amos, who went to Happy Days.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good Times.

[Richard]

Ed Asner, ted knight, Gavin McLeod, Betty White, Cloris Leachman, Valerie Harper and Georgette Engel. All eight of them became bigger stars after they left Mary Tyler Moore show. And that was a great show. So there's no show that can compare with that show.

[Ty Butler]

Thank you, Richard, for the call. It is one of my favorite shows. The one thing he said that bothers me is that, don't worry about Tibbs. He's fine. He's going to make $30 million sitting on his couch is what Richard said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He'd be miserable sitting on his couch.

[Ty Butler]

If you know the history of Tom Thibodeau. Unmarried, apparently married to the game. He was engaged, I guess, years younger, man. And broke it off six weeks before the wedding because he realized I can't be fully committed to coaching if I'm going to be in a relationship, be married, have a family. He has committed his entire life to coaching basketball. So, yeah, don't feel sorry for him financially. He's sitting on $30 million, but he's sick right now. He would trade that $30 million for a chance to be able to coach in the NBA again. Seriously, he has committed his life to this. And I think everybody that gets on that level has committed is similar. So there's nothing like the humiliation of being let go. And I don't think the $30 million.

[Don Hahn]

I won't make up for it is.

[Ty Butler]

Going to make up for that.

[Don Hahn]

I don't see him, you know, the man. It's just he doesn't seem like he's going to the Benz dealership and Louis Vuitton to, like, make himself feel better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's not going. And he's also not going to, you know, some Caribbean island and enjoy itself. Like, that's just not who he is.

[Don Hahn]

And I'll probably botch her name, but Lois Boisson is this incredible player who's ranked outside the top 500.

[Ty Butler]

Wow.

[Don Hahn]

22 years old and this run really is epic. She's reaching the semis. The third woman in the past 40 years. To reach the semis. In her Grand Slam debut as an unranked, she was a qualifier.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So wild card, Lois Boisson.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That is not Russian.

[Don Hahn]

It doesn't feel like. Look, there's a. There's a. There's the two dots over the I. What does that mean?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Swedish, right? That's not Swedish. With the. Is that the umlaut and.

[Don Hahn]

Yes. And B, O, I, S, S, O, N is not giving Russian at all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That feels very Swedish.

[Ty Butler]

We're going by Richard, so let's relax.

[Don Hahn]

But he did give us some information.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can't the Google tell us.

[Ty Butler]

Yes, he gave us.

[Peter Rosenberg]

She's French.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, she charged. She's a charger.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, wait a minute.

[Don Hahn]

She's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, French Open.

[Don Hahn]

He missed the biggest part of it. From Roland Garros.

[Peter Rosenberg]

She's from Roland Garros.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, it says from. From the tweet. It says, local hero making history at home.

[Ty Butler]

How about that?

[Don Hahn]

He's. That's amazing. But Richard, who loves storytelling, he left a huge part of the story.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Isn't that. That's John McEnroe at the US Open, right?

[Ty Butler]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just. Isn't it the same thing? Forest Hills, where he kind of grew up learning how to play, Being in the US Open isn't that same thing?

[Don Hahn]

And by the way, this is a person who, you know, this tournament starts, she's playing on the last court for furthest, and now she's playing in the semis. It's pretty cool.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tremendous. Smart Water alkaline with antioxidant. 9.5 pH now in cans.

[Ty Butler]

Mmm, refreshing.

[Don Hahn]

Made for every way you move. Should I run a marathon?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's start with finishing that water. Smart Water Alkaline with antioxidant now in a sleek can. For those with a taste for taste, grab yours today.

[Advertiser]

This episode is brought to you by Chevy Silverado. When it's time for you to ditch the blacktop and head off road, do it in a truck that says no to nothing. The Chevy Silverado Trail boss. Get the rugged capability of its Z71 suspension and 2 inch factory lift, plus impressive torque and towing capacity thanks to an available Duramax 3 liter turbo diesel engine. Where other trucks call it quits, you'll just be getting started. Visit chevy.com to learn more.

Summer's here, and Nordstrom has everything you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Need for your best dress season ever.

[Ty Butler]

From beach days and weddings to weekend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Getaways in your everyday wardrobe, discover stylish.

[Advertiser]

Options under $100 from tons of your.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Favorite brands like Mango Skims, Princess Polly and Madewell.

[Advertiser]

It's easy too with free shipping and free returns in store order, pickup and more. Shop today in stores [e-mail] or download the Nordstrom app.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Ty Butler]

Nestled in the heart of the Riviera Maya Fairmont Mayakopa offers a luxury escape like no other. Ideal for travelers seeking a summer getaway, this stunning resort boasts pristine beaches, lush mangroves and world class amenities including the award winning Fairmont Spa and the world class El Camino Golf Course. The home of the LPGA Live and PGA Tours. ESPN New York will be sending one lucky winner and guest to see this all inclusive resort for seven days and six nights including round trip airfare, airport shuttles and a day on the golf course for trip to Tales. And to enter check out the ESPN New York app and find the Fairmont Mea coppa tile. You don't know to submit your entry. Let's take a couple of calls. Before we bring in Tyler. Let's go to Robert in Manhattan. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Rob?

[Caller]

Good evening, gentlemen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hi, Fred.

[Caller]

My first question, I had a two part question. The first one is for Don. Do you happen to know, sir, what the ratings were for the four nations competition?

[Ty Butler]

I just know that the championship game was nine million.

[Don Hahn]

Big number.

[Caller]

Okay. Is that good?

[Don Hahn]

Very good.

[Ty Butler]

That's for hockey. It's outstanding. Yes. And it's a very good rate.

[Don Hahn]

That's like a. It's like an NBA Conference final Laker game. That's a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a big U.S. canada, 4.4 million viewers. The making it the most watched NHL affiliated telecast in the past two years. The championship game between the same two countries was watched by 16.1 million viewers. In North America, 9.3. Like Don said, the United States.

[Don Hahn]

All right, what else? What do you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

More than what they had in Canada. That's pretty.

[Caller]

Okay, here's my second question. Casual sports person, what would you think they'd rather watch? Now look, I'm sure that the NBA is kicking themselves in the. You know where. Because you know, they didn't want Indiana and O.C. oKC.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Caller]

I can tell you that for sure. In fact, I'm willing to make a bet with anybody. I won't take it to the bank that the ratings for the cup will be better, I hope, than for the NBA. As far as that's concerned. But if you were the casual, what would you rather watch? OkC Indy or Connor McDavid and Draisaitl versus Florida? And here's what I why I say this could be the X factor to me is the Canadian American rivalry. I don't want to get political about this but I'm sure a lot of people in the United States watched the championship four nations because of what was going on between us and Canada.

[Ty Butler]

People want to see what really made the formations work. Robert is the how much want to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was for this exhibition in the.

[Ty Butler]

Middle of the winter and you can't get more want to than the Stanley Cup Final. I think it just comes down to this. What's more competitive do I think it's possible that if OKC wins four straight all by 20 points and we get a best of seven where you get maybe three games go overtime, there may be a game that surpasses an NBA Finals game. But overall, listen, it's, it's basketball man. It's Susan, it's, it's the worst case scenario. Now if you had Rangers, you know, Rangers, Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final, I think I might have a legitimate chance to beat OKC Indiana. But considering they're not going to get any of the people watching in Edmonton because it's, you know, Canadian. But it's interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I hate. Yeah, I hate to break it to you. This NBA just being what it is will have because the people who don't.

[Don Hahn]

Care about the NHL telling them the name Connor McDavid, isn't that making them go I'm going to watch.

[Ty Butler]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Casuals. But casuals don't know they got to be drawn in by somebody.

[Ty Butler]

Casuals may not know much about Indiana and okc, but it's the NBA Finals. They'll tune in but they're opting which is good. They weren't intrigued by it. They won't watch. You know a good person to ask is Ty, Ty Butler's coming in filling in for Dan Grasse until 9:30. Then we got Mets Dodgers here on 880 ESPN New York. Obviously your sports talk show host and a very good one, Ty. But you're a basketball guy and you know, you do hockey when you have to when the Rangers are in the playoffs and all that for your job. But is this a series that you might peek in on just because it's Connor McDavid and it's a rematch from last year?

[Advertiser]

No. So here's the thing. I'm, I'm going to watch. I'm going to watch it, but only because I have a co worker over at Bleacher Report who's this, like, annoying Panthers fan. So now I'm rooting against Florida, otherwise.

[Don Hahn]

You still wouldn't be checking in.

[Advertiser]

Well, last year, like, once we got, you know, on the verge of history happening, Don and I had you on a show, it became much more interesting. But I mean, candidly, is Connor McDavid getting me into the NHL playoffs? Not really. Unless, you know, unless the Rangers are involved.

[Ty Butler]

And what do you think about this OKC Indiana matchup? As a Laker fan, you don't have a dog in the fight in the sense of being upset.

[Don Hahn]

The Knicks are not a sniff.

[Advertiser]

I'm rooting for Indiana, I'll tell you that, because I'm just not comfortable. And Alan will be a part of these, like, conversations on get up. Is SGA the best player to wear a Thunder uniform? I'm just not ready for stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that in the face of the league thing.

[Advertiser]

Face of the league.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know if you saw.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, I saw. You went crazy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I lost my. I never really like to go unhinged on.

[Don Hahn]

You went full unhinged.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I lost my mind on that topic. When the producers put that stuff out there and you're just like, do we have to really talk about this? And then it comes up in the segment, you're like, okay, you're coming to me. All right, well, this is what you're going to get.

[Don Hahn]

You got good stuff. It was good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ty. I said LeBron James is the face of the league until otherwise notified.

[Advertiser]

Correct.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And there really isn't a next one yet. No one has emerged.

[Advertiser]

But anytime you can involve the big three, KD, Steph and LeBron in a conversation, it becomes interesting. Which is why as the KD guy on the station, I don't. I'm not ready for. Is SGA the best player to wear a Thunder uniform? I'm just not. I'm just not there yet. All time great season league MVP scoring title. I, you know, Western Conference Finals mvp. Finals mvp. I get it. But going that far, that just feels like a get up segment that you're going to be a part of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Think about it though. They win a championship, he's finals mvp. That's one of the great individual seasons of scoring champ. The whole thing. That's one of the great.

[Don Hahn]

Once he does that. And by the way, whatever the reality was when KD was their tyranny, if SGA has this year wins the title, it's over. It's his town.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I agree.

[Advertiser]

No, I get that. Can I, can I quickly just take umbrage with your list? Real?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, please. I was going to ask you about it.

[Advertiser]

So Steve Kerr not being on this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

List, here's why, here's why. Mark Jackson never got that team out of the first round.

[Advertiser]

Doesn't it make it more impressive?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no. But it has nothing to do with Kurt. It has nothing to do with Kurt. It has to do with the coach who was fired. You understand? Like the list isn't about the coach who replaced him. It's about the coach that was fired. Context and the amount of success that that coach had.

[Advertiser]

There's some context.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, who you taking out?

[Advertiser]

Larry Brown.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who are you taking out?

[Advertiser]

Acquired Rasheed Wallace. So Rick Carla didn't have Rasheed Wallace.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Advertiser]

So Dwayne Casey didn't have Kawhi Leonard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay. Again, it still happened.

[Advertiser]

So it's like the concept.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But Dwayne Casey was coach of the year and they fired him and moved on.

[Advertiser]

And then Carlisle went back to join.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The show is the way it goes.

[Ty Butler]

But as somebody that also curated the list with Allen, it's bringing in the fact that where Detroit was the season before, like it's shocking that a team that went to conference final fire their coach. That's why we had the list because the Thibodeau fired where he is. You know, Mark Jackson not being able to get out of the first round is not as shocking as Thibodeau getting fired. Carlilla getting fired, Casey getting fired.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who was coach of the year? Coach of the year. It's amazing. Now let me, let me throw one in that we might have forgotten that someone on Twitter did point out how do we feel about this? 03 Grady Little. 04 Terry Franco was Terry Francona.

[Don Hahn]

That's, that's not bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Grady Little lost famously of course in the alcs.

[Don Hahn]

They were knocking on the door.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's why we did the pretty big one too.

[Ty Butler]

Ty, have a great show. I'll be listening. Good stuff, buddy.

[Advertiser]

Appreciate you guys.

[Ty Butler]

All right, that's Ty Butler filling in for dan grass until 9:30. Then it's going to be Mets and Dodgers game three of their four game set. Back with you again tomorrow at 3:00 clock. We'll start the show on 8:80 and then at 10, 10:50 after 3:30. But enjoy Ty Butler. We'll talk to you Again tomorrow on 8 80, ESPN New York and the SBN New York app.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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 good. 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.