Hour 4: Steve Novak

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: Steve Novak (May 19, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this lively, high-energy fourth hour, the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg crew (Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and Don La Greca) welcome former New York Knick and NBA sharpshooter Steve Novak to break down the Knicks’ looming Eastern Conference Finals matchup. The episode blends locker room banter, candid basketball analysis, and a celebration of New York sports culture—plus plenty of tall guy jokes, career reflections, and Knicks playoff optimism.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Steve Novak’s NBA Reputation: The Tallest NBA Player Never to Dunk

• The hosts open by poking fun at Steve Novak’s unique NBA stat: he is reputedly the tallest player (6’10”) to never record a dunk in his entire NBA career.
  • Alan Hahn and Don La Greca tease Novak about his height and not dunking, which Novak good-naturedly accepts.
  • Memorable moment: Novak retells when Sports Illustrated called him to confirm he never dunked (05:17):

    “We believe you are the tallest player in NBA history never dunk. And congratulations. And I... I was like, no, I think I dunked. I think I dunked a time or two. I actually thought I did. Oh. And I did not.” – Steve Novak (05:17)

• Discussion on the NBA’s evolving emphasis on three-point shooting and how Novak’s perimeter specialization fit—then, as now.
  • Novak:

    “I was told in the NBA, you do your job or you're going to come sit right over here. It wasn't about, can you rebound? … If you make shots, you stay in the game. If you don't, you're gonna come.” (06:32)

  • Reflections on his limited opportunities to shoot compared to today’s game—"I would've loved to have gotten 13 threes up per game" (07:43).

2. The Evolution of the NBA and Shooting Culture

• The group laments how much more three-point shooting is encouraged and valued in the current NBA, compared to even ten years ago.
  • Alan Hahn:

    “A player of your size... Now you'd be—they'd be telling you to chuck it even more. Like, I'm sure you'd be getting up...You only took five a game. We need you to take...” (07:07)

  • Steve Novak:

    “The side of me that is truly jealous is…they would say that you're settling. You can't shoot too many threes. Teams are living and dying by shooting the three ball and have been told, hey, we've got to have you shoot the ball more.” (07:43)

  • Steve points to Sammy Hauser (Boston/Milwaukee) as an example of a modern Novak-type, given “the green light.” (08:13)

3. Knicks Playoff Fever and Series Preview

• Steve is enthusiastic—but realistic—about the Knicks’ hot playoff start and the importance of rhythm vs. rest going into the Eastern Conference Finals.
  • Steve Novak:

    “…My feeling is that this Knicks team was playing the kind of basketball that I feel like most teams never get to in the season where they were so hot. ... But nine days is a long time.” (08:40)

  • Touches on the challenge of coming back after a long layoff while the Cavs are still in playoff rhythm.
• Reflection on last year's Game 1 collapse and its psychological impact.
  • Novak:

    “I think a ton, really. Especially if you're those guys. ... the coaches are doing their job, they're bringing that up...So coming out, starting right, ...that you might be in better shape for seven games, but the first quarter of the first game is really important too.” (09:55)

4. NBA Career, Finances, and Locker Room Respect

• The crew jokes about career earnings, NBA “legend” status, and the perennial sports analyst/player respect dynamic.
  • Alan Hahn, on Google searches for ex-players:

    “The first search is wife. The second one is where did he play on Google.” (03:14)

  • Don La Greca, on Hall of Fame status:

    “…My birthday's coming up in a month. I dunk every year on my birthday. You're 55 this year. And I will dunk again. I will until I die.” (04:18)

  • Novak: “Is it not true, though?”—on non-NBA players as respected analysts (11:03).
• Lighthearted jokes about locker room cursing and Novak’s previous on-air slip.
  • Don, on Novak’s prior “curse” on air:

    “You are one of our rare guests it actually has had to be dumped on the show because you've draw. You dropped a...Yeah, he said already...” (11:15)

  • Novak, riffing on ex-teammate Rasheed Wallace: .

    “I played with Rasheed Wallace. I can say the S word. Come on. Are you kidding me?” (12:24)

5. Predictions and New York Sports Legacy

• As the live scene builds at Madison Square Garden, the hosts reflect on ESPN New York’s 25-year championship drought with the Knicks, Rangers, Jets, and Mets.
  • Discussion on long-suffering fandom and the hope/pessimism balance.
  • Alan Hahn’s prediction: “I think the Knicks win the series in five.” (20:27)
  • Peter Rosenberg: “Knicks in six...I don't think the Knicks will ever be in trouble.” (20:06)
  • Importance of not underestimating the Cavaliers, and respect for their team construction and recent addition (James Harden).

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Steve Novak on missed dunks and three-point shooting:
  • “I have to admit, I was honestly surprised when Sports Illustrated called...We believe you are the tallest player in NBA history never dunk. … I was like, no, I think I dunked. … And I did not.” — Steve Novak (05:17)
  • “I would have loved to have gotten 13 threes up per game. I just think about what games could have happened if you have the green light to shoot 13 if they're there.” — Steve Novak (07:43)
• Alan Hahn, reflecting on perceptions of non-player analysts:
  • “Everybody knows that a lot of players don't really respect the analysis from a non player.” — Alan Hahn (03:30)
• Don La Greca, on ESPN NY’s championship drought:
  • “In those 25 years, none of those teams have ever won a championship…and the closest they came was when the Rangers went to the Stanley cup final in 2014.” (18:56)

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Segment Timestamps

• Playful banter about Novak’s height and non-dunks: 01:14–06:55
• Three-point shooting and NBA evolution: 06:55–08:31
• Knicks playoff analysis and series preview: 08:31–10:33
• Career reflections, respect, analyst status: 10:33–12:30
• Live from MSG / predictions & NY sports reflection: 17:44–22:56

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Tone & Atmosphere

• The episode is marked by camaraderie—lots of inside jokes, self-deprecating humor, and quick back-and-forths reminiscent of both a sports bar and a Knicks locker room.
• The hosts and Novak riff on basketball culture, making even advanced stats and playoff anxiety funny and relatable.

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Conclusion

This episode is a lively intersection of basketball nostalgia, sharp NBA breakdowns, camaraderie, and New York sports culture. Steve Novak proves an engaging guest—happy to laugh at himself and offer real basketball insight, while the hosts channel both the hopes and wariness of Knicks fans heading into a high-stakes series. For fans or curious listeners, it’s a fun window into the energy and optimism around Madison Square Garden this playoff season.

Transcript

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[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Steve Novak]

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 live

[Peter Rosenberg]

at the Garden Plaza 33 is the site.

[Steve Novak]

We love this guy so much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it was during the Atlanta series we wanted to bring him back as the Philadelphia series was so quick.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That the. We had to bring back Steve Novak and joins us here on Don on Rosenberg. What's up, buddy?

[Alan Hahn]

Hey. Hey.

[Steve Novak]

Good to be here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was not here last time, but

[Don Hahn]

now I can stay.

[Alan Hahn]

I brought the good weather, though. It looked like something last time.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, it was a little cold. Alan didn't, he didn't prepare me. I didn't have my trench coat. He did heaters. I was freezing. But now it's nice.

[Don Hahn]

You acted like you could handle it, though. You're like, oh, from Wisconsin. This is not cold.

[Alan Hahn]

Why are you guys standing?

[Don Hahn]

Because if he's gonna give you my chair.

[Steve Novak]

No, I, I don't want to take your chair.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I want you to have my chair. I can't have standing near me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was very disrespectful.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

I insist.

[Alan Hahn]

That's called mogging. You cannot mog me in that way.

[Steve Novak]

That's what the kids are saying. Mog. Yeah. That's a big.

[Alan Hahn]

That was a mog situation. You just walk up and how, how tall are you?

[Steve Novak]

Six, nine, six.

[Don Hahn]

Nah. Come on.

[Steve Novak]

Six, ten. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

God, aren't you. Aren't you so glad you played ball? Because isn't it. It's just the worst when people. If you're 6, 9, 6, 10, you didn't play ball.

[Steve Novak]

This is true.

[Alan Hahn]

They asked the question. And then when you answ.

[Steve Novak]

I love that you know this.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, I've experienced it.

[Steve Novak]

It's like a tall guy. Yeah, I know.

[Alan Hahn]

I've been around Enough of the tall.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

I work in wwe. There are many people who are tall, but they didn't play ball. And it's like everyone comes up to them, they go, you play ball? They're like, no, I'm a wrestler.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

It's like, oh, all right.

[Steve Novak]

So true. I see.

[Alan Hahn]

It's like they're, they're disappointed in you.

[Steve Novak]

They are. And if you didn't like you said, they say, oh my God, what a disappointment. And I always think to myself, I'm so grateful that I get to say yes. Yeah, you did. And that's all good because otherwise it would have been such a wasted time. I know that's what you would have said.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what was wasted on you? Like you're not human being.

[Don Hahn]

Can I tell you what's worse? Did you play? Yeah. Play in college? Yeah. Play pro? No. You probably weren't very good.

[Steve Novak]

St. Anthony's not enough.

[Don Hahn]

Damn.

[Steve Novak]

Wait, hold on.

[Alan Hahn]

They don't stop it. They don't go D1.

[Don Hahn]

Oh. It's all like, it just gets crazy. Where'd you play? And then it's just like, oh, did you play pro?

[Steve Novak]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, and they give you that look like China overseas. Very good.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you know, Israel, Europe, something.

[Don Hahn]

And also because you couldn't play in Ireland. They're all small.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How many people do you think, like watch Nick games and they see how tall he is and he analyzes the game and they go to like on their Google basketball reference to look for Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

Dude, have you made the same Go first. It's definitely first.

[Don Hahn]

The first search his wife. The second one is where did he play on Google?

[Steve Novak]

Wow.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, true. First one's wife. Second one is where did he tell

[Steve Novak]

these guys they really do love you? No, I would. You got.

[Don Hahn]

Do not.

[Steve Novak]

No, you got to know someone. Well, yeah, I'm going to Google.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Steve Novak]

Because no, he's gutting me right now.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Everybody knows that a lot of players don't really respect the analysis from a non player.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, that's true.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So the fact that they respect.

[Don Hahn]

Why did you just agree?

[Steve Novak]

Because you're a player. Because no matter what they say, you played in high school, you played in

[Peter Rosenberg]

college, but they also respect his, who he is. So they can look past that deficiency, I guess.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, no, and I, and I, and I. I think my point is that you, you, you were are, by the way. I always think it's more important to say than instead of saying a former this or a former that, it's a legend. And so you can, you can use that as well. Whatever. A D1, D2, St. Anthony, whatever you want to call it. You're. You're a legend. You're a player. They can't say just because.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can also honestly say if you're in a Hall of Fame.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Steve Novak]

Yeah. Whatever the hall of Fame is. Yeah, Whatever it is. You're a Hall of Famer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you in a Hall of Fame?

[Don Hahn]

Two.

[Steve Novak]

Bang.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. But you know what else? Here's the other thing. My birthday's coming up in a month. I dunk every year on my birthday. You're 55 this year. And I will dunk again. I will until I die.

[Steve Novak]

You know what I love about that is they still make the rims that you can lower them.

[Don Hahn]

So dunk. Who booked this guest?

[Steve Novak]

Hey. The guy who's never dunked in an NBA game. Tallest guy to never.

[Don Hahn]

I wasn't going to say.

[Steve Novak]

Is that true? I can make those jokes. Wow.

[Don Hahn]

Basketball reference. I looked it up to make sure.

[Steve Novak]

No, no.

[Don Hahn]

I thought he was kidding.

[Alan Hahn]

Did you dunk in college?

[Steve Novak]

I did.

[Alan Hahn]

And you dunked in high school.

[Don Hahn]

But wait.

[Steve Novak]

I did not. Even by accident. I never had one dunk. I actually.

[Don Hahn]

Not even. Like, he fell down, they got a steal, threw it to him, and then he could have dunked it.

[Steve Novak]

No, no, Alan, that is what the stat means. If you didn't do. Everyone knows.

[Alan Hahn]

He knows what the stat means.

[Steve Novak]

He didn't have to go. But it is. I would say. What about a tip? Tip it.

[Alan Hahn]

A little tap where your hand hits the rim.

[Don Hahn]

You mean he'd have to be near the rim to do that?

[Steve Novak]

Yeah. That is.

[Don Hahn]

This is a three point shooter you're talking about. This is. This man led the league for a

[Steve Novak]

goal 10, which is a dunkin. Jason. That's right. Did you get one of those? I did not. I got none of that. Nowhere near the rim. I have to admit, I was honestly surprised when Sports Illustrated called and said, hey, we're doing an article on the tallest players and never dunk. And they're talking about J.J. berea and little guys. And they were like, we wanted to let you know you're. We believe. We're still digging in the stats. We believe you are the tallest player in NBA history. Never dunk. And congratulations. And I. I was like, no, I think I dunked. I think I dunked a time or two. I actually thought I did. Oh. And I did not.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what? This is unfortunate.

[Don Hahn]

I love.

[Steve Novak]

I'm bragging about not.

[Alan Hahn]

I love it. This is an unfortunate moment because at this time is when I. I don't know you very well. Now. I know that you're a liar. And that's the unfortunate thing, because he had to know. Deep in his soul, he had to know he'd never dunked.

[Steve Novak]

I'm with Allen.

[Alan Hahn]

He had to know. Every player knows whether or not they've dunke. And you're like, no, I think I have. I mean, what's your go?

[Don Hahn]

Ready?

[Alan Hahn]

You just made that up.

[Don Hahn]

Here it is. 11 years in the league. Here's the dunk. Column zero all the way down.

[Steve Novak]

Look, Don, I know I.

[Don Hahn]

Right there.

[Steve Novak]

Right. There's no doubt about that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But what Peter, he knew.

[Steve Novak]

He did. I would counter with this. I will tell you. That's how much it meant to me. I really. It was about like you said, Alan. I was on the perimeter. I was trying to get threes off.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

I was told in the NBA, you do your job or you're going to come sit right over here. It wasn't about, can you rebound? Can you handle? Can you create it? If you make shots, you stay in the game. If you don't, you're gonna come. Are you.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you jealous now?

[Don Hahn]

47 in 2012, this guy led the league.

[Alan Hahn]

So that's an incredible. That's almost 50% more points per shot than a dunk. I can tell you that's exactly right. And I'll tell you, the analytics would tell you to keep doing what you did.

[Steve Novak]

Just saying now. Damn.

[Alan Hahn]

Any part of you jealous, though, that like in this version of the NBA, just 14 years later.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

A player of your size, and obviously they were happy with you shooting it. Now you'd be. They'd be telling you to chuck it even more.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, I'm sure you'd be getting up.

[Don Hahn]

You only took five a game. We need you to take me.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, maybe like.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Get nine or ten up a game.

[Steve Novak]

That. That. The side of me that is truly jealous is they always say, like, can you imagine the money you would have made? Can you. Look, that's what Larry birds. I probably made as much as Charles Barkley. Who knows, right? I'm just saying. Every generation says that.

[Alan Hahn]

So crazy.

[Steve Novak]

For me, it's a. You are lying.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, it's Charles Barkley greatest players.

[Steve Novak]

He made more than me.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I don't know if he did. Maybe after Space Jam and the Nike deal.

[Steve Novak]

I don't know.

[Don Hahn]

We have that number two.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Get career earnings.

[Don Hahn]

But let's put his business.

[Steve Novak]

Finish your.

[Alan Hahn]

Finish your answer. You were going to say it's a Lot of people say it's the money thing. It's not that with you. That's not what you're jealous of.

[Steve Novak]

I would have loved to, like Allen is saying, have been given the minutes and been given the green light, where a lot of times they would say that you're settling. You can't shoot too many threes. Teams are living and dying by shooting the three ball and have been told, hey, we've got to have you shoot the ball more. We've got to run more plays for you. We got to play you more minutes. I would have loved to have gotten 13 threes up per game. I just think about what games could have happened if you have the green light to shoot 13 if they're there.

[Don Hahn]

I just can't imagine if you played for Joe Missoula.

[Steve Novak]

Oh, yeah. I look at, I look at. I like my boy. Sammy Hauser.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Steve Novak]

Marquette guy, perfect example. As close to me as a player as I can imagine in recent years. He gets up so many shots. Yeah, he gets.

[Alan Hahn]

That's such a good point.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah. So I'm jealous of him and I've told him that to his face and

[Alan Hahn]

his $44 million, I'm about to say, and he's gonna crush your financial earnings.

[Steve Novak]

100.

[Don Hahn]

You know what though? With inflation, really, what is it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can't take it with you. Anyway, Steve Novak here getting ready. And the Knicks, what's your feeling on this series?

[Steve Novak]

Boy, I'm excited. It's been a long nine days. I know. And my, my feeling is that this Knicks team was playing the kind of basketball that I feel like most teams never get to in the season where they were so hot. They beat Atlanta by 51 in that last game of the series and then won by 30 and scored 144 points in game four against Philly where they were cooking at 18 threes at halftime. And so by never get to play that level of basketball, I just mean most teams never get that hot, never win by that much, and especially against another playoff team and play that well. So I can't wait to see which Knicks team we see. I assume it is going to be that same well rested, hot team. But nine days is a long time. And so it's my. Also the one thing that stands out to me is the concern of the rhythm and the confidence that a Cavs team has coming in. Yes, they've been in two seven game series and they've been hard fought, but look, they just scored 125 points and had a big game. Game seven went two days ago. And now we're going to see who is in the better rhythm. And I think this first game at Madison Square Garden matters a lot.

[Don Hahn]

How much is last year's game one in the back of your mind as a player? Because you had a double digit lead in your building, let it go, take that loss, and now you're chasing that. How much do you even think about that? Because here you are a year later, back in the same place.

[Steve Novak]

I think a ton, really. Especially if you're those guys. Especially if the coaches are doing their job, they're bringing that up, they're making sure that's at the front of your mind. Because I do think when you hear people say that team's just not ready to win big yet, they just haven't done it. They haven't gone through the struggles. That to me is the stuff that sticks in your head where you go, we remember losing that lead. We remember not being able to close, even though we didn't realize it was maybe the game that mattered. Now you get to start over and you get to have all those things in your head and say, those are really important things. So coming out, starting right, knowing you're the well rested team, that you might be in better shape for seven games, but the first quarter of the first game is really important too.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I agree.

[Alan Hahn]

I have really good news because I wouldn't want you to feel bad tonight, Steve, about anything that's happened here on the show. I'm here to report and the Barkley family can sleep easy tonight.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Charles made nearly double what you made

[Steve Novak]

in your NBA career. Only double. Only double, by the way.

[Alan Hahn]

I know relative 20 years later.

[Steve Novak]

It's not that funny. What are you laughing at? What's he. I can laugh at that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

40:23, right?

[Steve Novak]

He was on the Dream Team. For guys, you had a hell of a. I would.

[Alan Hahn]

I would trade my life for your career, right? Hell, a hell of a career. And now you get to do this. You're pretty good at doing this, too.

[Steve Novak]

I'm having a good time when the. When the team is winning and when guys are making shots. Even guys who didn't play in the NBA like Alan Hans needed to say that. Did you? Is it not true, though?

[Don Hahn]

I know might be the most accurate thing you've ever said on the air. Wow. I have heard, by the way, you have another distinction. Not only are you somebody that did not dunk in the NBA. Oh, you are one of our rare guests. It actually has had to be dumped on the show because you've draw. You dropped a. Yeah, he said already

[Alan Hahn]

cursed on the last time on the show.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, I did.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. You were so comfortable with us.

[Steve Novak]

I cursed.

[Don Hahn]

Yes, you did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

Not a real curse.

[Don Hahn]

Should we play it back for him? I don't know if we still have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know.

[Steve Novak]

There wasn't. There couldn't just be a beat.

[Alan Hahn]

It was bleeped. No, it was bleeding. In retrospect, we had to bleep it, but.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah. Yeah, that's, that's, that's very out of character.

[Don Hahn]

What do you mean? You're very comfortable around us.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, I think so.

[Don Hahn]

You forgot you were on the air. And that's a good thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it was the S word, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yes, it was.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it wasn't bad. Now, by the way, you're not. You haven't caught up with Monica who basically curses during every episode.

[Don Hahn]

Every. Come on, Cat, let's. Let's go shop for shot.

[Steve Novak]

Put the children away. Oh, wait, wait, wait.

[Alan Hahn]

Is that it?

[Don Hahn]

We just heard it.

[Alan Hahn]

Turn it up louder.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One more time.

[Don Hahn]

Come on, Cat, let's. Let's go shot for shot.

[Steve Novak]

If I play more minutes, I might talk more.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Steve Novak]

He just dropped it.

[Don Hahn]

Maniac Rebel.

[Steve Novak]

I played with Rasheed Wallace. I can say the S word. Come on. Are you kidding me?

[Don Hahn]

You've heard worse.

[Steve Novak]

That seem lot of fun. Yeah, it did.

[Alan Hahn]

That was a collection of some badass dudes on that team we had.

[Steve Novak]

Did you hear this? Badass.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, you could do that.

[Alan Hahn]

Badass.

[Steve Novak]

S versus A. No.

[Alan Hahn]

S is way bigger than.

[Don Hahn]

Oh my S is no good.

[Steve Novak]

I don't even know. I mean, I just. Yeah. We're in New York City.

[Don Hahn]

Anything goes. Anything goes. As you can see. And inhale.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah, for sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is great stuff, man. I really appreciate it. Hope we can tap into you later on.

[Don Hahn]

We're about to do a couple of segments on MSG during the pre game show. The hour long pre game show on MSG starting at 7. Steve and I will be here doing a couple of hits together.

[Alan Hahn]

So you're saying you need the people to stay here and support.

[Don Hahn]

Certainly do that.

[Bucked Up Advertiser]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

Listening.

[Alan Hahn]

Go to Turn it on and Cat is here.

[Don Hahn]

Leave it on. Oh, there's Carl. Yeah, come through.

[Steve Novak]

Got some Steve Novak, everybody.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you.

[Steve Novak]

Thanks for having you guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Close it out.

[Steve Novak]

Next 1-800-919-3776.

[Peter Rosenberg]

7:00'.

[Don Hahn]

Clock.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's Pad Kevin Nick's coverage right here on ESPN New York.

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[Don Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Steve Novak]

the moments that live on before and after the game.

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Steve Novak]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Outside Madison Square Garden, Another block party.

[Alan Hahn]

I got news for you. I got news for you, Dom. When we started here, when we started, it was not exactly a scene. Oh God, I've gotten red today, that's for sure.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

But I'll tell you what it is. Now it has officially become a situation here. The fans are out. I'm telling you, Don, I feel like when you turn on the game tonight, you're going to the game.

[Steve Novak]

Yeah. Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

Look at you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Look at me.

[Alan Hahn]

Don legreca is in the building tonight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm in the building. Yeah.

[Steve Novak]

Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

Don legreca going to the game, folks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anthony, it's kind of a. When you have a game that starts at 8 o' clock and we're on the air at 3, but there's tons of people here and they're ready, it

[Alan Hahn]

takes a little time.

[Steve Novak]

Ready to party.

[Alan Hahn]

But we're here now, guys. It is going to be a special time. These, these moments don't come along that often, guys, as we know very well in the city, if you're a, if you're a Jets fan, if, if you're a Mets fan, if that you guys, if you're a Nets fan,

[Peter Rosenberg]

hey, not

[Alan Hahn]

a lot of those here, but you

[Peter Rosenberg]

know how far we want, we want to end a streak.

[Alan Hahn]

Peter yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This station will be on the air September 3rd, 25 years, and we've been the rights holder to the Knicks and the Rangers, the Islanders early on in the station's history, 16 years with the New York Jets. The Mets are now on our air. And in those 25 years, none of those teams have ever won a championship. And the closest they came was when the Rangers went to the Stanley cup final in 2014. Had a couple of championship games with the jets in 09 and 2010, and of course the conference finals many times with the Rangers and with the Knicks last year and now this year. But that elusive championship, is this the year we're going to find out? Things seem to be breaking their way. Spurs with a big win, But I think it's prediction time, Peter. I think it's time to kind of put our money where our mouth is and find out exactly how long this series going to last. I had the Knicks in six against Atlanta. I was right. I had the Knicks in five against the Sixers. I was wrong. They wanted four. I'm going to go with Monica. I'm going to go with the Knicks in six here. I think the Cavaliers will steal a couple of games. I don't think the Knicks will ever be intrigued.

[Steve Novak]

Trouble?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think they'll take care of business here at the Garden. They'll come back to the garden up 3:1, and maybe they'll have to win a game in Cleveland for a game 6. Give us a little bit of a scare. But I do think it's hard to win a championship and you're not just going to cruise. So I'm going to say the Knicks in six. What say you?

[Alan Hahn]

I hear you on the, you know,

[Steve Novak]

it's not a given.

[Alan Hahn]

You're just going to continue to Cruise this team's 17 straight. At some point they will lose a game. I think it'll be one in this series. I think the Knicks a little bit easier than a six game series. I think the Knicks win the series in five. I think they still get a chance to rest for essentially four or five days after the series. To prepare for what would be a brutal final against San Antonio, Oklahoma City. I'm not trying to take anything away from Cleveland. As Alan brought up earlier on the show, if you had gone back to October, this would have been the conference final that most predicted and we're here now. So this is a legitimate team who by the way was legitimate back then and since have added a James Harden which yeah, of course he's 36 years old. It's not prime James Harden, but he is a guy who on the right night could be a problem. Don Like I don't think there's a it would be a huge shock if in one of these nights James James Harden has a huge James Harden 35 point game. But I think the Knicks win in

[Peter Rosenberg]

five and you know we've been talking about the how eerily similar this was to last year where it looked like it broke the Knicks way they they drew the Pacers in the third round. The feeling was they're going to take care of business. They were going to go to the finals and they got bit. I still think there's similarities. But listening to Tim earlier, he reminds us the Pacers blasted their teams in the first two rounds. They got to the I think we overlooked the Pacers last year. I think we disrespected the Pacers. I don't think we're disrespecting the Cavs. I think the Knicks are just better. We might end up being wrong or maybe the Knicks don't live up to expectations. All that's going to be determined on the court. But I think this time around it's not a disrespect. It's just respecting what we're seeing out of this Knicks team. Knicks team is better. This is not overlooking your opponent.

[Alan Hahn]

This is telling it like it is goodness gracious. And the wind is starting to pick up just as we're about to get off the air. In less than a minute we are going to have an hour long pregame with Pat o' Keefe to get you guys ready for Tyler and Monica's big coverage here of game one of the conference finals.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Donald that's right. Have a good time. We'll be back with you again tomorrow.

[Alan Hahn]

You can eat some chicken tenders at 3 o'. Clock.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm going to get they got to be weep worthy. It's the third round.

[Alan Hahn]

The special wealthy tenders if they were

[Peter Rosenberg]

weep worthy in the first two rounds, they've got to be I'm going to say hello to Mike Brady since he disrespected us as he walked by us earlier. Tough moment. Got to find out what exactly happened there.

[Steve Novak]

But you know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Back with you again tomorrow. Three o', clock, Don Hahn and Rosenberg.

[Steve Novak]

Coming up next, it is Pat o'

[Peter Rosenberg]

Keefe with the pregame. Then it's the Knicks and the Cavaliers. Tyler and Monica will have the call. Talk to you more again at 3 o' clock here. Don Han, Rosenberg, ESPN New York thanks

[Don Hahn]

for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to know how the

[Don Hahn]

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.

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