Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 4: Weekend Warrior & Sports Villains
Release Date: January 18, 2025
Introduction
In the fourth hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into a dynamic mix of sports discussions, focusing primarily on football, basketball, and hockey. The episode, titled "Weekend Warrior & Sports Villains," offers listeners a blend of expert analysis, spirited debates, and engaging interactions with callers.
Super Bowl Predictions
Don LaGreca kicks off the conversation by sharing his predictions for the upcoming Super Bowl. He expresses confidence in the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills, citing their performance and resilience throughout the season.
“I believe Ravens Bills is the Super Bowl because I do believe these are two of the best teams.”
— Don LaGreca [00:44]
Don critiques the Kansas City Chiefs, highlighting their impressive 15-2 record but questioning their ability to secure a third consecutive Super Bowl, noting the historical difficulty for teams to achieve such a feat.
“There's a reason why nobody has ever won three consecutive Super Bowls. It’s really, really hard to do.”
— Don LaGreca [01:10]
He further emphasizes his belief that the AFC will produce the Super Bowl champions, anticipating a showdown featuring Baltimore or Buffalo against NFC contenders.
Caller Interaction: Richard from Manhattan
Richard reaches out to discuss the extended football season's impact on lower-ranked teams like the Giants and Jets, pointing out the strain on their players.
“The problem with the longer football season is it's going to be like the Giants and Jets this year... It was torture the last six games.”
— Richard [02:48]
He also brings up the suspension of the Fordham basketball coach for recruiting violations, questioning the severity of the punishment given the program's struggles.
“Fordham has been lousy for 40 years. What kind of recruiting violation could they have been successful with that they should be punished for?”
— Richard [02:58]
Additionally, Richard comments on changes in the Rangers' broadcasting team, noting the absence of longtime announcers Kenny and Dave from live games.
“I just noticed Kenny and Dave, they're not at the games anymore. They do them from the studio. Is that how it works?”
— Richard [04:02]
Don LaGreca responds by explaining the logistical challenges of broadcasting during long road trips and the shift towards remote game calls post-COVID.
“During COVID, games can be done remotely... there’s a lot of logistics...”
— Don LaGreca [04:18]
Caller Interaction: Lang from Connecticut
Lang offers a critical perspective on the New York Knicks, accusing them of lacking mental toughness and exhibiting a pattern of "soft" play. He references specific incidents, such as Trae Young rolling dice on the center court and the Knicks' late-game decision-making against the Sixers.
“The Knicks are lacking a level of mental toughness... they dribbled out the clock... With four seconds left.”
— Lang [07:13]
The discussion heats up as Lang argues that the Knicks need to adopt a more aggressive mentality, akin to a "hockey mentality," emphasizing physicality and resilience.
“Don't show mercy on this. Shoot the ball. Shoot the ball. Don't show mercy.”
— Lang [09:00]
Alan Hahn challenges Lang's assertions by defending the Knicks' strategic decisions, questioning the validity of labeling the team as "soft."
“The preseason hasn't been so good that you were trying to find something to be pissed off about.”
— Alan Hahn [10:23]
The debate continues with discussions about player utilization, team strategy, and mental resilience, ultimately agreeing that while the Knicks have structural weaknesses, labeling them as "soft" overlooks their demonstrated toughness and contributions on the court.
Roki Sasaki and MLB Team Dynamics
A significant portion of the conversation shifts to Roki Sasaki, the highly touted Japanese baseball pitcher, and his recent signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The hosts discuss the implications of rich teams like the Dodgers attracting international talent, potentially creating imbalances within Major League Baseball.
“Japanese player goes to Dodgers... They want to be there because they are in the conversation to win every single year.”
— Don LaGreca [20:17]
Don criticizes the inherent advantages that wealthier teams possess, such as attracting top international talent, which can disrupt competitive balance.
“They want to be there because there's a cachet... it’s bad for the sport because they’re taking advantage of what they are that other teams just can’t do.”
— Don LaGreca [30:23]
The hosts contemplate potential solutions, like drafting international players, but acknowledge the challenges in enforcing equitable opportunities across all teams.
Weekend Warrior Segment
A highlight of the episode is the "Weekend Warrior" segment, where hosts pick standout athletes to watch during the weekend's games.
- Don LaGreca selects Lamar Jackson of the Ravens, anticipating a significant performance in their game against Buffalo.
“I'm gonna go with Lamar Jackson in the Ravens big win in Buffalo on Sunday.”
— Don LaGreca [21:34]
- Alan Hahn opts for Saquon Barkley of the Eagles, hoping for a breakout performance that could propel Barkley into megastar status.
“I want to make Saquon Barkley my weekend warrior.”
— Alan Hahn [21:55]
Don concurs with Alan's choice, while Peter Rosenberg humorously mentions Jaden Daniels, adding levity to the segment.
“So lazy.”
— Peter Rosenberg [22:46]
Discussion on Sports Dynasties and Competitive Balance
The conversation transitions into a broader discussion about sports dynasties and the challenges they pose to competitive balance, particularly focusing on the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL and the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB.
Lang shares his frustrations with dynastic teams, arguing that financial disparities lead to unequal competition.
“The Dodgers are a rich team... the Pirates can’t do it.”
— Lang [27:00]
Don defends teams like Kansas City, praising their management and resilience within a salary-capped environment, contrasting them with big-market teams that leverage financial power to dominate.
“Andy Reid's really good at what he does... they’ve been picking low for the last decade and still finding players.”
— Don LaGreca [31:12]
This segment underscores the tension between financial might and strategic prowess in professional sports, highlighting the ongoing debate about fairness and competition.
Final Caller Interaction: Jimmy Montclair
Jimmy Montclair discusses the Rangers' playoff prospects, expressing optimism despite a few setbacks. He highlights the team's talent but notes areas needing improvement, such as structure and consistency.
“I see you guys making the playoffs. But you do have a new coaching staff there... you can play a lot better.”
— Jimmy Montclair [32:15]
Don agrees, emphasizing the Rangers' potential while acknowledging the need for disciplined play to secure their position in the playoffs.
“They got to be okay. I'm not sure the Islanders are going to be okay.”
— Don LaGreca [04:18]
Closing Remarks and Host Banter
As the episode wraps up, the hosts engage in light-hearted banter about personal topics, including a humorous exchange about scheduling a vasectomy around the NFL playoff schedule. This segment adds a personal touch, showcasing the hosts' camaraderie and relatability.
“What's the recovery time for a vasectomy?”
— Don LaGreca [36:21]
The hosts also promote upcoming games and tease future discussions, ensuring listeners stay engaged for future episodes.
Conclusion
Hour 4 of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast offers a robust mix of sports analysis, passionate debates, and interactive segments that cater to a diverse listener base. From Super Bowl predictions and critiques of team strategies to discussions on competitive balance in professional sports, the hosts provide insightful perspectives enriched by real-time caller interactions. The "Weekend Warrior" segment stands out as a favorite, allowing hosts to share personal picks and engage in friendly competition. Overall, this episode delivers a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of contemporary sports narratives.
Notable Quotes:
- “I do believe these are two of the best teams.” — Don LaGreca [00:44]
- “The Knicks are lacking a level of mental toughness.” — Lang [07:13]
- “They’re taking advantage of what they are that other teams just can’t do.” — Don LaGreca [30:23]
- “I want to make Saquon Barkley my weekend warrior.” — Alan Hahn [21:55]
Access the Podcast: Listen to more insightful discussions by subscribing to the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast on the ESPN New York app, 880 ESPN, or your preferred smart speaker.