Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: Weekend Warrior & Tummy Time

Release Date: February 1, 2025

Hosts:

• Don LaGreca: ESPN New York and New Jersey legend
• Alan Hahn: Long-time sportswriter and New York Knicks broadcaster
• Peter Rosenberg: Highly opinionated Hip Hop veteran and WWE personality

1. Weekend Warrior: LeBron James and the Lakers' Season

The Weekend Warrior segment kicks off with an in-depth discussion about LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Peter Rosenberg expresses his thoughts on LeBron potentially playing his final game at Madison Square Garden (MSG) against the Knicks.

• Peter Rosenberg ([01:00]): “LeBron James playing at Madison Square Garden Saturday night against the Knicks... This could be the last one. He's very nostalgic about playing in this building.”

• Don LaGreca ([01:55]): “That’s a show that’s a very good one.”

The team debates whether LeBron will receive a proper farewell tour, considering his impressive career statistics and emotional ties to MSG. Anthony chimes in, skeptical about LeBron not having a farewell celebration, suggesting that if the Lakers make a significant run, it might change the narrative.

• Anthony ([02:33]): “Unless something happens this year, like if they go on a run... But otherwise, is LeBron really the guy who's not getting a farewell tour?”

Peter contends that eventually, LeBron will retire but emphasizes LeBron's current performance and the Lakers' standing.

• Peter Rosenberg ([02:27]): “He’s got to leave eventually. At some point, he’s going to call it a day.”

Don LaGreca adds that the possibility remains for LeBron to play next year, given that the Lakers only visit MSG once a year, potentially extending his tenure at the iconic venue.

• Don LaGreca ([03:40]): “The Lakers only come here once a year. So there's the possibility to maybe play a couple more.”

2. Alternate Weekend Warrior Picks

Following Peter's selection of LeBron James ([01:00]), the hosts and Anthony propose their own Weekend Warrior picks:

• Anthony ([05:00]): Chooses Jey Uso from WWE, highlighting his potential performance in the Royal Rumble.

  Anthony: “I’m going with J. USA. If Jey Uso were to go like 55 minutes and win the Royal Rumble, I don’t know how Allen and Don will feel.”

• Don LaGreca ([05:58]): Opts for Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres, noting his impressive goal-scoring streak.

  Don LaGreca: “I’m going with Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres as my weekend warrior.”

Peter defends his pick, emphasizing LeBron's legacy and the emotional connection to MSG.

3. Listener Calls: Don's Appearance on DNR

The podcast addresses a listener named Eric who calls in about Don’s recent appearance on DNR (Do Not Resuscitate), discussing challenges Don faced during the segment.

• Eric ([11:40]): “I just wanted to talk to you guys about Don being on DNR this morning. I thought you were fantast.”

The hosts and Eric engage in a humorous exchange about the difficulties of live broadcasting and handling contentious moments on air.

4. Parenting Segment: The Importance of Tummy Time

Shifting gears, the hosts delve into a discussion on parenting, specifically the significance of tummy time for infants' development.

• Don LaGreca ([28:55]): “The tummy time is extremely important. After like the month or two months, once you start feeling the head getting strong...”

• Anthony ([29:29]): Questions how Don and Alan managed parenting without practicing tummy time, leading to a nostalgic conversation about parenting practices from decades past.

  Anthony: “My question is, if it’s extremely important, how did Alan and Don not do this with their children?”

The dialogue highlights differing parenting experiences and the evolution of child development practices over the years.

5. Quarterback Rankings Debate

A spirited debate ensues over the rankings of current NFL quarterbacks, with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow being the focal points.

• Don LaGreca ([26:01]): Advocates for Patrick Mahomes as the top quarterback, citing his leadership and performance.

  Don LaGreca: “Patrick Mahomes has to be Number one at this point. He plays incredible quarterback.”

• Peter Rosenberg ([27:30]): Commends both Mahomes and Joe Burrow, emphasizing their impact on their teams.

  Peter Rosenberg: “Joe Burrow's been 43 touchdowns. He’s really good.”

• Anthony ([27:54]): Throws support behind Lamar Jackson, critiquing others' choices and defending his pick.

  Anthony: “I think there may be no scarier person, week to week, to game plan for, than Lamar Jackson.”

The hosts weigh in on each quarterback's strengths, playstyle, and contributions to their respective teams, reflecting diverse opinions on the subject.

6. Family Fraudulence and Bronny James

Listener Jacob calls in to discuss the influence of family on sports fandom and his perspective on Bronny James' involvement with the Knicks.

• Jacob ([33:16]): Connects his Yankees fandom to his upbringing and critiques J.J. Redick's motives for bringing Bronny into the Lakers' lineup.

  Jacob: “J.J. Redick gets the gas face... JJ’s done a good job this year, but they’re winning games.”

The conversation shifts to the dynamics of having family members in professional sports and the authenticity of their involvement.

• Peter Rosenberg ([37:20]): Defends LeBron's decision to include his son, Bronny, arguing it's a personal choice and not inherently fraudulent.

  Peter Rosenberg: “As a dad, wouldn't you do it if you could? Of course you would.”

7. Listener Interactions and Name Mispronunciations

The hosts engage with listeners who share personal anecdotes, including struggles with name pronunciations, leading to lighthearted banter.

• Jacob ([33:16]): Highlights the mispronunciation of his name by the hosts, sparking humorous exchanges.

  Jacob: “You call me Javier instead of Javier. I've been calling you for years.”

• Peter Rosenberg ([34:03]): Apologizes for the mistake, adding a personal touch to the interaction.

  Peter Rosenberg: “I apologize. I dig Javi. That's cool.”

Conclusion: Reflections and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the discussions, emphasizing the importance of family, authenticity in sports, and the evolving nature of parenting practices.

• Don LaGreca ([31:07]): Shares insights on historical parenting approaches, contrasting them with modern practices.

  Don LaGreca: “Listen, it's going back to the 1800s. There's a reason why they had like 15 kids...”

• Anthony ([32:36]): Adds a humorous perspective on outdated parenting sayings and their relevance today.

  Anthony: “It's not a vacuum, is what you're saying.”

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg ([01:00]): “This could be the last one. He's very nostalgic about playing in this building.”
• Anthony ([05:00]): “If Jey Uso were to go like 55 minutes and win the Royal Rumble, I don’t know how Allen and Don will feel.”
• Don LaGreca ([26:01]): “Patrick Mahomes has to be Number one at this point. He plays incredible quarterback.”
• Jacob ([33:16]): “J.J. Redick gets the gas face... JJ’s done a good job this year, but they’re winning games.”
• Peter Rosenberg ([37:20]): “As a dad, wouldn't you do it if you could? Of course you would.”

Final Thoughts:

In this episode, Don, Hahn, & Rosenberg navigate through a blend of sports analysis, personal anecdotes, and listener interactions. From debating LeBron James' legacy to discussing modern parenting practices and quarterback rankings, the hosts provide a comprehensive and engaging conversation that appeals to sports enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. The blend of humor, insightful commentary, and relatable topics makes this episode a standout installment in the series.