The New York Knicks are NBA Champions for the first time since 1973. Let that sink in. Fifty-three years between titles for one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. The phrase “distance makes the heart grow fonder” applies. As the Knicks clinched their NBA crown, Alan Hahn had a front-row seat to the magic and mayhem that comes with history being made.
“It was amazing to see a championship run by a New York team where the entire city got behind them,” explained Hahn, who has covered the Knicks for the better part of the last 20 years. “Everyone was into this. It made New York City feel like a small town. We’ve never had that feeling where a whole city gathered around a single team.”
Hahn is New York through and through. Born on Long Island, he was raised to follow and play the game of basketball in Suffolk County. After graduating from college, he found his calling at Newsday, beginning in 1995. Over time, he began his beat covering the New York Islanders and Knicks. Hahn later expanded his media career into television and radio. He has been part of MSG Network’s Knicks coverage since 2012 and is also a host on ESPN New York.
This season was different. Unlike many of the past, Hahn reflected that this Knicks team represented the pinnacle of a budding energy that had been building over several seasons. For a fan base that expects disappointment, this year and this team changed a narrative unlike anything seen before.
“Once you understand your potential, you get the glow. Once you get that, you can’t be beaten,” explains Hahn, referencing the plot from 1985’s The Last Dragon in relation to the Knicks’ postseason run. “The Knicks got the glow. To be that close to it, for me, I’ve never covered anything close to that before. Game to game, you just expected them to win. That’s a feeling I’ve never had.”
Lasting Impact Of Knicks In Five
While the scene of New York flooding the streets to celebrate its championship team will last forever, the examination now begins. There will be books, clips, movies, and likely documentaries made about this Knicks championship season. All will examine not only why a city rallied around its hometown team, but also why the country became interested in tuning in at levels not seen this century.
“Knicks fans were always good about showing up to road games. However, I never saw it to this level over the past couple of years,” noted Hahn, who occasionally appears on Knicks broadcasts on MSG Networks in a fill-in capacity. “A lot of people around the country caught onto the vibe. I can’t explain it, but their style of play isn’t surrounded around a singular superstar… They’re entertaining.”
The vibes of the Knicks’ postseason run were measured, witnessed, and recorded in real time. However, even Hahn understands they likely won’t last.
“New Yorkers are inappropriately insufferable. Eventually, I imagine the rest of the country will just say enough of this and it will get back to normal,” joked Hahn.
An Aid Into Afternoon Drive
There are plenty of benefits that come from positive vibes and championships in any market. For Hahn, the Knicks’ run has helped him connect with the audience of ESPN New York in afternoon drive alongside Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg. Last January, Hahn took on the role of hosting in the daypart Michael Kay owned for nearly 20 years.
It’s not easy to replace a legacy talent on any radio station. The challenge involved inserting himself into a program where two-thirds of the cast remained intact. Add in the task of replacing Kay in a daypart regarded as sacred ground in New York sports radio, and the pressure only increased.
Even today, Hahn admits he still battles occasional imposter syndrome.
“A year and a half later I still feel like I’m trying to deal with it. Trying to not feel like I’m filling in for Michael [Kay],” explained Hahn. “I know people want to hear Michael, and that’s also in the back of my mind. However, being someone that has been connected to the Knicks like I have has helped a lot with the audience.”
The trio of Hahn, La Greca, and Rosenberg were not strangers. All three had shared the hallways of ESPN New York for years. While Hahn was covering the Islanders for Newsday, he developed a relationship with La Greca, who was hosting Islanders postgame programming at the time.
As Hahn notes, chemistry is everything when it comes to making a successful radio program work.
“Our relationships were critical for this to work with the three of us. Rather than if I was a total stranger and didn’t know them. I don’t know that would have worked,” said Hahn. “I do think our best is yet to come. We’re still a little rough around the edges. This show will be so much better with time.”
Balancing Multiple Roles
The most unique challenge of Hahn’s role on ESPN New York afternoons is maintaining a high level of performance while balancing his other responsibilities. Hahn is the Knicks’ pregame studio analyst for MSG Network while also working the sidelines for home games. Juggling afternoon drive in New York City along with those duties, Hahn admits, has been challenging.
However, it’s the experience he chose because he wanted the challenge. Hahn isn’t the only member of Don, Hahn and Rosenberg to split time between jobs. Both La Greca and Rosenberg also wear multiple hats. La Greca serves as the television play-by-play voice of the New Jersey Devils, while Rosenberg has expanded his duties with WWE and several podcast projects.
“If you had two hosts that did nothing but the show, and you were the one with all these extra roles. I would imagine those two hosts wouldn’t like that. Because we all understand it, we all support each other with it,” explained Hahn. “However, you got to have a work ethic and an ability to prepare to do it. Those are two of my best off-air strengths. I’m a worker, and I prepare.”
Hahn continues to be a student of the medium, always seeking advice from others. When it was announced that he would replace Michael Kay in afternoons, he sought guidance from people he trusted.
One piece of advice came from someone Hahn had admired from afar for a long time. He recalled a phone conversation with former WFAN host and current SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio host Chris Russo. Russo once dominated afternoon drive in New York alongside Mike Francesa, and their impact still influences talent today.
“The best advice he gave me was about being a listener and listening. That was great. Because when you start something new, you want to hit the ground running and impress everyone. He told me not to get caught up in proving myself and try to do too much,” says Hahn. “He told me to understand that Don [La Greca] and Peter [Rosenberg] had to be let out of the cage as well. If you let that happen, it will all work out and you’ll find your level. That was the best advice.”
Hahn notes that he received great advice from many people. That includes Kay himself, who shared that he should own the expert role he brings while also leaning on the expertise of others. Even 18 months into the role, Hahn continues to receive advice while navigating, alongside La Greca and Rosenberg, the right balance of content in afternoon drive.
Riding The Momentum
What helps more than anything are moments like the one the New York Knicks just provided. Making history while accomplishing a dream many felt would never happen.
The championship banner will eventually rise. The parade confetti put away for another day. The endless debates about where this team ranks among New York’s greatest champions are only beginning. But for Hahn, the lasting memory won’t be the final buzzer or the trophy presentation. It will be the feeling that came with it.
“I thought about writing a book about this experience, but I told myself no. Just leave it to those that have the time to do it right now,” said Hahn, who has authored five books, including several on the New York Knicks. “Maybe one day around the ten-year anniversary or after I retire. Right now, I’m just having too much fun. But I want to be part of the 30 For 30.”
For one unforgettable spring, the largest city in America felt like the smallest town in the country. Everyone was watching the same games, having the same conversations, and sharing the same dream. After 53 years of waiting, the Knicks finally delivered. And for a broadcaster who has spent much of his career telling New York’s sports stories, Hahn found himself at the center of one that generations will never forget.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
