Danny Ainge

I joining us right now is a guy who's been a very active very busy in the in the offseason he's wearing is bright and very green time definitely agree Danny -- joins us tonight. It's kind of good receive a max across the table them. Polo back to the very ominous about why it's why did you put it shades on your sunglasses when -- said that he afraid to look at in the you know as we always stars of in the room now I I wide open 50 you'll call them puck alive and -- and I let's be honest -- building it was not now with -- every year and every year in the first first game of the season you what you put the Mike alone beat Connecticut -- due to hold you hold if at all. Adult in my cannot physical that was built from the -- that microphones and that is Robinson around it. That -- about every year we sit here it's dark the Euro was excited about this is usually challenges are excited. -- you feel a lot different this year that you felt.

Illustrious and -- optimists optimistic when the seasons starts but your goals are different. And think last year we were sitting here talking about you know having real high expectations. But every year you know that based on what you have yet to go with a realistic expectations in our expectations are right now. What do -- season it would it would be seen in the pre season that he that you wore amazed that right now. Why I've just been impressed with. Com how the guys have played together now are they play I mean there's if this team I think is going to be a team is going to get better as the season goes along. And I think that they're still trying to figure each other out that the offense has been very simple and doc has really focused on the deep it's -- minute practice. Sessions and feeling like we can score enough points that we really got to establish a foundation of the fence. And I think that that's been impressive how they've bought into it in Pakistan and it jumps on the defense then who what do I have seen so far it's amazing to it is. Kevin Garnett with the enthusiasm that he and what he's brought to the table -- other players. Because it might have come and practice early and leave immediately in in Burke was popular -- you know I -- step my game I got beat her earlier -- run later. I have never. Seen a player in the with the team in it that way. Well you know it's not -- I mean. And in -- always been waived by you know as we we all know here partly -- kind of lost his spirit the last couple years and but Paul has been enemies Paul is there 12 O'Clock in 19 shots that he was there this morning at 8 O'Clock to conditioning. Before the game mean Paul Pierce has put more time Muni in the Kevin Garnett while and I think the Kevin's presence I don't know if that's -- example as much has set the tone for Paul but I think does the fact that Kevin and -- here in this whole. Has really lit a fire under Paul and them. Paul goes about it in different -- KG KG walks into the gym with the energy. You know and Paul's more quietly bad guy especially he likes to work out by himself who likes to do a lot of things by himself -- he's quietly put in unbelievable time in the offseason.

A -- you weren't surprised by those counts today by Paul Pierce in the paper which he was totally unhappy here. But it been on the war won -- he was -- so naturally came back as he believes he should spend his entire career. But he wasn't happy we we would anyway taken back -- now we. That's -- we could happen when I was if you

the I mean it's like you know and it all and you know -- I had many conversations and you know pol. Knew what we were trying to. But he was sure we can pull off do we wicket -- were trying to in his objectives is what were trying to accomplish in the would come a time and and the summer might have been it might have been in this this. Fall where we might have had to say you know it's not going to work were not going to be able to do we need to do we need to do something with Paul. But they did something happen entered the policy will stay here to talk about me. Review happy klesko it is I mean. Run on the treadmill trying to get plays -- trying to -- the big -- drop -- well and you know when you read but you know -- in -- that results and now it's you know. And what's written about you know what it -- that's that goes with the territory you know when you do things -- not work out somebody deserves to be blanked the Mets is so wage is and now. The it's better that I can blame the coaches get blamed Indian and -- you know I've been defended doc publicly for the last couple years because it's true mean. You can't have 101112 players 22 years in under -- expect to win -- expect to be greedy it's a team and the personnel wasn't there and it was unfair to even evaluate anything that he was doing from rotations that beef and set. General the fans moments that's completely unfair. But there when you can and you can see one day in practice. With the presence of veteran players and good players in one day you conceded that -- that and six guys in the and so you know -- answers of course nobody's happy -- I mean I felt for Paul believe me I felt for doc I've been in their chairs before I understand -- players go through and have never been the players that Paul Pierce is but I understand how the media is. And now that the pressure is Paul's team and if they beat Kevin Garnett went 57 games in Minnesota they lose in the first round of the playoffs seven years general people want to blame Kevin Garnett. And he'd have he'd have enough talent around and he got its not even fair we've got beat those guys. And you know the great players of magic and bird and Jordan they had good players they had good players around. But Joe you should not be of of people eventually you keep losing going to blame doc you were 25 games -- as soon as you've thrown makes understands unfair. You have a lot of pressure Boston win and became. You became the loss soldier you know the patriots of the Red Sox and was no Celtics all of sudden. Max and I is from Tobago shall poverty is -- when children had to ask him alone. So that that must be tough for the orchestra I mean I'm not fill in the seats Nolasco and outsold all the money's coming in. We have we we we were not a good team that miss a tackle everybody knows that in you know hopefully we used lot of hopes and a lot of I expectations right now but we were we're not a good team we didn't deserve the recognition that the other teams in town we're getting in got to earn it.

Let me ask you about the personnel that you build around these three players you bring in Posey -- house -- talking earlier about Scalabrine. You put him on bad team he's asked to do an awful lot to -- on this team. And you play to his skills which might be it the three of playing defects did you purposely but you're looking at these guys -- obviously at the that a lot of money she couldn't like get 567 million dollar players. We you'll look at -- these guys were you trying to fill specific goals of feeding off of these three players like specific small skill and I don't mean their limited players. But they they feed off of one skill well.

You know that there -- guys that we like before but yes the the answers yes we need we need people that do one thing while and they'll roles mean Eddie house comes in he can fill it up. And he's he's a weapon for us. And Scot Pollard he's an experienced big guys can throw big body -- knows how to pass he's one of the best offensive rebounder in the game sleep that you just try to fill holes that well where you need bodies to fill in -- I feel very fortunate with some of those guys that -- that wanted to come play because of -- the Big Three guys who were here one day in your most experienced position. When you need that they collide speakers that you'd you'd you'd guy has that -- experience in Austria. And at what do you do in how you get him that next level -- is said long he has again political field the stat sheet they can be -- be positive but he'll make a steal -- turn the ball well make this deal. And he just does so many things. What does he have to do to -- a point guard. For this team without all the veteran players we have he's he's an interest in one for me in and I -- the jury's out these young player obviously. But you know last year when he came in from the first day camp. And then you know we saw -- great exhibition season had last year and doctors wanted to make him earn more minutes and so forth being the rookie that he was. And then when he got an opportunity to play last year. The one thing that he did consistently do was impact the game. And he was a guy that you know he was the only plus minus guy that was plus on our entire team. Including Paul including Al Jefferson including and he played with everybody he played -- the bench guys only for awhile he played the starter sometime. But he was the only guy that was plus minus. So if you look at what he doesn't do. He could find holes and -- to gain but if you look at the things he's doing his rebounding his steals reflections you know just push in the temple I mean there's a lot of good things that we -- John and you know for young players for all young players consistencies always the issue. There's no doubt that he's going to have certain amount of really good games this year and is going to be certain amount of games he's not very good. And then you know so consistency is the big issue but you know that the the alternative is. You know just a bunch of veterans that are out there that haven't really done anything you know that have been -- 45 times that are just. Just because there veterans and I see those guys out there all the time every year and -- and you know I didn't want to stifle abrasion on growth I mean we need him to be good for going to be good. Are we need a point guard to be good we don't need a point guard that can just. You know give us into our offense you know we need to get a complete the fans can rebound can get steals that can make things happen in the half court and I believe that region on. As the season goes on as is going to get better and better manner as of one person throughout pre season so far that you've seen that is raise their game to. Unexpected level not really you know I think that I we were getting pretty much what we expect those guys I think it. You know KG -- in a lot of ways is. Is better than I thought I know I -- library. I mean KG KG is a a great player but even when he's not playing well. Even when he shots little funk he's turned the ball over little bad in. You know his presence alone makes all the difference in the world aren't. And so I mean that's that's one thing but -- seen him on the court and seen how the teams defend us and seeing how hard defense. Revolves around him in a lot of ways I mean it's it's his presence alone is very is maybe more significant that I imagine. Do you go revision the public taken tool like he collective resiliency of our office in Minnesota start with the in other guys used to play that game. But you know so we didn't really see him that often but they're just take over go to the sure to fly off the shelf with something about the guy. As it is just magnetic you know I mean and what he's got so much energy coming -- I mean you guys he's. He'll he'll go through two -- days in practice we over in Rome and and were driving back and -- in the bus the media bus behind the team bus and he sit in the back of the bus every me he's the other guys like sleep in their heads are doubting that I spent sometimes they don't put up.

Abbas mean that guys like running wild that's an inside joke of max that button. Is that true today that's what about the war patsy isn't -- he has some only when -- Orleans. On the court off the court Whitney's lead I've ever -- your habits. Like it was an 80s when they elect we. -- did it go like you know what we can take rest you'll be it would visitors that the SE valued team is but the -- certain certain. Congress -- in the -- Even when you know pitcher beat yet and he'll and I really think that they they genuinely archer each -- you know max has a lot of guys that are up for themselves that they put on the beach ago you know I really get the field at the risk now and Paul heard Eddie house and you know those guys in in on the Big Three I think -- and genuinely are rooting for everybody on this team really think -- more concerned about how everybody is playing in in the -- know. How important it is for them to get the performance out of everybody else.

I was talking to doctor last week and he said when it was first brought up to on the team's going to open up. Overseas he was not real happy about it they thought boy that's the most department is not enough practice time to begin with. He said after going over the -- thought it was the best experience in the best thing that could ever happen all of these. New faces to play together just feel the same way that you you've got a week from everybody here. And that it kind of was them together. With a lot of people -- didn't speak the same language certainly in Italy.

Well you know I I think that it would happen regardless because I felt -- in September when our guys were working out in Waltham together. That there was a chemistry being built. And I think that we could have been you know in Newport Rhode islander berm from monster. In Waltham and I think the chemistry -- develop I think -- a great job of doing that and putting the players together and organizing things for the players you spent time together so think -- and giving himself enough credit insane that that happened in Rome. I think it happens anywhere.

Personally how much have you changed and I think a lot of us and certainly I did when you did not come up with a number one pick that you were pretty much grew and you had to go -- you amount found veterans. You found terrific veterans. How much have you changed the perception here that going forward when you get to the trading deadline. When you get to offseason next year and you're missing that one piece that can put you over the top you're going to have players who we're now going to say you know I want to go play for the.

Well you know it was it was a lot easier this summer girls put that -- there's a lot of people calling us and even now and guys are coming on the waiver wires again -- contracts I mean we're we're in the mix every time you know people really -- want to complain Boston in. Call wasn't -- was a regular few years now has it has not been doing.

But that's changed dramatically the don't have that the phone has -- been answered either. But you're not playing in an area back it will make him play golf year round on the you know play at Phoenix -- and is comfortable place you've got to have. Have something in winning I guess is what what you've got right now that can attract them.

Right and that's all everything I don't think anybody -- wanted to come to Boston in the 80s because of the weather and because of the city any people want to come to win. And now I've always believed that I want you to sort want to get paid and they want to win joint I put your kid because you wanted to go to Toronto. But to apologize to groups -- yeah an ownership told about reporters that's a question -- while while what is. -- almost as -- person the radio while we're not police are after cohesive. Quick enough for not ever -- to guide -- forcible you know IE I don't really -- it's good because I'm not coach in the team. And I don't look at it that way I look at our team compared to other teams -- looked at the competition. And I'm looking at the players on other teams around the league a daily basis and there's not a team out that it has now whole. There's I mean Cleveland gets in the NBA finals last year they have plenty holes in their second round pick that was their second leading scorer in the NBA finals last year we'll look at -- the Eastern Conference files. And Daniel Gibson mean they have. There's there's holes everywhere so I I have confidence in each one of our guys you know we have our three big guys we need consistent effort out of them obviously. And then the role players we have enough role players we need to get performances at three out of six of those guys on nightly basis and we can't expect every team that all of them were going to play great. When we've we've shown an exhibition season when we plan also owners were really good team. And we can have some great excitement that you know we need to be able to win when we're not playing well when -- not getting -- you know great performance out of everybody on each night how is the if you if you completed words -- one you're pretty. The opening. Night's game what is that like we have here you greens open the way rated new team audiences you know no matter how many years played always felt butterflies. You know it's always an exciting time paid exhibitions he's. Anyway think there as a coach you know you just want to get out of training camp but. You know as I've been watching games on the league last couple nights it's amazing how many free throws you've seen in this because guys just haven't played with the heart rate. Situated played with that anxiety even veteran players let alone rookies mean. There's a lot of things that go on the first scale mean remember last year there was one excitement here last year with. You space especially after you know reds passing and so forth -- mean there was a lot of energy in the building and I'm that we could mean our veteran players Paul and all the and we could make that shot it as a play hard extremely hard and looked like the home team was relax and we were you know we've been in that this happens it's. It can be in her racquet it's probably more nerve racking in the first game of the playoffs could have been going through it.

Would you encourage max and I were talking earlier. Who caught coverage trash talking -- actually extend enhances your position did you guys have tremendous -- truckers will who provided through but there was.

He got yeah yeah this yet BI got the clip I'm telling you heat up the tree Rollins -- wrong. He loses all credibility I -- I like his total shot anecdotally I don't -- out there. Alison -- in the trash talking guys you know immediate effect of doctor. And it and now if -- bad things that god my man and dry yet that does. -- the guys what I still maintain it -- max and and -- eminently area -- Paper they taught him how to do it they're like they're Livan day and and there was an art to Larry Larry Kevin kind of learned over time to learn how to do it in this league that's true though. True because when Larry first guy here why did prairie -- the inning by inning layers it. You know -- That is why. -- close their eyes and let Larry about Larry walker by Hugh -- under the -- Amy goes. Johnny Newman gardening and six foot five I hit a real guy out. Boring -- it's not.

About it earlier in in in two instances that the game is. Changed all the sports -- football basketball retirement Gilbert Arenas who made rash statement this past week he's going to ruin your opening night here. And that's not usual today. In sports to see that out there and I wonder. Because of the Internet everything else if you say anything. In any even a discreet moment when one reporter there it's it's on ESP and breaking news it's on the Internet. And it becomes bigger than life in other teams are free now. To have that out there because they think it's going to be bulletin board. Father he -- do you think it's changed dramatically.

He I think it's changed is becoming Gilbert Arenas has his own blog right you know is like Curt Schilling made this they get in trouble but things they say on the blogs to their to their own -- is not like third at a media conference saying these things in -- element to tonight's game alone. -- will -- out of -- there I think -- comments and there's been comments around the league by different players also that the players you know I don't have to say a word of dollars -- doesn't have to -- the players the players already -- they know who's talking trash -- and horses -- and the and they and they -- that they use that as as motivation internally you know it's not something that you know. That doc is going to have to say okay here's what this -- Sanders and we may already know believe me in. And it can't be used as motivation -- I don't think it's wise to say those things don't think there's any benefit especially you know the -- what happens is that when when those kind of players that come out again tee -- Sale these things in works they look good there's the most of time it doesn't work bathroom ruled it was -- in. Now they look foolish.

I Danny everybody's excited to get everybody a charged up about the Celtics once again we're charged up that you're going to be back on. The big show every Wednesday and sponsor or anxious to move -- US site insurance the official insurance broker the Boston Celtics. Things -- movement right now here. That's your sponsor is you can just feel the could rattle off some tickets -- patriots it was -- max.

It's when max sponsor than won't know were really real XY and she'll get a little bit left -- I want -- to present max I think I say I say the patriots will win by attached. I want us -- I tell you -- take away at the I mean me and they they really aren't. There I mean I it's it's scary good they look so far and he articles obviously champions on the home field so. But I just don't see can be stopped -- that it is to be. It is -- the stated. With salary restraints to get though that much five you know Randy moss should be 910 threes all work if they. And it was -- from virtually nothing. To have them what my vote Brady should be a lot more money -- he's he took all around you may never. In this era of salary cap restraints see you more balanced out by a power.

Bradley you know that's like at like a San Antonio situation where they go get a Michael Finley for you know almost nothing. To come in and play in you know when you again when you win and when you got a quarterback like Tom Brady. You know people want to come play there you don't think Randy moss plays for the money he's playing now with most teams in the NFL not the --

You might be able get some of those players right now I just looked into an answer -- that I thought a business journal your guys are highly paid there at the top Medal but -- Not a -- Brady is the sixth highest paid athlete miserable in Boston behind Garnett many were -- Paul Pierce ray Allen. And J. D. Drew who makes more money than comfort that's tremendously 16 games a year.

Predictable while he's asking -- if you -- all baseball and by I'd like you've you've. -- if I did it look forward to a an exciting season very much good that reminds you