Ernie Johson, NBA on TNT

It is all star weekend this weekend in the NBA and TNT's got a whole bunch of stuff going on Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday and let's be honest okay. Last couple years maybe all star weekend was a chance for you take a break to -- is you don't have a whole lot of interest than it. Things have changed in the basketball landscape here in Boston. Joining us on the line right now from T and T is the host of well all things basketball on TNT Ernie Johnson with -- Ernie -- Michael how are --

If I were doing a better read Biggio also myself -- all that's pretty much the way Celtics fans feel these days to actually. What what do you think of what they've done so far by the way I mean that they're 39 -- nine which is a record none of us expected after forty games what do you think about it --

Well it's been amazing because I think of folks wondered as the year. Began exactly what the impact would be would do you know he would -- season in just to see those guys. -- also smoothly and so quickly I think is a huge testament that. That would Doc Rivers has been able to do and I know that trip liked the world muscle the team picture -- there et cetera where the guys really bonded and though some might see that's kind of the cliche kind of the deal but I really do think -- the ground on -- over here and and I think you know part of it was they've -- A favorable schedule or whether there wasn't much against the west because it going in so at least are part of the bunch who wins in your -- So much confidence and then certainly -- 493 -- spoke. I'd be that was it was a remarkable story and I just think it's. As -- wonderful for basketball in the when the Celtics are relevant and I've been that in. For those who love the Celtics and those who would like to see him lose every game you know because I just think it's one of those things where you're you know it gives it gives both sides talk a lot and I decided -- to --

You know Ernie last year it was very critical -- I didn't play with them now. Yet but you know what Ernie you worked with a guy who played with them and who was very critical problems that -- he's doing he's made some terrible trade. What this Charles Barkley say to you privately when we talk about the Celtics now.

Are you like it never I would never dive alternate things that you know -- to zero build everything privately if -- give but I. I I'd you know it's certainly a question that as Kim but. Is that nothing but good things to -- for the most part epic on the Celtics on the air this year you know we've had discussions about. You know who would who would win a series and I think he's we've -- Detroit's way right now we're Detroit Boston and a seven game. You know final -- in the Eastern Conference but that is not to take away anything from what Boston is don't I think that's been certainly one of the remarkable shores of the year.

Ernie as as much as we all thought the Celtics were going to be improved in the offseason with the moves Danny Ainge made. I'm going to be honest leave nothing shocks me the most is how they are defensively first and virtually every category in the NBA. I thought they'd be better I just didn't expect this.

No I don't think anybody did could keep looking at that -- well. But immediately gave that they allow ourselves like that -- I mean that's you know -- San Antonio and Detroit kind of stuff than. You know those teams that have. For a long time on their head on defense and just to see that kind of a turnaround has -- has been amazing and when you're when you're open to that kind of output you're going to be in every game and then which you've got guys like reality you can. The particular table for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett all of -- can do that I mean that's that's to me is that his. Will be the best part of the story is that with those three high profile guys it's then. It's somebody different every night -- or you're you know what got my -- a couple of games together but. Really particular through their box scores but it would every day for everybody in the league it's like while it's never the same guy who's a who's carrying it you know it is -- nights where he's -- got big baby's got a couple of big games so and then to see them in a speedy team like San Antonio without KG play in those even more for their competence of the.

You know -- I agree with your statement about the Celtics and their relevance. There are people who love the Celtics who want to see them win number seventeen people hate the Celtics -- want to see him in the lottery every year. It and miss the number one pick to that's how much they hate but did that's another team. That that fit their profile two on the west coast the Lakers. They just made a big trade and they are doing very well with Kobe Bryant and -- saw. What do you think of of what they've done what they've done in in and one of what you think their chances in the west.

What that you would -- to really positive and I mean you look at the if you look at the board on nine game trip and they go into that with their -- by them having been recently hurt and you're saying now are they going to tumbled in the standings is this thing we're we're going to take it slowly going to go to two and seven at one and eight on this trip and then plummet in the west. And all they do was make a huge trade and now are on the verge of a you know I think it's seven into trip by if I'm if I'm not mistaken if they can finish off with a -- and and I think you know. When it Will Bynum comes back immediately having seen what this team is capable -- now maybe -- come back with with Odom assault Bynum -- that -- on the floor with Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher -- I mean that's the perspective is going to work. That's the tough cover for anybody insult. I think it's a huge deal of the fact that the net to give up anything to do it is it is just spiel.

Kind of assumed that may be Phoenix's acquisition of Shaq was almost in. In response to in reaction to what that the Lakers did what did you think of off Phoenix's acquisition of Shaq.

Well -- you know I I think everybody's initial reaction to that is. Well it. You have to do something if the Lakers that it would prove -- themselves like that. Then this is a reaction to that is is adamant that the -- have been about -- this is not a reaction I'd. C'mon it it. I think if you're looking at everybody out there in the west is either tinkering or read doing their team -- almost to redo with the Lakers you had a -- like assault. But -- at San Antonio but they're putting Damon Stoudamire and Kyle Korver posted you talk all these contenders are are adding pieces and now Phoenix is saying that there what are we going to do or are we going to consulting work is just include enough as it is. To work to stay there and they were still in the east they were like forty into against them but they were 500 team against the west and so they were not really competing with the you'll leave out there it was kind of fools gold deceit I think -- but the top of the Western Conference and think it would just translate into winning the conference title so. Yeah I think in and in part it was a reaction to that -- part it was just an honest look at their teams say I don't think we can go any farther. With this team we have to do something -- so. If you get rid of a guy who's sick I don't want it out and Shawn Marion and in you bring in a guy who's I mean it -- This could be the greatest -- all time or it could be certain that just blows right up and speak first base it's stiff Shaquille O'Neal he can back up his talked. Then this might be accused looper for Phoenix but if he uses as saying all the private talk his body and that they can he can do these things then. And it's going to be and disgorged --

Well Greg Popovic in San Antonio didn't have much to say about the Lakers trade -- excuse me about the suns -- yet plenty to say. About the Lakers trade saying that it if you want to trade panel each of this thing down well what did you think of his comments.

Well I've been that's what that's not talking about wouldn't let me -- the improved team like that make them the championship contender and you have to part with the Javaris Crittenton and Kwame Brown and a pick then. You gotta you gotta wonder if what are what are they thinking in Memphis and you know they -- and and so.

All you have to want to blow blow it up they want but it that they -- that it is my problem with the -- These trades happen all the time in the NBA what we're guys. Will want to move on from a veteran player and they want to start over they want to get younger -- that look like to me.

Boy or maybe just eighteen total -- in the league and you'll see you know well maybe by -- trade deadline which is next Thursday you know some teams that are out of that kind of unloading some guys but. The boy this looked you know to give up an all star caliber player like that it did nothing in return was you know. Yeah -- popular part of that is pops in -- doggone it -- got really big hurry but if you wanted to have a us.

The the NBA all star game returns to New Orleans this weekend. And you will be hosting the coverage and Charles and Kenny and Craig Sager and well magic and everybody else is there of all the events that take place on Saturday night what's the one you like them.

I think I always like the three point. The goal back when you know what we're used to when it and sometimes they could warm up ball and -- walk in the -- so it was mission's second -- I dislike that it just because it's the pure shooting I think it's something that everybody out there can relate with not everybody who's watching it and and heck you can even relate. To look to a -- sky and and -- and is based on a sticker on a on a backboard read the top don't think they like to snippets you know it's -- jaw dropping stuff but. They can't say you know I'd -- brought you like I that I could do that. Could they build -- but they watch a three point thing you know what I'm pretty good shooter could probably go from -- racket I'd. I could be forty to take somebody out of the stands one year just before that things started circuit what's the it lets you run every -- and in. -- You know shots that are. You know that -- that have a chance not just one -- report also beat the brackets that to beat the clock it is of very difficult thing to do these guys make it look really easy but I really I've always enjoyed that part of the the most pretend but being most of them I think -- most fun thing ever receivers was last year with children. -- did but vocalist.

pay parity is the worst thing in the world you can do to Craig Sager is if the put him in a normal soup. I'm going to drive them crazy.

You know it it feel like it feel like the wooden stake to a vampire Billick a blue blazer to six you know if you you just. I don't know where it all comes from I have no idea where he finds most of that stuff I don't want to know really but I did he. You know I'd never saying what you get bat I think so I brought the boys. Secretly get that well it's it it's the braves say. He started doing it years ago and it just hasn't stopped in you know sometimes it justice. Defies description.

And they got some sharp dressers like Kenny Smith like magic you think they pulled aside they came I'll give up I could talk to you about a guy who.

He's past that point I mean I'm -- did it -- we'll spend some. Some changeup all the stuff too but I mean he's the guys got more shoes he's got more shoot responded -- our -- in my entire life and you -- being. It has you'll you'll be going to rebuild with some kind of thing your book and everybody in the place would appreciate it's it is an amazing it is -- a basic phenomenon. You know what he's also very -- what does that important.

You know let's be honest Charles has been known to have an opinion or two about a thing or two in his life. I'm surprised he doesn't just kill -- toward.

Only does this -- it just depends on what nature walk -- better times mirror you know building currently he's going to have to I've interviewer courtside interview during the first happened. And we'll just play it -- chunk of that back at halftime just to get Charles reaction to it but these. They Charles always been a beeping is that at some point during the day you always have to look at the -- you which you have on and -- going outside and say yeah I looked good in these that I don't -- those that but it. It's all personal friends believed -- nobody else -- be themselves than that but but it worked out good.

I hit in all seriousness party what you guys are broad and Charles Barkley you have known. That he was going to. He was going to become the star that he is right now meant it it is the perfect it is the perfect shown as the perfect form for him. And you guys have all of you have a tremendous chemistry which could have known he with the going to turn out to be disconnected.

you never know that that's that's your whole thing and that's state. And that's the crapshoot that -- he is you know. You can do every bit researcher possibly -- try to find wanted to put these three guys are let's let's see if these three guys who worked together and and there's no way of knowing you know focus and now the -- is out there I think people have several we need our own version of Charles Barkley that we didn't. If -- just sometimes you just stumbled upon it and it just works because of the personalities of the three people involved in. And I think that's kinda what we've had going on TNT with the three of us and we all enjoy what we do we all enjoy each other's company nobody's trying to halt the camera and everybody just wants to Procter and have a good time to talk basketball and so. In order really trying to imitate anybody you're trying to do what he's saying you know special we discuss that are being ourselves and and it's not sit around rehearsing at five times before we do it you know it's it's an unscripted. Unrehearsed show when it's so what she did is. Is you know. Legit you know it's not like we could sit there for hours rehearsing this thing in and then put it on the air that -- it's just kind of -- get it.

And it seems that you never take it personally when he says. Ernie that's a stupid stat wouldn't.

That I'd I'd dig up stuff and and so does -- my research through. Merger wonder still who we call underdog in and held -- but and we look for stuff then in golf course that it -- they had and that they work but I -- look at soak that in. And so they like can't we use this despite no he's it is it's going to -- Charles also part of it is just pushing the -- you know we're going to get the reaction it's -- it's. You know it's so it's calculated in that respect many times to say you know what it -- if -- too little spark cultural there's Charles build. They'll say that's stupid little -- that you have a big for a -- or whatever it will it will go on that.

You know house and how how imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. As I was watching the San Antonio Boston game this weekend and think and van Gundy and Mark Jackson are trying to do what the TNT guys when they're arguing about everything.

I don't I I don't know I didn't really joke I would didn't watch start to finish in. And I really don't you know I love those guys -- girlfriend you know get used to work with us in -- for a long long time. You know might -- tremendous. And so I don't I mean I don't know how how guys do what they do what style works for them but I you know I just know that we sure what do we do -- They don't really compare ourselves and.

It dares say out of Valentine's Day night doubleheader on T and T and and you guys got to hustle get down a New Orleans for.

Well we're going to be actually doing the show from there from the long does this Thursday night organism were flying out tomorrow and then we'll just there will be on bourbon street are set on Thursday doing the double header from there.

And then of course Friday as the rookie challenge in the youth jam Saturday as well everything the shootings -- skills challenge the three point shootout the slam dunk and of course Sunday night is the NBA all star game Ernie we really appreciate it taken a few minutes to join us in Boston. Believe -- will be watching more this weekend that we might have the last couple years.

That's for sure basketball is back in Boston the guys and it's then it's good decision specter have been on the show.

Art -- thank attorney. Take care Ernie Johnson joining us from TNT