Danny Ainge

I care and they big Childress should sit tonight as yet the Celtics will play the final. Regular season game of the season -- an old days where. It would be okay go away senior next and it's all of that not tomorrow not anymore not anymore affect everybody obviously is looking forward to this weekend. And the first round of what we hope will be many rounds NBA playoff basketball here with the Celtics looking to pick up -- 66 win of the season tonight. I -- Danny Ainge proctor was by US -- the official insurance broker of the Boston Celtics by local area Lexus dealer assuming you drive Alexis. So you'll discover -- nothing else feels quite like Alexis in my interest in the wait for the highest quality architectural -- And all over visit interest in the weight and came straight. Cede any all dressed up yours to do this with a time for a support called class at this class. I really meant to do this but -- impressed -- You know whatever stuff like national I was hiking by atlases -- are you happy to -- the to wrap this up do you feel the same way that. Some of the players do right now is they're anxious they want to move on that this doesn't mean much right now.

Yeah no question I think we're already it's -- it's tough when you have everything clinched as early as we have been to kind of stay focused guys that are pretty good job have been impressed in. And I think doc is a great job managing the rest in in the minutes and and developing some confidence in the bench.

The players themselves you've got guys that. Will get a lot of attention over the next few weeks. Because they were terrific players playing for their individual franchises and now being brought together in -- into this unit they came together very very quickly but the question still -- I can't believe I keep on seemed. Pop up in national columns and stuff on the Internet nationally or how the streak going -- relate together. During the post season improving at do you think.

You know enough it's proven I mean the guys feel they've they've been saying it all year that this is the time of the season -- really -- before and and this'll be the testing ground whether they've really can accomplish what they want to accomplish but you know these the same speculation they had before the season started and can you know how long's it gonna take them and so why. That's just everybody's job speculate now the one predicts things right I feel good about the team I feel really good about those three guys are are the least of my concerns. And I actually really don't have any concerns gonna -- to -- army colonel you know -- we've just gotten such good play at a so many guys. And it we've also been a team all year long that we haven't really had to rely on anybody. And we've been able to find ways and and to be you know the number one defense from from the opening game for the entire 82 game schedule in spite of injuries to you know our best defensive player KG -- win nine game stretch where -- was just as good when he was out. And you know that gives us that gives you room for air in the playoffs against your chance to win games when things aren't going -- offensively.

Jimmy speculated that we're talking about this with rail yesterday if you what you're -- docks at the outset. Look at our team and how we think. But teams are going to war protests here and policies and what is the one thing if you were coaching the other team you might know what -- give away the secret. If you sat down at all and looked at your team what's it what we possibly vulnerable in certain matchups with these other team.

did throughout the course the 82 game schedule we've seen it the different defenses. We've seen what teams are trying to do and and an attack certain players on the team whether they're going to play certain kind of people and play a certain style against Kevin Garnett. We going to defend Paul Pierce a certain way they're going to try to take Ray Allen and the game -- going to back off for John and Perkins and make them beat us so. We've seen all different kinds of the fence in different strategies in approach and I think our guys are ready for for anything.

You know the one guy want to bring up is in their chance to interview last night is Sampras -- and how he has worked into your system he may play a lot tonight. As -- read about -- run of sitting all the more tonight but that. The back up you know consult. Known as a pretty good player known as pretty you know pretty pretty good star and he's comin' to take the back roll back up role to Rajon Rondo and the chemistry there and what. Just that the bench that you put together has been dynamic to watching these guys. Off the bench beaten these other teams you know -- for you know this starters is amazing but talk about the so what -- well.

I mean you know Sam came in in and one of the big games in the year San Antonio we struggle and a 33 to eleven right and Sam came in single -- single handedly got us back in -- team in the second quarter in -- and you know made two big shots -- as to when making imports it gives me great comfort in I'm -- gives Dockery comforting in KG comfort it. We have a young point guard who's been spectacular this year he's exceeded everybody's expectations I think. He's played -- game -- companies that have been through this it's who gives me agreed to a comfort to know that we have a thirty year old guy back there. They can coming in a pinch who's who's always going to maintain good attitude he doesn't care what his role is he doesn't care what he's he knew company and he pleaded with -- us to come to Boston he wanted to come to Boston in the worst way he knew the situation so it's great to have Sam I mean he does he gives us and he and Sam is going to be again this going to contribute right believe me in the the game and led the -- he scores twenty points fifteen in the fourth quarter mean. And everyone was making a big deal that we won the game with a -- I'm not stressing Paul Pierce Ray Allen -- cagey play is well that's a sampling and a fourth quarter mean it was it was amazing.

get back to what I was asking you about if you were another team and this is not -- in any way to put down Rondo he's been phenomenal and I think this -- be great players terrific traffic. But again there's a difference between playing -- regular season here and then having to play the postseason. Everything changes he's probably not going to get a lot of breaks from the officials as you know that's the -- especially he's going up against an experienced guy we're going to call for a lot of fouls if -- does that make shots -- the officials think they're going to make those -- I think that the -- thing. Really kind of close that gap he was the one guy how important was it to get. Sam Cassell and was that the guy when you were looking at the possibility of who was going to be available on your most were -- was he the guy that you felt was number one generalist. You know the first ball.

And we felt that was in need from the beginning of the season. And there was a lot of names out there that -- available and we were able to get through this season for the most part without settle. And -- with Sam came available we had that spot still open. And had we done something sooner had we done something can't condense on October than with things started happening in January some names came out as available one from the Boston. Had we done any of those we would have been able news. Because those guys were coming in without guarantees in roster spots and so. I think the fact that ridge line played so well for us and our team play and Eddie House played fantastic house once -- four games and Eddie House is going to be factored in the playoffs as well. But you know I agree with -- bringing him in kind of solidified -- gave me comfort anyways you know we have answers for any type of game teams and experience and got to -- it and and -- had not afraid to -- now it's on -- doesn't -- he's not afraid tell Kevin Garnett -- appears -- mean he's -- In some ways of -- the to say that's right statement in as a senior statesman so you know they have a great company.

I think a lot of people around here he under the in the playoffs what is this team -- was lacking experience they don't see this -- off down the stretch shall agree. Whitney's these guys -- race the -- mean who want to jump shot offensively -- better. And as it is like concern appeal call in on those rookie that looking for something. You know to pick on this team well I don't see if he's -- he's the only a year that's the only thing I can think of that may be a problem obviously there are always surprised by this development and early stages of them one. Cia -- the next couple years development at.

You know there's only -- as a fantastic basketball like he's. He's got a terrific work as he's proven improvement these guys put into his own game in the time he's put into to it this year. You know there's just a couple little things we need you batter its starting point guard ever. You know just mixture he stays coach he's so bright that sometimes he thinks maybe his way which is very calm Edmonton players. And second and -- you aren't -- and so and and then the other thing is just to maintain competitive edge. He's proven it you know in the big games this year -- in the big moments against Chris Paul Johnson is -- forums applaud -- you know now he's got a mixture that he respects as he plays at our why does get bored. He might -- board but I mean I just think that he he's -- mean team in the playoffs. You know fifteen point lead. You know to maintain that competitive fire and -- my only concern on anything about it shooting anything about his decision making there -- things that it's. It's the little things that he's made great strides.

They were about his of free throw shooting 61% down the stretch and close tie game it is an actor come and play that -- fact that that's my biggest concern against the team like Detroit matchup you know. Dictated peace in the game late they're going to follow. Right you know he's he's he's made the free throws most of the year but a 60% it's not satisfactory. He -- better in the second champion in the first half the year and meet -- that stretch. I we have not done us a during the course of the season and it to a today -- who -- here at the end of the regular seasonally you -- of the questions we -- courses that we could -- it's a little if you throw records out. The Danny at 6177 Sox as the braves and assess their success if you are tree let's -- phone calls your hitters Adam driving around in a car with I guess the and -- shuttle Adam.

Without god what did it. -- Oh sure yeah. I don't know what do when I'm back now why the diet -- behind the last few years yeah a couple of who.

It is a question for -- deputy Eric march roster normally go what -- forte to Egypt brothers after. And I want to know why did you come -- what specific point of emphasis that you placing on. You know player development off finding these guys that just fighting in the draft can be vitally drafting well at the years. -- just terrible drought and conversely technical point -- what you doing. Different to previous regime. Rule may be kept a stagnant for a lot.

You know I don't I don't know if there's any. Thing that we're doing different I think that ultimately drafting comes down to. You know making the decision I think -- I go through hundreds and hundreds of scouting reports from our scouts and international scouts and they give they do a lot of work and have a great deal of faith in them but ultimately comes down to just make in the call you know when I got in here and ended the old regime I had a chance to work with some of them and talked with some of them and -- some of the history that they gave me they had done the work that you know what it when it came down to was when you make that call between those last two guys you've narrowed it down to they've made some mistakes. And it is made picked the wrong guy and that's what it comes down to his side anybody can do scouting reports that comes down to you know make the right decision and now. We've made some mistakes we made some good calls.

I know you've been behind him all the time but what some people may not realize -- and all of a lot of decisions that that he had to make. Were based on trying to clean up. The cap situation so that he could move forward I'd give an example of that he got a lot of criticism on why he didn't -- of drafting rule were forty. And -- draft Williams will Rondo. Who's going to be equal if not better than those players and I topic that opened up the room. To be able to do some of the things to put this team where they are right now.

But that's exactly what it it it won at exactly the type of player that would have been taken by another team drafting behind us in years previous one I would say why. We take somebody like Rondo. And I were getting on to what I've heard the any reference beaten numerous times basketball IQ you don't botched aloe or maybe just wake up pictured does Biehl the thing I think behind the scenes -- teams wait you don't have it. -- you may be placed more emphasis on most things over athleticism. Italy economic debt to change that you made it even -- second round guys like Gomes and whatnot did you -- getting out. More productive as we would taking in previous years in the first.

Well I don't think there's more an imposition of the difficulty in drafting in -- personnel decisions this you have to have a certain amount of talent it's not like football where. You know you have just the brains on and he got fifty people contributing to win mean in basketball one player can make a major difference and it's proven in this league that you have to have a certain amount of affluent -- schism. And but we do put high emphasis on basketball IQ toughness character in all those issues but sometimes used to select talent and hope that you can get a player to mature in the in the case of Rondo you know he wasn't a guy that was known as as the real coach the -- guy in college. He has he -- high basketball I Q but there were some issues with Rondell and that's -- he was available for us it had a 21 but we thought that his I Q. And him as a person and his talent was so special that we couldn't pass on him and and that he just needed a little bit of maturity in and that opportunity -- going to be good.

Plus you have the owners to back Yevgeny because you hire on Rondell Todd talking the owners saying you know they gave him money to -- Lawton get this guy that you. Crummy teams would love to have Rondell now all of those teams that passed on him would love to have discuss what --

And you know we wouldn't be where we are in the situation -- green ownership and that's that's where obedience.

write music about it they passed on Tony parker here they had two opportunities to get them it was a joke okay that the they've brought it was just terrible. Athletic jump a round and then the other -- please address and the animals you know and -- it. They know four or and worst restaurant -- history Indians -- that Tony parker that those of the type in this is Woodstock on.

When we have these -- these three teams and you don't exclude the Bruins but you know get the Red Sox the you know Celtics the patriots. The ownership it starts at the top -- said that it comes that the the next level the general manager. But these teams get it. You know and they get it through the draft you look at those three teams why they've been superior. Through the draft that you went the one avenue you drafted you figure out which guys are really go out want to stick around -- guys that want to use to -- make my team better to trade for. And Red Sox and -- these guys up there actually contributing now the patriots are drafting players of people never heard of internment all pros. This city gets that we are extremely lucky to be around the three teams at the upper management ownership and the artists.

I thought we were lucky on drafting and kept the fifth pick EM like again there were going to. While we were unlucky on lottery as it out. There's there's a lot week that the number 12 -- utley and that's what you guys that you wouldn't churned out as well as it during which makes it to stop that you're not that could come all the places I I've just enemy.

About it think about if you had a number -- to -- the difference between him and the five pick the number -- to pick the values could still keep Al Jefferson and trade the number one or two picking get a player like Kevin -- and you -- would consider you would consider trading -- to -- explore those options we had we had all the thing was considered we felt like at the time we needed either do something magnificent with the team in the Paul Pierce -- cycle of of his career. Or we needed to move Paul I mean if something wasn't going to happen and all that was going to come a time with a over the next year. That we need to do something with Paul so you know it didn't happen our way but we were able to make the most of --

Here's a David Waltham -- a picture with a against the any shortest.

They -- they -- on the day congrats on the great season I got a question for you turn your relationship with dusty actually. I'm wondering about if you guys have ever discuss that great playoff series in 88 and specifically argued over that contested goaltending call under lay up at into the yes. In game seven.

Oh yeah yeah we talked about though time actually in. I still say it was depth legal team that was smothered chicken -- Louis I actually know that was a clean block we got the whistle if you believe enemy doc took up from the whole lot I was amazing. Didn't it -- and prince block oh yeah I don't know.

I latex glove living you don't just wonder if that would come together RBI each other.

Yeah we -- river each other and all the rival we'd -- throughout our careers but I have a good relationship with doctor have a lot of trust in him in now. He's done a magnificent job in in the last couple years developing the young players to put in the position where we did we can trade -- for players like Kevin Garnett Ray Allen and and he's done an unbelievable job getting this team. You know come and at a training camp coming out of the gates ready prepared mentally emotionally and physically I that it would.

Talk about the ownership was talking about couple minutes ago. That's part of the whole thing is that they were patient and this little does -- they would need to stay with dark and probably some moments. Where -- some pressure you know from me as for him. Media from other investors or whatever is what the hell's going is everybody wants instant gratification but fortunately all -- the NBA is the last one when you get instant grab the or -- in my case what got news reports on company we know -- and it's mean what a long time to secure a quick about it if the if the lead the ping pong balls came up differently and Duncan was an -- I would and I'd just trouble is decoder bridge that we get rid of the last out of.

KADNA I want to thank you personally for Beijing capital I think even or not show last year and you know after the Celtics what having another rough season. When the the argument came up -- it would in this day and age it's almost impossible. To turn a team around and make them into NBA ready championship team that loses ended. You've added Danny okay you made the big goal -- as foolish as he said on that day and correct me if.

I don't know I don't say I was on the children but you're not going to sit here and argue that it's an easy thing to -- He's an excellent he's he's proven it's still -- it was not doable I said it was nearly impossible and it's nearly impossible. In the NBA more so than the other league I don't think people realize that maybe you don't realize how big an accomplishment this is another -- won anything yet. So we can't go overboard.

The PP argument was whether or not they can contend for NBA title and that and that's what we talked about -- here and in in the that's correct because and then when I brought up was that the a lot of this is happening in the heat did Detroit Pistons -- And I don't have to come from the bottom of the output also put together two great championship teams were coming from the team not.

A question or do you just want to show how smart you offer some of the go to let me answer that you know like the Detroit Pistons they they went from winning 54 games to win and fifty Hickman and NBA championship they were just. A -- you know I don't I don't look at it as we had this one year turnaround. This was three or four years in the works and I took emergency it was I mean outs that we you don't think we -- tried to get Kevin Garnett sooner or Ray Allen sooner I mean. We had about we have decree the assets. In order to put us in position. And had Al Jefferson not had a great year last year and had -- and Delonte West not played as well as he had played in the last couple years we've never been in position to make those and it trades. And so this was a lot of pain immediately there was two years of pain how many years -- as few as five.

so now he's -- you with yours because that was your argument duplicate each leg like you thank you. Patient Goodwill and the conversation right there -- well let me say something --