05-30-08 Ian Thompson, SI Hoops

Ian Thompson from Sports Illustrated and SI dot com joins us on the line hello Ian hey bill you are well thanks -- Kind of job do you think Doc Rivers has done this year that regular season and then take playoffs as the separate entity.

Regular season I study was about coach and -- and -- the best record he took the second worst in the -- can turn in the best team. Based on what we're seeing now in the postseason when he did in the regular season looks even better. It's just wasn't -- he he does he do look to all these pieces together and all these things going and contractions so. In the change -- culture teams --

The reason bill is asking that we seem to be getting. It's like a streak of callers who think. -- anybody could have done this with three all stars like Kevin Garnett Paul Pierce and Ray Allen and Doc Rivers is just along for the ride.

Couldn't disagree more. --

Duncan -- that you have no heart -- Arnold. And finally -- begin to -- like so then it's really is. You join a club yet we -- with you know I I don't know if this is the Detroit Pistons Willis Reed moment tonight with rip Hamilton attempting to play. I don't know if he's going to effectively be able to play what's your what's your read on a guy with a hyper extended elbow who by his coach's assessment if the game was yesterday. Could not have played what's he gonna give them tonight.

You know if he plays like he has played the other an excellent chance and if he doesn't. -- this is another one of those little things well this is that it actually. If he's limited as do we score -- this is another one of those -- You know oh what you look back on the season after you'd you'd get a team to the MB finals you -- we have some breaks -- away. And the Celtics have had some of that going on this season I mean. You know this this is something they just need to cash in on this this year because who knows if if they want to have some of -- go against them next year this is just one of those years where the other teams have had the issues to deal with the Celtics apart from that midseason injury Kevin Garnett had to deal with -- and they kept winning without him anyway. They've they've just all the little breaks go their way and it's too good thing for them in that you can't take for granted it's going to be like this.

In we're at least one game away from having the finals matchups that. Maximum two games away I'm thinking let's let's say Detroit loses the Celtics. I want to think about that the two losers in the conference finals Detroit. In this errors. Not to break up the spurs' Tim Duncan. But I'm wondering what the future is of both of these franchises going forward especially Detroit. 6 straight Eastern Conference finals in one championship out of that. Does that team dissolve in and what the future of the Spurs.

You know for Detroit. Actually looking at their salaries -- while were talking here. They believe have Rasheed Wallace signs next year and then he becomes read. So they're really going to be sticking -- I would think they'll be sticking went there their starting five next season. And and then after that. Then they start to look at two. Reshaping their starting five the continuing to rebuild the team to their bench so. I don't think they're going to be looking in the economy to overhaul it feel like these these started to make investment this year. -- building up these these young players. And stuckey is clearly can start for in in this next generation. Jason Maxiell B -- players they'll be colon to win and they'll continue to Stewart -- Rebuild from within I think that's -- be looking. In San Antonio. They'll be looking to bring in younger guys around those three guys it is still I mean there's no way that there can do anything with those those stars. Unless they have some ideas that -- regional which just about to start breaking down. One treat -- while still alive that I just don't seem so important to them and he's impossible to replicate there's nobody else out like him. They traded away. There almost tree right -- way and so. Both teams will be looking to taxes you know at complementary guys and not change that change of the -- changed there it.

Okay perish the thought have you seen any slippage in Tim Duncan's game.

Well you know he's not he's not he. He's not quite the dominating player he was a couple of years ago so yeah. He's got a lot of mileage and -- played -- a lot of extra games of last you know how many years I mean -- into the second round. In the playoffs and then recently year I think that he's he's been healthy in the playoffs one year he -- with the entry points. I think if you look at up every other year he's played into effect on the playoffs. In if you add up all the extra games he's played on top of an 82 games seasons he's played a lot of games. So even though he was before your player can be -- of college. In beacons and the careers -- some guys he's he's had a lot of extra games policy he played you know some summers. USC basketball so I can't be expected that you can't ask as much of him to.

what's your what's your assessment of which of these 2 Eastern Conference finalist matches up best with the Lakers.

The one thing about collectors is that the gate they really space the floor well. And all their guys are threat to score and so in one sense -- say you know Detroit the same kind of team. In Tayshaun prince's Connecticut job. Guarding Kobe Bryant over the years on the other hand the Celtics did to blow against the Lakers you know. It's probably different tour you know council on team and then lastly -- well against the Lakers. Either team is going to be under currently considered that we can be the favorites when answers --

It did this does this all look like keys. Ready for the post season as he impressed you in the post season as much -- in the regular season I guess when --

yeah because. You know and a guy in the -- so I just came back in the Orlando pre draft camp -- first couple days and the guy from the other teams. We two point mean it. The Lakers are actually lucky Andrew Bynum in comeback during the playoffs and I -- that's great point to make because of they have brought this young guy back completed he'd he'd -- senator. And then they'd have to put -- full power forward and that's a much more complicated position -- Trying colon he would have to be learning that during the playoffs and it also have to begin to buy back to speak during the playoffs and at a comeback from the future entry before -- and went into all this pressure both of them has ever been at least in the playoffs. So actually the way it's worked out council has complainants and which is much more simple position. In that offense he he just basically please around the basket. And with the horse peacefully it is and the defense. And overload on Kobe Bryant and -- much better distributor than he's ever been -- just -- situations. In only have to do it sort -- leaving and and scored from short distances Selena and nineties great.

We talked earlier today about an interview that Lindsey Hunter did on ESPN dot on ESPN I should say with Stephen A Smith. In which he said. That rip Hamilton had criticized Rasheed Wallace after the game the other night for -- Kevin Garnett miss and that I I made the point that. It's sort of breaks the rule that we all think exists about what happens the locker room stays on the locker room. But overall what do you think the Pistons think of Rasheed.

I don't take offense is complicated question and I've always wondered myself I could podium mean on the one hand. All the guys were there when they won the championship three or four years ago they -- other -- because and have went one without pain. And when he's done then he's really. On the other hand you can deceive him he gets so frustrated. That stupid technical now now is that a small price to paid for her. What he's given them over the years it is you know and everybody in the league -- probably drives fans crazy -- been pretty much but it. People in the week left -- plan how to deal with receivers if you scoring big man he's going to be guarding your. Everybody really respects she'd lost and also respected he. He's -- team first players you know he doesn't care about stats. On the other hand that's also held as a negative against him because he's got all the penalties where -- lost on the players know we absolutely. But he doesn't he doesn't have that that killer instinct you know like the way it based complain about Kevin Garnett that Boston has been that he doesn't. -- that killer instinct he's not going to on the post in just trying to kill teams at the end games. Well Rasheed Wallace's that times ten you know I mean he he could he could do the same kind beans and he he doesn't. Doesn't have a -- and he loses focus with a technical fouls and so it's a complicated questions overall -- they have to be very happy that they held them because he's a weapon very few teams have.

why did the Chicago Bulls decide to go back to Doug Collins and coached.

That's another complicated one and it seemed like. On one hand they -- their owner was very much involved in the tree right Stuart and I don't know if he. It is absolutely clear when he was looking for. And he was sort of figuring out as he went along and complicated things. They were also coached they've also been trying to figure out. -- to take the franchise from here they -- really shocked that the team that is once this year and it has its last years and philosophy then you know a couple of premium players -- cordon. And so -- do you take the team from here. And I think they were sort of hoping to -- an idea that by being hired as coach. And maybe get ankle in the Mike dent in the direction. That didn't work out and impart to work out because because ownership to Altman to change. And so now all. Now I think he just decided to go with the guy addicted in the structure. It brings a sense of urgency and and I hope I helped define where detective team somebody that they trust to do it. Another question here is how long will he do without burning himself and turn people against him because he gets -- so worked up as a coach that. He's just sort of live -- I think they're thinking in the you know if I didn't get us back contract for next year's -- through this period transition -- Very difficult for. Then who cares about -- ball and and also the fact that they didn't want to make him a lot more attractive two and I don't think he would take the job in.

Want to go back to tonight's game from moment to be a couple of quotes from rip Hamilton at today's shootaround quote I have no choice -- do or die. Quote once I get out there in the adrenaline is going I'll be fine I told my teammates don't look at me as a handicap. Sounds like a -- I was pretty crank out but tonight's game doesn't.

Well either you know always -- you know and certain everybody up. You know today he's also lowered expectations so.

But the pressure -- the question I have knowing let's -- and for the sake of our discussion let's say that. That rip Hamilton is 70%. Is 70% of -- better than a 100% a stocky.

You know I mean they're -- they're -- wait long and stuckey will play a lot mortars at. The -- doing well but. This guy Hamilton has turned out to be difficult to score it -- to a player to the substances and equal opportunity team in the this year all the offense in. Hamilton's become their go to guy it's changed the dynamics change there and with Chauncey not. Not beat himself for the first he can only looks up and now he's become even more important so going into the situation I think. It's much better to start rip Hamilton and prince -- It and putting all the pressure -- stocky rookie concede your replacing rip Hamilton right off the bat. I mean I think this is by -- the way to -- even if they don't think -- goes in. When people start stuckey NC you have complacent -- two point score.

What do you like tonight you don't know. I requirements.

If they had no idea if if Hamilton is himself if he's if he's it is -- loose and easy it would score. I I really can't be games have -- I think the teams some time so close and the Pistons can be such a tough out. This will be tight game in the in the type games the Pistons feel they have -- each other so much better topics -- If Richard Hamilton's play well I think post.

I think Flip Saunders can take that list that you wrote about he asked every guy what do you they give me. This year and Jason Maxiell -- on this and Rasheed Wallace told him if he can go to the beach and read that list after tonight you know old work. -- I don't really great that was an insightful column. They realize now that the one with them.

And I appreciate Michael.

Rasheed now I know you try to use that as complicated question. But doesn't flip instead of asking Rasheed what are you gonna give me isn't a better to say. I want you to reduce your technicals by 35% this year.

I talked to go to -- about times of yours about this and here's what you said that last year when they lost to Cleveland achievements. Was thrown an idea the and in the in the full of themselves. Do mars about a month later went on them -- status of -- that. He actually liked it. Because she was the only one that was upset all the other guys were too introverted trying to themselves and he would just sort of except in the state. She was one guy Thomas. But he parred out there and really played hard -- series and so it was natural for him to be upset when things were and and that's. That holiday they'll turn bright face on. You know the guy actually -- it and I guess not a technical weaknesses became so it's okay. Or we're regardless who knows that there McNabb from kicking to -- can make it harder for them to win games six.

Hey you're going Eastern Conference finals he picked up to -- against Cleveland got tossed out of a game.

Yeah no I mean has spent. But when you talk to the Pistons about it these saying that you know they try energy and -- It's a perverse argument that -- you know it's not political the other hand. You know it's it's -- it's a kinder gentler version of happy Ron Artest and because you need the guy you can't win without him. And so he's you'll look at his flaws he -- small price to pay for all he can he's not perfect. You know they're not pain him Kevin Garnett money he makes about how. Maybe lesson enough what -- thanks so many. For what he is -- what he Gibson and the difference he makes to the team in in today's week almost a park and so. You know. I just think that's that's sort of the -- choice they made your decision they made you know it's not a perfect marriage but he. Very long time you know for the most part of each --

Drive across the bridge to Canada there's a casino there. With the money down for me Rasheed Wallace chances of getting a technical tonight at fifty dollars now.

I realize you actually don't think he will get one time.

Right now I'm I'm I'm goal -- this one 'cause I'm convinced of -- you watch tonight's game you look at Rasheed Wallace and tell me you don't think. -- it's like to be out there a little scary little dangerous. He and we always appreciate the time thank you expect to care that is Ian Thompson from Sports Illustrated NASA dot com