06-23-08 Michael Wilbon, ESPN PTI

Joining us on the line right now well we watched every minute of the NBA finals in the playoffs -- you saw a lot of this guy but you also -- obviously from PTI and the columns that he's written over the years Washington Post as well Michael will -- enjoyed -- Michael it's -- Michael -- on how are. I'm I'm fine how are you --

We do currently well yep PTI up pretty good show I remember when you first started he said I don't show with Tony Kornheiser with that is going to be pretty. PTI that was in what 2002. I don't know one you have to do everything probably I have to -- every time they'll all. Does a -- mistake and I'll -- about seven instituted several years in October sort of basic. What about tell us tell us where the national media went wrong here the Celtics 163 games they won 31 games on the road. And they won that they clinch in Detroit game six what is how many people miss the Laker I mean missed the Celtics and that's felt.

He'd be in this case to be easy that we have got seduced by authentic Colby itself. And it at all to sort of intertwined susceptible I think that there is -- Lakers and I that they are taking. As a group going into the series and -- you know. Especially where -- got a decent at their bench is better. They're more balance team. These elite competition they can now they have to win -- seventeen here recently stepped in 76 and they played Detroit they go to Detroit. Everything pointed at winning and a potential at that particular couple weeks and if pro basketball we've seen. Star players that started great coaches disproportionately of that theory out in that if somebody who quote Chicago went doctors what did know of doctors that I was down. Thirteen or fourteen -- not to be the ultimate I've known him. You know I would if I had any sort of rooting interest will be just the beat nobody from where I am. Childhood when a championship but it went can't -- I I I thought okay -- he still has done this for the particularly do it and well I've missed a lot of the national better be immediately Chicago where the other franchise that was to have any offense. -- apartment I believe that defense wins championships I didn't stick my old -- on now. I don't all the stuff which is when in doubt go the scene that played a decent in this book is modestly better because it is opinion -- any other team played not. So we all got seduced by the same thing I suspect that we all wrong also was wrong.

I felt going into the final series that guys like Ray Allen and Paul Pierce we're going to almost breathe a sigh of relief. Having survived the defensive pressure and intensity of the Pistons it was going to be like wall this is what it means that --

Right -- base. Totally totally different -- to -- to Phil Jackson will we we have -- against a pediatric return to the year one was on the season. Want him like January what was it like. At all times -- I would take billion they'll championship he looks like to get out of -- disc looked like a championship he. And it becomes -- responses and if we play better defense we definitely got a decent and -- he came right opposite field -- idiotic. A -- technical delegate -- to express himself to ask questions. And if you can listen to still can sit if we competitive virtually everything hit it terrible defense team they don't they don't they just. Not physically inclined. So would you look at that you look at the Celtics playing consistently good but the dismal dispatched greater -- one team. -- he can stop the other. But he can't be stopped. And that that combination of factors should let us too easily to secure -- did. It was going to -- Celtics but it but again it'll -- are sold disproportionately important basketball when the idiot sport. That we tend to that it can't be many of -- is -- quality of.

I know you love the NBA you follow the league for a long time. Of the Celtics individually what guy surprised you a bit what guy stepped up that you didn't think was capable of doing what he did.

how often do you see a guy continues it is time in the NBA coach really really good player to a great play. The population's been really really good player yes if they get to win a conference final when it's they would because Indiana or Philly beckons.

New Jersey to --

Okay posted sixty going to be going to -- to complain at all star confined place but not to not to. -- you know it's and it's not just the clutch offensively the 41 point game against Cleveland was enormous but -- win it in the -- back. -- guardian article will be guard the guy that people mistakenly pummeled them. -- is you know next Michael Jordan and it would be Garcia. And after coached at Indian did it. Now you can say that some fine fine -- it under real topic at this guy's got to be in contention sooner than later. Pride you know definitely a step people execute that system otherwise the system is not without people to execute what he's drawn up. -- to adapt to sacrifice his own game its own energy. -- to eat eat eat. You may even though he remade himself if you will mean CEO he's now -- Celtic and -- he had as good post seasons is that -- Celtic have watched in. It probably pro basketball or thirty years and we want to get all my life and he has to the post season is in these Celtic. On the hand command.

Michael you admitted to being seduced by Phil and Kobe and you weren't alone in that regard. All of those two which guy's reputation took the bigger hit in the playoffs EP.

I don't I don't look at that way the Celtics are great so can take great season this was a great single season team mate David block and an adult now. But it was a great team is better top to meet and we talked about that on the show whatever they want to ask a question is that natural question to ask. What did obviously gave Kobe free championship break so that's because that is Garnett and Allen and pierce -- so -- and so that not much more than doc. Now don't be so it's just really they had a great season it looked great wire to wire. They'll great on the road he should mention they were great hole you'll read in the watched the league really gets you. Great players like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant with the Houston when they broke -- just -- two game win streak -- Tracy McGrady I want to lock from the great -- is heading down definitely serious. Tommy T talked about it she couldn't -- to see that's the best decent -- And so they were great in the middle of the season and great late this season. So to meet these companies celebrated about the Celtic have definitely it is so it is going to be pretty much or without the you know the lake it was a bad match Lakers and that -- played decent and I got a great defensive team matched up against them but. You know still -- is so great at what they've -- they -- going to beat this team this year.

The I know you -- then number one school in the Big Ten for academic northwestern and your smart guy average accounts for many years. I have said yeah I wonder why they didn't call me we use on that the Patriots go to him and are not in seven.

I'm not -- look I don't get as many wrong as -- did differently exhibition Lakers and it -- a couple teams don't last forever. Not even great ones that I don't think he's got the 49ers -- a technical thirteen seasons whatever it is our distinct steps toward we can now. I think they're going to I think there's certain defeat to -- a lot out if you detect about a group. Or individual got tickets terrorist went down early at Wimbledon because. What happened in this which hopefully get dismantled dismantled by the dollar -- or is -- an all time great. I think Patriots are going to be good but not great I think will be you know tennis six go to one division probably that this is christmas. It's pretty silly yes and I think to be good but I don't at all. It'll lead group that is all the time -- teams and they take you know you are they going to win four straight well. The Patriots -- he'd get comfortable when at a bunch straight they want three and that qualified in the this being donated dynasty which is not the -- and -- Celtics dynasty. But I don't know the final sealed its greatness -- be told -- he would do what pieces that we talked -- of the people have taken more advantage over. Started to what you under. Asked what people stopped -- you'd be used part of our problem solve 85 Bears who were more dominant once he's completely different single season. I -- bad team beat no where it now. -- suffered defeat people look at our hot. To tack back so I know that they had been double populist the district in the cooler preachers and you know I haven't.

Recently that we've entered the -- for a long -- didn't exhaust is out of -- and boards like Josh.

Yeah it's expensive is it to deep into the cab I I just. You know look last year and it didn't work adequately and.

Did you read it it's too hard it doesn't matter became. Hopes that they can post that lost one game. It's hard it's hard to do this -- this time year after -- to expect your principal players not to get injured. To expect to win every typical post game Communist because it's real traffic was at two in the ball game chief among them. I think behind the ticket and a testament to Iraq but I just thought he would have a fourteen to fifty don't want these.

I know on Friday UN Ryan we're talking about a little bit of tiger being out on the PGA tour we've been discussing today. Johnny Miller's apology for his comments about Rocco mediate what were your thoughts about what he said live on a Sunday and how he responded on Friday.

Well why doesn't this sound turned up where -- I didn't hear that -- watched all the it could be determined it was stupid stuff consistent did meet stuff all the time so I'm not I'm not surprised. And I guess -- immediately -- the apology in you know you've gone I haven't heard -- reaction to that. In stupid meat substitutes stopped all the time because dusty gets through Johnny Miller up part of what -- stupidest that. You know we just it's gotten -- out it was right about probably one take golf. And I guess you want to hear. On the spot route your call solitaire and he's ignorant I can't fault -- I felt like turn them better than Johnny Miller -- it's -- a minority but he doesn't -- He did what they have to live with you don't want him beat the heat would you go to acknowledge that he's likely. Just spout off and -- somethin'. But he's trying to be AG or can you step -- key is that -- That's two years in this he had to live with it but -- like I did I would raise an eyebrow from -- you're going to stay at. Or just know he's going to see some equally he's probably stupid to beat this week.

About Tiger Woods the golfer now we know what he was going through he won the US open just put that separate it into perspective by of I guess that toughness that it took for him to make it through for as long as he did -- then say okay this is this is too much and.

Little mental and physical -- He would keep the tickets via injury Napoli called you know Michael we get -- plays golf at least the entry which -- it is. -- but -- he's definitely an extra explain what you know it is. You may be yet tiger said that the -- contact contact take pride in to comment. You don't comic -- that slightly accurate around he began to. This step for the popped out to actually start out don't paint companies control the disciplined yet to did you. What -- wondering about Tigers discipline and always key. Step -- the case of he bills to pay it can be yet physically. Can go ahead of hobbled to make his technicals was almost like it's still pretty okay can dictate and -- physically withstand it and -- will allow yourself to make yourself to. It's amazing piece of the dice on your reading gets -- Crazy right it is certain Greek people in whatever the culture offers that are pleased to -- As to what they do it probably still overrated. Or underrated this case it's underrated certain. Element about typically when he does all the time swing condition called at all that's true. But the guy he's so smart he's able to get himself to -- pieces that we were most other. Professional athlete certainly no other golfer is equally able to go I think still question it went. Could I -- to beat people. I watched sports where I can -- to everything else in my life to watch that. As a little kid it was the easiest to most definitely watched -- were what would Everett would ever try to wars. My father and accept or watch the fight started off by the radio house located -- when Michael Jordan came back. Satellite dish it and I don't want to miss a game played in three years he came back. -- It actually about tiger now I don't I don't miss when tiger tees it up. And so now it's like it's golf it's not it's not something that is stop dual life. Qualities for. Tiger plays is and when he -- that are blocked off to watch towards British Open to -- to -- to PGA just to -- I want yesterday's loss on the golf. But I would two other worldly it's it's just it's just not a sport it's theatre active period -- highest level it would. These two reality shows try to reproduce explicitly and don't ever ever ever would a million miles.

I'm not telling tales out of school on this could you actually wrote this in the Washington Post them that correct me if I get the story wrong I believe. That you wrote after Michael Jordan came back I just say that the satellite dish. And and maybe what your wife who stood in front of the TU -- yeah. You want to pick Michael Jordan over me and -- it out -- Scottie Pippen.

they immediately below -- the Michael Jordan -- looks at what -- Scott.

So you don't luckily that my you know extra -- to Chicago my -- schools put treaty -- about. 25 years Morton actually. But now it's it's just amazing to. Tiger is sort of situations where about I don't know it was a masses and -- haven't. I just realized one -- while watching you don't want peace is that next Jordan. You'll get an assistant extinct beaten half to indulge yourself -- and I started playing golf because tiger. I did not play for that -- them. Now that's that's all my life. We should Redick weren't she'd much rather be comfortable what tiger is that costs money watch tiger in -- it it became -- it -- Totally immersed in. Com in all it always not just scored to put. The critical aspects of looking at his career all of that goes on around at all -- beat our tentative about the controversies. Some legitimate criticism this -- talk his way it will continue to wait for the whole -- praises -- to a continuation it. But I -- just it is it is and emerged that dictate. The most important figure in sports to day international in and no girl wage some ways that people are free to talk about. Dialogue about I -- the chances don't -- well a lot of stuff sensitive issues. And I -- you know -- sometimes sort of act. If we're going to step foot luckily the cubs' interest basically to media. From being depressed about last week's news in I told. If you wondered you know people -- people have -- not a good comeback role -- to going to come back as good as they work. I mean you expected anybody with his work -- discipline would be able to adapt to different gratitude for him maybe that. Mr. Torre is important to probably won't -- he don't commit.

Final question from me Michael how much did you feel like. The NBA finals got hijacked by Tim --

Not much happens for a day or so. Not much I think it was much he -- if you want to to build his point he does he can -- dates us it looked like he could you don't get down. -- put -- but. I don't think it did -- you about a 48 hour period -- people got into the whole notion of what could be ESPN poll. Was 76% of respondents said they believed that the officials to some of these games. I don't believe that I don't. Believe that at all I believe that was recovered that game by the little technical questions -- in the tournament. But I haven't thought -- god that it it was a bad night and that they were given to. Sort of pre disposition some sort of agenda. I don't that you're leading money toward that what what what is it forty. It is and we feel money -- to protect I don't believe it but I'll I don't. I don't know that he that he our objective law I think Celtics play -- bat when they -- back -- poured out. Are they they took -- back whatever whatever it got -- they would put him back and and that is probably the week should be -- you know I kept at a lot of was looking to see. What would happen with these two. Franchise that defined in India and the publicity BAA and we don't know I have to admit it is beginning capital because -- and the -- young team. And so does have a chance BP so we can be looking at some more than that -- in direct competition so the competition cross country championship teams.

Is my last emporium Mike that they -- know the answer to -- I know. You're Terry Francona fan but.

If if the Red Sox and Cubs meet the World Series. That Francona fans that goes out the window you're going to be.

it is I would like to before -- guy and a 49 diesel watched my people out. My mother was -- to be your soul to beat the Cubs went. -- beat everybody people are where our I would I would it would out of successes at -- but isn't that true. --

I'm happy I don't know no no don't let's don't when you cardinal and.

The difference Michael trust just been in the -- based gotta know ever since the wiggled. I I have -- sense of that no we don't have that -- they're.

Usually related got fired volatile aren't we talked about -- and we -- keep people being you know I didn't -- abused or Bart yeah.

Well why don't we could get out of somebody -- it was -- little -- People remember no wiggle wiggle to we'd compete week to the next day's -- it would be great to go to the ballpark we Ernie banks personifies who we aren't. Let's take two. We don't -- this we don't feel -- had X in the Midwest League where we're different people and I'm glad because -- 400 years if we get as much takes you guys have to get dark placed him for a while would be a place. This much about what went don't want be -- place.

Formica what's coming up on PTI political your usual preview.

Well it'll actually do we have. I'm sure that we -- a lot of talk about the cubbies because.

You weren't doing well actually you look at the Rangers today.

I don't know against Michael I thought about it I thought about winner but I until it I don't know why they can't -- that -- wanted to be here which I got. Bomb dirty pictures yesterday a couple of you talk about the future national Wimbledon. I don't know what happened others -- we winning this one have no idea. -- consider -- suspect he's not but public support to world. Do we got a lot of NB -- Boston don't Bart Bryant and tell that you that.

I should be four. -- tell people when Bob Bryant museum on TV he's really like that this is not an act.

That's right that's right luckily you don't -- told you have to do toward football itself is confident show. We have Bob -- was great at two and they show and created everything period.

Absolutely and another guy is graded everything you know Miami's Anderson Michael -- great on TV great the Washington Post thanks for taking the time my.

aspect you have appreciated -- to be so.

Take -- Michael ally that is a Michael -- joining us. Get ready to do is is did you