Donny Marshall, Comcast SportsNet

We are actually broadcasting live from Fenway Park but that's because of the contest winner that that we will be joining for lunch in the manager's office at 2 o'clock today. As we do every week we talk Celtics basketball. With a Donny Marshall from Comcast sports net -- down in Atlanta where the Celtics take on the Hawks tonight hello Donny I don't.

Well those people wanted did to us before YouTube. Man oh man who has some food left over. And Belmont I don't remember what you therefore OK -- you guys when are -- here for. It up for you. -- Not is not. -- okay. I guess I did need that reminder from you. Know what it is hate. If not all about you guys I don't even know why. Yeah patent as you're you're in Atlanta. He probably made a trip to Freeman and picked at like 25 pairs of shoes in the cup not yet not yet not yet early today and it's cold here -- lawyer Paula that 55. Yeah. --

Estes because so well we were talking about it earlier off the air. About the hawks' web -- is gone crazy Marc Spears wrote about it Davis is a big playoff matchup for them I never I never bought that the Hawks apparatuses and gave the Celtics. Problems because they blew them out in four games in Boston I think is the home court advantage you agree with that they just that really tough team and home.

Yeah I think they you know the one of those teams that. They don't know other going to Beecher every night. The meat we have an idea -- Celtics are going to be cute going to be the ball go you know the Big Three Rondell going to be all over the place and then. You know the big shipping it here in you know here and there which I mean that I hate -- like that that's what it is and about how the Celtics will be yet. Obviously there's a lot of that the goes on between those. Those things but it is what the Hawks in the in this team will go out one night the tickets -- three they may make five they may may fifteenth and and they went. You know that because if they're making five they're running up and down the floor they're they're in the passing lane they're much better team defensively this year. They have got like Josh Smith who you just have no idea how to scout them mean he. He's or three point shooter but he will do the minute he -- a couple of -- the crowd gets into it is you know in most -- going -- adrenaline. You know you have Al Horford as a young guy really goes and guys play -- emotion and their adrenaline it's harder when you're on the road. You know to pick it up for those games when you don't have the crowd behind you being you know young players. You know for this team the Hawks can be -- in different ways but you know they don't have one of those ways going whether it's running whether it. No getting in the patently whether it's making three on the road they struggled but at home lately they seem to find ways with the crowd behind them is to pull it out and in other crowd serve might not be sellout but they're you know 12000 people in the stands that wear them and in this organization over the last you know 6810 years that that the -- out.

We're asking this question earlier I'm curious your take what will be a harder game for the Celtics to win tonight's game in Atlanta -- Christmas in Los Angeles. --

I would say this. I would say probably. This game in Atlanta because you you know. What the Lakers are going to do you know everyone's going to be up for that game everybody on both sides the ball's going to be very excited to play in the game you know -- very complain about. They're scheduled to give back the camp practice on. -- You know. There's already kind of that the hype is our starting in because the objective of complaining about -- schedule I think you know with this game. You know the Celtics. No without Bedard played it once but they played them -- without Josh Smith and I talked about a point four quote thought of the guy whoever you know open -- But he's he's a great shot blocker. -- guy who's not a big man is not a better. Fantastic city he's he's an incredible shot blocker for his position and I just think it would come to a game like this is optional guys we got in the last night we had time to rest. We did you know. My baby you know Georgia -- the sense of the other guys you know about the Pachulia. Got put --

The bed. You have that you just not sure what exactly what they do it in really out to how to scout it and it in in understand what they do you play the Lakers. I mean that's what it is limited to Christmas state game and everyone's fired up there's going to be liberties. The object it would -- So much about what's going on in last -- bubble slot so you know this game I think is one of those tougher game I would -- trap game but it's just that one of those in just a little bit tougher for. You know for the Celtics because in. You know what kind of team are you going to -- outside the team that's going to be on fire in the going to start slowly going to get up when he and I got to kind of keep then down. Are they going to make a run -- it to me that that's up for game.

I think it's going to be a tough game to on one hand. But on the on the other when I think of the celtics' struggles at times in Atlanta last year. You didn't have great performances from Ray Allen all the time in defensively you didn't have great performances from the defensive player of the year in KG. If those two things change tonight we might be talking a different that we are we talking about a Celtics blow up blowing them.

Yeah yeah we could yeah and I think raid that. You know this Hawks team last year is that in the did not the indeed indeed a glimpse of what we've seen from Ray Allen obviously you know last game -- have a great game but over the stretch. He's been fantastic in that this huge part because of -- rob I think probably -- better place. You know as far as it is basketball mind is the you know if you look. Died at the numbers. What this team is definitely as far as you know how -- other defending. You know talk of the Celtics. It's it's that the good number that sticks out you know you talk about other leading the league in field goal percentage -- and but what you don't realize is that an and the reason why Rondo and everybody is so happy right now -- victory we hear the victory talking great -- about Rondo but. Think about it Paul -- reality KG. They're field goal attempt Paul Pierce is taken 329. Rating KG 328. That would make you happy so to me. Yet KG. Not playing great last year that the Hawks. Ray Allen not really playing great either but Rondo to me is the key tonight but these guys to really to keep his big but -- victory happy in. I don't think talks. Understand they know about the Big Three that I don't I don't really think they understand you know the level that rivals playing at you know over this stretch and and definitely that this --

all of a follow up on Rondo. Because he has gone up against. You can make an argument that he he's gone up against the two best point guards in the NBA in the last two games Chris Paul in my opinion is the best he's amazing. Had a good game against Chris Paul Chris bought a great game two but the thing that surprised me was. His game against Utah thought Deron Williams with his size we give Rondo trouble and Rondo. Really it embarrassed and at times.

Yeah you don't it's funny because last year when we saw Rondo have issues. You know that the the opposing point guard was misfortune forcing the issue you know basically -- Williams uses his size and strength. Same thing you play against Dallas and take it uses his size his strength. Chris Paul you know using his quick and in the lane and you know herky jerky move with the basketball not go to an issue that. I mean you have other guards who really like Tony Parker would try to just run as Rondell last year. You know -- that I don't like stop this I don't what that these guys. And this season -- elegant open -- or maybe doctors don't you know what how to stop you. Yet you have to do the job on defense but yet take it one more step and I think that's what he's doing it's it's too cold this year what -- Rajon Rondo and then. How can make that me well a lot of care so I need to force the issue yet they might make a good move but I can't. Hang my head and be upset to get the ball bounce go right back yet they make the right play. Score I have to do it and be aggressive and I think that's what he's doing not just focused on trying to stop these -- lead and take advantage -- but he's also finding ways to take advantage. Of the opposing point guard he really has been agreed up especially. Particular did there was.

I'm going to play word association I'm going to say something I want to say the first thing the pops into your head okay okay Stephon Marbury. Crazy. That was restraint what did you go to.

They try to -- as it is -- anything about him crazy trying to bring him to the Celtics will be crazy. If you but he made it short he's crazy I mean he'd -- All the things that he that he has you know does that make him who he is it's just that there's not nothing write about it I mean really I mean obviously. If you can get him on the court and keep them on about book or playing. You know playing not sitting on the -- playing. You know he's a very very good players can't take that Whitman but that we you'd bet he'd probably more than I have in baseball and what what -- probably football. But definitely basketball that. The guy's antics of players and -- you forget how -- a player there because it's -- what other BS going on around them you know there's just too much other stuff that that. Outside of what's important to in their lives with basketball which make them they are in step on -- that you forget how with a player he has been in you know he is a very good player but. There's so much other baggage that comes with what he would bring your team is it makes you think we think about this guy like -- he's great he's not in the things that he says. What we saw it -- the children and last year about yet is you know he was doing these. These one on one interviews in in you have no idea where he scored what it is who you know eat you want to beat it beat detested for whatever for anything and everything in you know it's interesting when people thought well this -- topical or the Celtics or wherever. It's it had no agent forget the thing who -- the ball thing that all the talk that this -- wanted boys you know spreading good news that yes you know that this. Bird in the best team leader arrested and mortgages. You know or is it another one it is you know it's it's crazy. Rant about you know getting you know people shooting in the back and he's you know -- comes to Africa or you know. In all I'm going to play basketball and and you know if you're talking about the Celtics bring him with the Celtics I mean. -- I don't know but when you when you. It's like it's like -- you know he got a 260 yard shot over water the risk reward -- you know at the reward that big you know at particular risk on the.

Like the local reference them yet. They had like pac man -- he's even thinking about going 206 aren't as. That is pillows -- okay you know Pistons did not enough about eating this is what's on your mind shopping and golf you know it you've -- on the air for a basketball game. -- what kind of games but it gave birth to seven now without it all out here you have to -- a lot of us.

It did a great team or maybe 35 -- 1818 that's about it yet but let me ask you about -- Mariano this is this the fair analysis on my part is that the DL yesterday. That is the -- Marbury had kept his head on straight he could have been John Stockton to KG's Malone. Yeah back in Minnesota you think that's fair.

Yeah kept his head on breakup did not -- I mean is that. If you remember back in for all -- People before you know we're we're so you know involved in what's going on and in new England and Celtics and everything else you know especially. The acted that would you know. UConn -- in Celtics and you know everything going on in the -- You know what he was back playing with KG in Minnesota he was jealous of KG I mean now the reason why that things didn't work is because -- almost jealous of what KG was making. I mean that was it is really the root of it in. To me. You know he. Yes you -- that can be forgiven of things like that but. If you look at this industry kept -- displayed I mean he could have been -- a great ride with Kevin Garnett I mean really really -- their players play with. That keep you. Then value would be on your -- case he could have been one of those guys to step -- you know maybe the park but they take. I got a chance that there is to make this right what -- will find where we are.

To get a little Brady scared when Paul Pierce at the floor the other night.

Yes and no I mean what I -- go down in and he grabbed in the that this which you'll grab something down even if they're able to grab late. But you know what when I saw the replay at soaking it really effort and it is really. You know he didn't he didn't look like he was you know again that the -- treated well. So I mean I was more afraid last year you know against the Lakers that I was you know last game. But we'll see if -- can go to -- Dickerson that you run right now -- ago or quality you know did you know yesterday it looked okay walking on the plane but again walking in. And running. Obviously two different things so hopefully he go to.

Leader of the got joking with this question but I I'm I'm completely serious. At any point in your career. In in your broadcasting career have you thought about. Coaching in the NBA normal without question -- never thought about.

You know before I think I got into broadcasting yet but -- you know. You know I've thought about I would love to coach sit at my alma mater UConn but at the at the NBA level you know -- just to me. You know a lot of your success if you're not -- did you know that lies in the hands of your of your head coach you know -- if you get -- usually they're the rest of the guys who would not a lot of security unit. Obviously you have to think like that which one I think if you could be a winner and and so and so forth but I you know it it's a great life and and it really -- the great light but you know let that I can't play. -- I mean this to me is -- the coaching what I'm doing now look at them in it in in -- in -- I am kinda coaching from the sideline or from the from the broadcast Booth and I absolutely love it but while I've been in broadcasting no I'm like you know what I see. I know enough that -- have an effort to -- coaches in the NBA who I had to see what they go through it in the time with the -- this so -- on and on that. I -- before it started broadcasting yet -- like that be great system but right now I -- World Cup.

You know you know it and ray Allen's theory to all these coaching moves you know six coaches already fired. In the NBA season before Christmas his theory was that. The celtics' success. Really cost some other owners and GM's to be impatient because of the Celtics could do this so quickly. Why can't some of these other teams have quick turn around that -- series is is it a little more sinister than that it is. That GM's and owners don't respect. What NBA coaches do they don't they don't. Respect the position. And so they just they just dismissed these guys. After a year or year and have -- he has been their four year. Inspire -- it's okay.

It's black and white with the owners a lot of owners and league it's it's like the way I mean think about it. You know we can talk about it over and over again you know years ago Doc Rivers was the you know they're talking about you know -- He is he he can't get it done players -- are getting better the team it seems being. In doubles and predicts that -- what are you crazy. But trust me if you want me here you want to win this what happened to you it's on look what happened so. You know I just outrageous thing everyone is trying to get to a certain point -- talk about baseball. You know especially the last 1015. Years it's the Red Sox Yankees they're trying to keep up with those two teams. I think there is a little a little truth to what race and I can understand that but. I just think it's -- black -- I think the owners the owners and management they cannot waiting. Then especially owners -- not winning we -- somebody else in here who can win but I don't understand how owners think that you have the same core guys. On the floor. Doesn't matter who you bring it they'll have -- guys in the same effort you know that you had the last -- so. You know I can I can arsenal were -- I think it is and I agree with Hewitt -- I think that you know that they're they're not on the same page you know and and it's hard because you can't have an owner who wants the micromanage. Because and you have a Mark Cuban situation where Avery Johnson was. One of the the best coaches in the history. For the country within and history of the league if you look at his numbers he he really was just sort of numbers alone and as winning percentage and then the red organization. To get rid of about that it seemed a little bit more personal to me did it did with his record what was happening. But it's just you have too many owners -- just think you know what you're not winning. We need to get somebody -- here and and that's what the turnovers but absolutely what race -- people want to be like the Celtics but they have to understand. You know you got three great players to the together. In yet Doc Rivers it didn't -- three great players say okay go up there plate you have to have the right guy back to be able manage those personalities and put that together and be able to. Like at this I gave you got the numbers 328328329. The Big Three that's what they're -- and so -- mean that to me. That's his managing personalities but also managing your team forward. The other thing is guys a lot of these gentlemen there's. Again not being on the same page with the coaches they they bring these guys then who their manners or he's a great player great player but he coached. If you get a play Pete it's now the coach have to deal with trying to make a bad player -- good players it just doesn't happen and now. Who do you blame the -- vote would go.

How many pairs of shoes can you realistically take on the charter coming home.

What because -- you should check you know -- you rector. Honest I mean I love. Ami you know to meet you look things that you you really don't want to be -- with. Kerry I -- you carry that thing you're you're excited to give back though not back -- a marketable crate him an issue of restricts my my daughter date birthday tomorrow I gotta. You know we're we got a big big at -- you know on them David -- you know you know -- you know how to move Robinson. -- Michael you talked only now -- up -- save up.

Richard army's ten pairs and she got blistered. My daughter and I don't want me god he's daughter's going to be a star Jesus and oh boy so yeah. So you gotta give -- got to get or something that that helps or with their career goals them they had a national superstar singer.

I'm trying to think what -- one feels bad to manage your daughter like yup is that yeah yeah they'll they'll play well. The work -- we're going to be empathetic.

I mean you know but but what we think manager dads. You think of somebody like you know Joe Jackson. You know Michaels there and it bigger dog and guess what your daughter didn't like that anymore she says Donnie that isn't what I you don't want to be one of knows.

first name charity called me doubt him now -- and troubles he's already told me that it did. Let me tell you what you'll see when -- figured that we league will be about 34 years old would want these says Michael -- comment -- trouble now on the trouble now.

That's. Not -- timeout. And I talked. About that. I -- I'm not going to say that what you said was stupid as we don't use that word hate dogs they let the bags are paying the mortgage is that they call me Michael Barrett. -- have a good time down there tonight we'll talk -- next week I get -- are obviously not at Marshall from Comcast sports net joining us live in Atlanta.