Danny Ainge, Celtics President

back era and allow the big show on Sports Radio W island beat -- gap amend bill Brcko which the conversation with Danny just brought Dubai in part pilots the boards and arsenals through it and by the McCallum graduate school of business at Bentley. University and good afternoon to anyhow Rio. I'm going to do under Illinois when he studies were mysteries -- boring after a I had better depth enough boring. While this is one that the Celtics haven't had since that believed that the year before you got there and -- when that team won eighteen with a fifteen in a row. Is is it's very impressive especially the back to back in game -- to that point. -- I don't my rookie year 818 era through. It was a it's right whether he wanted to since a long drugs the remembered in the Blue Jays uniforms are your. And the.

when when you look at the the level of dominance that this team is he showing not as winning by winning more often than not by a comfortable margin. How does that level of play in the in terms of its in terms of the competition compare to those great Celtics teams that you were on in the mid to early to mid eighties.

I think this team reminds me more between that -- in the eighties in the last just. Simply because column last fifteen we've talked vote forward. So much more focused. And consistent focus I think our guys have been together more I think they've yeah they've developed a great country competence in. And I think the big I do find him pacing themselves. Periodically but. I'm really surprised that you know at that point in two it was -- flash it was -- 66 Coke. And give a lot of credit to our coaches and players. For -- in focus. They weren't they out.

Here we are again another weekend and we're going to bring his name again because she just continues to get every two weeks doesn't even more even more spectacular molasses. -- on Rondo and then another incredible like the other number 25 points and tell if white -- on the All-Star team to send.

You know. I don't really care about that I don't know -- I -- not because there's about everything. I just. You know and hoping that he -- continues to be consistent. He had this you know that if indeed -- is like ray and Paul eat out he's he's starting figure something out teams are playing at and it gives away. But his growth has been magnificent in the he's been. Not here -- contributor to a good team -- There's nights where he's actually the best player. In which he's playing with 3 same players went about our best player so that's very encouraging.

Danny I think probably underlying aspect of his game that probably maybe a lot of people don't understand. Is his competitiveness and he does not show much emotion he's got that poker face. But you know in talking to him last year you know he can he keeps videos of of guys playing against I mean he is. In them and ask you this but he's he really is a student of the game he's just not playing basketball here correct.

Oh no he's very much student he probably what has or their home state team when he -- the other team. It's very bright. And you know I think even early on in his career -- is basketball like -- got him in trouble because I think he. -- feel like he knows more than the veterans more than the coaches at times because he does have a good feel for the game. But just lack of experience. Can't possibly can't possibly know what the rest of the guys now -- that's been a little bit of frustration. The guys dealing with Rondo and even he does have some problems in college coach and things like that but he's learning he's been humble. He's had some bad games that humbled in -- but it's great players in the indictment humbled him. And that I think that humility is going to in the what is important is going to enable -- to beat these potential.

Paul Pierce suffered at the left knee contusion on -- how Oscar was that the UN and looks like he's going to be -- play tonight.

Yeah I think he's going to go to night. You know but it looks like he'll be able to play out I don't think it's they've experienced. It's just. In a bruising and it. Tweaked it a little become like -- a quarterback. So much -- the -- all around him and but I think he's going to be quite.

Did you you've got four games before. Christmas but Christmas Day offers that marquee matchup. Of -- in a rematch of the NBA finals of the Celtics and Lakers and realizing that it is a one game at a time proposition. What sort of immunity is that -- real benchmark game does that tell you anything about where you are. Or is it just one of 82 against the a very good team.

Are you know what it's more than that it bit of both games are so much on you know fun for the fans and players and and you know I just hope the players don't forget about the the next four games leading up to their game forget about the game about. Because it really doesn't mean that much -- and give us the bench more aware of all. I I think that there. Fun game that that it stated and normal game because the Lakers you're going into the in bill laying on Christmas Day -- it's a huge national television audience. And it's a -- Desperately wants to prove that they belong. And that they're better than. And so oh win that would be great it would mean a great deal other than it would still. We can meet challenges here again like this year that we did last year.

Is it do you play in the civil Christmas Day games I believe I'm sure you have and his is that is -- at different. Type of a game different type of a date you have to prepare mentally -- any different way because it's. Because Christmas Day new guys might be thinking about the families are. I'm not be with them at that time we just coming up to block it out as soon as the ball was tipped off.

You know what there's. As the NBA in in the world of sports this -- distraction. As you can't play with distractions that you can't play there's either there's. This things can avoid. -- it to playoffs and big game there's there's there's many many distractions. You know the real pros complaint under these circumstances that doesn't excuse --

We're into tonight's game goes there was a story or two out there believers earlier late last week early this week but. Talks about possibly justify Marbury to the Celtics might have some interest is there any truth to that at all and even if the story has not been written would you -- which you have any interest in and Stephon Marbury.

You know -- I don't even really want to discuss -- that he you know I don't discuss creates stress free agents that are on there already but that already but the agents that are still with other teams. So that's just the taboo subject will be discussed.

Just -- to -- You know I've prepared that way it was talked about earlier in the week and then -- lot of freedom station about it.

The I understand and you know I get so it's fun for everybody to talk about it hope they enjoy themselves I -- say -- litigate tonight.

Did you compare the two teams you -- you mentioned that you know this team is different than last just seemed -- the Celtics percent.

Just I think there's some differences and I and I think it's it's both are healthy and that helped even last year it was just. Is it really I think our players realize how hard it is to win and how much they put in in dedicated. And a sacrifice last year in -- become champions it was a full focus I think this year. You know they're they're trying to do it -- of a different way. And I think they understand the grind -- I think that. I sense a peace in ourselves a little bit here and there. He has come up with great energy and great -- like the other night against Utah become the -- outburst in the first quarter and our guys were really focused and that was real intensity. And then in the second quarter when the starters came back in the united stats the starters come back in the distance seemed to have that -- A lot less -- that last genetics in this year by. You know they came out. European open the game up in the third quarter and in the -- win but. -- a little bit more about mindset that I do that constant focus.

Is that a is that like it being in these sort of concerned that hopefully that. That there is -- at three of four game losing streak which we didn't see a year ago -- and other as a three year when my well -- to let one that the point is. That you that the eye of the tiger and it's understandably when Italians and we put into it but I mean look back the -- that there were times I'm assuming win when your team. Also you know he didn't win 69 games every year despite having you know being together for good chunk of the eighties. That it is a good thing to pace yourself a little but it.

No I agree that's what I'm and I think that they had the good news is they've they've really believe that they can do it. And they have a great deal of confidence that bad part is if they'd just think that they don't have to go through the process well I'm not suggested that would not go for the process to win as. I fear that what they're in practice in and I feel hard they play. I did a night out assists. It's it's not every minute as much as it was last year I'm not concerned yet I -- feel like this team is. Have a great confidence -- does remind me more of the in Berkeley around in. And two championship years in for an eight --

Well this game coming up tonight in Atlanta has been basically kind of a pathetic sports town what it really has this Atlanta -- team is use violence NC a little bit started with game six last year finally got some people in the building by. I'm sure you guys planning on eighteen about 18000 in -- tonight then go left until it absolutely bonkers they want seven and -- home threw in a row. And so heroic home so this -- the -- of the -- looks like a sudden become a pretty good rivalry series.

Well it'll be great -- I think that the atmosphere in Atlanta will be there'd be much greater than than normal. Regular season game of this system is that's really really the big game of the year in Atlanta for -- stand -- for the players to. To try to you know could see would -- are in relation to where they were last year against -- In particular to the wire in the playoff series but no this is huge for them they've been promoting this -- In you saw a concert tickets and everything within this big game you've -- people pick in the building.

Ausmus for all of television today talking about a two more -- place -- think the Arctic a big key tonight I think it is to win those games were perky KG can really really. Put up some and impressive numbers up that now the kid doesn't usually anywhere but you know -- the ball inside I think that's where -- vulnerable coach Pete.

What they have some good shop in the you know adjustments -- blocker and incorporate is really becoming you know. And quality NBA player. Aboriginal double double but. I mean I think if we -- we have advantages. And then they have the Bears have great depth in. Great shooting. You know Pete you know on the -- is guaranteed that there -- their defense has picked up last year in the other -- well tonight.

who has covered for. The Los suppose he has it as it then everybody in umps talk and probably more on the defensive end in the -- because obviously you get guys -- can score Rondo is playing better has has. As -- recovered as the team covered for. What Posey brought to the team.

Well absolutely inane work twenty greens it'll like yeah he's not going heartbeat at this earned the trip to go to number one he could in the league. So you know there's yeah I would say that it just. No blocking and I believe that anybody we bring -- are -- going to have to be. In you know I would say they're they're the biggest factor with Posey is. Maybe just that spreading the floor if we wanted to play small. And that's about KG with more three point shooters. But I think that we have not missed James optional second half that he's been very early in the playoff could be played games on the court with -- and bring it in time. Did that early in the season last year that we pretty much a band that. But the first part of February so it was old Buick and uses I think with the media Lakers series in the game that miraculous comeback -- or. Like. No I mean we know James is a great player but we feel you don't hold you know when there's. -- in about a point that up last. -- need to point out more in about five minutes last. Imposing -- offensively and defensively he is not the same kind of defender. But in some ways a much better defender in games.

But once since you brought up by Tony -- talk -- concerns last couple games he seems to be struggling you know a little bit at least on the you know on the offensive side of the ball any concerns that. That's going to continue.

You know I I find his own book in the post saying. It just because you know Tony. Is averaging eight point eight points the epic Posey averaged seven point last year and Kobe should 50% from the field. And I think call the shot 41% on the year last year. And yet you don't mean I don't know what -- with the expectations are called -- connect out good gains and bad game like most good players. But like most thought might like most ball players in the starters. But we low one thing that Tony cranked up every single night he brings intensity. -- He brings steal he brings to flex and he's going cuffed Marc and we knew we love who is in Indianapolis is what brings -- And you know he's been up some good games offensively and some -- games and that's usually because because they're good players that come in twice could gain. He's become didn't give the starters a rest the first ethnic community in the lessons that out what starters. Usually get more time in the game. They start they come back this -- come back each and so it's much the moment -- consistency of those starters.

Videos checking. At the earlier today the you tough flash sets and noticed you you two guys there it didn't and walker both. One I think Walker's one about eighteen or nineteen points same thing with students with what are the reports on the MII saw the record was two and five not great but what would have you heard about the two.

Yes sold their victory in five. And the team has had some struggles but. They're both they both were injured this week they're averaging like 21 -- 22 point to gain and and Billy didn't score in -- for last because he got hurt the first part of the game equipped enough and didn't play him again. But he he's back healthy now and then JR. Played an entire game without his. Without shooting the ball because he had his. The bruise on his right listens to plan basically with the left in him. -- numbers aren't as it is and where before they had these injuries. And that you are setup the last game it's what is the wrist injury but he should be buying this week in the play. The play well and we picked those guys have -- right in the future.

Let's just a question for me before you go one guy that I love watch them play obviously doesn't get a lot of minutes for variety of reasons but when pearl is out there I mean I I think he's shown. Tremendous improvement in his game and and owners -- more loss or get us who can play more.

you know we we all we all do in a game but it didn't work hard. If you really want to play. We think he's an MBA player. And when every cent chance the plate so that he he he's a complete player who plays defense. And put Oscar. He's not a real leader right now is young you know real vocal here. But he he comply he can't dribble shoot he'd defend. In and out. It as a bright future.

go want to thank you you've donated six of your own a tickets for this Sunday's upcoming game at the garden on December 21 against the nets Knicks at 6 o'clock of their because loads thirteen rows of succeeds in a row. On the -- face dollars a 190 dollars each and and so we thank you so watching all the proceeds going to benefit the charity called -- is so we're. Very appreciative that -- Maryland auction tomorrow on on the station here on the show and give them away so thank you so much for that.

About a degree and that should be good game to -- in the Knicks gave the Lakers -- the good and the last night in the Lakers squeak Gary. A win last night over the next the next -- you know kind of fun exciting to actually be good gained the guard them on the here is Marbury is bought tickets of that team too. I couldn't -- I don't know that he was that began last night but you know always bit of a -- with the game in the NL laid up their work it out for what it's.

I bought tickets and again he could bid on Thursday that's an important street to the Castro for those. Our guys tonight the team is in the Atlantic on the -- agree one will be lots and we'll talk an excellent game tonight. Yeah yeah the great game to -- un ticketed.