Danny Ainge, Celtics President

I diverse the -- have loved basketball actually we've been talking basketball -- since we started at 2 o'clock. But he Danny -- and Celtics president Danny Ainge judges you are you're actually -- working today.

The have been lucky this week guys. Just look at that re evaluated all the guys down and developmental league.

I -- is -- used there because your thinking about the possibility of bringing one of your guys in the up --

I'm no I am just. Evaluating the development mean I think the ages twenty to 25 our guys did a lot of guys get a lot better than some guys don't get much better so I'm just. Scene and re evaluated all the players that we drafted over the lot -- and eight are you waiting in the draft process the last few years so it's just to kind of constant. Evaluation process of people of -- Make trade Casey had injuries he did to call people up on the spur of the moment I don't. Worthy of where their games are relative to today.

Right if you watched some of the stuff over the last though weekend or Holland even on the the road Danny and what is your take what's wrong you know what do you see. That that is missing with that with your team right now.

Well you know first ball. That this is the same group of guys that was just 119 in a row and I think that's very common to look at the history of the -- that affect the Laker team. 133 games in a row that they -- no I don't think anybody I remember being a kid. And watching that streak gonna -- and they didn't know about they'd lose the rest of the year and then all the sudden they lost for the next six games. I remember what Karine was that it would they won twenty games in a row you know they went -- last. With Oscar they went in Los that the Knicks by about six. I don't think it's that in common I expected. Some of the things. That we're facing right now is to hit us at some point during the year I actually anticipated it may be being earlier in the year I was shocked that we started out point 72. But I'm not worried I think that we've had leads in all six of these games. We had the lead or tie it in the last five minutes of the game with our starters rested and ready to win game. And they just haven't been able to do it and now that every team goes through those.

I and I don't think anybody here uses panicky we've been talking about it I think we all pretty confident that it is a blip that they're going through right now but. The -- going through right now do you get the feeling that they're showing the same commitment. At the defensive and it seems to me that so much of your offense so much of Rondo was do we push the ball. Getting you know the numbers on the break doing a lot of that stuff. Really was started by their commitment to the defensive end he used to complain that same. Given that same commitment to the defense.

dot com. You know the -- of numbers haven't changed dramatically open this stretched but I don't see the same exact -- the but but I also know that you know shooting brings a lot of brings a lot of other emotions to our team and you know when worse you'd want for ten last night it down the stretch of the game would mean that. It -- of the frustrations that they have and I just don't think the commitment to the defense were not good stops when we need him. And we're not making shots when you need them and that's kind of been the staple of this team and what the team won the championship last year and why. This team -- 66 games in the regular season and you know what we got to such a great start this year those things that we were able you know. So. We're we're just not -- it right.

Danny this is Lou Maloney you know one of the things I think you're watching his team talk about the team defense especially that game -- Atlantic in Charlotte wanted to exist concerning was. You know guys slashing to the basket fighting the -- defects it seemed as though in the rotation of the weak side help was maybe a step or two. Too slowly getting there you know maybe -- and -- block instead of a charge how much is -- a lot of people around are talking about how much is do you really feel could be just fatigue points these.

Well you know I was it was fatigue as a record because that -- every team has fatigue. -- I'd I think that there's some -- but I think it's more focus when you get beat on back cuts and you know you're not paying attention and it seems like it's. It's a different guy each time it's not one guy this is continually playing bad deep -- It seems to be all eyes and oh win every game with the starting unit it has a great cohesive group. And they've they've put up phenomenal numbers. That group of five guys. Over the last two years as starters have been one of the best lineups in the whole NBA over the course of this time so. They're the ones who have the ball that the want to have the -- they're the ones that have had great success over the last two years. And right now they're the ones that are getting the job on them stretch games and I'm confident that they well.

It seems to mom interesting calls from the officials last 45 and now it an 88 daddy did -- the role of the -- today is that you play by --

But -- wondered at your guy and -- hot and I'm I'm not blaming and you lost on officials call however. Are some these because things don't get under the skin of the players and maybe even got a little bit is that leading to some this. No complacency that -- or or a lack of focus.

What I think what I think is happening is last year. We weren't the feel good story of the NBA all around your team people were coming out he's been on the road people were coming out. Could watch the Celtics play in -- a lot of help expand on the road and so forth and now after winning the championship. The the Celtics have become kind of -- evil empire. Like -- wiwa and eight. Yeah and senseless with a sorry eagle on the golden state bulldogs are into the crowds are crazy they -- thirteen. It is it makes or breaks with me even when they beat the Celtics and used it as a springboard to go further. And it's a great game -- motivation for the fans and everybody else but if there's so get caught up -- that. And -- and our guys are facing that much greater than they did last year when we we would've -- reportedly.

Right now your son like to me it's always Augusta logs in --

But I think given that I think that there's more physical play and all of a sudden started -- about. We use cracks talking to me it -- then that sucked last year. And can you hadn't changed a bit when you've been talking from the second came out of the womb.

pocket. And I didn't you know there's there's bad morals image important. And it wouldn't -- any good I really don't need to change that in changing. Then what they did last year so. I think the perceptions are different and that -- injured out together and that is good for -- up like.

KG using that same language of the -- Yeah. Although at second because I want to. A stay on this on this point because there is no question that Europe and we talked about looking back at the schedule. Teams getting up for the Celtics it -- you want to beat the big bad. You know world champions or whatever and you throw everything at him. Good example Charlotte -- that type of game and then last night just lays an egg in the first quarter credited with a good team but they didn't get. Same emotional. Lift going up against LeBron in Cleveland as they did against the defending world champions. And they got beat by 32 points and in that game last night. Do you think you see it. I have nothing to base -- on other than eyesight watching these games. I appealing -- coaching staff. Are keeping their first units are noticing more of other teams' first units playing against your bench. And in in looking at somebody at the schedule here when they played the Celtics stigma. To losing the next night.

I think there's some truth anatomy and it is too big -- and ultimately and that the hell was likely that the culprits in the eighties. You know it is a big game everywhere you go all the fans are crazy they want to beat the Celtics in the of course the coaches even -- that. And again I'm not saying that the officials are making all the bad -- yet understand that they expedient to -- became more physical all the then. In other current balance that our guys get beat up a little bit more. The they have in the past and me you know hopefully we get those same kind of called rock crowd is crazy when -- And -- about on the road it's been it's been -- more physical but I do think which is there is right.

Did you call the league won it -- it was six on five for the Portland was a six on five. How how the hell can they allow that basket did you ever talk to -- league get an an official explanation because that is the most bizarre thing ever receive.

We called the league -- I'm trying to get. That duly did doesn't do to get them to corrected after the game's over. I mean obviously everybody in the league. No cost but the rule is now they're going to make changes to it and it probably won't ever happen again. But we would try to get him to change -- at halftime in the course of -- have been. And I just. I think that it. It was a bad ruling. It's kind of been the rule you it soak up some protection because of the call but it made so. Approach certainly going to change it to -- not a rule but I assure you that those little will be change just by province.

It's been so much greater this'll Stephan Marbury thing and I know that you're limited and what you can comment what you can say but if you're looking at in that deal addition. To your roster would it be helped. With a big guy or would -- help in the backcourt.

I would just say all they always. Then I don't get caught up in in in one of those things that you have to meet quality. Is more important. And that league player and -- in the but it will be out which -- all -- and you know but big guys -- come by. But there's not that many of them out there and I'm not sure there are much that there are. Upgrades from what we out. As regards residual little bit more options -- department.

duck with the big man you gotta feel really good with the way big Beijing -- especially last night with what he did. He looks real comfortable he looks a lot more confidence and on the especially on the offensive sent the ball.

Yeah now he's worked hard and a jump shot knock it down that's 1578 but jumps out to be picked struck out the playoffs carved up. There's been a lot of time in the summer and and it's certainly come around are consistent yet. But are you see you know every third game -- every other game right now he's he's not condone. Multiple shots from the outside that's going to help but and you know he always could play good speaker. And a good workers so are more excited --

I don't know how much if any you -- last night's game but doc use -- what I thought in pivotal point in a ball game last night in the Kidd responded. What's your take on on -- at right now and do you think that we're getting to the point where doc feels more comfortable. And he's a guy that you could put it that number yet at the one spot.

What did you know last night played both the one end to -- group of versatile player about -- excellent job spending. I personally think gave it our best defender on the -- I didn't -- just eat the bat he's got the -- The test shots you can see out here that -- stood out in the game last night. And they -- guys a little -- he picked you to your dad of course I thought it could pick a good job Gardner blocks. But a lot of by renegade with you only got to keep him on the and he did a very good job I think it is going to never make -- shots and out. He's playing harder. And I didn't think -- is growing in their -- doc Patten in the growing by the day.

I'm glad I brought the point earlier with the scheduled to meet they're about practice and intensity stuff for doc right now he gets being on the road. We get back he gets settled down you know you've QB if you beat Cleveland on Friday at Toronto and New Jersey. KKK in these next four games fix it as quick as people think that there's a problem with this team right now.

I I think the mixed audience -- stricker would be pretty you know you know one another organ when it's regular be amazing are not going to be a challenge still. We know that but I I'm just hoping that we grow we learn from there's a lack talent in nearly the same group of guys -- been able to finish games all year. And they're just -- soccer elk -- I'm open that we hear expired. April. And is and probably more concerned by them.

How much of that do you think through that nineteen game stretch I know doc. Often set I don't still don't think we're playing. Anywhere close to our best basketball and and I tend to do agree with that how much do you think. That a lot of that looked a little bit better DNA in that. There was some terrific perimeter shooting especially from Ray Allen he was on that tremendous streak there. And you were forced to play a little bit more of that half court than maybe you really wanted one.

I think right now because that would argue that isn't quite as good when we get in the open court we're still pretty dang good. The -- right when we won that if you game winning streak we work I mean regulars topped the charts that is shooting and he can't maintain that the course this season. And you know Paul -- the restriction -- nineteen game winning streak in the industry in the seventh to start you know -- had. Six -- seven of those games took spectacular fourth quarters like you did bastard well. And then out but I agree but doc I don't think we played as good as there were eight for a Battle -- work. Plane that much different right now other men were not able we're not finishing the game like we did earlier in the year and you know when you're on the road you play and -- good competition there and I'm on the road as is typically there's competition. You have to finish Gaines you know when you doubled leading up believing you get to the players on the court. That's what it's going to come down to our most of the games are decided in the last implement -- And that that crucial part of the game -- number proper we'll get back.

On one final thing before I let you go you said you're watching immediately players. Tell us give us an update on it didn't give us an update on walker. And when you think they going to be. To the point where they can play. On a night to night basis in the NBA.

Well -- watched all sixteen teams played definitely gains. In the dealing soak -- in value cartoon guys are still very very good about their each. And the good the rest that he made the cut down your JR has played fantastic over the last couple weeks he heard a brisk. Let accompanying -- of the expect. And today. And given it some time are quick in the book banged up a little bit. -- JR had a bad written you're still going up there -- scored. Fourteen of fifteen point playing great he's spent. They're doing all the little things that I was impressed that you'd be able to play this thing without being able to shoot the ball pretty well with his right hand. JR. Has a Big East as as well. Billy. In the first game of the showcase was clearly got -- the best player and also is. In the first game he was 26 points -- ten -- twelve shooting. Knocked out three -- be -- to rebound the ball pass the ball. I think both these guys given an opportunity to quiet in the NBA right now and contribute. And -- was actually witnessed -- rock record got.

Out now because again everybody and that's a good health wise with walker. Because that obviously was a concern going into the season.

Right and so that's why would be a little bit cautiously wanted to play in the game tonight so that they are. But I'm in the back about dusty get double checked. -- JR ability in the game the other night just went up the block the shot above the square came down and twist to the leg a little bit and you know the doctors or stay on that would numbers middle Giricek got to be sure but they played a lot of games. And I just want to kind of let our coach is reevaluate them next week and get back without.

did they were talking and actually. Evidently Zealand Danny the road as he told you in the.