Kenny Smith, TNT NBA Analyst

We'll talk with Kenny Smith from. TNT he's part of the crew for inside the NBA course Ernie Johnson is the hosts -- talked -- in the past. Charles Barkley is on the panel Kenny Smith and Chris Webber. They are in the middle of forty games in forty nights and thankfully your Boston Celtics are still part of forty games and forty nights as they were last night. Tonight the double -- on TNT as the Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers from the Dallas Mavericks at the Denver Nuggets. Joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T your world delivered a two time NBA champion with the Houston Rockets sixth overall pick back when he was drafted. -- 199780s. 87 excuse me out of the University of North Carolina. As we said part of the inside the NBA crew on TNT Kenny Smith joins us Kenny at -- and Michael embossed and how are --

Doing great I remember that 87 draft I was sitting in Akron Ohio. And Jimmy Smith goes six to Sacramento. In the Cleveland Cavaliers take some guy from -- never heard of the job and.

Nobody got mark price and that. There.

It didn't look at the bit rate -- dog.

And it's funny because you're drafted -- sacrament of regular trap that's on down.

Yes he's from Sacramento but that I doubt bill that that come out -- feel for sort Kevin Dobson was an -- doubt that we. Known him could be political play college you know. What it really did a great great college basketball player able pretty good maybe they probably don't come by transport and he did admit -- college about.

Easily the mayor of Sacramento now.

The mayor yes you got -- opportunity to deal. What nobody want to muck below market rear. But on the payment Kenny Judith and my daughter -- debate team that always called KJ I was maybe they're. -- until -- how to upload them educated like a look at the KGB. --

Now now candy I was trying to. Tell Michael's here. Dale. About a smart very smart point you made about Rajon Rondo we always hear. How cute cute in the got to learn to shoot. -- a couple weeks ago about how deep fences approach him it's actually to his advantage to you repeat that story.

Well I always thought that if when did you when I was player as a player. But when you play against capital. You've -- what really couldn't shoot from the outside and you backed up awful and output that played -- an advantage because -- you didn't want -- cable perhaps related. You gave vulnerability could take up display to come back you'll put two and reveals that three. Out of the gap practice and we've really gotten to the ball well by himself. To feed the ball and don't want to vet so you actually seeping into the big bet he's good -- eventually make a stronger player. And if that ticket teams without that made him. Really yeah. Likud and -- and then all of a sudden he's talked to play good and it becomes great. -- I'm not saying that right -- now we've got to a point where he understands. How to do it. And play at that level. I really take a lot of badly split into advanced because they can't jump -- in the soup and and no one -- of his appointment leaked. Better and it's let's get the point where -- away as you could care Mitchell met back make.

Can we just saw the Celtics in seven tooth and nail games with the Chicago Bulls they finished on Saturday. They play Monday night against the Orlando team that's been off since Thursday should we have expected may be up flat performance from the Celtics to start last night.

Well I just you know sometimes takes what did you -- series. -- sometimes you play great sometimes you don't talk plummeted between altitude of probably to a tepid welcome back out of matchups and I think. The Celtics governor Arnold wants to regional player you want to doubt plates and a knowledge to duplicate key that the dominant big guy outpost on all -- most states in -- rhythm. Among became fuel costs from the play and then all of a sudden you say how we give back give it -- we do well. And it's don't last night out of out of Boston puppet -- have to play. To media perimeter people. As -- have just that there's a bigger -- Bennett says the white power. Hedo Turkoglu. And saw Lewis -- may have -- if you look at Rondo. Pierce Allen. Now ball very. And Eddie House -- have just a bigger is better the only -- out at a level to -- perimeter. That that really is tough order a consistent basis would be grateful.

Do you have Orlando when in this series getting.

Well -- epic that. Well Kevin Garnett are quick visit to series which old because that one guy. Who on the Dietrich and then. An audio operative then that I have the ability to take over a -- or take over segments of the -- in the low post probably beat mr. epic. Perkins the big baby Davis were able to do it. At topic at Chicago because they don't really have to do its latest shot blocker a -- able to delete -- traditionally done bigger. At that level emissions where you've -- But I'll tell you what. It is -- if -- level sleeps. They beat -- mr. -- a second -- as well.

You have to give -- gone efficient lacquered. That should give every of.

Thank you actually don't levels that it's not like they're. We've just -- that you -- I don't I don't think that's the case where with just that much better did you that we could be. They have to be on all cylinders they can't take nights -- and they can't think that there. The second seed a detective best seat in Easter Toppert and that's going to -- the activity. Is to -- are a lot also could be back -- the -- part.

We talked a lot about KG and I think of frustration here because we concealed walking around encouraging his teammates and the people say well why can't he play. And I make the point. I can't think of a basketball player who over the course of 152025. Games plays. Plays hurt like a football player would or like a hockey player would -- you think of anybody who may be that in an 87 Kevin Mikhail play with a broken foot but I can't think. Of a basketball player who's out there with everybody knows they shouldn't be union.

Oh what I think I -- put elective C going to keep morale and these guys could have will not magic question. But I was -- to or auto belt blog top experts right now -- beaten up and -- out became apparent. -- you -- But I can play an MBA right -- not physically able to play in the NBA game right now so. Because you're able to hear -- standup. And maybe not -- in the intent there's a way to being able to -- an MBA gave. At an MBA level some sort.

In your opinion Kenny whichever team comes out of this series. Is this is far as they're going to go because it just seems like nobody's beaten the Cleveland Cavaliers in the east this year.

I would tell you that the multiplicity of the player also will be denied it to try to hold true. After the Cleveland Cavaliers. -- with a broad -- may have BP. Now -- to back by below the different game to distribute an emotional. -- program and it also gave put its results sorted teammates. -- a -- will be -- law. Focused they can become left awards ceremony to neglect at the plate to build and Tobago -- beat crazy a lot of -- Do you try to be state statute is that out of characters so this will be very legitimate you've got to get them what they do look back the best team in basketball.

MVP race was not close at all. Did you ever get caught up in the Dwyane Wade or. LeBron James conversations six on one hand half a -- on the other did you ever see it that way did you think there was a clear difference as a voter stated yesterday.

Well I thought I've picked out every time I I thought it was a clip differently and it is wise but topic better term the players you don't Colby you're obviously. Either disabled about player in the league didn't have been -- article we going to be -- person that compensation but that doesn't always translate it to him BP. To media BP always goes to look at. Who was a great player but -- team is expected to win maybe 5350 -- gave the ball architects of the 6362. Games. Then backed out when the award. Typically when a guy -- abroad is on. Probably now looking at his expectation level for it was going to be distinction which sixty games picture. And it should averaged 48 point to -- that's the standard that. All of a sudden does this stand it would you it VP award and that's what happened the -- we got to stop at the -- That's up to Michael Jordan that's up in the magic and -- the bird all of a sudden. You're standard missile. You're competing against yourself and not the other got to win the award.

In your opinion Kenny is Dwight Howard the best defensive player in the league right now.

We official DT -- big game. We would talk of what it install it at where we where we were they when you what was it has to -- last night we were talking about. There's total crap that we can remember play and actually started out of urban have a point guard out of theaters much patriarch autumn and -- kept as much. In his career but Dikembe Mutombo. When the -- what did you guys that. You change option it's like everything you do it you always looked at what would it titillate that you always. Chased a whole. When you read your -- that we had different plays well we played against that we never erratic -- anyone else but -- accepted their. Like outlook that type of player they do not vote on it closer to that. Leave -- that they could well like postal soar to give him a tumble. And when the boat you always had to figure out where they were which it would Tibet.

I don't know if you heard before he came on we've been trying to -- on the air for three years so I got a lot that they that would askew I'm not.

I really don't vivid.

trying to get to throw lots are you can settle a debate I have a friend of mine for years and years. They always say -- no one knew Michael Jordan was going to do what he do when he got to the pros. Play with them at North Carolina. There's some great teams -- under dean Smith. -- you knew that Michael Jordan I don't know if you -- is going to be the greatest player one of the greatest players of all time but. You have a a sense that he was going to vote in the NBA and in racquet.

Well I would say yes I know I -- would -- but in terms of record elite awaited ticket doesn't. Know I've really can say that because. But the one thing that I always salute. It was funny because the things that. Where his weaknesses. Actually became his strengths in India. Went out to god I always just as they don't like that. You could have little ball on the mighty -- talk to applaud because I just seek out crowd throughout probable we joke about staying that he could not do. But it all Hamlet. It is an outside shot as I don't know how you mr. jobs these like -- yup perfect fall like everything is perfect doubled that you follow through how you. You missed jump shot. So the bigger that really be well it is we. -- Whereas explorer alligator idiotic it's consistent jump shot. Became its strengths in the NBA is boiling. And his jump shot so all of a sudden now. And that last part about it it was -- force an -- and the U I its -- it was the first. So I actually. Had -- fundamentals always at the correct and it properly and indeed. Always. Did do to correct jab stepped out of that all of those great. All -- got -- Could walk up to the University of North Carolina they all what super athletic. Really didn't have a great fundamentals it was always guards who were you know maybe not -- maybe not as -- and maybe got a very it was the I used to say what the complete package he -- he had every -- everything it is it is grossly bad. Ice is very colonization got every ticket has posted back right to call but Williams when he -- the house. Well we don't call it a little bit he has always the question about Iowa Michael and and all of us what is that. I will use everything -- rolls you back I got the milk I got the water -- good deal. -- Leave it to could -- be used.

Can LeBron be like that.

The -- but he I don't know what he's at this stage fundamental proud step Michael. Activity is what he is to most of the and that there's probably two weeks ago you got it all argument that we -- the regional so at that. -- they want player. Who has the ability that brought a tape that ever played an MBA that we could not comparable. There's -- guy it was in this big. This quick. What do as much -- ability and that much outlet -- to -- the closest thing we've seen in public. Criticism. Yet but there's no player in the MBA. That ever comes to delete like.

I was gonna say magic the direct match didn't have the strike on its quick Easter either as well if he was.

What looked at times digital maybe early -- about the -- a -- but there's no doubt we've never seen a guy like abroad dated the first of its kind. --

I'll be very surprised if if -- former team we won two titles the rockets upset the lakers even though they won last night. -- Tom -- I'll be surprised if Denver. Can knock off the lakers would you.

Well epic epic I would be less supplied but the forty bigoted October Patrick the rockets over the lakers in the altitude record beat the lakers. But actor Tom dot portraits agreed to be plant because. I just don't feel let the Pacific games without McGrady even know yet that open up stores grab up what this would be the heat get out. Because product has come it would take all of that -- at all just that he's taken a load off that beat right now -- it it exactly what he's doing now I thought he'd do sadistic. The second part about it is I don't pick that they can't get enough pockets now what out. Tracy McGrady is being held epic oughta just told it is you know -- gave it to. Where it becomes more would be Frederic not a scorer they don't have to the twelve point. Thirteen point oh. And then all of a put down main did you that you -- any that's eight to 21 game eight to twenty game we only get sixty point and it you don't get enough baskets. It'd put against the lakers -- afterschool. And that's probably hit you right. Ever have no problem score at -- so -- did go to via upset now did you I would be more surprised. If you're with a rocket even optic demand in October to dual but go vote on the tip of -- there.

Got to ask that before we let you go used to scoring colleges to run back can be sent to put a number one and here. I don't know if that was just a coincidence or you're atop the deep have to give back but always -- to watch it. To see if you put the number one in the year after you scored dated every time that intentional or that is one of those things that.

And we would double wanted to mention. That of the Cali Lewis -- because we want -- out. Obviously at some point these threats and the signal -- want -- that in -- we were up. Which was particularly all the time where -- I'll know practically dragged.

Point -- friends in my adult with the cola decent result you look at me did it all the time but if you look if you -- further back. Jimmy black David Gerald Ford did it we Olympic we would not want the.

It was worth it we waited a long time to be able to talk -- with -- it was really worth that we can't thank you enough.

I I -- double one out right.

There. Yeah. -- you know what give it that's our -- and ourselves to. Number one inside the NBA tonight another double header tonight on TNT sports games and forty nights Kenny thank you for taking a few minutes. You take care that is an easement from TNT. Part of that. That's studio crew with Ernie Johnson who's the ringmaster. It Charles -- on after each other Chris Webber as the try to somehow it -- wise when those 2801.

You mad imagine telling enjoying college and it only handle all. Had a bald man UB -- pretty good to be a pretty good pro.