Jeff Van Gundy, ESPN/ABC

Joining us on the eighteenth -- hotline AT&T your world delivered in our minds one of the best NBA analysts out there. You -- ESPN and ABC Jeff Van Gundy is with us -- that -- Michael in Boston how are --

Don't pretty well this excited about a another routine model 574. Victory for the Celtics. Yesterday over Philadelphia man they they've they've taken competitiveness. Out of this this league in the first five games.

Well there are other back and or like dominant -- the scene two years ago and they want an all. And they were still the very best defense team plastered does not quite as dominant. But they're right back at the end Dominic defense that -- you know. When they're right defense simply. Not in the score over --

Are you had you had Tom -- so I'll review it he's known as a defensive guru. What exactly is it that makes it so difficult to play against. Tom pivotal defense is for lack of a better phrase.

Well I think unfortunately he's been sort of pigeonholed in -- that expensive coat when really what it's. He's just a great -- to mean you could put him in charge off and would do just as well for a special situations. So I act by a little bit of -- try to pursue a coaching job that he had that. You know expensive. Genius label and to me. When he when he worked for me -- as always a lot of movement. I think it starts with their talent you know obviously Garnett. And Rasheed Wallace and Perkins inside. I'd give them the ability to guard pick and -- and to protect the basket. But I think. You know with Doc Rivers -- way. You know -- their personnel. And a real it every day I would not just but the practice time that. They're willing to and that's. Their defense that's so cute jeans are willing to do.

Chip which is talking about about the the the job facing Doc Rivers I mean so far gains haven't really actually ban all that competitive. You think it's harder for -- to keep that collective nose to the grindstone when you know you've got the second team in -- in Europe by thirty in the third quarter.

Well I think sometimes the results came in changer change focus and when their -- so easily. I think it you know it is going to be a challenge but it's the challenge any -- would rather -- It may have the bring them back around a couple times a year to get more focused. But they know at the end of the day there -- the best team by far and it means now think it's quote that there LP. And I think they're much much I think there are better team in the wake I think tactic the Celtics from the start. Celtics LP of the best MBA. And what it again.

It's good to see and hear you say that because a lot of people believe that in the east at least that the best player. There's LeBron James he got some help with Shaquille O'Neal. Well what about Cleveland. Doesn't impress you when you match them up against the Celtics.

Well I think Cleveland outstanding I think they're had a big time year I think Orlando will do. Talk all although the test because all -- Some injury problems is hell but I need this Celtics just. It plate. Indeed indeed spent and are a little bit more balanced offensively. And Cleveland -- They'll think Cleveland. You know it's like art net and lost to gather. Their eggs that are going to -- That was difficult for Cleveland last year. Of course spot because they could -- Covered the three point line against Orlando and Rashard Lewis told the that same problem so I just think bought in. We have a great year outlook has convinced that don't you'll make them. Significantly better I thought they out of Barry. Valuable piece in. It it would game and I think -- it's still good but his weaknesses. I think we'll also be problematic.

Jeff -- from crazy on this I've already put out a fearless prediction. I'm Mike Brown I don't think he's listening to me -- I think the cavaliers. Are better team if Shaq comes off the bench probably fantasy and and Mike Brown probably be run out of Cleveland by LeBron and by jacket that happened but you see what upset I think -- I think -- extends the floor in -- Has this strengths but probably probably with the second unit what do you think.

Well I think go to be an interest seen. Thought process. But certainly -- at some point because -- have to be on board with that. And I think we see it was -- Iverson in Memphis. That some guys' egos. -- That -- In their mind perceived emotions so at all you know gonna go down as well the top. You know -- of all time. Top twenty players of all I'm I think these very difficult and too. Except even though it may be the right move quickly.

Jeff Rasheed Wallace's say a controversial and sometimes polarizing figure in the NBA. If your head coach of a team in your general managers set I think we're gonna try to sign Rasheed Wallace. As a free agent in the off season would -- welcomed that.

Well I think it depends on what package you have a -- That's ready to win. With strong leadership. Which has been at when they acquired. Wallet and which the Celtics -- And -- that you're looking to add to help you it over the top I think it's a great. -- You've never teammate complain about it. He's always been good teammate. He's got I'd basketball like Q -- great versatility eat sensibly. And even -- He's not the same offense the Larry what a couple of years ago. Still like you saw last night has the ability to stretch the war. And gives space to make -- It was in a great acquisition might be any change and it was a perfect fit the right player at the right time in the right environment. All parties.

We're talking Jeff Van Gundy of ESPN and ABC. What's your opinion of Rajon Rondo has been where he stands is a point cart point guard in the NBA.

I think very good lord -- better -- Two years ago again. Doc Rivers a lot of credit for developing and he's improved player and improve. Vision makes shooter. And competitor. I thought he took a lot of plays off. Earlier this first two years. So much now. Obviously got a great nose for the ball rebounding -- And so there really is that a nice job and they nice job at the top -- earnestly.

I know you for give coaches in the league for a long time but before I get to that that question I have for you. A matching coaching you wanna go to get.

Well I think at some point. That would be great I think. -- broadcasting has been really good. In my family as far as. A different lifestyle. -- hectic lifestyle. But certainly you can never played. The competition. And the camaraderie date view. You get when you're actively involved in coaching points so I certainly seem less so coaching down the road. At what point. Oh now.

Well I think it's been -- been a pleasure for us is basketball fans because a lot of coaches a lot of ex coaches who get into broadcasting. I feel like as a fan that they're holding back something and they're not telling you. What they see because they're trying to keep their options open. You don't seem to do that it it was that difficult for you I'm sure their coaches or players. We'll hear about some of your analyses and -- him. Jeff -- yet it's not about me -- a difficult transition for.

Well my partners like rated market economy because -- not. Hard on coaches at all and and I -- not -- I rarely seen in the quote because I know how difficult the job is also the viewpoint you could ask about any decision you make but I really. No I think it certainly is. Just try to do the job I have. That -- And advice -- something bad. In any way get in the way of my next job well albeit not just trying to do jobs that that site and a try to be Eric what I say. Realizing that not every -- or every person hearing and that I agree with me but Obama but still comparable what -- and the fairness. The objective he. I can live with any any results that may occur after that.

I was very impressed with how you handled your job. When you're broadcasting. Playoff games that to -- brother was coaching was that ever uncomfortable for you.

Well it was -- are not. -- You know living and dying with every basket and trying to multiple. You know you gotta be kidding me. When it's on the wrong war on. You know I've got -- they should've -- called it yet you know about. Our was our deal with the result. The actual -- gain is great because. You just say what you see and what -- and you don't. Oh early. Think about maybe like studio show at -- the spot when you're nordic games to sort that he would play it ain't. You know -- realizing that not everyone agree with thank.

When asked about Rondo again in terms of -- shooting we all say here that the big knock on them is that. He's not a consistent outside shooter we just had a caller who who said what Jason Kidd couldn't shoot. And I and still I agree -- and Jason Kidd still can't -- but he's obviously great point guard look at Jason Kidd he's a career 40% shooter. But a career 78% free throw shooter. Do you think the Rondo. Can at least get himself to the 75% from the line even if he is never a great perimeter shooter.

Well I think we're went -- with Jason Kidd is that he's become very good three point shooter. -- repetition. And -- much of any player development. In that area is how much time they -- and that's. In -- game. Without having coach Rondo and not knowing what his work ethic like. Part for me to predict that there -- That improved shooter. And that. If he has that work ethic. Is mechanics are good and -- continued to improve. Over the course of this career and there's no reason he shouldn't be a proficient shooter. You know in the next 456 years.

I just finished Jackie McMullen is great book when the game was ours with magic Johnson and Larry Bird and and there was a part of there when magic was coaching when he just realized. That that he had a hard time dealing with the the the NBA athlete of that time because he didn't feel they were is driven as when he was playing. Did you find dealing with the athletes on a consistent night in night out basis was frustrating for you.

culture in general. Can be frustrating but I really thought that -- BA player. It's a bad rap I. Think about most of the other day I felt now dealt with re total jerks in my life. As players. In the NBA. But most guys are bound to be extremely boat people don't want it to be successful as an individual. And as a team. They probably didn't have been brought. You know there's there's very few very bird magic Johnson and Patrick you guys Charles -- the guys that are. Are -- every single day but for the most part. I found the end BA aptly. The pretty good deal -- Albeit on -- side. Believe that how would go to major college coaches have a much more typical and Munich coach they had to deal with recruiting. Agent trying to get their players. Hangers on MB yeah eight. We all day. And every -- MBA players I want it to the next level like. Your college players are. Safe for their their focus. Epic out -- like it much -- because the by the between. The app now and the level where they want it to on the road which is the end BA though while. Would I. That early it the same way that magic -- also not. As accomplished a I I think sometimes those great great great players. Very typical for them understand. Why the game isn't -- other but what about.

But Jeff you know what the natural follow up -- you said the only coach three jerks. Who -- those jerks. A ha ha. Another very good at about a parent -- out of the mix and code for the rockets that. You know there's some players who probably does jump out at you but we we probably wouldn't be that far off we guess but -- if you that the NBA player get the bad rap. The NBA official because the tem -- and in some accusations and he had a book that he planned to release and then that was squashed. There are a lot of people were skeptical. About NBA officiating is -- on the up and not are these guys on the take and and you could critical officials when you coach. What do you think about officiating across the board in the NBA.

It's interesting I don't find what I'm a 100000 dollars. And but other at I would ever critical official. Never got a lot -- may technical at all. Just really you know with it that much I think. Though. I'm my bigger problems overtime have been -- Album we thought that have administered there shall there lack of transparency. Particularly in and how they -- that's what -- Dallas line. When they got complaints they work out well with the team. That would being complained about or they're being complained about so early in the dark which it now and change and I got mine. So it's not special about there's. Human royalties in every profession. So if you're going to tell me that there are some of ethical official. What guys who have crossed the appropriate time. And -- certain player like Jake O'Donnell added it required -- or and eventually you know I got fired because that didn't help me. -- believe that if you're all appear to try to extrapolate that and say. BA. We office tells you officials which team. Which team they want to win. Or that and BA officials. Lately try to have one team. You know and then -- at the expense of another -- ominous say I couldn't disagree more so. -- are there are things about you know. Certain individual -- days. In other ticket crossed the line over you know at certainly a ballot happening any. -- appreciate that player that coaches that general managers that former electrician you know so. I don't think we're any different than any other it shouldn't but. -- that. And a gain. Is being dictated by -- league office would -- official. I think this -- that.

Hey Jeff we both really like watching your work and we really appreciate the opportunity to -- some hoops with the today thank you so much. Take care thanks that is such Jeff Van Gundy ESPN and ABC. Talking NBA basketball from a lot of --

From perspectives. Got I think with the three guys are. It's easy it's easy to think of the three guys like -- one's a guard. -- I think yeah want to -- What action to the garden I don't regard that went at three man. I bet you can pick of them to a typically run at three man definitely there's no doubt. One -- in Houston. Into -- New York.

By the way Jeff Van Gundy in the dale and -- leadoff spot brought to you by two double Mexican grill. Handmade for real my partner over here can attest to that log out of the -- holly page on WEEI dot com to receive today special lunchtime offer or text. You don't QB OB eight. The 645336.