Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated

Mike -- off Lamar -- is in you know how the commercial what you just heard at least here on the flagship station talked about feeling the love. We're gonna give me the opportunity to do just the opposite of that not that we don't want to talk basketball with Chris -- from Sports Illustrated and SI dot com -- we do. Which you won't be feeling the love when he tells you -- is and what he's doing joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T a better three G experience. As Chris manic sacred site --

Lou I really couldn't be better it's kind of a euphoric feeling right now -- there.

That just so -- so. We can just build the hatred even more were sitting here in a snowstorm yeah in in Boston schools are closed kids -- home moms and dads are going crazy there's not a gallop until.

Bright and how popular breakfast without Brooklyn -- it's just you know it swallows swallowed and ensure that even audit.

Tell us they eat one of the perks of working for Sports Illustrated is today here in Vegas doing one.

Today I have in Vegas. Posting some of that on you stream that we're doing pretty Sports Illustrated swimsuit party launch which is effectively. Three days boondoggle here and it lets us. And -- You know promote the launch of the of the of the the issue paper -- quite remarkable -- here with the whistle on a charter flight plan last night from New York in about 1030 at night after party. In New York City and will be here -- period barrage repudiated. You know -- project at the jet nightclub tonight is the first party is the top -- the -- the -- and now it's it's really dirty job guys and I -- like somebody at the -- and do it -- it was make.

Well let's just sounds like a tough time and you'll be here -- ballot -- the snow I got a shovel later on get a clear up the car. The trucker rather enemy in year out they're in -- up and being an NBA insider I would think that. It's your responsibility it would stay out of -- sports book right you got too much information.

I mean we did you ought to go up camera phone and soccer and it's been out there I'm not been caught up in nearly a million like that they're much they're much. They're like that wannabe. That a quick exports well you know -- you know the -- drunk -- that a patent on you know Minor League Baseball I'm ready they're much better place that would be like. Wrecked -- Brooklyn Decker. Absolutely meant around the it it's really that it actually meet -- the bank that is just. Up and I'm gonna look back comic you're not like that was pretty cool pride that you get through this every week every every year right around the time they flat ought to do that then out -- blast.

Will ignore the texture who says I want a punch Chris man X in the face. Well -- believe that let's talk NBA from moment talk about the Celtics secured to any change. Do you look at your team as being up possible Eastern Conference finalist or even better and NBA finals team.

I think it's it's possible I mean because -- do that they have all along we've yet to really -- The full strength Celtics you know and I -- right now include the Big Three you know Garnett pierce. And -- on them -- Marquis Daniels you know Glendale additional land he's got all -- get there and play consistent consistently. Elected kind of weren't opening game against Cleveland I think Boston. Secretly hopes that they're able to get that -- sometime before April I'm much that's gonna happen watching this team to watch the -- On this team I really believe that any one of the you know two or three GM the leader really. Have to make a move a lot teams are looking to make the move I think bought -- and it will upgrade at the -- I really do I think Kirk Heinrich after the two weeks now. -- they -- would be a perfect fit for that team because he brings a backup point guard Rajon Rondo. -- provides about pushed the panic that belief is still we want to point that. In the NBA score so I think you've got -- book Iranian. And kind of ignore this are mean understand seventeen million dollars over the next two seasons but if you -- than having your window is rapidly grow and meet every talks about the collective bargaining agreement expiring in 2011 in -- to wait a -- I mean to adopt a Latin listing could be -- master rebuilding. -- should our leadership here I believe after the 2011 -- or something. And -- KG knee injury -- come -- also problematic but he really can't resume his career the way as. Oh the last few years so I think it bought the going to be very aggressive in the next couple -- and the third -- that.

We -- well improving that bench but is it gonna be at the cost of a guy like Ray -- how do you replace him.

you you you can't improve the bench with Ray Allen I know that pocket you know leak that -- a couple of days that. A lot of people -- rail out Robbie street that -- and a half million dollar salary it's very attractive to you looking to slash -- one geometric activists mornings -- Ray Allen is kind of like a better version of Mercury because you know you get a slightly less calories -- integrated. When you get reality getting players and contribute right away -- team and you're also getting a good soldier and a lot of that team that -- Ray -- are burgeoning keep putting it around their young players in -- at an apartment of what I'd -- on every player in the top blocker I've -- today in most players they play with drug courses career so because betrayed -- happy starting quality players back it's like. In this week's magazine a couple of the possibility of the Sacramento. I think that if you make a deal with Sacramento that brings back Kevin Martin. And Andres Nocioni I think you're getting equal value for Ray -- means Sacramento would be doing it -- from Martin graduate contract what you're doing it two years left. That market three years that the -- at considerable money. But that's the deal partnership which make it mean mark -- 26 years old. I department career point point -- score of last -- years and Nocioni is trying to Kirk -- light in the senate that he can play multiple positions. I'd be a really good defender and and president of the -- and -- the upon ought not to see your listeners consider even Picasa rain down. And make it cost you future number one pick is that helps you -- in the present it solidifies your future a little bit to an extent. -- You wanna be stuck Nocioni is contract. Not really but you know it yeah it's become like that bitter pill to -- or those you know -- recommend that moment there you just you know -- so it's apparent. And -- are were getting it -- it starting caliber to guard the right we're also getting Nocioni whose looks don't count the player I believe. But he's not worth the money making right now I think it's going to be paid thirteen million bucks for the next couple years. It would so I usually gonna have to take that bitter pills swallowed to get a guy like -- and upgrade to bitch Courtney covered split I'd say what guys you know I think it's a -- that now it bought the what the playing at Atlanta in the second round. I think it loose I really do I you know I wrote a couple of weeks ago that in Atlanta which they can play balked and each time deceit and pat come. How much -- its -- play against them and that's how much hatred nick and I have but the team that currently are failure to acknowledge them as it's as true rivals and and sort of just the way they talk so much -- in those games so I think it bought. Really have to consider it make you what those big move.

Who have seen -- play in the lead -- the hawks I looked a lot of leeway about timing you know they never played them. Full strength -- us via this past week they played on on a second night in a row. And I always saw was a good match every time that later because a bad matchup right now time wise for the Boston Celtics and a believer that if this team is healthy. That I think that they can win win the east the problem is. I'm not sure that they can be healthy -- don't we talk about there age and that's what happens you know Paul Pierce hurt his -- he comes back from that he hurts his ankle KG obviously isn't right. I don't think Rasheed Wallace. Is -- the -- we expected especially defensively I mean we used probably thought it through but defensively he looks lol. The injuries have been so staggered at this team has and we have not seen the best this team and it kind of be wary that would never gonna see the best.

you're making good -- live with Rasheed -- about as big proponents of sent pursued anybody but he's cut that round peg round hole kind of player. This team really needed but you know he's been all I mean did no other way to say it I mean. I I grew to resent what defensively he's weak side keep it parable. He had minister on the ball -- in -- that it what he talked to. Rasheed sixteen may think that's what surprises them most of all that she was always. Triggered drifting towards becoming a report cheer and close the week toward mr. did the last couple years -- they expected this got a but much better defense. Honesty and he had this fees and and I cannot let Leah. I really thought she would be more low post presence I mean it look at any cultures got the legal -- Rasheed had moved -- next and ended the -- ties receive important. -- he's able reduced he just seems completely -- to mix it up America. -- its content or want for -- super six MB on the report what ought to get the upper -- you -- a guy. Like she'd be threatened the tremor you want that that the defendant is state of war which also meet and could be. Opera or local to -- look at bought the options off the bench in the post Glen Davis sitting in the Buick -- Williams is gonna do it you know or she'd be guy who the only one out there that can conceivably -- so I think on the second happen I would -- stressed that the impact. In the past but in the second half -- you really have to make sure to get something at which she'd make sure he played more low post.

Well let's talk about something less dramatic than Ray Allen one of the rumors that we've seen out there involves Glen Davis. And DJ Augustine a fight plug in my little trade trackers things. I find that Glen Davis and Shelden Williams who apparently stole money from Doc Rivers is near as I can tell. Would be allowed in a trade for DJ Augustine does that help the Celtics at all.

I had a lot of topics so I've I like Augustine game electorate kind of got trapped and Larry Brown dog -- which is you know besides you know Kentucky in the that's a big Larry W Larry every. Alert two point guards are a lot he shuffled in and out with them and I think that the August it would be nice upgrade. For the -- next feedback that you'd give up Joe the way in England they've seen what happens decides on -- bench I mean it's really something that. I had a real factor I think that you have to consider. That we make that kind of deal I mean -- eight sort of hey immediately gets sent to make little -- about the get the deal they established it in right now.

I'm I'm I was half joking when I said he apparently stole money from -- What -- Sheldon William.

I mean the business school fun up there right now bill that that there. That's not playing shot the way and -- that's what -- blamed they have been doing in practices and in games but more that was showcase -- and shovel that pretty good November I mean he was shot -- what you want the six point six rebounds something like that. I'd you what the factor coming up the bench -- sort filled up and maybe that's. -- you know playing wise or maybe it's it is one of the -- August but. Is there a lot people up that they did it Glen Davis get straight shall win -- financial backing rotation. Eight going to be -- the -- on the same -- early in the season so I'm not ready to throw in the towel completely -- if I've still think he's the kind of rugged rebounder Boston need to happen there in certain stretches -- come up about trafficking you'd still be something the -- need. Later the --

Chris two years ago in the Celtics had a chip chip run. Rajon Rondo it was his first year in the playoffs as lot of concern going to post season all we need this solid back up behind were shown he's been consistent we don't know what we have. Here we are now cup the years later I think we got a pretty good idea what we have. What is the big concern and a lot of fans they talk about DJ Augustine what is the big concern to have a solid backup behind this -- As far as I know nobody I can't name the backup -- you know 22 Chris Paul or to Steve Nash showed Tony Parker. He's the point guard I understand he needs somebody but. There's a big concern about get this back up for -- I -- on the floor.

Well I I agree with that mean in the playoffs especially racism at play forty minutes -- Still think Unita a true playmaker back Eric two that the you know still in the -- run -- Kamal what -- repeat of foul trouble coming into the guys you mentioned Steve -- increased law mean. They they do have -- making backups and they're called the -- it terrific addition in the world this year. And gore and George each down there at Phoenix it's sort of they're viewing in the county heir apparent. To assert except for not whenever like guys bodies that the Salem you know in three or four years or tenure at that happened. But AEI -- like Dubai the thinking that you do that they have all played America I really believe that you can't just rely. Eddie House who is not a playmaker at all and any good Marquis Daniels and -- really buy that. That you could be the the troop back up to -- coming in fees and I that we haven't seen a lot of it'll receive amber that I. I double -- at an apple is expected to because he's not that. The troops playmaker they need -- I would like if you can get somebody whether Augustine -- whether to other smaller trade to bring it -- able to -- I think it's the -- you don't need some superstar -- wait for -- player to compete -- minutes but -- meet somebody out -- able to -- he -- to -- the -- the well I mean Eddie House the terrific player I don't wanna see him lose. A lot of -- because he's such a threat out there I mean it's -- able to create a nine point -- in in the left the minute I mean just back. Is that much a factor but still think you need that one got to -- their just keep the team -- keep the team got -- glowing in in the tactic that could be in that spirit paper bought it yet. Up Williams it.

Chris medics from Sports Illustrated and SI dot com is on the line with a -- as slow colonias filling in for Michael here. Who'll be the biggest name traded in the next eight days before the trading deadline -- Amare Stoudamire.

You know. It if these traded. We eat at an indignant I'm not entirely sure right now is going to be treated there's a lot of talk about it opting into these is his contract and analysts pride. Some some official calamity when he said he wasn't an opt out while you're skilled they were viewing him. As a free agent that they work to build -- in the heat shrink stuff like how much state Arctic and going to state I think techniques Phoenix I think oriented deal him right now. And the -- back to their daily is that they're they're not getting good offers for I mean the -- have been getting have been total crap I mean just to basically salary dumps no. -- college in return for this guy including Pat Riley steals in Miami. PIX but that's not that -- I don't think at -- close to -- and that's -- I don't think it's that the -- that -- for right now I really believe -- the biggest -- is still an electric and great -- he's not able to play right now -- not -- forty right now but I think that the rockets are actually gonna get a deal done you know and -- the -- thinking right now is that they don't want it went to -- seen -- at the the bid for free agents with great might be able to make that big splash right now. And one -- I believe -- note on the table it would Washington make it make it the right now where that would deal Courant Bob and Doug -- portraits of a great image of big fat salary dump. For Washington but he could not pay much return but that's Kabila accusing -- here's a couple of going to -- that.

Do we look at this Boston Celtic teams who -- at play in the second half and I think team defense and sort of lost that he talked about Rasheed. Weak side help it's not there are things they're for the entire team but the -- come on played in the third quarter in the fourth quarter losing double digit lead to some teams. Our teams it's seeing the -- coming here now to the garden and not afraid of this team anymore they think they're just gonna wait him out their old legs and we can take care of in the fourth quarter. What is that sense across the country as far as viewing the Celtics to.

Well -- kind of hit the nail on the head part age of catching up with Boston I -- I think you're right I think you'd have an agent factories got -- mean their. Absolutely wants a Fear Factor coming into the garden you're playing -- team. During the championship season because you know beta public -- track it back it up every minute of the game I mean they -- What it took to win -- title at what took two win every single game on the schedule but now it seems to looking at Kevin Garnett need to looking at them player -- 80% to looking at dragon that leg up and on the court looking -- numbers -- militant Paul Pierce -- Terrific so pharmacies with a double -- looks like he's. He injuries the cause and a lot of that they're they're really in the year our goal at this I think it's kinda you know the Celtics. Yeah. All the trash talk they've been in a drawn out the last couple years but it's gonna start start to come back to bite them -- edged Atlanta Reynolds a couple of teams out there. And -- you know players and teams about socket that you know say that you know they're really tired. Bought distressed Djokovic got with a team like butler right away that it really get sick of planning it pocket because of the -- bought approached the game. And that's -- basically guys from the guy it's not just in Chicago and Atlanta this team's all across the leak and eagerly looking depict itself which is to get a little payback on the so I think that that whip factor. I would go to the playbook -- it.

It's a -- party got people hitting you when we started the interview will -- the interview with this -- Brooklyn Decker was on Letterman last night. And she talked about the charter flight that you were on that was going to Vegas later on the evening she said all of the swimsuit models we're gonna be on the flight in their pajamas. Where then.

Expert was at -- based by the -- at this now why he sure weren't there or not they were not pajamas -- say -- there over. Just take -- it was a it was a casual like.

He now I hate you -- I mean it was just ten earlier you callers who hated you. Now I hate.

That that -- girl but -- that not forget her name and -- billion issued what the Harbour or into our reduce the arena sophomore harbored. That's in the swimsuit issue western corporate name Sonya and or last name it's her first year in the issue in that matter last night and I -- look crap but the -- I guess I had not backed up poppycock I was I was just knock around about that BC's whopping apartment laps we can in the tribe would be use the other night.

You guys you've got some very smart people they're -- go to the directory right now to search -- a crowd of eleven. Tell your right now as if they let him besides they'll pick up my buddy Teddy -- the coach at Harvard to sell -- Chris we appreciate the time I know it's a brutal day for you out there in Vegas and in this is a real tough -- gig for you to try to get -- absolute Seacrest. Thanks Chris medics from Sports Illustrated and SI dot com joining us. Live from.