Danny Ainge, Celtics President

I don't care they. -- it's time for our weekly chat with Danny opening up to be live in the studio today the president of the Austin's self description we haven't seen you. Since your team is combat here in come up on a pretty good rupture. But the good torture for you teams complained well we've never for the trip it's a good how -- guys healthy and that the whole team together for the first time during the year and -- as turning its chemistry and so before we talk about the -- you've been out doing a lot of scouting looking at a lot of the collars dollars. Well what is up with taking instrument of 64 teams in -- converted into and ninety. Sixteen tournament you really think that's possible I don't think they cheated at impeached you'd. Consolidated he's been more. -- 68 yes 64 is -- I mean there's always a few teams kind of left it -- that might deserve it and it's great conversation but I think it's just it's good to see you offered every once in awhile but I don't wanna see a bunch of -- I think it's of the -- why -- they think of expanding our -- money I think while I think it's more coaches -- coaches lose jobs that don't -- Indians -- term -- UC almost all the coaches want more they want expansion one. More teams to get in and -- in the NCAA tournament and -- jobs here -- gadgets got both the NCAA tournament in the united. -- you do both of them and you have other people do it as well Errol staffed as we went Tennessee Rhode Island and Nevada the denying. Good that local would -- down. Is that when he your favorite parts of the job -- in public vote and see those games and do that driving. Faster. Than Jumbo plane on CNET -- Rhode Island in Nevada but. -- of the fact that we have a lot of local teams here in the ACC in the Big East. Atlantic ten -- good and we keep -- and come through here is that the parity in NCAA -- of the big -- that make your -- to Africa can always find an era but now all these colleges there's more. With things better players out there different schools that's not just focusing on the big conferences anymore. Right now I think there you're right there it does make her job more difficult because there are good players play in smaller schools now. Andy seat apparently -- is not the dominant teams -- William and Mary almost beat North Carolina. Mean that it's that that's very rare but -- seed in the NCAA tournament in them. It makes it on I think let's talk about your team at that it was interesting it was about the three weeks ago were. Not Maine state and I heard -- at the same ones talking about -- that I think we're close. And he seemed a -- proven right with the exception of the second half of the final game on that road swing. This team seems to be more like the team that we saw in the first twenty year. Where thirty games is it simply a matter of health the any where there is there more involved in this. I think it's most.

Health I mean I I was little frustrate with a third quarter and in the Utah game is that we are concentrations slipped again a little bit. At the same time they got extremely hot. But I I feel good about the team too I mean I think that we finally just a couple weeks ago got everybody on the roster healthy. And not a 100% healthy you know Paul was nursing an injury -- keys isn't quite there yet but he's getting there. I think final word word. Were there and now it's just a matter of you know -- kind of getting the pieces to fit in that the -- still that's still a work in progress with the addition to -- And --

It might have something to do -- I almost get the feeling that com. They're more confident in each other they feel that they can do certain things maybe because you're healthier must get the feeling before the guys seemed. Think they had to do it by themselves because they weren't confident. In deal on the ball off to somebody you know all those other things that slipped in the chemistry issues in guys trying to do too much and outside the roller. The personal agendas and all these different things usually come to play because you team can't live up to expectations. And I think that that was inaudible all of those things were creeping in here in the air but it was all because a team. Wasn't plain ants particularly are starting five -- playing like they were capable plane and now they are at the there was an interesting situation the other night where. It looked like Rajon Rondo was trying to draw of the the the -- file the charge. He goes flying to the floor he gets up he's looks like he's ready to go screaming in it was a Cameron whose face it was sent. But the official nutritious things tonight that charter public official was -- what ends up happening is Paul Pierce. And Kevin Garnett get right into essentially -- he's got his hand on his his face. Dot Donny Marshall set on television I agreed with -- once he said he is I'm not sure that would have happened earlier in the season to agreement there.

I think I've seen that those kind of things happened for the last few years. You know there's games when that might not happen that you do what is -- to -- was -- you know Paul and KG were really into the -- I mean they were. They might not pays much attention to the emotions that -- on May be feeling but I think they were into that game and I think they could see and understand. What over John was gonna deal and how frustrated he should have been because that was a charge and and the guy and knocked him over and he got called for a foul I think it was the second one that happened to him. And so I think that they could sense that and feel this frustration at a boiling point they were just trying to get him under control.

the point of trying to bring up as and you're probably right. You've played the game before am as a player you're realist you know is the season is progressing along. Whether you've got a shot do damage in the post season whether. Which is going to the motion. I almost got the feeling sometime during the course of the season and again I think a lot of it was brought on because of the injuries the guys probably said to themselves in -- The -- before -- of the -- we know what it's like. I'm not sure we have an opportunity to do anything much speak. Might not be conscious thing which is the way you approach your day to day job. I almost get the feeling now. Maybe that's what I -- listing the other night that these guys are saying to themselves you don't want. We do have a shot to do something. Also it's this start to -- again Paul Pierce health is making a world of difference with a -- of the KG's been improving on a slow. Basis but appears I think makes a huge difference do you think that drugs and new a player's mind some I I think most.

It's mostly -- players go out there and try not to play their best every -- they go I'm not -- announcement but I think that does happen I think incompetence the elements commanding DC Paul Pierce nursing injuries and the players -- he's not a 100% and that doesn't give them the same confidence in one another. So I think that I think all those things come into play. I think right now when when Paul's playing well and -- playing great he's having great second half this year. He g.'s -- better ridge on his plane fantastic even you can see that that they do believe in themselves will mourn I think that it simply -- They're playing quality of the guys that we need to play well every night are starting by law. The any -- like about a week ago talked about the import of conditioning with the ballclub. An evening expense of maybe even Paul Pierce and KG missing a game now that hasn't happened maybe -- gonna stretch but. It just seems that those two kind of went limited no I don't like that idea want continue to play. How well. You know I think that's -- I think what happened is they were they were starting to log some minutes and that looked like they were kind of Indy start worrying about they do need to play to get fresh and they do need to play to get the rhythm and their timing and to get this team chemistry going. At the same time you don't wanna -- mountain Vernon -- and it was kind of heading that direction. Well then we have I think four blowout victories think we had three or four -- games in the in the garden that we hadn't seen for a while like those you know and and you know Paul played seventeen minutes and one of those games only two minutes and won those games and so. You know it's not like missing a game but it's almost like -- so they were they New England than they were going the three game road trip will be Justine you know this is always tough coming back the first came after is like it's like a road game. But I feel like our team is in you know they're you conceive that -- hope is there you can see would doc has been saying that the -- close and he likes the team and and now I'm in any concede that went really wanted to -- in the media today just you know second best record in the league on the road. Maybe not quite so dominant home this year as in years past you talk about the lack of you know -- games from others is there anything. You can put your finger on as to why maybe the team hasn't been as good at home isn't as in years past. No I can't. You know we just haven't been we haven't been as good team you know the whole year because of a a lot of things I think mostly in the entries. And them in Ohio will but I I've always said from the very beginning of this year my biggest concern was our guys waiting for the playoffs. Into the playoffs are close and so this team we'll have a chance to to. Leave a legacy and now we'll see what happens in the plan I say -- to the fifth -- play along the road at play at -- player does that happen although the veteran team you see that where the regular season clearly isn't you know they're they're all. Every team is unique. You know I think that two years ago I saw a team that was. They came to play more than any team I'd ever seen have been around and I've been around some very good teams and and them it was it was unique and special and I never saw it in the in the birdie era. Ears and I saw it and devil's guys came to play every night they had a mission they had all had so. Little success and they were so determined and they knew there were no excuses. That they that would that was a unique team so you don't can't really expect that to happen and may never happen again. I -- but these guys that ultimately the playoffs are gonna determine whether it's a success we are not.

You're talking about how fine a line is that for darken it. You're dealing with older veteran players on the other hand. You really haven't been able to set because of injuries and everything else that rotation in the playoff. I almost think I'd like to see this team can stay within the the rotation that's working and if you get a -- to get a -- game that's when you can -- these guys. It continued that rotation right down to the end not given the time off so that -- peaking employing your best basketball going into the playoffs one.

I think that that's what it would he's trying to do you know at the same time. He doesn't wanna wear him who wear him down too much who's gonna play you know on the play out she's you played now have to and I mean eight players nine players. And then you know right now he's playing at least ten. And so he's gonna continue doing that through the regular season I think may be the last couple games he might try to work on the rotational but more but. The you know but he still has some and some questions it to have answered and you Michael -- can shoot the ball well. -- keys to start to come back Tony was playing very good basketball before he went and where he's not playing right now he's kinda out of that rotation because I think doc knows what Tony can bring -- he's trying to find out what Finley can bring in. And -- monkeys can do with some more minutes and and still Nate so. I mean he still has to figure out those four guys I think and now which to. And sometimes three guys are gonna play for.

when you get into the playoffs you just talked about 88 half -- to get into a set rotation. And then depending on. The personal the other team of the matchup you might use one guy in one series because he matches up well against -- that's pretty much. Your line up those eight or nine in the other guys are sitting at a ranch.

I think that's right I think I think -- pretty much has you know twelve guys that he could use but I think you'll narrow it down to ten. And the nine guys will be dependent upon you know which which sort of team we need to master but is -- talk about how important at number three seed is me with this team -- being healthy moving in and playing well -- the most important thing but the reality is. That foresee you facing cleaver and a second round right away any talk although we want try to get that their seat no. No you know it's just not the focus Sam I mean I look at it I follow would each day a mom watch -- when Atlantis to -- in. And but at the same time we're not talking about that -- my doc and I don't have those compensations I mean we're focusing on what we need -- to -- our team -- play. Russia don't wanna (%expletive) off landlords say something like to.

Absolutely we're trying to get that number three -- Because we want Orlando in the second round of the planned Al -- pretty you'd sell its Atlanta and that and that there it's all good in in you know. Cleveland obviously is team with the best record but in the second round at third -- them. She's next six games matter I mean all six home games you pace in six. Playoff teams Sacramento's is in their cubic. Is this measuring stick this time a year going and going in the indices in the postseason one play well at home Agassi six very it's yeah I think that we just -- can continue building where we're. We get calls and text messages about it yesterday and I had not seen I promised I would go and watch last and they did you seen. The Antoine Walker. Outside the lines peace justice and I just saw on the Internet watch some instant media a -- last about three informant had Kenny Anderson talking and talking. That was probably a reaction to -- I would think because the piece was America's 111213 minutes WiMax was actually. In the piece itself. Were pitino was in the that -- is -- big time in the bird Johnson these these large audience handle in Canada and he said. A big match volunteers notice that it has. History. Well let -- get rid of this but maybe.

So good -- on a couple suits that that might be a part. The paces. Is unbelievable when you watch it and look at a guy that's been under and ten million dollars and -- makes sense and you knew Antawn you're out of here a couple of times. -- he seemed to be a guy and I've talked to people around him who say that it's very accurate that he was very good to. The so called entourage of people around -- probably had too many people either nine or ten people and it take care of them. He talked about I was amazed when he was trying to break it all -- because everybody's it. Focusing in on the gambling issue is no question that's that's a piece of it. He had a guy that he'd trust. To do is investments and ago I was buying. A lot of these. A lot of real estate -- real estate blow up in the -- take care of the river state. And they're not calling them slum lord in in Chicago. But he was talking about. Even nine guys ten guys traveling with him on a regular basis and he said -- had to get each one of a hotel. Had a flight each one of these guys and obviously there will go commercially even though he was going with the team. You obviously saw all of this stuff we do you are you amazed that he's got 210 million dollars here.

It's hard dimension and -- you know there's unfortunately there's too many guys in professional sports that aired their careers are over and they have nothing to show for it. I think have very high percentage and fortunately. -- did they just live extravagant lifestyle and when Antoine. Mean we're not talking about people that you just -- these -- people that he chose to pay for their rooms yeah he he wanted them to go on vacation with him it was like. He needed to some extent to have a group of people and entourage around him he he wanted to show. That he had this money an and he was gonna take care people and take them to Bahamas and go gamble and and and go party and them and then I think that also is very generous person as well and that he'd had a lot of people that he had to take care of and and so but I still on is a lot mind boggling assist you know where that all that money goes to mean. You can give somebody 500 dollar vacation thousand dollars on vacation but where does a 110 million dollars.

I don't know how you do. It is pretty amazing and they're focusing on the gambling and -- certainly gambling was a big. Part of that course Macs through Jordan under the bus part of the interview basically said that Jordan was the one lord -- men but max is getting that from people. Who were around Antawn and you know and when a great respect for for Michael that probably was part. -- hang around with the people who are constantly going to Vegas or whatever you gonna sit there and and go to Vegas -- do you see a lot of these players command you know and and do this and help. A lot of their friends and -- grow up with certain guys. These guys have nothing. Pierce suddenly multimillionaires. Do you see this down -- good day you didn't see.

I don't remember you're on to rush. And they have evidence to keep Scott followed up that harmonica and Obama's got Whitman head trainer and a water guy with a little times I do remember that. Yeah would you ever had to have accused me and 25 cents an hour and yeah but I -- but the -- you shake as do in this instance.

You know I I see a little bit less in the last few years there was a time when it does it did seem to be the thing to deal. It just seemed like guys had people all around them they had guys parking their cars washing their cars being their chauffeurs. You know -- their cook's been their Barber's. I mean I saw -- the people around everybody and down you know trying to. And I don't know I don't know where still organic and -- figure out -- 110 million dollars goes but. There's too many situations you know that the story of Kenny Anderson who who made seven million or 69 million dollars in his career and and every -- Robinson. A restaurant he was living on the street now in May twenty million dollars in his NBA career something so. This this is a lot more common than we realize and that it's very unfortunate. I attempted or do you as as the GM when you see this going on with when your players would you be tempted to take him aside have you had. That conversation with a player before about that -- to look you can't continue live this way is that stepping over a line from view for you how do you Kana and let. I don't know but stepping over the line but I have conversations. With our young players in particular all the time and and -- older players actually Paul Pierce. Put together a program for players this year we went over to one of our owner's house -- presented -- have these big financial seminar. And educating our players in the players' association does all that the problem with like like all of twenty year olds have all this money. They just don't wanna listen they have the education and in the half people in their lives telling them to do the right things unfortunately. There listening to.

Wrong choices especially when you get the young guys and then I mean Antawn. You know just became irresponsible with all that money and he was highly paid -- maximum contract guy. But some of the young kids are probably watching now he's living or how -- living and thinking that they can live that way and you know it's all of a standard of living and it just doesn't -- automatic math doesn't work whenever they will make sure that all the players see that tape and seat articles and you know cut out the article Kenny Anderson in the in the Washington Post would be put on all the players' lockers on glad highlights do you ever call me when I talked to the players about that mean. You're colony of the players say and you're dies. You know nothing wrong but I just -- you know your your guy is really. Spending a lot of money here I just don't wanna see him get into an awful lot of trouble I do have those conversations and I also have agents calling me insane you know what he's seen the worst in program on some issues here were were concerned about -- players in the last week and --

While the -- the delight for the NBA will be different in baseball you're you can make you millions at a college or whatever and you spent two with three years in the minor -- and Abbas staying at -- holiday in reality you know it's a quick reality check in the -- any point it to the big leagues and you make in that league minimum for a couple years you come on a college and he said that twenty year old kid. In eleven life you know you on the jets Cyrano hotels you get people everywhere following new army that's going to be difficult problem think like only he sent a big concern for you with some of these guys -- not.

Too many guys are thinking when they're being drafted in the NBA in their living the stream line and private jets and stay in a Four Seasons Hotels. They're not thinking about ages 35. 75. Nobody is that it noted that none of -- and they just think this money's gonna keep coming in just in forever and so. You know we're we as an organization and the players association and know that they're trying to educate and some of the agents -- a very good job trying to educate their players.

The the influence stories. Is really sad when they showed some clips she's playing down in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico the Caribbean Latin American League practical or whatever. He's posting up like some 52. Time league who he looked gigantic compared to post that maps and yeah.

Yeah. I. Think that Clinton. And.

A quiet. If I'm. All.

But did you watch him do it he's making if they win the championship. Gets a 150 jobs if they won a championship and Alicia opened the screen. Right now just paying back the loans. From Vegas yesterday 24000. Per month and -- and doing the math. Doesn't work out at all. She's got all of these properties that have been foreclosed and eighteen properties in the foreclosed fourteen investment properties and he's got. Four of his don't know what they're just absolutely -- book. And that it wasn't that long ago that this guy was approved -- on top of his game. Three is always a little. Ugly one break it. Paula I wonder I wonder how many of those eight guys that he was taken those trips are coming to bail out into an right now -- did you primacy in those guys he privacy of those guys. But I don't know how you do it and you know I know you're. -- huge story growing up whenever and I don't remember the characterized showing up -- a lot of these guys now I don't remember Michael joint. Michael Jordan first came -- he was the most accessible guide. And in the war -- them a pre game post came all the time and it would be Michael actually you know easily for 345 years obviously Michael becomes larger than life. There's like twenty people surrounding me can even. Get to my room where does it get to that point where you you taking care of all of your buds from back home.

That was a stray bits come and updates rated got rid of windows guys but it did because it fails admit materials on to right with you yeah.

But it became a status things haven't read in baseball's like you know the Pedro at his guy in the -- a big contract elect well. Economic some good money now it is guy guessing and you have a guy. In every disorder if you had a guy you're getting paid a lot of money in your big time music status for love these guys that have an eight -- ever -- eight put.

What LeBron does celebrants got all these guys and they're actually. His business guys and yet these are all the buddies that he grew up with correct the you know and so you know I think -- really starts happening is there's been a lot of teams that have had. These put these people travel with the team and others in onto Rogers a bodyguard for Shaq have heard and you know I don't know all the all the guys in the league had these entourages but that's one thing that we've just never allowed news we are not allowing -- rises on the team of -- show up in the city. Used up and we can do about it but we're not they're not traveling in his.

It now on 9/11 I think even back then electing a pretty much on to keep everybody on the clubhouse -- been a clubhouse and there too with three guys to be in their after the game and get that appointment listened. We need him back checked these guys we don't know -- they get them out of the club house. So yeah I could -- we wouldn't want these guys look at the Yankees handles problems of those injured drugs and steroids and trade personal trainers the -- and all these guys on the should be. No you don't know what these guys are Lenovo and the Celtics about some situations in the past. My my steroid guy would they would movement Hollywood and I didn't take a look -- the that's why is what states did the little relatives get rid of this city.

So I know I've had some difficulty with that the past when there -- a lot of guys specially in the old building where you used to be of staying in that does that -- anybody could go find their way in there. And they were there would be guys that they would they actually through a bunch of among -- Mortimer on the players would all get pissed off Tuesday -- they threw him out. I got this guy's guy with a turban and the ropes in -- to the chiropractor Scott Lippman had these two guys used to travel with. And one of them was like yes was he trainers trainers something I don't know what a masseuse or what used to do this is the days before the teams actually on the a traveling the system and yet another guy that. I don't know what he was into some type of and then -- got his room and do whatever but we land on time in Denver and Scott never trusted. The water in any city so he bring his -- water. And so you know whole big Celtics duffel bag gonna be filled with gallons of flow of water that you apparently. You know had purified with the help out but he did not so it comes -- the -- turnstile. And the water's leaking everywhere.

One of these guys punctured every one of well that's. -- Clinton was a lost. 'cause he was a mile above sea level. And -- didn't happen here applied water gonna make any admissions today that it you know I'll make it emissions because I knew how serious there was one time we had gone to a movie is about four by the so we got in the cab it costs us forty bucks in a cab to like go find his bottle lost in the the -- these guys.

Used to do for excellent and I tell you do he's great -- is that there would Johnny most want to and we -- and a pack of cigarettes and you know Johnny would. Because the bus ride you couldn't smoke even in those days you could not spoken of Basra itself put joining the first and Johnny would do wish you'd have to be the first one off the bus. Once we got to where we were going in the Johnny would get off and he opened up a pack cigarettes in the of that first bought. -- fall asleep. On the on the bus strike from the airport in any grabbed in a couple of the players grabbed his pack of cigarettes. They -- those exploding caps in each one of the cigarette you know make a big explosion but they double -- Set off. Johnny wakes up we landlord at the hotel he gets out of Leo. The policy goes down reality gets outside the first thing he does is he always does he lights up efforts cigarette puts it his mountain.

Object not flustered at all.

Currently look at and so they screw up North Carolina north the next book but it's just that the fact it's like Iran because of an excellent.

hell I'm going at them and finally just that it's got -- the fact that Mac cigarettes.

It was him and relativism. Buddies put the jump -- it -- in the -- Let's and -- are great -- right to gadgets and I try again today Denny lynch president of the Boston Celtics.