Michael Finley, Celtics G/F

Boston Celtics begin the NBA playoffs this weekend Bruins began last night. Joining us on the line is so one of the newest members of the Boston Celtics he joined this team back in March and ended up playing in now what Y 21 games as a member of the Celtics Michael Finley is on the line Michael it's -- Sean how -- -- like rate a belated welcome to Boston. You've had the opportunity to be in the NBA playoffs on a number of vacations you know better than most people on this roster. What the differences are between regular season and playoffs what would you tell young guys on the team last year Michael what can I expect this weekend. Well. Since the -- news. -- -- Or tremendously. Every possession office Leo as well would be instantly becomes important. Just one. These again regrets regrets used these Woodson seems. Is it possible that the playoffs for veteran guys like yourself and KG and ray. Are actually easier of the schedule and and the way the games are spread out actually makes a little easier on yeah the the regular season. And and a sense of being. The record issues. Lot of games 82 games. A lot of expects. That to rest. Right. The policies. -- a little bit more. Rests on plant want to be arbitrarily and it is so -- darkness that's always good. It's time. With the intensity. Or not aware of it can be improved physically as well it's too. Michael wondering if there are some similarities that you're finding coming here to Boston as. Was the case when you went from -- San Antonio that was a team that won before and one while. After you got there this team obviously wanted to NBA championship two springs ago. Would like to obviously win another one are there's some. Similar. Things that you're noticing having arrived here a month ago -- when you arrived in San Antonio. Other -- simpler it is a -- -- organizations. As a whole. Boston's winning tradition. Used to would expect nothing. But when he announced that assailants in that they had sent. Taste -- championship. Have those -- there. Want their year invest less than us that before. Which ten cents. To. Record. -- -- Vote vote without recess there must remain. The -- consistent. You come to Boston with a well deserved reputation of being a leader a locker room leader and a leader on and on on teams that you played on. When you arrive and Kevin Garnett here and ray Allen's here and Paul Pierce is here. Is it hard to to be that kind of leader when they have so many -- already in the locker room anyway. This is part of a sense. I don't wanna comment right away it. -- of course our -- people team are just pick and -- to talk to -- All of the world surprisingly. The guards with open arms and expected auto detect. Although they've been inspected. To say. You know what are had a chance to speak different situations. -- -- mr. From there must be handled are goose is good news is definitely. -- to benefit the team -- Respect team in the court system. As someone who has spent his entire group NBA career. Playing Al west have have you found much of -- stylistic difference now playing in the Eastern Conference Michael. We've learned not from afar but it was different where could be here as. -- the it religion play a little bit more -- -- -- -- -- solutions. More that is cool. -- it was morrow. Recklessly that is more. Aft port oriented where -- it was. -- -- -- up and down. Story it's the sport where schools are. And also Arctic. Is that these social bonuses these occurrences. -- all. Rocket teams and worst. I was looking you play 25 games in San Antonio this year you played 21 with the Celtics this year. And in every single category your numbers are better here. Then they were there with the exception of free throw percentage which was what with the only difference what was the difference in all these categories for you why has everything been better for you here. A pick up as possible. Extras as they seen what they describe yours -- it was difficult situation for him because no cigar you. On the commitments to a Gardner what to -- omen at all. And and when you're that type of situation. The quotes. Loses confidence in the game sort of speak. -- -- -- little little -- I think there have to move vivid sense we're here. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Teammates as world I was -- Which is cool place could should be. News that occurred just so. Little. Are a little more it was -- back. And this team obviously. Played far better. Back in the first thirty or so games of the season Michael in an avid fans around here felt better about the playoff prospects of the Celtics. When the season started and they might now given some of the struggles in the second half but. Who what do you sense is the confidence global not locker room as the playoffs are set to get under way. Competence is never a problem with -- investment -- -- -- since I've been here. Four. Just a matter. Keeping their competence. Two way. Parker -- Or profession now. Meaning that you can be confident that uses some disease to be over. -- I think that's what happened from the games out there. -- we want to regain our respect. As much as -- and as a result we. Some of those games so competent -- out of but -- -- Is going to be wrong because it's important that we -- Will be -- play -- It's a certificate changed. We will come right mark. Hopefully we can. Generally some. Used to the team as good abuse these juries. Are. You've been in the NBA since 1995. You know all all of the guys on this roster out from a competitors point of view. Who has surprised you the most when they became a teammate of yours. RO. They all the guys -- our our I respect for all the I think all of as well as animals are just thought Paul was -- It goes naturally gifted basketball players and it's just going out and score points that we are. He's worked at the the format the park and knows there there he puts in the work and use noses and -- ways. Of course -- and I was not at supplies are. Press with too expensive superstar. You graduated from pro -- so east high school in Maywood Illinois and that may not mean much to folks around here except. That's all toward Doc Rivers went to high school listener -- Yeah we have we just aren't there. Dark. Actually dark star basketball and -- as -- as the captain of the Tutsis. They were there. -- anyways since about. Great. And are our a pretty close. On those most often and most news. Our relationship. As part of whereas before there. Did he help in the recruiting process to convince him to sign here. Whether it helped that are -- and -- he. Knows. That there. Or chips -- speak -- orders. That are in the world did in the -- It. Would be so that made its use. -- Michael the equation I've made watching you so far here is with PJ brown from the championship team a couple of years ago. And and I mean that with great respect for both UN PJ brown that veteran presence that. That locker room leader and I think what PJ brown brought to this team in the championship here a couple of years ago I feel you may be bringing to this team as well. While also hopes electricity most of that is. Call. With the storms sorts -- have we have a lot of a great basketball players with. Some extreme personalities speak. -- from being out arms just to call. Being accord on rewards as speaker on the ground command and maybe -- the -- being that coach has been sent to route to date with. But to hear from where boards. Respective. It might it might. Crumble world easier. Now to -- players. That could be -- before there. Well again a belated welcome to Boston we're looking forward with the start of the playoffs tomorrow and we'll look forward at the senior work in this playoff season thank you for being with us or -- -- -- -- Take care that is -- Michael Finley of the Boston Celtics joining us on the AT&T hot line. AT&T a better three G experience.