Donny Marshall, FSN Celtics analyst

I'd like to think we didn't drive the man out of the business but maybe we are partially responsible for the fact that. Mike Gorman is not going to join us this morning I'd like to think it's not us but to be honest it might be honest. But we're very happy that subbing for Mike this morning in joining us from fox sports net New England. Is Donny Marshall -- Michael how aria.

I'm doing great and did the thing with my don't think it's all part of it planned to groom me at Becky. Comes out six sometimes adjusted to test me I've been doing the broadcast live in Tommy and I think it's he didn't. Try to -- to -- it. It may not not really hate me but you know but it kind of a rookie orientation might -- I don't let the what's going on today what Mike -- and an opportunity that help keep doing well you know Mike Corbin never misses -- game and so -- I hope he's doing better back them.

Use the word hazing has there been any hazing involved -- and you know to tell me -- what's been going on.

Well we could decide. Besides you know when I'm on the broadcast about 600 economy in ability -- me now. And then you have something to say hey Tommy didn't notice that highly doubt that you used to guys. That three guys in the boot so I'm not -- that part of anything at that by design -- or what not but you know it Mike Gorman it. Great and the need he's really as sidekick there's going to be a great mentors so media so it -- in the the ways the of the land of the lay of the land if you will in the it's been great experience but -- from the get a guy like Mike orbital.

I -- obviously the issue on everybody's mind I guess that issue on the mind the Celtics Kansas. The number one pick in and who's going to be there -- nor -- hopefully. A one of those guys know we talked about this before -- that you you're really big on Kevin Durant not so sure Greg Oden. Has anything changed in your opinion Greg Oden anything you've seen in the NC AA tournament for example to -- opinion.

Well you know the back bet. Even though I have. -- huge direct band it probably just from an individual. Standpoint you know -- you'd think about it don't know winner you know this team wins either you did deeply deplores I think you can learn the some some. Offense somewhere eventually get to the next global you know one. On other side direct immediate debate you know he's a score immediately got. Did you did these numbers he rebounds which is what I really like you can't quite and he spent not a good at golden. But the fact that he really had no shot selections you know I don't watch the -- of regret. Given or it shouldn't just shoot the ball over three people -- mean he's taking bad shots keep making them. But it is at this shot selection is very important part. You know what that being said I really believe that that is all along that Kevin Durant is. In my mind like Kevin Garnett and Greg Oden like Tim Duncan that that's -- compare 11 guy wins he won the right way score people out and solid across the board. The other guys scored a lot of points but he can't -- to win so that's what you those two guys fallen into doubt your team that can't score you're looking for somebody to come in and we got picked -- score. Kevin Durant -- guys you're looking for a force in the -- and then in the ticket from a defensive perspective I think yeah. To go though.

Donnie we keep trying to temper the expectations of Celtics fans by saying that even if the Celtics finished with the second worst record in the NBA it is far from a guarantee they'll get one of the top two decks. In fact. There's a greater likelihood they won't get one of the top two next. If they don't are they going to get enough help to make them appreciable a better next year.

You know I think Bob there's been a great weight what he would end the that that and during the studios last request Thursday need to sit. He -- basically we -- guy we don't need another guy trying to get 20 point two game you know we have now we have myself you know other guys who had a -- but. I believe that they can get a guy who is capable of dealing 20 night but not necessarily trying to get 20 tonight that that to me. Is the most you know important the guy's name around recently that they get happens when -- get further into the tournament. You know -- in the final four but I think you know Jeff Green as a guy in my in my mind -- surprise a lot of people I get an opportunity do some of their games when he was. A freshman two in games three at the end and you know he people remember he -- the -- rookie of the year -- everyday in the Big East starving it to -- special from day one he's just taken more time to kind of developed by. Offensively -- knows how to play the game of basketball in net. Offense that they run at Georgetown Jeff Green could shoot the ball he can rebound the -- that smart player and you know autopilot a winner but. And I also -- think he's capable of -- 20 at night but not necessarily trying. They're going to be trying to get 20 at night so you know after that the first two guys you know I'm not a big fan I don't think the Celtics right now can afford to go get another. Freshman another young guy you know -- an unknown young person I think. To go with someone who's along the lines of experience that the Ryan Gomes who knows how to program the high basketball IQ that can also you know not just. -- I'm at bat like you like a bright celebrated that they can also deliberate. For you on the floor I think yet agreed to meet the next guidelines.

Let's assume the Celtics do get Greg Oden. And Greg Oden and al Jefferson played together effectively.

You know. It's going to be here -- been because you know I'm just all the strides that al Jefferson has made it back. At the close -- at the dinner it is it would beat. I mean it would release data -- okay we saw you play eight playing well at that position I want you got -- forward. But a couple of at -- now now the kid going to be confused because now I'm going to start shooting jumpers that would have been -- big guys anyway. You know I think you know long in their career they want to start shooting more jump shot so. You know I'm -- it could work I'm not sure it will work that is you know Alice put I think. Everyone kind of an -- spot but in a good tough spot because he's come a long finally this year and -- he'd made leaps and bounds I think he really. He -- he's playing -- a guy in their years should be playing but it just took him. It's just get to his third year to start playing that way you know injury that volunteers and obviously Tony Allen Wally Szczerbiak on down and I think Dallas really came along way but I'm not to I don't know I'm not really sold on the fact that these two guys can play together that you have to play alternate them. Defensively I think it would work because I think that's want to hear that out -- need -- Bat improve want is decent. You know he does a good job off the ball but I think one on one need to do better job to know might be that that property and we help out.

Let's say it didn't work -- Jefferson be the odd man out.

that -- said that a couple times and you know to the dismay of great Dickerson. It's like that about a guy but I did some -- you know. This thing that you you know liriano you guys. You don't you know you talk -- former athlete who were you know the media now and guys who just kind of report. You know the media and then they do a lot of sports is sometimes caught up in the sexy hit the power guys playing power guys like I had this conversation with. That I dictate what you said something about Kobe. Yes and -- relaxing gets fired up. Unbelievable games but he's not MVP I mean he can score all that but they're not winning so -- people because -- and -- you know. What's going well at that point at that point in the -- double of -- I think al Jefferson right now everyone but while we need to keep them but. You know he had he had -- talking about trading you bring in another veteran who can. I can't -- he -- 20 ninth and then put old whip them it might work out any heat they got. You know I'm not putting it past that injure anyone in the organization that adult -- person could be that odd man out anything can happen in the NBA you guys know that.

Now that the Celtics are down -- ten healthy bodies it may be a moot point but where do you stand on the the notion of whether Paul -- should be playing right now.

What you're going to sit delicate down to ten what I wanted to yeah start talking you know. I don't think they'd beat you noted that I would commute.

You know what you little the little credibility when you try to force an injury before you try to force it in the media that. You know those guys are not really disguise birdied hitting value we know we eat yet the paper cut but it infected so we've got to shut it down I don't like I think just. I think he's they have a lot of things we need to say you know. Banged out. You know he -- ankle here -- there hit TI here you know we're we're going to just precautionary measures measures we saw Jorge Garbajosa down. Just -- and I know you're you're thinking to have the second apart at any point you don't want to play scared or Kuerten like you're not trying to get hurt but. I think the team met the back up and say you know let's do what we said we're gonna do we're going to let the young guys the last 1213 games he's been developed. And it all down -- him let him get his body back. Together you know she kept working out to let them lose to shape that he has right now you are not in great shape. You know the injury the last Hendry had really affected MI think. So but keep him working out and conditioning and no single and then I'd let them play because everyone knows. Right now the record is not. The most important thing -- some excitement that you don't do anything besides trying to win you know you shouldn't be in this game I agree with that. What caught you know he won it do you do you want to take Paul Pierce just sign an extension 85 million dollars and -- to go down. You know it would that with a severe injury when you could just say you know what. Not worth it let's just let the young guys play so that that's my idea -- that you know what ray Allen has done it already. Did you see teams around the league doing it so why not just -- some -- is that part banged up but let them rest.

I want to know which activity it got your attention more aware that the 18 does that run by the Charlotte Bobcats last week or was that the statement following the game by Doc Rivers when he said. I didn't tank the game I was not throwing again

you know I loved -- like -- you know we've become pretty good friends and you know golf buddies and and everything you know but I respect the fact that he came -- that listen you know some people that will look like. You Europe cannot become some broken. Educated -- before apparently to keep the thing that rocketed did I didn't break it I didn't break it it just some people criticize them forever I think god. It's smart enough he's been around the game -- have to understand the question thing. The line of questioning that's going to happen after game like that I I really respect the fact that says listen before you even ask I interpret. It became this is my idea that's what my thinking and I think they along the line -- think we'd be at the -- the -- Continue to play he won't admit what whittled down with that thought process in my Doc Rivers that. Not taken on let me young guys play. You know what we're still trying to win but I need to keep these guys -- more experienced more play it's not a lot better situation to be able to doing and when did it going nowhere this season and at the end of the W you know you might -- have an opportunity to put a position to have the number one compared.

What Donnie I like -- to like listen to -- I've said many times the guys excellent on TV but. I just found it curious that he sits there. Against the bobcats and doesn't make any kind of substitutions to me it was either -- taken a game where you're making -- extremely poor coaching does that.

Don't know -- the third being Michael you know at you know from a player's perspective it's right. He's given us a chance to go out there and either succeed or fail. I think the players failed poorly I mean I really you know back Redick I think here complain about not playing. They want playing time you give them playing time. Someone they do it. They thought may stink it up so I I understood the message -- sending and then went out the player won't let you don't really understand you think eight. This squad Dodgers -- we're socket. Break and -- and bring our guys back Campbell at that point dark psychotic you got to want to complain about playing. And place to what you can do went to meet got to take that tape of that game and then there's been a couple other ones say okay you think you need to make -- can you think you need. You want to sign another deal without keeping you want to re sign whatever it may be well. To take this show when you got an opportunity what you did look at it.

Trying his best he can to set aside the fact that doc is your friend and golfing body. Ship -- the Celtics I'll tell him to go into the lame duck year of his contract next year.

You know I don't know. I hate the -- got kind of document said that but. You know to me the lame -- deal it when when it's not a course to a it to a two year deal -- Lawrence frank he was my coach in New Jersey and assistant out there and cannot reverse and metro Atlantic -- did you. Get two year deal and to me that was the lame duck deal because. -- in Pennsylvania. It you know long term. And it's their they're really should covering their but if you don't do good -- that first season -- going to cost them much to -- the second -- to me that's a lame duck deal without situation that they get really really honestly I would on the at different you've written that in this scandal. -- team is -- obviously can go back that they injuries injuries injuries but there are other teams -- on the legal head injuries who would probably get into the playoffs so. In my mind you know I don't think you know what -- done this season error -- in the water. And signing an extension I think you know what did you get into the middle of -- the next evening. Did you play in well here in a you know it's not recourse but to get into the playoffs and then you have an argument you know right now you can go to targets are pitching well at this point I don't really believe you know that that. The Celtics should they gave him being being Margaret I would say that still might be like -- you know you got to understand you have to do something to deal. Did you know towards an extension and -- get that next even know what keeps him. I'll probably -- coaching game do you know sometimes guys to speculate that Thomas has done what he started extension. I mean it is they've they've struggled so. You know I think it's a good operators up to management that they're making a good move but then okay codes -- up and then we'll talk about it midway through next --

Distract me as a very confident guy doc doesn't know if it's very surprising to be that confident when your team has had an 18 game losing streak and they have a record that they had. It it seems to me incorrectly -- around -- If they don't give them an extension that he walks away he's all right with that.

You know I -- I wouldn't disagree with that dark in the very smart guy you you're right you're you're very competent guy he understands. You know he's got a couple sons who were playing basketball want to Georgetown one it was an icicle. He wants to watch him play make great money -- as a player but even the better money at the coaching. You know he knows the broadcasting Booth distill -- so right now I think that really field. Whether they give dominicans or not he's really in the driver's seat and you don't really get that a lot when your coach Jimmy he had another thing that -- that are -- that that. But he had another thing about priorities that should say that. You know that would come probably ahead of about basketball it's you know it he wasn't able to -- so I think you really believe that he's really in the driver's seat of his own situation right now.

Donnie -- before we let it go gotta get your final four breakdown. Who wins these games and who's the ultimate national champion.

Man you know. They act I just haven't been -- I don't lord has been doing their thing but I think they've been toying with teams I don't think we've seen the best supported him so that. -- that kind of scares me going in but I just I really believe you know. Where their big guys inside really world. They look damaged UC LA I just think UC -- guard play -- solid you know they have big play with a lot of heart become all the big shots late. Defensively UCL I think it would better came back I think Florida got a -- on that side and Georgetown cloud state. You know what's going to little league but I got to stick in my -- payment and you know I know let the guards from Ohio State do great job but I just I -- I'd. I was on the -- Jersey that Randolph then that knocked out in the third discredited source -- but I just believe that that. You don't understand what that -- brings up an opponent. You're in trouble if you can't. It took did you try to overplay it there's options so I gotta go with Georgetown just because they're not in from a player perspective just from a straight coaching perspective and and the opposite they run -- got to go to Georgetown and in the and I got again I gotta stick with Georgetown beat Florida in the championship.

That's something that they had six backdoor layups against North Carolina an amazing number. They're in big time college basketball.

And -- at north Carolina's most would be as solid defensive team felt that in that often that the that they don't if they don't overplay -- Georgetown have enough guys have been knocked on the outside shot.

Donnie we really appreciate felon from -- given us some time thank you very much.

They've got a note to choose from there. Title by at least tape it would tackled absolutely that it might -- is please don't.

I hope the only thing missing you know Mike -- always got the movie references to you don't have any movie references -- did a great yeah.

I didn't I didn't mind that movie on the list traditional order. Edberg that's that's my next nearly as big kick only his despicable Robert dad.

All right Donnie thank you. Take care that is Donny Marshall from fox sports net and does a great job