Tim Legler, ESPN

Dennis and Callahan years ESPN's preeminent NBA analyst Tim molecular -- is on the AT&T hotline AT&T rethink possible. Good morning -- John Jerry here in Boston how -- according got a great we're doing well today not sure what I know for sure after watching this series four games other then. If the refs let the boys play like they did last night I think that enhances and rewards the celtics' style.

I had no question about it. There's no doubt about it because they're they're much more physical defense I mean they're they're a team that puts bodies in front of you. They take away driving -- state -- space. -- the Nick Young comfortable defensively that's what you should do is an elite defensive teams so if they if they. All those mussels little bit there's no doubt that benefit consultants that they've also got more depth on off brought in more god that they can use more big bodies so. Last night was you know quintessential celtics' defense that -- to -- at a distinct the last three years.

You know doc said after the game the number was six in terms of wind to communal pool -- chips off the roulette table not spin and again put the starters back again. But I'm wondering even though he had that number in mind how much angst you think there was in the pit of his stomach as he kept letting those -- ride on the next role.

There's no doubt mean that coached you know you're you're you're definitely have a difficult time walking that fine line between when you come back with guys. When you ride it out and you're praying. But that's second unit can can give you some pockets to distribute some breathing -- space they got -- last item that they Roberts and Glen Davis cannot overstate. How big those two guys in Orange and change the momentum and -- game analyst -- that went.

And none of the celtics' big four Tim has really played a above average series so far which is kinda amazing -- announced tied. Do you buy into the theory that role players like big baby Davis and it robs Tony Allen can do this kind of thing that. -- at home but it's much more difficult to do on the road in the road you need your. You're starters she stars to the -- area.

It is definitely out of -- clarity of their content years and I can just tell you that it actually matters in a peek at -- that the difference is. At home in obviously the crowd behind you as as a role player. Every little. Tiny contribution that you make as a reserve at home is so appreciated an initial which straddle that ability particularly in the final stage. That you do it just gonna go a lot farther than it is on the road. It every role players look comfortable playing at their own built it. -- for an offense and they saw last night you know Dave Roberts is the guy that. I'll be honest it got kind of scratching my head of Google back about a -- as to why he's not. What it regularly in the rotation down the stretch this season ended the post you just. But what you give up together to get about Eddie House stat -- there was an energizer guy that the fans loved. And you're bailout of the -- that you know if nothing else wanting a little about it Robertson. He'd never. Think this stage is too big key believes every time he's over according to best player before and and I have a lot of respect for guys that that don't care about the ball that they can comments that effort bought the way did you -- series -- thirteen point in an important gain the weight deduction and then to comment last night that's stated that he just. Played like I belong here this is my game.

I think that's probably the upside and the downside you'll have us.

As you got a little over the mistakes some of the bad shots the solution you have to Brett. I don't think personally I just don't think that you can put a price tag on the energy attacked our provides.

And they were desperate for backup point gonna think they've found one right before rise in the series. What do you think Tim like the what happens if mine and can't go.

Well I think it's enormous obviously for Boston because I don't sit for the game last night if you look at -- play the biggest difference between habitable accord not. He's a vacuum in what I mean by that everybody is so big. And so you know so so important offensively in terms offered to rebalance basically takes up. Gutsy Kendrick Perkins in this series. -- The court the only guy you have to worry about now really turned off -- Arkansas and he's a guy you can absolutely up route and get him out of there it's a big difference achieved Bynum Gasol or Bynum. He's you know -- guys could always shoot fifty to 60% the field so it's it's very very important he doesn't play huge benefit consultants.

We're talking with the ESP n.'s NBA analyst to -- Tim used for four games now we've heard callers on both sides of the coast say well. Yet at the lakers haven't played their best yet while yeah self assembly their best yet subject underachieving which team is further away from having demonstrated their Macs potential so far.

I took Boston yeah I would say about I think offensively they've been so out of sync and they've been so far where they can be good interpretation of fifteenth. But the other thing I'd love about this team is in the tremendous balance that they have and how they share the load across the board they haven't done that every game it's spent a couple of guys have decent offensive change and that's it. Typically go to regular season there's a lot of nights when you see. -- our guys have good solid -- play that great defense I think I think Boston because if you think about it. Popular trail Kevin Garnett and Rondo technical closed played well on the same night and in what state do. The lakers I just don't think.

Mr. Tim do you subscribe to the theory that Kendrick Perkins has had does some of his edged taken away. By the threat of that next technical file and and nothing about it is it seems like not so much last night but. But in the first three some it was his offensive beds as well not that they're looking for a lot from him.

I think what's happening to them. Offensively is you -- they got lost confidence because he he's now got to the point -- relatives that screen to get off century multiple -- project does he doesn't. It as a post up strongly if you go and take a look at him out he has progressed over the last couple years got the point where this guy offensively. What the -- you -- post adopt it is very successful that little right -- bulky -- with the paint. He -- Baltimore he gets off with regard immediately looked to kick it back out if fumbles all of a lot at the -- when he does go back ought to get in the bombing in -- indicate that hard top finishing -- another -- the world -- it is -- a harder time -- basketball. -- defensively. I. I don't know that that the technical fouls in his mind that much it probably has told him down emotionally a little bit I don't see that angry mine and I normally has about it that's something that he really he thought -- foul -- intensity so I think probably if it's 10% it's gonna affect you.

And your last year was 2000 trek is that right. Refresh my memory ten years ago. Were the NBA referees as much a part of the fabric and tone and tenor of of games as they seem to be now I -- a close yet what's happened.

Well the biggest thing is it -- the -- of the last night. Imagine every time that you blow your whistle we're gonna take a look at six times and high Def fault super slow about money it's it's changed completely the way that officials. -- and they are airing absolutely on the side of caution in every instance because they wanna make sure they don't. -- So there over calling they're calling too many things because that they mr. The entire world gonna get to scrutinize it for the next two minutes stern under during -- commercial break and it's in their minds I know officials that a lot of guys based at a fairly well that's the the -- I'll tell you it's a part of of the way they think now it they've they've both already nervous. About making a mistake at the players aren't yet because of how badly it's going to be scrutinized then you've got talk radio you've got to an appropriate paper all the replays. It actually has changed really got officiate and it's changed the impact that they have a -- games now now that's really tickets for the better.

Prime example early and I think game two this almost coming down on trying to set up shop in the paint and -- and and KG disrupt. Sort of put a shoulder into him and and nothing really happened is infect any clinical followed it it seems that the art of the non call is a lost art now right.

I actually read I've ever -- specifically in the technicolor chocolate garlic and about trying to do is come up to court and established -- Position right kind of -- a bit about the foul line area are these Coverdale the court give a little you know reform into the chest in Islamabad. Into p.'s progress. That never was effect of so called 1015 years ago -- that was just part of the game armed and now. Thank you got a -- out because of with the officials are afraid if they -- replay talk about physical. We'll play during the next time out that's incompetent or talk about the little package he'll replace and there's no whistles. Now so they feel like they're they're -- gave it away from everything else so it's it's it's definitely the steps we have -- it unfortunately we spent on. Awful lot of -- public officials that are an analyst I do that not lynch wanted to talk -- a great basketball. Being played and unfortunately we still a lot of -- not.

Not Boston for the next three days no one's gonna -- I'm doing officials out in LA they will but not here not now attempt. And you explain to us why the Celtics -- so effective on Kobe Bryant obviously. He had a good game last night scored. And it in a bunch of threes. He gets nothing near the rim he gets nothing in the -- it's all long range shots and believed his closest shot was nine feet. Last night ray Allen's -- for much of the game is generally not considered a stopper Iran and test Bruce Bowen type stopper. But somehow the Celtics seem to do a better job on on Kobe then than any of the teams out west.

The question I think the biggest reason is because if you go look at the latest -- there's not a team in the league that has more guys at the -- of fraud committed. To making sure that they they meet guys really that the shuttle -- picker hold the Kobe Bryant basically at this stage -- career is it in mid range player and a and a three point shooter that's really what he's accomplished not a guy that gets to -- a whole lot he lives in the twelve to nineteen foot area before and after the big guys -- as active as committed as any in the league. It also got a guy like Tony Allen I think the perfect type of athlete to put all Kobe because he got that the same size as -- He is he's strong he is determined and he's got out well this is an adult more quickly to contest shots so I I think -- just -- the person now. That really make sure he's a priority and an athletic and not. Not to -- to make sure every Turkey doesn't think he's got an actual candidates face so I don't think he's gonna also snapped out of a structured -- it shouldn't be -- these games he's gonna be around 40% if static he continued that not to insult which immigration.

Tim leg or in anticipation of game number five on Sunday night as -- applause and enhances the things he saw and like last night. They are as follows they killed the lakers in the -- 5434. They killed on second chance points to wanted to tenth and fast break points fifty to two which one do you think he'd most like to see a repeat of Sunday night.

Well directly pointed okay yup I picked -- steps to keep number from this series to two days I looked like going in before the series so they've got a report the paint that. That battle the battle on the glass. On and that they do most -- legs and have a very hard time and support the taking a critical because. One -- the lakers -- team that I thought it especially in games three I just felt like Boston -- a look back to look the replays of that game. There was so much green space that was -- pockets in the lane in front of the rim for Roger Cox and in the bit twelve of their first fifteen baskets in neck games were Italy. --

And that please meet my next question the guy who scored a lot of points in the brain that's big baby baby is the NBA's unique individual. Stylistically certainly body type as well. It is remind you of anybody and as a ridiculous say well if the you know ceiling is the ABS reached a ceiling at this point this guy could be Charles Barkley light in his career.

Well out of a factor that -- and -- I -- back -- hard if they -- died that he really remind Bryant I don't want to know what I should do a lot Glen Davis play every time a lot to play pretty much I just I just -- allowed to shake my head I'm amazed -- what he gets done and went to his body type and the fact he doesn't have a whole lot of rest I mean he ultimately that's that's 69. That almost never -- I mean he played everything is grounded when he takes up space laterally rather than a verdict right the way that he -- trying to shuffle along the 018 he just has an amazing knack to put the ball the past -- right placed the right time and I love his energy I love the enthusiasm. And you know he came through an enormous well last night of course with the Celtics have been -- that -- announced that the three series so he's gonna have to do it again.

And and by the way he's he's about as close to 692 image you're. Probably right as an aggregate -- quick question before you go attempt. Pick LeBron out of the equation obviously that's the great equalizer here no LeBron in two or three years who will we say is doing a better job. As head coach in the NBA beat these little known assistant in a defensive want him Tom -- go or the superstar college Coach Tom Izzo.

A top to -- I'm you know lesson that I missed Wimbledon jaded but I I played. For a guy that. Data conversion from college to pros Wikipedia Nick Collison multiple state and a -- the brightest basketball mind that ever met in my entire life. But college coaches. Have such a control need. That it does not translate to India -- covers -- can't do it or are some of these guys what Tippett. Quickly but probably run into that are so used to control every aspect of the game when you get you don't grown men -- star players do it with guys that they want just as much control you do it typically doesn't. Doesn't washed out to those that are only so long he's got its might help him. Run an offense but defense of -- he -- coveted immediately command respect because the way that these teams played defense and most popular locked in my locker room based on the results to play defense last three years -- we're -- that this -- knows how to win in this week. Right now -- just doesn't report which uptight it's talks grown men and you'll professional athlete in October saint there's look at. But look -- it approved an assistant to.

What if you're if you LeBron does it affect your decision would you rather play for a guy like Tim adult than a guy like --

I I think. I picked up paper look probably got to put the time is I -- what I bought after he was there he's got to play --

Point Tim we'll let you go -- this -- June 11 who feel like in this three game best of three game series what is.

I pick -- six. I don't see any reason to to stray from that yet a I think that obviously Sunday night is is everything sort of it's swing game it's where the -- that I think that when the series.

And you think we're gonna see at some point. The Big Three all stepped up as we said get to the top of their Macs potentially for --

Because red -- who wrote that it was that happens then that silently added six absolutely.

He is ESP n.'s NBA analysts are smart dialogue talking to him to Allegra -- the time -- got Tim Webber joining us on AT&T hotline brought you by AT&T -- think possible.