Ian Thomsen, Sports Illustrated

Talking NBA in tomorrow's draft and all that stuff. By joining us on the line from Sports Illustrated and SI dot com is Ian Thompson Ian -- on Michael again how -- right all right thank you. I loved your five minute guide to the NBA draft which was posted yesterday and and the Celtics appear on a couple of places here one if they keep the fifth pick in two if they don't keep it what do you think they're going to.

Nick ultimately they're going to keep it there's a lot of talk going on right now that there involved in all these different blockbuster treatments which. He gives the impression that they are dealing from the position of strength which I think is let the Celtics that's impressions Celtics wanted to create. But when you look at all these trades that -- it right now the Celtics have three. Street big gap because Paul Pierce felt Jefferson and mystic and in any of these traits they have to give up to those that. -- get back a guy with a big contract with Shawn Marion with an extension. Or whoever it turns out the and I just discussing you played out that way the Celtics and last year they were so hungry because -- from one Europe raced with Francis deal. That they gave up the chance to draft Brandon Roy so they'd be going against their own trend. They've put all these years and to developing young players that it is you love. I just don't see -- given up an experiment to go for a a big money contracts so I I think they'd stay where the art indicated explored all the options to -- they are. And the leader in the club bounces the Chinese guys you know.

Art value you almost you start to go there in let's say you're right and they hold onto this -- Let's go one through five what players are going to be taken.

well Greg Oden will be ones in to -- will be too. And then Al Horford two consensus numbers through the in -- and -- doesn't deacons in the probably treated to some but he will for sure or -- will become -- And then Memphis before and they're looking at my theory either -- central Florida were my only point -- I'll stick right now I take -- there. And now we're looking at the Celtics they can they can pretty. Even though I would think the two real choices for the Celtics they're treated no. Who would fit great alongside -- efforts and -- provide leadership right away. With relief from about 50 cents. Or could see who in the Celtics obviously feel like can be future star and they -- truly love in this -- to free agent that is inconsistency in the article the NBA. -- as possible to go this way.

He's our go to what I think -- with the my love our legal.

So you only get you only see the best of Lori Goldman and so I think -- which should -- dollars.

This is -- they can have a law eight to. I don't know that it definitely is. Well let me let me ask you this -- it and I -- Ohio State as much as anybody but I'm surprised that Mike Conley junior. Is being mentioned as a top five pick when I think Acie Law is just as good if not matter what do you.

Well there's there it is one of the more divisive players in the draft Michael. You know Conley. Some people love him in the think what is leadership and his speed he'll be able -- gently and make things happen. You know little bit like TJ Ford -- the than other people say look at decide how -- size is smallest problem can't choose. Round keeping -- ever make it in the NBA you know. And and so while people think he's got -- and so and so he got people who love and then people say they wouldn't taken -- there's a chance he could slide a bit if he gets by a if you get by Memphis and Milwaukee in the six. You know. So that that is a tough one of them I don't know if he should be greeted -- it all depends on you talk to.

In your opinion -- of the group of Shawn Marion Kevin Garnett Paul Pierce. Will one or more of those guys be dealt by tomorrow night.

Well the best that deal is that -- would be built but. I think there's sort of in the same position Philly was last year when -- try to trade Allen Iverson. And they went all around a week -- never really liked what they were getting. And as bad as those can be -- that -- to they're not going to get -- streams scenario where re building their team is going to be a no brainer after the entry card. In Connecticut. The onstar expiring contracts in the draft picks it's it's just not going to be there. So do they trade Garnett now and then try to sell the fans all summer long on the team it just isn't going to be very promising at all. Where did he go into next season with them and sort of -- to force them to trade him. Force them to accept this medicine. So -- you know opinion our opinion later on -- I guess it's 5050 which way to Ito my gut feeling is that they won't do it.

In the stories out there that if the Celtics don't make a big trade for veteran Paul Pierce is going to demand a trade what what do you think the the source of his frustration is having. Is it is it simply winning is it it may be got a promise from from ownership. In management in that promise hasn't been delivered what do you think it is.

Well you know. Well I just you know on the one hand -- make a lot of money and so -- you know. Nobody should feel sorry for the guy but I am sympathetic. Because he remembers back very well at the time when they were when in 93 games over to your pitchers and -- they were winning in the first round play. It and he and -- words not even at their peak years yet they were too young all stars. And then he came in and dismantle the team in gateway Antoine has yet to replace Antoine with the number two player effort to go along pitchers. The only time this Celtics have really looked good last -- when he project on back. So from that point of view you know here's a guy he thought. He thought they were hadn't on the right track and he was was dismantle with no real plans for how the fixes. Going to rack you know which you do after. These traits with to tell so. You know from that point of view and then and then the other the other way to look at I think is that is that pierce -- all these other players sort of trying to take control their destinies whether it's -- saying you know do something now where. Garnett so obviously -- back channels to DN so. And so maybe he's trying maybe. He will ultimately I don't think he's done yet but he will ultimately it'll play back cartoon two two previously. And to try to get a winning record to do something in the playoffs he can -- on this great player scorers.

As Michael correctly and accurately pointed out we haven't actually heard from Paul Pierce at least I got. We don't know what he said or didn't say or what he thinks or doesn't think we have heard at least on tape from Kobe Bryant and and got what we think is -- on expert gated feelings what's your thought about this idea of NBA superstar saying hey you know what this in the work for me here -- for me to move on you've got to get me out of here now.

Well it's actually better than the alternative. Because three years -- you ever heard about the NBA stars was all they want to do was Skippy and only one with the individual steps -- now. I I actually think compared to that does that help the to the progress and read that the dust -- now are saying. That they want to win and they're even incurring profits you know there's limits to try to make it up which is -- cool he's doing here. You know Garnett if he were to opt out after next season. He'd be walking away from when you're left its contract with 23 million dollars to take -- last decode when he pretty I mean that's that's the leverage he holds right now and that he's making equities willing to play and so. Compared to guys they're just willing to cash -- checks you know care whether the team wins who loses I actually think this is a very good thing if players are are. Demanded that their owners win you know it's just the player wants to win more than the owner --

Well all year you might think it's admirable but is it realistic to me you have if you have a number of players making. Big salaries like Garnett is an and Paul Pierce isn't Shawn Marion -- and Kobe Bryant of course and they want to be moved. Where how many places can accommodate them because their salaries its -- solo.

No you're right in the Kobe would be traded the team that was. Would trade for him would cut its roster and he get there and he'd he'd realize it he -- better chance to win and he does -- waitress. But furcal -- point of view the Lakers are by far the most profitable and read -- in the in the a lot of profit because. And where they needed because Shaq and winning it because after it always been the number one earning team in the and and so ensure part of his thinking is that they should be going to luxury tax should be spending sort of like the next. To nature that they win now. You know. If you were in Boston he can make back but it but it with the Lakers all the money that they made in the it's hard to argue and they'd done in the past they've -- intellectually have in the past. When they've won the demoralized and so I think that's what he's looking for work.

You made the point your piece on SI dot com that a lot of people of referred to this says a great in deep draft but the only two teams who can actually point to that with any conclusive evidence or Portland and Seattle. Is this a great in deep draft after those two guys.

It's -- deep draft. You know if you picking at the end of the first round lead in the early in the second. Celtics might get a very good players in -- But because the all hyped about the straps there's a lot of pressure on the Celtics Memphis in the foreign land in numbers -- the east means to keep after -- to come up with a great player. And I don't know how realistic that is you know it's it's speed but it is there a lot of top heavy on the draft. I'm sure it'll be a couple of -- great players to emerge right now you know the leader part of lottery that we just don't know who BR.

You know in no way way back in your youth -- Boston College beat reporter. I I have an affinity for Boston College sports. I'm wondering what what you think that Boston College what happened with two Boston College guys in this draft that Jared Dudley John Wayne

to be out with the guys no clue about them. Where I have in the past start as far as Shawne Williams -- because it's intrigued a lot of people and there's going to be a lot of talked about him because. Teams have to do the work on and now the relentless he's so little of him during the season. And it and it looked like because it's gonna go in the second after the first round decent potentials I talked to one team -- interview and that interview with in the city's history nice gentleman. You know who knows what he did some walked toward and so. You know you wouldn't want to pick the littlest that I pick on -- and gamble gamble on and to that extent. -- in the first round with all -- potentials -- you'll I think he's a week ago.

Is your feeling that AC laws the best point guard in this draft.

Well if you want the guys come in right away that he it is me until he looked very good next year. -- you know he was a clutch players in college his -- he's leadership though the he'll be able play right now. Three or four years down the line if he can do the best player we'll let depends right now which you think -- com -- Javaris Crittenton. The other two point guard that you might very well turn out to be developed that went good trap because he's the -- and you on the what the other Jessica turned into.

Since there are a lot of trade rumors surrounding the Celtics that's the great time to it to bring up a note you had that. We gave you props where we were amazed by it when you when you put it out here that that Celtics has struggled with their. Trades at the pro level because they're pro scouting is not up to snuff that is not on the same level as some other teams. They came out and sit we we dispute that but do you stand by that do you think they have some work to do when they're in their pro scouting department.

there's no doubt it and is the Celtics don't know it in the of one B 18 week doesn't note that it deficiencies in. But it is a train you know.

Look there's two types of pro scouts that's where the confusion there's two types -- is that scouting and every week. Everything weakness in the tenth -- And that guy goes out and let's say you're playing the Lakers that we can back -- will go -- Italy and figure out what -- Lakers run when they -- just which tyco's winner. He filled out all these forms and to be coached coached knows what please commitment that's been passed everybody has one of them looked whistled for. The new that new type of pro scouts as a pro personal scout this the second pro scout. And that guy doesn't worry about the way he goes out and he does the the undercover work on all the players week in it was over 400 players on the team's week and there are circumstances change all the time because because injuries that there's two teams are trying to hi liter because drug problem or. There's going to root of foresters. It turned it back guys because the best friend has infected they'll -- rumored -- Got a girlfriend of another player pregnant -- all the stuff that's on on the week. And you need to know about it and the Celtics don't know about it because they don't they don't work out and they work a lot harder and it -- covering the draft. Which is why the council will in the draft you know -- when I wrote this -- a few months to go to Portugal Austria. I think my editors assume that was the culprit and he should be fired because that's what you do when GM has a record like Denny's and typical when he even turned in to a bad. So do you assume you're right that the guys going to be fired. Mike when he was no you shouldn't be fired look at how well we've -- the draft -- last night picks in the draft the alternative to the players. He took a lot of talent this words valuing. Players he knows he knows what he's seen I just think he'd spent a lot of time looking at college players. And he spent very little time scouting MBA players. And it's a blank spot. And until they totally -- they're going to have a record while you were really the only good treated -- for Nixon's going to be clear it was to -- package while walker. With the -- council we knew exactly what they were going to all the other guys. Every one of them has has been at this point we're.

Say in where a final question what team is best that that pro scouting not talking about advance scouting as you pointed out -- But just that behind the scenes undercover stuff who's the best.

Oh you know I didn't need to look at the record who makes who make smart plays but. It's not fair also for me say this but the spurs are an obvious example but it it's also easier for the for the spurs to do it because they've got so -- continuity in the you know exactly what they have. Exactly what they need to play again. So it is difficult for the sell the -- insult exposition who. And so locks to make the right trade but my only point is I just think they know a lot more. About the guy to pick first draft and city it is about the last two years Sebastien tell.

Read his stuff but in Sports Illustrated on SI dot com he is that an NBA source you should be looking at as you prepare for tomorrow night's draft Ian Thompson from SI thank you very much it takes care -- Ian Thompson joining us