Danny Ainge

Joining us as usually does every Wednesday director basketball operations over the Celtics in the major could happen anyhow -- And did well at college through a merry christmas and happy New Year. While the any votes in the two mom last night's game right right off the bats what's it's it is who it was disappointing but I would I was surprised that how slow start the team got off to particularly following a lot of files in the fourth quarter that's that was that was disturbing.

You know we expressed our -- line. You know -- player to -- that knocked him and you know he threw a couple offered them out of our young guys and a learning experience Sebastien and and in both -- on both picked up part about the first part of that game in a really got school I've made it was quick learning for those guys -- If he's so quick in it so hard to to understand said that -- played against them but blocked it didn't really good job but defended him but -- two are too young what -- struggled.

Danny green steeple -- herald this morning and Iverson spoke both speaks glowingly about the what might have been. With regard to playing for the Celtics in the stay in the the trade didn't happen it's in the rearview mirror now and so forth but with with part of your interest in getting Iverson predicated on his. Interest in wanting to be here did you have to investigate that before you investigated trade possibilities.

Well you know we just had conversations of people that all talented people that you know they're surrounding them felt very comfortable this a current. If -- case we probably not a problem but we talk of what they tell what like playing in our system -- with our players coaches.

That was the message that was -- if not my Iverson himself obviously. That's certainly from the Iverson camp that that he would've been interested in playing here.

Well I believe that that in case.

Did to a quicker on on the medical situation of Delonte West -- the fall took -- like thank goodness in his head lower back problems -- houses status for tonight's game. And Theo Ratliff as well.

Well ought to give it miracle but a lot it's suited up to the night he was trying to get back -- even even after he went back in the second half but his back stab in the back in it might street -- it still has -- back in the in the fourth quarter I think it's you know he's he's very into this morning I don't don't stat that is but I think it would be -- not expect in oil and then I think it's just going to be dated Dave but he gets it did it had ended elbow on all so even though the bat is the biggest concern at the muscles that there there is little bit concerned about Ed and that is helpful as well.

The -- and Paul pierce went down. You know Lotta people including myself I looked -- this is an opportunity to see these guys in and and not have Paul pierce in the -- someone steps up a little bit and maybe becomes that maybe not the alpha dog but close and it's been three games and I elect I realize these guys are very young and we got a really temper expectations but I haven't really seen what I was hoping to see and I know their a couple of guys injured as well. Are you looking at this that mediation should we look at this that the critical Iowa we do we have to be realistic I mean I know you know -- looks like he's you know stepping up his team sentences status consistently that is evident before -- green I do like what I see it's you know we're not talking about taken over -- yet but the potential looks there it will how should we be looking at these games that Paul pierce isn't there should be you know you're -- What about a.

I think the first of all you know but what I -- Jerry you are maybe more direct question it is. Who argued disappointed -- I think that there are some guys that I've been very pleased with -- out they've responded in -- opportunities with the -- there's been some guys. That Paul out not Tony -- don't start playing really well is all about Ted.

pretty good I agreement ma'am my point being I I'm more looking for a better team in -- I understand policy acted in -- of the team chemistry is not going to be what we want to because it's not going to be that the the ultimate team you have put. I expectations what you expectations he should we expect wins here -- we are just say this is we going to feel out who's gonna take over in there really isn't a take over guy right now.

Well that there is but typical were back up to a by committee last night you know bought it was a great -- leading -- it'll be the first quarter then gets hurt that. That really set us back because we you know he's got that we need to step -- he's got -- what stepping up to negate last utterly -- when other guys struck. It's how I'll handle the double he was all about all all -- you know even with all all I've become down a couple of -- they they double team in the second he caught the ball sailed Carter's the only turned over wants you know able course points are pleased without that -- I was but Gerald well. We know that you can score points in in Europe take all it is they keep on picking it up -- it last night but you know he had eight rebounds four blocked shots. At small forward and shooting guard position -- you know that's huge for us is that what the starting utilize that more ways -- an -- baby -- that nobody is giving out up down but it was encouraging for -- to -- that he is started thought stat sheet on more than just score. And that we been working with heart on our coaches extremely hard and import all should be thousands of course there's some really good things seen you know I don't think right go 100% eat out quite well a lot.

Has less -- there was little disappointed obviously hoped not to going to be pointed at seven rebounds three assists but oh for six from the floor not not used to that.

Ride so you know Bryant as one of those guys that we need to step up we need to have -- step up and so -- Ryan has played really well throughout the last two years in in some I don't don't take one game as a but that was about little bit disappointed that you didn't step up more in popular in this team east and it's and -- it's not our schemes it's not our if if it has more to do with experience in just -- we just don't have that interior defender. Right L Scott walker in -- like guys says it scores here yet but that is little bit frustrating right now because Turkey it's is not what it needs to be and I think there's reasons I.

Try to figure out my quest. I think you know my question -- then it's winning and losing isn't what we're look which -- the I'm assuming what you want the defense should be concerned about -- should be these individual performances getting better and you know getting Paul -- back getting everyone healthy. And not living and dying with the each night.

Well I don't had been thought that he -- view of what I want find out who knows how to. And so -- there's a difference between just the final quarter of the league to win status Billy -- to think that that but it it'll last night at that -- all DL -- was willing to leave it but I think -- he was trying to do too much wood brothers and without all all bought in the game and -- double team now so you know like can live with that I can live with a -- it would too much where fought Opteron in most. And -- bout that I you know that's competing and eagle plane with intense people into the court that it got its just kind of settle for outside shots when they don't have shot blocked on opposing team -- really not being the aggressor. And so you know that the two examples some -- right the aggressor but so well look at it more those kind of ain't playing to win. But it'll -- strike ballot in even if we helpful awful at esteem roster wise you know being the clippers an -- with a desperate team that at bat races when he -- in Egypt was not -- role you know -- going to be top half even before roster let alone look at the.

lost six out of seven late date to may have been one of the most disappointing teams in the MBAs thus far north still pretty early in the season but last year they really wants came on strong at the and -- and NL they were people were -- in the playoffs but I have to say overall -- this year the clippers might be the most disappointing team record wise at least to start the season.

Hewitt I think there's two reasons for that I think because -- such a itself was you know played so well last year especially at the -- games he wants opening game -- the last three minutes -- games last year and -- yet but part of that was -- Korea Elton Brand last year with not only you know -- brand seen his whole career a good player but she -- it would that it can -- it indicate that he -- don't think -- better -- it it'll all the big guys keep this point it.

I thought it was MVP the second half of the year to be honest with you I mean yeah don't play well.

Right those two guys were really really keyed that that little bit extra special and up. Resulted in about polite they'll brand I think it is plain you know it is all star caliber performance but he stopped playing in Tibet special level that he did last year. But he's starting to I've watched him play enough experience you know -- cute look you know he looks like he's gonna break out -- really start playing well looks like he's just -- with a little -- what -- he would like that that -- is desperate right you know.

Six other element in Austria in a dogs are at that you would definitely go back -- and one with second because it's it's it's fresh in our minds what game last night. Every once -- while general manager will -- they would disclose who was with a wink wink you should've seen the tree we almost made you guys to be shocked if he knew we almost it. In nets beer where there's some scenarios that would indeed it shocked us -- you exercise them.

Ops I think if they're I think that it had we gone through that would get a lot of discussion I think that there are a lot of people we have a lot of internal discussions with too much what's not. And you know where we are franchise you know so I think that it would have been one of those deals where. You know just because internally there was a lot -- I think you're respect the outside he would. Well that -- bit too much here not a great deal I don't think it was a no brainer street side somethin' that there that we wanted to.

It's it's just I I just as as a as a guy who watch his games at home I don't get to a lot of games but Iverson to me is just. Really has the potential trade excited fans more so a little more it spirited debate shall we say than this straight I think you agree with that.

Right well -- I'd ever buy into the op is never afraid it balanced player you don't hear all the different things that everybody had speculation that he's not a -- he'd get all of will point out this has stopped but I'd I'd never ever believe that.

What daily I don't I just the just jump in. In my circle most people wanted to get him so E if you pick him going down the other road saying -- this guy's a -- would've worked here most people I talked to pretty excited about Iverson coming here.

But not likely to you I'm not I'm not suggesting you on your not understand the -- there are there is that camp of people that think that they -- scared -- player or you know because of it evolved. Court elements that affect our young guys mean there's a lot of the a lot of reasons to not he likes and but the biggest factor for being a simply just agent money. I mean just how much boat out every 20 million dollars 31 you know history are -- so that you know what year. Six or under it you turn 30 in your numbers start declining got pretty good rate now point ought. And so you know both were also real concerns but you know again -- was that's why don't we didn't go to so far to get out and elected if there --

I had a friend who said that who kids he has go to -- with the thought -- still Celtic with the practice.

Well it don't -- Vegas is so audio it looked like it'd been that. It but -- like the Larry Bird late in the -- you know early and late in his career there was it was a different between very verdict aged 20 or Larry Bird 28 eappen that the Charles Barkley Italy won the MVP -- keep in practice the upper.

I did have a triple Larry the way to adapt cronies lying on the floor on the plane flights.

When did that. They -- want to throughout Sebastian Telfair I know it's his third year out of high school and he's only 21 years old. Umps and he does look like he has that potential to be very good player is this another guy based on you know coming out of high school in his third year. I know you went to a lot to get him here is this do we have to be extra -- should we another only two years away from him being maybe a very very good player I don't look at this --

Well you know I think it was it was a player like Sebastien you know what it is any minute he's ready to step forward I thought he played fantastic in the exhibitions is at a party great great. You know early on in the -- that first game to jitters out of the way but playing was playing really well but I think right now the best that -- little bit of shooting for in a little bit of a mental what looks like he's tried that. You know not make the stakes bet that -- aggressive but you'd it is speed in. And so. Not all the answer to that I don't think any of us know but we know what we've seeded Sebastien at what is potential is.

What is potential and we -- a great point guard in the NBA very good one good 1 what is his potential.

I -- I think he's I think he's a good party in eight. Potential you know he'd simply get -- the top we cart and played very well the question right out I'll Sebastien is. You don't just we end if you give it just play -- when does he get it just peel back that there's a couple things go out on -- but the flat speak. You know one of the hardest things in plain what our position in the leak is no we wouldn't dispute it went past Wendell -- for your offense -- to -- people are cute at the ball into this whole career in his whole light. And -- on giving to understand that that's not what why not be what I honestly. And so I think the Sebastian is struggling a little bit with like all -- do in my in all in which are about the open struggle at so I think that he's just corporate I think there are some going Sebastien.

There and they ask you who's who's available tonight is a perk going to be able to come back and Michael Olowokandi at least though give your nose a couple of bodies that it might be able Alou. You know get some rebounds for in -- with some points and they're double tonight.

I anticipate both of those guys to see some action --

Do you think while it might be back on Friday

their wallet beat back on Friday I think there's been. An out by chance while it available night but I say that Friday more realistic

you look at this west coast road trip the way it's too bad they're -- banged up right now is this these -- teams there are absolutely beautiful -- was right rest you know quotes in the paper today at no question him in the clippers Golden State Seattle Portland. Both are all very winnable games if your team were healthy it and it's too bad because. It would be very competitive and west coast where he's always tough but the way these -- overall I think underachieving so far this year I think guys credible shot to go to -- to win three out of four you're healthy he's.

yeah. He had no question that was. Now that they've they've been all went down in Italy -- wallet -- not then you know about the lot it's just. If you get per -- even a little bit of that -- that -- on the interior so you know everybody's -- seems like there's more injuries this year than ever not remembered in India.

one other thing minister argument really Gerald green eyes that he teen and 20 points the last two games forget the points it's not about scoring but. The one thing that strikes me is he's not just throwing up shots he seems like he's bought into being a professional -- he seems coach a ball disciplines and I the outside of this that I do get excited everytime I see him play and sometimes I wish it trial little more but he's it -- I mean he's he's listening it sounds -- is -- the coaches -- listen to what you as a talent.

Gerald has always listened Gerald -- coach of all I think that there's the difference between you know when you're young think -- little bit more and that it takes a little bit its ability to take connect you know to really. He's listening he's not trying to be defiant but then you know -- take off and understand. What epic but he's -- there's there there's kind of a defining moment oh yeah italics yet I think Gerald is that out there now where he's starting to understand and really. Buy into what he needs to do and out you know eat eat -- that it's it's still we all want to happen after. And I'm really encouraged in Gerald in the in the slot and hope that you -- and and know the same side that you don't want to be excused -- flat faced and it just see how he responds you know after when he falls by base but he actually put pretty well being.

Protects the ball too -- turnovers does not turn the ball over a lot which is you don't see that allowed tenth from a young guy.

Writing not -- like he's not trying to be too much scored 18 points for the plane within the system -- easy to pass up shot here there he's going to the whole back -- streak alive much in public image that you know I think -- with his spot it's getting a little bit stronger maybe get a little more opposite of body pitchers you know draw contact inside but I still think it you know when we -- fast break -- part what part look at but the real little -- there's -- another -- or -- run and -- so well we have it be -- ticket and -- some of the think that they will and I'm.

Right there will real good news though if there is good news is that during the Atlantic division you still only game out even attendance 60 the next underdog when he thinks ought to just what to -- about Toronto in New Jersey. Possibly Philadelphia which elevator to immutable throttle New Jersey they don't seem to be able to control of their of this division because you get through the slow stretch of Paul pierce out for next couple weeks what you might be okay you still imposition of the foresee --

Yeah it's somewhere where they've it's -- that the Titanic it is

very you know.

All right yeah you're right it means there's there some all we can get it there's anyway we can win you know couple games on this -- happened and you know hold down sport itself all all it did that maybe it's a blessing what is it be fresh in -- percent healthy and we very young guys get a chance to play good cop that could be -- if we can pack it too far behind.

Denny a happy New Year to we'll talk do you look -- back next Wednesday and and we'll talk to going to have a happy New Year and good luck the rest of reluctant. Scary there thanks a lot Danny -- director of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics