Danny Ainge, Celtics President

" I -- Jeremy yeah she'll get back to the folk also is just a few minutes but it is time for our weekly get together. Will the president of the Boston Celtics Danny -- Noted -- I think it isn't a busy day for you you're down to the last 44 hours -- of the trading deadline. Is the busy. He -- have been a question. So what are you going to do -- tells -- nobody's listening its last."

" I don't I don't really think that there's. That would give a Buick beat I would say that he. There's not a lot of able right now it doesn't look very well but you're trying to create another open roster spot. Personal veterans that may -- to the crack that would trade deadline. We actually with ticket -- between Russell and tax club will be -- abruptly pitches looked when they're."

" that the the if you -- him is definitely a too little about baseball is unbelievable it's never ending the eight Tony Allen injury. Com are you -- you concerned about that going forward specially into the post season and -- food does that. Change the way you approach this trading deadline."

" Well. You know I would say that it it it can't get this some concerted. We do you think Tony will be ready to go by the by the playoffs. I'm at the same time you know there's uncertainty whenever someone has surgery it is on the left are. But I think it'll be fine. And that we accomplish they'll be quiet but we have looked into them that opportunity that. -- fill that gap but. There's really not Barrett that we can find that they can help us bring back. Have been a deposition that -- light."

" Can you Manassas a zillion times and what's going to happen with Stephon Marbury."

" I don't know I have no idea haven't heard anything going on in New York was with Emmitt and that some of -- out of the loop there."

" Well it isn't march 1 the deadline would you have to be with the team by march 1 play in the post season."

" I'm you have to be waived by the current -- anybody on our roster -- being waived. I've by the he's their -- march 1."

" What about just like the Knicks may be holding confident that deadline presents if he wants to play in a post season. He would have to get on that other team by the incorrect be way."

" I pride they basically they could be playing game also the peak at that appears to be out."

" Then how about their report today Yahoo! Sports about the Celtics great interest in in Raja Bell and the truth of that."

" You know I could comment on a report in the week it looked in the a lot of different players. Rugged budget belt we got that we talked about -- shirt but. You know the reports are that are accurate that's for sure but. -- as a player."

" When he beer he'd be able Fidelity's make him with a little five million he would not be. But economically be able to do it right with cap numbers."

" While we would have to trade trade -- to -- player like that but there's there's nothing imminent there's not that out."

" Is it is it a matter of that that the cap numbers that you can't make certain deals work right now or is it a matter of teams asking for too much because. I think we assumed. There's some needs certainly off that bench into the post season with you know some veteran help specially with the Tony Allen injury right now he in -- again just -- that he. You're hoping that it be back but -- that. That question what what is the reason that you eat you don't think something's going to happen."

" Well because you know we'd like the player that we -- There at the players that are available players that we would like to get. That we think might be upgrade at our. That you don't want to get -- I think teams are reluctant that you deal without. I think it. Bet that they have beat some of other young players play a lot. But the reality that it is -- the players that RD kick what outlook of the players the darkness on the scrappy some bar. And we just don't have enough to take what -- get to give the the players that we're looking to get the."

" look back at the post season last year and certainly PJ brown a veteran was a a huge bullet maybe not -- more minutes but certainly there were stretches. In which he was a factor. In the playoffs are you feeling more confident that your your younger players let's say you big baby Leon boast some of your bigs. Are better this year and do you feel more confident that they could perform in the playoffs than that maybe they could a year ago."

" Clearly clearly double cockpit and there's. There's another thing that developed over the last few weeks last couple -- actually about it. The player Brian Scalabrine that the coaches -- out I think he's an important part he brings a little bit in a different way and the PGA -- intelligence. And just it eat at the ability he'd be at that particular. So with the addition you know kind of scalp will begin to able. And the improvement significantly improved but I think a baby and me out. I think we're much more prepared and I think that that's that must have been -- Then now it was last pressure."

" Hey Danny Doc Rivers in talking about Tony Allen's injury said he's basically the one guy that we couldn't lose in terms of having depth and now we've lost them. So bearing that in mind you mentioned you've kicked the tires tried to find a trade partner perhaps in and that doesn't seem to be billing itself. And then a free agent pickup would be the second level. Do you anticipate anybody hitting that market. In the timeframe that you would necessarily be able to make a move that is and now they're now or is it really still tied to the guys we've been hearing about Marbury et cetera. If indeed Marbury becomes a free. Much what you just. But I just said whatever -- inadequate -- Atlantic -- let me give you know the cliff notes. Are all the free agents on the market right now that you could possibly be interested in. Because Doc Rivers makes it sound like he couldn't lose Tony Allen and now again."

" Right Morgan of course I don't think we've lost on I think it's a short term loss that we can we can overcome with our depth -- it it. The way to Gabe Pruitt is played for -- out of -- that Eddie has played and Dallas played you know I'd still think it. -- Billy walker -- kids can play a -- If given an opportunity. And you know especially short that it will come off the bench with some of our guys that they appetite. Well I'm not really concerned about the short term as -- example while. And as that you to market but in the B agent market and right now we're in in the trade market. And then after the trade deadline goes away then there you know a lot occasionally there are guys that are bought -- a contract expect. If he certainly can't Pena have about as clever trying to do big trades. And you'll get that locked up rather than sit around and waited maybe bid for the services of guys that -- out contracts."

" We've but I although it would take of people but I did see you quote this morning that it in. Correct me -- From wrong in this what you felt that the best chance you. Of acquiring another player would be after the trading deadline with the team. On loading that player buying that player out and obviously you just mentioned the starters and -- That you might be clearing a roster spot you obviously clear a roster spot yesterday so with a deal with -- him to sell. So you looking more on the lines of if you go past the trading deadline that's your next opportunity. To grab a player who could help you."

" Yes. Yes although those are the two options that we have and that you know that's why we can't force a trade -- We can't force of the apple has got to be some good and I don't see that apparently you trade up -- that work."

" It probably is right okay then I'll ask at this point is there's something out there that you sense is going to happen. With a player that players could become available here in the next weaker too. That prevents you from going out and making that trade right now because you'd think you can have a better opportunity. Tomorrow or next week."

" Don't know the answer to that means do I sense that something might -- out but I I have no guarantees anything well. And so were -- we want to put ourselves in position to be in that market if something does happen."

" Danny -- teams less willing to deal with you. Because you guys won at all last year do you feel like you're getting that you know closed door from other teams."

" I think so I think sit down. You know we'd be. Put ourselves in position to win and if there's a lot of people that don't wanna. You know trade away their players see them play on national TV on. In all the time and inept as succeeded it doesn't it doesn't bode well for the team tradable player."

" Joe Smith that was dealt and that and the chairman trading yesterday was set summary that's you're pursuing and was it was a frustrating when that deal was made or or how heavily interest and where you -- getting him. --"

" It or not frustrating. It is. -- that that we -- food like his talent we did inquire about him in the beginning of last summer. After he was traded away quickly that we we tried to acquire him that this were able to work anything out at this. The mask didn't work what we had and the team didn't didn't fit what Oklahoma City -- And that they did the right thing that we didn't and then that it has been young center and using guild contract so what -- good Oklahoma City."

" there anyway to put a number on the level of urgency you have to make this roster better with them with an influx of talent between now and."

" You know he just he just can't force that I don't I don't really look at it that way I mean -- have to be good within itself -- I'd like cart team I think -- I mean we we have the most wins in the NBA right now. And our team does not hurt."

" Which is great -- and if so which is greedy."

" Yeah I well I acknowledge it is not. The week when we when we got the Big Three. You know we knew that would there be some limitations then in -- potential -- we don't have the middle of the pack. Contracts we we used expiring contracts. Back to -- to go to can make the deal that we got now we put us where the situation now the other teams that are in that same situation with expiring contracts have an opportunity to upgrade their team -- compared financially strapped so. We -- just out of that position we don't have the ability to do you know."

" Talking about the great records how important do you think it is citing the teams that are you you believe -- going to be there. How important is it for the Celtics to come up with the best record in the home court advantage throughout."

" Well it's it is nice. Benefits for sure we've been a bit we've been a better player out for our home team and we have been on the road last year. I think that this year will be more prepared for that after having gone through this experience. I think it's nice I don't think it's so I don't think it's. What could prevent us from reaching our goal. Oh to try to win as many games in whatever the type outlook or mantle it would -- I think that's the most important artist to. Try to secure home court in the east and they that we can get them home court in the the overall thing that's great to put out we got our hands only got accosted them enough. And yet people going to force every night and the most important thing is that we're healthy and laughed and that's by far the most important."

" I think that is goes to say with -- with anybody the reason I bring up at home course that I know you can easily. Rationalize and say okay we've got a seven game series all we really have to do we don't have the home court advantage is win one game and get to the finals. It's a 232 anyways you can look at it that way. But when you look at Los Angeles when you look at Cleveland especially these two teams that have really dominated at home this year."

" Right and I don't I would go into a playoff series they could net you gotta win two games to get the home court advantage you gotta find a way to win one game on the road and if you don't have the home court advantage. I would lead you got a find it went we went to games at -- could you just can't count on winning every single game -- So I'll you know -- it's a little bit tougher to decline no question about it but I think our team is up for that challenge."

" They did you guys played more games before the All-Star break than anybody else the NBA a lot of prime time games a lot of schemes that had. You know national entry now how much does this mean anyway off. Help you guys we only have this one game in the calendar week before Phoenix and Denver on on Sunday and Monday."

" Well you know we -- obviously bigger break up because obviously victory went to the All-Star game and we played later we've played -- Thursday last week. So we really don't give up much more time -- than anybody else we're right back -- that we get back to back from the weekend and and down. -- had -- him ago I can't let us I think that our guys arrested Friday at practice yesterday and today include yet."

" There's more guy who's got more good news has drawn to ante tomorrow night Charles Barkley back. -- on ABC on Sundays so well back and yes we got some big but I've just been the big game and and battled -- for the players -- portable game."

" I hate the same -- you do -- Charles were all sorts of other sports excellence that era. That are -- Jerry -- I don't know how much you whether you sorry you -- that was. That was -- I mean watch some of these games some awkward get him checked out all our family you know it. Some of it was a little bit --"

" And -- child is on you mean the mark on let them in the chalk talk about anything yet and -- maltreatment people talking about basketball so. The fact that he's not the most compared guy he's still on the."

" And I'm sure the diesel that concerned about his opening monologue. You do -- who has a veteran tight. Ha ha ha. Move Reagan and goes. Ike Denney oh good -- in the next day able to get back to work an of the sponsor jumping is Mikhail call if they work."

" Our blue I just thought we know about an hour over yet no we don't have anything in the works I think we're just and a compare notes."

" But what at what a tough break for Al Jefferson seven a terrific season. And then to to have that injury you know it didn't make the All-Star. Game and it to have that injury on top of that that is very difficult and new plant well they really will play well."

" I thought government was doing a good job -- any coach in the league. You know and in the after -- about the are celebrating he got started I think it started out rap went on their playing great it. Devastating blow it out and you know Houston and looks like if you -- McGrady for the rest of the year. And it's great union in the in basketball more than any other sport when you lose a significant player devastated UT."

" So is it safe to say the Kevin's a better coach and general manager."

" I would never -- to death. And I would say that he's okay I'm epic -- great things in his career as a GM I think he's in you know at -- also think -- did a great job in this. -- as a coach."

" You know I don't -- at least are out here and he he obviously developed. An awful lot while he was here is no doubting that Padilla did some terrific post up moves. But didn't notice his game with Mikhail he was developing some of those little slip move some of those little -- home wolves with Kevin that you could see. That it Kevin's was making an impression on this --"

" Well you know another bit of a lot of talk about that I washed out play when he was seventeen years old and -- I -- that in this game. The year that we traded every there's the Minnesota we went back and what what we watched every one of our minutes. And just be sure we really wanted to trade now -- the public is very tough thing for a do. And up. I every move without doing now I've seen him do -- or etiquette is getting more consistent a more consistent so what you tell -- out here and he had a knack of scoring. The day that could ever saw him it was quite get Dwight Howard. And I mean he was doing the -- not good at stake lap and go back under he had he just had. He doesn't -- the same like Kevin does that he's not is as fundamentally sound as Kevin but he had a knack. A did not all of the hole and find a little seam in the defense that was pretty special when I. He's just gotten better and better as time he's he's been tracking from the first stage showed -- the box than. If you're doing it now."

" So what you tell me is Kevin had no influence of his game at all right."

" I don't I mean it doesn't bother me any humility but maybe Kevin talked and think -- a little bit and become more consistent."

" Then -- always think about again what what could have been Oden is hurt again with a bone -- as the -- days and -- government that's debatable what but I mean it is unbelievable what what what might have been -- those ping pong balls fallen and a different direction the league championship no."

" and I probably wouldn't like if he's always etiquette. -- number one hey Al. Any match and Al Jefferson did you ever possibly seat on the road Jefferson backers of the I don't know Hillary's -- on out there. Ricky Davis although the only reason innocent that we did talk that you earnhardt's. I'd rather -- him Austin and holes. Number of people that Al wants to come back to Boston and in his career she dies in Boston so why get another great regret that might never wanted to."

" The break in the -- within a good time with him but I mean he's got a pretty significant contract and commitment but Minnesota -- going to happen when when all that's over done with ten years from now."

" Lately -- told his brother he wants to play with Kevin Garnett pierce and Allen you know he's not he loves the city of Boston loves the city of Boston wants to come back here and play -- that makes. I did we'll talk did actually have a good -- I."