[0:00]" Joining us from Los Angeles and he sounds like he's right here in the studio with our property espn.com -- sports guy himself. Bill Simmons hello bill how aria which I -- one you know one of these highest DN lines and host now on bill I don't know I don't think even require billions one of these race I. This of one question -- you believe five years seventeen million dollars writer at ESPN 800 words you know that figure teachers that I read in the New York Times and has to be true. They said it was reported but where it was a -- in -- block. Well that's Woodson the year I'm by and it humble even it up -- if he's over seventy million worth one point yeah you know could be that would happen in the race sex that's Beckett. It's sports like what's happening now couple bonds as rebel X fifteen million dollars talk I'm not. It doesn't like three years left before it comes -- enough about palpable on a you're going to be able to work to get along with Rick Reilly YouTube due to prima Donna's -- two divas it's it's like Shaq wade. Going to be able to co exist. That's really first -- it's I asked about Catholic passages and share points and Burgess both of rating independently separate cases the will be five and I think one guy has to be on the golden -- don't you don't you know lead on him yeah yeah -- to -- you'd ever change that you're not the lead dog. Well I that and went out drew -- make cookies. Same -- I think well I -- they had the half and by god there'll never the same since Michael left now it has now you should be excited I mean -- I don't know what you world but you worked a lot I mean he's worth that kind of though in this whole new. You know the new fangled Internet age mean he's a dinosaur you're the cutting edge guys well."

[1:56]" I'm hoping that that project -- the spectrum but for me it's like you know he's still he's still a big name. And having him funniest in magazines can make more people which is going to make more people read means and as the glass half full but he would deposit you but what happened when the New York Times asked Rick -- about you he hung up. -- pars split yeah did and it's happened -- me when you have an interview you know now. Have the raiders putting it close whenever he never actually humans -- I don't know I think maybe just out of sell drop. Piloted decades that live in California and that interest in having access to pack beat you to blow it if my."

[2:45]" That's they go. Carnell left off Allah will have let jump hook now do the Sox possibilities bill Simmons yet and the Celtics season for the ages. Helping and healing you're Super Bowl wounds. The wolves still losing you do you think you make more than John souls I -- is going to make a how much I -- Cris Carter and you gotta -- you gotta be make more than him. Okay I say about the pats took about a month. Before -- think about it and let those two days ago a month was two days ago -- I and played in my -- Was the first -- that Agassi. Felt positive and about -- and I -- Randy -- you must you must -- you'll you'll left the able behind in Arizona did you guys did a unit still definitely had moments right there raised five if you find. For you thank you still win and you Wes Welker right scale where medalist -- that."

[3:43]" You know in this is though conventional -- and here's. The reason the real reason in the what managers is because -- two kids an eminently fair is it past the -- Georges -- I was I was gonna say yeah well -- says that it's actually and one of the hostages like six years as a generic. How can say that that bit agree and I think what you innocent where it's like item wagers in public and this is ridiculous but now you know after last thing just kill myself and Adam moss had left. It must've left I think I would view that more depressed especially confused so much fun watching Brady -- granted the guy. You know basically disappeared six weeks of the season but it I think for the price they got them. And it's just so much fun to have -- team in now 27 at the operative Jabar Gaffney is now -- you know would happen. But and I've got to the seven stages and -- There was a point or analyst and I think I carry better profit Texas goes like everybody excess we do this affair is behind the scenes that. Which is better off guard and new direction now just like."

[5:00]" That he's I'm back I'm fine do you think you make more than Stuart Scott."

[5:05]" Except now. Hey if the course it's make or that you and on another fine of course you mean do your -- global presence. -- mean you're like drudge who currently get like twenty million hits a day. Hey it's another reason we want to have you want today is because you are the ultimate. Expert on today's topic which is -- sell. Going to the Boston so your cell expert pitcher clippers' season ticket holder and -- Celtics expert because it's your life in Europe and -- you just. Who lives from the -- you minutia. Of your team basketball games a week you watch bill. You use it and when the team -- you're really into it than you seem like they're good he seemed like you know kind of expert -- Whose opinion we really value. Yeah -- that you look -- expand so."

[6:02]" Yeah I I -- clippers' season tickets for four years but the real into the most games was that when you inherited. And that is solely because sand and you know it's what to say I were senate veteran point guard he's going to have makes big stats -- I think anybody in buster realizes like damage finesse guys too lax and the stuff that he his game what motivated he is how it works referees and just like other sort of tricks he has that we just haven't seen him Boston's firm. From really anybody and the Celtics it's to serve but you know years she's moves where after -- to be driven up with the court some big big lumbering up and -- is kind of dribbled in front of the guy and the -- and now confound the big guy he's got that when he tricks like that who were in I just think he's going to get the fans -- he's get. In that the KGB it'd be motivated he he's going to push KG. Even beyond the motivation -- those values in and people just feed off from his natural leader I think he's going to be coach retires hopefully doctor's job. And how nominal at a at a just kidding that's great. Mr. -- fitness. -- that the fans are really like them any such a goofy got to look at. You know he -- is so unique looking as the test audience after makes a big Shaq in. So many things one -- just moved into exactly. What he does is after makes a big Shaq he cups his hands well below his groin area and then hops around. Like I got and I might seem that the test events yes like I got big ones I take big shots that's more like I have massive huge."

[7:45]" And you should be that that bill he's he's saying all the right things is that there's no question concerns about my role none at all -- the backup point guard and do whatever I -- to be successful. A -- a fit in and do my job you believe that that that the star but he's willing to subject gate."

[8:01]" I Q I think he's at the point in his career that he'd be fine may fifteenth claimants and the question is. Against the -- Which is really the worst possible matchup for around it teaches. As we signed two games Billups can just push Murray animus or ran back into gators last. That's a team that -- going to be I've actually he was. Stephen nation I think that Friday -- is Andrea and he was talking about. Specifically guarding Billups and that's a guy he's had success against because -- in the same size and he knows lunatics that boats as any can show him and he can he knows what spots those sixty -- So for that specific series deciding -- word because I think he's actually privately crunch time it's."

[8:49]" Well I was going to ask you played in it in crunch time how do you see this little new marriage working out if this guy is is the guy who wants to do the testicle dance by -- in the big shots democratic."

[9:01]" That's the rep with Sam is that. And I wrote this last week the great thing about them terrible thing about him in the same thing he will absolutely take the big shot. -- in the game -- take big shot in game seven series because he thinks he can make. We'll definitely get placed together can't think what other questions do you want a thirty hero back a point guard taking your biggest -- season and out but I'm worried about. Yeah I I think there's been some legitimate questions about -- the last four years ways that not only those -- not lately -- mainly flatly that."

[9:35]" Maybe you just won't drop this him in the guys had a terrific year he's probably going to be coach of the year he -- he has helped. Rondo is development mean he might have yelled animal outlast you may be still yells out Milan. It seems to be working out okay as a strategy."

[9:51]" Well let me give the devil's advocate strategy -- devil's advocate -- first about. The biggest problem last year's was the way this team's coached defensively. That it brought in this guy attempted that was really the best defensive system -- he's charged the fence and arrogant defensively we've KG. Who is probably the single best defensive presence you can haven't team. So the defense being has just been. You know basically turned rabbits than when Nady I don't know if you can credit doctor that I really doubt his second base problems that he had trouble jazz in the rotation more than that -- guys -- is he never knew which guys to play you'd play. One guy who coached Iowa game again and Chris -- of the game and they shared the decisions easy because he had. The starting five that was a specific starting five than -- three of four bench guys that you should come in. Now there now or in a situation where this team as twelve guys or NBA players -- right out Toney out in the empower the you have to put guys in this team. And you talk about -- versus Rondo he's talking about where it is PJ brown fit into better than part instead play him here to adapt. I just think it's a really tough team to coach and you know I'm not saying that can't coaches but it's going to be really -- to see how he can juggle. All these different guys to figure out who should be playing here we shouldn't be playing here."

[11:16]" Has it been has there been one complaint maybe I missed it. About playing time from anyone else starter or bench got what they."

[11:23]" They didn't have to be because there's a specific tire he had KG pierce and down at the most minutes Perkins was really the only true senate they had. Rondo is the only two point -- had an -- they had Eddie House playing at a position for four months it."

[11:37]" You could have a house you'd oppose the mean you can have you can have Scot Pollard complaining he doesn't get up the bench for slow -- happy on the bench as much in -- in the clippers' game -- come in there and Paula --"

[11:50]" And he just like sit on the bench who -- in the game. So let's say I mean that now we have ten legitimate guys in that they -- Tony out as the eleventh guy who attack is infatuated with for some reason I hope he can jet you know I really do it's because this team now. Really may be the most talented Eastern Conference team of this decade I mean -- as he -- it say that -- the 2004 pistons won the title. 2006 Miami they were in the title but. I don't think either this teams was as deep as this team and and having KG pierce Ray Allen I think unfairly get started with those two guys present these at that point of history anymore but it's certainly the most -- it's up extremely fat since 1990."

[12:35]" All right so so bill Simmons he has been sports Kevin you have the Celtics in the finals against whom."

[12:41]" I don't have this in the finals because I'm terrified. Natalie Detroit but. It the way the brightest playing he really can beat any abatement stuff that's so I don't think that -- game let's say they get their."

[12:55]" Would you you without us we'd like to see -- Lakers Celtics on. I think everybody I believe are Hewitt in Phoenix would be fun -- other fun match Phoenix's again we don't want to see you know Duncan we don't want to see San Antonio we prefer LA Boston that whole thing yet Iowa. You -- get LA Boston."

[13:16]" Seen Tony is here there western team that could be in the mixed -- case there -- to trade -- just think everybody would just sick yet that they had assumed that happen -- Boston has a real chance to happen. Really -- and yeah I actually think Boston has a better chance of making it an LA area that is canceling in LA and they're canning an agent by the in the come back from this knee injury had -- jogging in a pool like he's like still a month away from -- even step on the basketball court. And if they don't have him I don't think they have any chance to beat them."

[13:49]" build I can return to -- for just the second the third actual -- to sell saying he will accept the backup role and being able execute that role in my estimation are two very different things. He's thirty years -- has missed sixteen games with injuries I'm just wondering -- talked about the the Red Sox -- the difference between having 45 at bats over the course of a three -- game versus sitting on the on the dugout step for seven innings and being called to a championship that's essentially what what what this guy's going to be asked to -- 38 year old -- warm -- pregame sit down and command and be as effective as he has when he played a lot more minutes that he will be playing in Boston."

[14:24]" It's a good question Jan Davis thank you. I would say one thing about seeing that the -- since fairies a streaky. Things one of those guys that when he starts it is jumpers. You know they'll keep happening over the four of five minutes being Democrat and give it -- that this happens especially on. Which is a really you're quoted at as a bench guy because. If he comes any any just explain like you can see and you just going to ride him for as long as she's Duma. It's about point this guy has always been a starter. And now he's looking in a situation where he's got a -- the heat up right away and in the 67 minutes stance. Side and I mean. I I look at it this way that the alternative was have -- Eddie has bring up the -- and he's at a point. Me we in the first trek game. They basically won the game that the way to Boston because Lindsay had a trapped Eddie House and hounded them not a sudden Europe my points. So you know I think Sam is just any such a good bar and Lauren and he's a good leader and the one thing that people don't realize is that. And he said this in the Stephen Asia KJ grants one of the best pick and roll guys. The it you're never think that but he's really get it said this means really get it make in the fifteen footer and -- anthrax in the pick and Rossi that in -- situation. When the second unit comes in. They can just random pick and role player page ain't seen him and that's the Athens and they they have really had enough sense if you look at what they've done. Pierce and Allen has always been out there at the second unit because as a really the only guys who can create points now you don't have to play one of those guys about times potential."

[16:02]" R I what other -- a second question about the concerns of of execution and that is when he and Rondo are on the floor at the same time this guy's been a point guard how do you think you will fare at them off guard as the two."

[16:14]" Well we've seen -- we sat with the clippers they used to play. Him in Livingston gotten at the same time so -- to guard I mean that Dodi and who we think of them as a point guard. And and he had spent I think he's he can absolutely be -- guys somebody that can come optics and make Sampras that's -- and that's one of the -- of the neat things about this team is that they can throw so many different -- say now. And making Guzman they can put Posey power forward thinking go big and have you know basically. -- suppose it to swing spats with KG PJ brown and that's pretty tough team to match up and they can we keep -- the same time. Aids is one of those teams said no matter who they're playing they're going to have a wrinkle to throw out there right now I think -- is the question is whether going to be have to figure out which wrinkles to throw which."

[17:05]" And though I know you're still burned bodies at least going to concede that doc didn't ruin Rondo. Yeah I think he's that are pretty good job with trying to."

[17:15]" Loaded you know they had my dad was there actually is like ten feet away from it -- attack and hit. And Sunday and that's it that it was around it was that deaf -- like he'd never even heard speak before -- so. Embarking attack -- and echo and attic fan KG had to sit between them I'd like that I likely that stuff happens especially they. It -- weren't concerned with Rondo is that he was just kind of this piece that was there in the three veterans in the team needs -- postage -- with a -- to stand the way. I really think keys. Shown a lot of moxie the last two months like you'll actually take it to the basket and everyone's so -- out of the car for the bottle look at them and go the other way they. I just think. I think his growth over the last two months has been the most put that happens."

[18:06]" Pay bills a guy who watches and -- than what hundred basketball games a year maybe. 85 I -- like three and three tonight. Actually -- alright -- the guys who watched three basketball game tonight who were your three favorite Celtics to watch in ascending order. Right now yes you know Dicey 52 yet right now current team yes the current team."

[18:33]" I love Billy pierce is playing and there is a key moment and one of the home games. I can't remember which tournament Yankees stand. You that this is the guy is those I wrote about it cup hero complex and it's one of those guys to. Q last to win at that differently Q serious about daddy's competitor but -- also wants to win where he makes the biggest shot of the game. And there's this keep play at one round games where where that -- any -- to the right. And the Yankees can take his typical terrible popular -- traffic to -- in the era. And instead he swung it to somebody whose lineup and the guy image that Shaq and six it's like exit he got it he finally figured out. The way he's played the last. Three match I know the stats have been totally -- distinct from and I'll grandstand play him is he's almost as it is he -- So I put him first I left KG obviously -- It bugs me that he descendants and the turnarounds in the followers and he's just happy shoot fifteen footers I don't know if he's saving him for the plants -- what it. And it just seems like you know he can easily muscle guys Stan and she'd jump hooks and -- in the five footers and he's just. Does followers take him at a rebounding position that'd ensure there percentage high percentage the more I watch him. As crazy is that I've really had to give it to Duncan and you know this is -- an argument that gave cancer ten years he's better and I just think that in the fact that you can go to Dunkin he scored double team. He can get that one basket and sat and everyone to KG can't do that he's. This is the team. I don't think people realize that maybe they do that this is a team that in big gains sheets fifteen footers and and makes a high percentage of them but it's a fifteen foot."

[20:27]" KG does make everyone better -- when -- take a look at baby look at markets and he he he's not just with his passing with -- energy me he improves and if that's the standard even a little handle and instantly right he proves all the people around them he him and he would be number one on that list."

[20:44]" Defensively and as a leader pay him that the fact is beat these guys terrified. Everything about it until I think it's going to let him bounty they don't want to -- that they're terrified and which makes you wonder that. You know I think back his that are really good job this year but I really wonder IKEA -- team makes you wonder what happened Minnesota. Had a you know motivates -- good question and a hunting them get to the finals and -- win yeah I mean it. It's just has to be considered complete happen or may -- he went to Boston and has taken it in now."

[21:21]" We know that you just kept keep getting bigger and bigger and more famous that will give -- latest. Brush with greatness mean who's emailed you was called them -- and you. And -- I'm really like your work."

[21:33]" Hi this is it creates an analyst at the read about this and the ones with. It's past use for week summit. Element -- and those rumors. Now that's xmas -- about where it's us that's them you know. Seen the green room waiting to you know and you know four -- jeans and -- So it's. Says that interfaces in greens in it is six. So Q seized and like I said he has hit. And they had this -- can't shake it has just like wow that was said of video camera -- so that's you know victors. There's a little window what it's like at the top gal she gets that Dolan Cuban attorney -- cut thing."

[22:39]" I needed but was second to do do you want to know someone who reached out to you because you have fans that none of us in this. I don't know the dinosaur media can even grasped -- people who read you online that we could never that we won't believe."

[22:55]" Rick Reilly called that are willing to work at a note that you talk about excellent British yet job. I have betrayed confidence just one of them."

[23:10]" Yeah it's a reader actually which amazed me is -- Davis really. Again Everett's at the -- about Ben Davis and Natalie did he. Read about it in his blog but then one of the people especially company email me. Talked about how happy Baird was today wrote it finally got it I just think this is entering a weird -- Athletes now block. And read read things like you know we grew up in this -- athletes Everett the newspapers you know they they just looked down and everything and I have athletes that are actually. Not only reading it. They're right there and -- and I think you know saying we want about -- bit. You know he was breaking news in his blog about himself and now I'm wondering if foreigner in this there were these athletes are going to control. The information about themselves without haven't used newspapers."

[24:00]" You you know why the -- Simmons was more disappointed than anyone when the patriots lost the Super Bowl going into you know Mel. He was all set -- appointment to hang with Brady and his entourage at the -- probably I didn't really just really aren't that -- so you were deprived of that experience."

[24:16]" I was -- tattoo pianists in the in this is the one I don't cotta -- because there were no silver linings for February 3 misinterpret -- Analysts say this the rest of the country really really really really hated busted fans I mean really think we it turned into the -- New York. And if we won. That's Super Bowl this season would have been there about like every bit shooters against the Celtics losers would agree it threats tax now I think. The stars of the -- we're back to the wayward and that the Celtics in the sentimental favorite colon in the playoffs and it kind of took the heat office and away so I don't -- silver lining but it's definitely an outcome of of what happens is that necessarily bad thing it's. And you were pasta and we were that we were the lovable losers straight decades and decades reading a lot of the American Airlines in them. So I'm actually say it's over time but it's definitely a decent outcome for would have."

[25:15]" Are we wrap up the best the silver lining for you isn't much you renegotiate your new contract based on the new -- going to be moving from what Stockton the Santa Barbara."

[25:24]" Stock include but but but but but but -- Miami to a -- forward as the -- why they -- the united man islanders them. Which you can't afford to lose but check for this woman who lives on the line well -- he's like he's professors that the and I got to move Beckett simply because that my daughters are wearing anywhere boxes that's yeah."

[25:45]" Nose -- So there are days are probably spend -- comes bill Simmons the sports guy bill good talking with you win now gives a shot to get back in town we're going to state your place in the files -- be like into the free to still. -- in the two games in the in the will be like eight straight days in LA like fueled his -- Indians IQs very tell -- and it's game in class. Doesn't matter. I think it absolutely matters this is team that their -- play in the files and you know make state bill Simmons thanks for the time at Yankee bill Simmons the sports"