[0:00]" don't joining us so live from his hotel room where is just getting a couple more -- before the big game tonight. -- my old friend from Sports Illustrated Jack McCallum hit -- aria. I don't went back eighty. This is unbelievable isn't going to change -- adjustment covering this summer usually covering nearly now."

[0:18]" I just missed the big corn bread Maxwell hero thing my first year was 85 the year the Celtics. I watched obviously I was out but apart currently my first team. Was 8586 the year's Celtics beat Houston and six and -- was felt."

[0:38]" Actually you don't count them and so what if we ask you how you feel about this is a national guy you've been doing this as you just all the for a long time. -- you've Colts -- see some great stuff over the years with those Detroit teams with the San Antonio. Coached Jordan in everything else is this that that big a deal again for the rest of the country."

[1:00]" Well what we thought you know you'd you have -- a great team in Detroit had a great players like Latinos are incredible on Thursday. Get a great players in -- act great he. What you didn't have was something where you cared about -- a you'd you'd just didn't I mean no matter how we try to help Tatum -- Detroit. On selfish I played decent all the things America says they want in a basketball team. You had -- two teams nobody -- the Celtics Lakers are the first thing that people care about. Both teams they hear actually 881 up the other so yet. It is important however you know there's every indication that it could who knows that this article want. It could be a one year anomaly but it's great right now."

[1:51]" Jackets Tony -- body across Sonoma and we've never map but it is curious how Reno. I was as curious as to calm real like."

[2:00]" Well I mean I guess the Walt this feeling it's gonna fall -- on the year but I mean I think White. Let let's make sure we stayed -- going to win. I give the Lakers. Little bit of of an edge. I think -- two guys that have been near before I think the coaching thing I loved Doc Rivers he's done a great job unclear he's proved the critics wrong. But I mean NL Phil has been their nobody -- that does make it different than. The way that the weather max would agree with eight. So I think the Lakers have a slight edge but I think it'll be a great series. I think it will get back to Boston I think the Lakers gonna have to win a six or seven on the road."

[2:42]" I -- you think about a series like that you think about going back to the eighties and in all that the things that Byrd bought. How do you what do you think about Kobe Bryant is how is he gonna go down in the history of basketball is is this going to really be something which is going to seal his legacy this particular series."

[3:00]" I think wanted them it would I think what you said it is it's true I think as the player. I don't think he could go around now and anybody would say this guy. As an individual player is up there whip and whoever you put burst that you -- Michael -- You wherever you want to put Larry and magic and Maxwell but Toby is in -- conversation. But I still can't believe that take all around the country and talk to people casual fans I still can't believe the Bible all of the light of this which this guy in Henderson people I mean it is -- not a Celtics fans you know people don't. Can't get their arms around him. And the legacy is at the player I think -- that was obviously helped if you win another championship. But the idea that he had been one of the first superstars but it's really been art. Really hard polite to him I think right now unfortunately that seems to be -- like."

[4:05]" Jack why do you think that is. Why why don't people like him."

[4:09]" Well I can go with the with the Dominic alum the White the White -- here whose only -- angle me at all. A cute she's not -- a actual basketball and and keep all the sudden goes into the thing the other day it went and watched Jordan. He just thought he really believed he was arrogant over top -- everything else but there was something about him. -- she really likes -- these same thing from Colby and she's -- nothing. But the arrogant and the you know meaning one world I've been one world. And everybody yelled yeah just you know serving big. I I don't exactly I try to look at a board directly -- that I think the guys that unbelievably great player of the -- for the on the person. -- attitude just seems to rub people the wrong way we're as Jordan got the benefit of the doubt that the -- the only way it's something on definable."

[5:07]" Jack -- matchup in this a series intrigued you most."

[5:11]" Well I mean obviously you'd think anything with a with the people that in the big lead off that Kobe but I am -- go away from now. And I think it's really going to be interest think since doc really put his faith in Toronto and I'm not saying that was the wrong decision but -- emanating out of become supporting. Supporting players and Allen seemed to be little part and we haven't really seen -- controlled all. I think Derek Fisher who's one of the most under rated defensive. Players that come along in ten years and he's not an idea what -- that they what he's an eighty or put an eighty -- guy. And it he'd really he'd -- from getting them. In their offense is a constant problem over 56 or seven games whatever it is. The Celtics have a harder -- to -- than they normally do I'd think that really -- BA a pretty bad job particularly on the other hand -- Richard petty shot."

[6:08]" At first step there's going to be important Jack is that -- run double feature especially when you're stuck in 93 Ds got the quickness factor against Fisher I agree with you these visual. He becomes a real problem for."

[6:19]" Yeah I had I I think Rondell I mean that nothing -- I think these guys. And I didn't been terrific and there's so much pressure on next guy I mean I know all they have like their well. You know pierce and Garnett and ray -- do. The Mets their legacy but. There's a couple under pressure on. Of Rajon Rondo to deliver the ball to the right people on this big stage these that are really good all year but Derek Fisher as a competitor. Bit there are few very few guys to compete like that --"

[6:51]" I understand where the national media of them most of them picked the Lakers to win this series. I certainly COLT league best player probably the league right now they're wide open style all the way that they can put a lot of points up on the board. What do you think. People are ignoring the deep offensive part -- it was we talked about the surely if there's no question the Western Conference top to bottom as far superior to these. -- you take the top puppies and look at those three teams Boston Detroit and Cleveland defensively. Innocents three very good defensive teams but people ignoring some of the defense out of the east and taking and -- analyzing the series."

[7:29]" Well that would be people like me -- probably yeah I'd I'd I'd certainly hope I'm smart enough stopping short I think your point is well taken. And what you play deep -- The way the Celtics play and I think they're terrific. You are always by definition in game. You know what you did you are probably indicate if -- to plate beat that that hard as they play it so I didn't think these will be hotly contested and the flip side of that Bill Clinton is that I think the underrated aspect here is probably the Lakers beat that it. Exactly getting and the -- that they don't have Garnett and they don't have you know Paul Pierce the -- body up guided don't have rob don't quit guys but collectively. They're pretty good they're not as good as Boston but I think there'd be an air. The bought. -- that is probably a little better that bought the opposite compared LA's offense whether that lead the Lakers win. -- there's a lot of ground and there but I think all of those -- I think both teams are pretty good defense that keeps."

[8:30]" You can hear the Akron do you walk through for the from the start the open. They've got an unbelievable I got them historical perspective -- has not changed like -- that's not tapes and."

[8:42]" You don't need that I mean that's the 88 they -- Marvin gave I know that's."

[8:47]" All -- cannot live out there. I think -- let different ball back we got help with sirens -- important that little. Now yeah but I doubt. Got -- Now -- Taylor in the series is this the bells and -- markets it was back doors and didn't want to go look at the what is bringing up --"

[9:12]" But they -- a big historical thing obviously for over the years of the Celtics and the Lakers and then they're doing. And people -- getting here tonight on the."

[9:19]" Let's go to is everybody going to as everybody in trotted out it is -- coups and everybody's been."

[9:24]" I I'm I'm sure they're going to real evident we got to that both portion of it yet. They are you know we have got to that portion of it yet but they've got the typical Jack you know the big huge trophies at -- end of the floor -- players out around trophies you know about them. -- how the whole world."

[9:40]" We gotta do what I mean does that you know anybody anybody would do it and Celtics got. Has more history anybody else to trot out so it -- out."

[9:49]" Let me ask you this if you were and you're around the the Phoenix Suns that doing that their booklet that was a Phoenix Suns to a felony hit and when you're around that the team like that you watched them all year long they spent a lot of time playing play the Lakers. How would they deal -- with Kobe Bryant holiday how to teams out the last try to deal with Kobe ran out of that point."

[10:12]" But you know funny that that the I was in I was surrounded -- all year for the book two years ago. Then they played them seven games in the playoffs. And I can tell you that. There was -- at turtle. Argument they would come into the room not discussions the better worked. And Mike and Tony might say I think we got electro -- get off and play everybody else and somebody else would say. Well you know what now I think we got to contain a guy if we can contain him. The 23 point then don't get discouraged next game and Tony might take beyond that they. It was and -- and and -- a internal debate as to whether you double guy in triple to guide or whether you say to yourself. They -- prevent electric -- win it and I think one thing that's changed. If that -- pets. If you gave Kobe -- he would try to win it himself. And I do think I'm not going to give the guys you know they'd be unselfish medal of honor but that has changed. Kobe will trust this team made. And when he had the shot himself he will take it that is what has made it more difficult and I obviously got a huge discussion for the -- but right now what."

[11:24]" We were discussing this earlier and obviously there's a great deal of attention and emphasis being put on. What this means to hall and ask what it means to Ray Allen what it means to -- that fabulous stamp. Coming into it -- a national perspective rather than Bostonians perspective. It's Colby. The biggest storyline of this series this this quest to win a title without Shaq and if he isn't what is the biggest story line nationally."

[11:53]" Well I don't think it now I think you wrote that end I -- Byrd bought answered your question. Once again would help the roof doesn't -- yeah I do think it's Toby but not just position expect. I think the biggest story line guys has the fact that back in October. It looked like the most hoping not only -- this team. He wanted to get the hell out of LA. Now they're like a Leave It to Beaver episode like seven months later. I mean that is kind of an incredible -- these days in the sport where every single team conflict and argument is laid out on the blog. And television 24 hour news channel you know talk radio magazines whatever we all do. That is pretty incredible what they did for -- to turn in the scenes turmoil deterred in that this kind of harmonic convergence to the team I would but that slightly ahead as a story line. Of Paul but Paul Evans and ray -- trying to build and accidentally within that. I think Kevin Garnett of those three guys and -- I loved Paul Pierce while Ray Allen but. Kevin Garnett had suffered as often. As anybody with somebody who was -- to get it done so I think for Evan it's slightly more important that's my opinion."

[13:09]" All we visit the storyline here I think the storyline isn't about the head I think it's more about the two teams which are back now the problem. This is everybody's dream but these two teams you think NBA where they're looking right now that think that Kobe. This finger right now that the Boston Celtics are back in the Los Angeles Lakers took that. Now what we we have the players right now would definitely make the these teams out from I think that it is -- Labored through work wants to see and feel they've won you have lost -- and you have felt that. Both teams have been passionate about winning upon the -- that -- is the biggest story of them all the people that we recognize."

[13:57]" Have all but that probably thrill I mean I. I I think one of the things that happen and they didn't we didn't -- you know you didn't speak up on people but to a certain extent. These are in that we are created the teams that mean obviously any age with the movie he did. Put that they'll pick from the dollar to number one at about like we didn't think it would be good. But they are a phenomenon that has been together only since the July -- seven that you took the Lakers. Who were probably both of finished what what do you think I'd 67. Bet they were just -- Mavericks everybody was supposed to be better so we haven't had enough I had my court -- right we have an added a five. The real life death and further the NBA -- hope it's not a one year deal. We hope that the teams will be back and look at it they're rosters honestly there is no reason to believe that this could go on. For another 345 years."

[14:52]" Well you know what Jack when you look back candidate somebody would accompany you in the middle of last season but since the all star break and say you know -- I got a British production reject notre. Next spraying next June it's going to be the Lakers and the Celtics in the NBA finals what would you answer."

[15:11]" The body was that your probably been watching net too much HG wells and I'm fishing. Because they wouldn't have believed it was going to be these two teams neither team. Looked like a championship team for different reasons that Lakers lacked chemistry. But don't pick simply -- the players but. Here we are and I mean did you know obviously for America for people with some bitterness -- and even pearl cynic like me. Honestly it really couldn't be better than people to be one."

[15:39]" You know what -- in the NBA it's the most difficult week to make that type of dramatic transition and it's very rare. Wind you know and and usually happens when you get the number one pick in the draft draft and an exceptional franchise player comes along. And yet when you look at these two franchises neither one of these franchises were blessed -- without the last year."

[16:02]" No question and you know it's become in the sports world. If you look back the instance Super Bowl team it's always amazed may football exposed to be this incredible program. RB like regimented game. Well single year phenomenon. Do take place in football they take place in baseball all the time you're right in basketball they do not take place. Partly because you know what you said he usually need to get that you know built through the draft of the -- superstar plus the fact that the play -- Are so incredibly you know rule -- for attracted. That the parent -- the teams that are not ready to do it. -- all off well here are two teams that created to a certain extent in one year. And here they are ready to do it it really is an incredible thing really is."

[16:52]" Jackie -- hogs need to be heard here. I'll buy it on the Jackie who spoke a short time ago. About Kobe's place in the history of the game -- he certainly belongs in the same neighborhood. Or at least the discussion with Jordan with -- with magic who in your mind when his Garnett you know."

[17:12]" Well he's got a little bit you know more of a problem -- adult the guys that we talked about you know -- Jordan Toby magic in and and Jordan quickly. Are all kind of out on the court players. You know what -- all of you know brought up they all handled the ball they all ran the -- they all shot. You know magic but the great three point -- but they all shot they -- kind of a perimeter and an inside game. It's a little bit harder where do you put Garnett he was almost kind of this. I don't know maybe max would have a better opinion that I do you don't really know weathered -- them. With those guys urgency get into the conversation more with like Kevin Mikhail. You know Corey you know more back to the basket type of players well."

[17:59]" at eye teeth in the middle I think -- he's the guy completely and sighed deeply outside he's one of the great is that in does that think we've seen them along. And really I think he has all the kept going Jack we've we've already had this debate about a month ago or two months ago. Max to clear Kevin Garnett had better play a whole whole way right -- you -- Larry ever get it right and by the way Dirk Nowitzki a better player -- Larry Bird and also that probably also ahead and some bad feelings we also said that Coco Crisp was not going to be around that I was wrong I'll -- I draw."

[18:32]" But max and it in by that time out. He was kidding --"

[18:38]" no object. Now but Jack let me explain what I Sampras and I think that from his steals than what he's able to do. To me he is not as good the instantly is bill Russell. But these the other opted to. He has not as good. -- in the -- as a -- but rather -- instantly. In -- probably dominated more of it can do or it in the Celtic is never ever been in in the court."

[19:07]" Well I I always about me not talking to somebody who went out there and did it was vital that they'll let be."

[19:14]" That would be. Let me step back satisfactory but Dracula can write your play right into was really hasn't right now -- right."

[19:21]" Okay I'm just I'm just saying that but let me say isn't there -- bumping out. Winning and winning at all and -- team and will he get the victory I don't want to why you did it I don't want Islam McHale that it I don't want to while BJ did it. But for thirteen fourteen years. The pressure was on third. Every night bowl at at that was -- Jordan as it was on magic did any team in big guy you name. Even compared to those guys from the standpoint -- deliberate night after night. Year after year."

[19:55]" Okay I must say this in the the stamina -- give an example. Of a guy who did it night after night year after year. Am probably right now let's go to be put the most well I think the greatest -- for them the play will be Karl Malone. I have the night day after day the mailman delivered but never won the championship that you thought you'd defied his greatness by him not win the championship."

[20:18]" I -- to say what we're band is not in any way to to take away from Carlo or Kevin Garnett not just stand. Personally I can't I didn't make that -- that -- he -- up with with look Larry magic -- I I you know I just. -- I just can't do it."

[20:37]" Jack we'll we'll save -- from getting into the third versus Nowitzki will move we'll save that."

[20:42]" Oakland yellows not even go there nothing we haven't even been to Derrek Lee and."

[20:45]" Had an impact I -- five time we have we exhausted about -- shelves with not one over the attack that jacket straight talk and he once again look forward do a senior and it is certainly great for. People here in Boston -- you make the body is actually made a lot of sense what you said you're the third to a guy like me who played and."

[21:03]" I don't. -- but I was talking about blood and Tony. Absolutely you know I don't know what do you do scratch it gonna man's ass I don't know that's what I -- on a regular basis there aren't any Jack. -- that's Jack McCallum"