for the first time in franchise history the Knicks are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals the Boston Celtics picked by many to not even make the playoffs will play for the championship of the East the first pick in the NBA draft along the number one pick goes to the New Jersey Nets kenon Martin from the University of [Applause] Cincinnati what an exclamation point Kart Paul Pierce Paul Pierce absolutely un [Music] conscious [Music] this is the NBA on NBC in just The Pick of a pingpong ball a team's fortunes a franchise fortunes can be changed and today we'll find out who that may be last year two teams that were picking balls are now playing ball and they're heading toward the Eastern Conference Championship with a chance to play in the finals the Nets and the Celtics now Pat cochi hey Tom how important is the NBA draft lottery well 6 years ago I sat right here representing the Philadelphia 76ers and we won yes and it helped turn our franchise around well today 13 other teams will be sitting right here with that same opportunity and a look at the meow lands in New Jersey we're later today the Nets and the Celtics will tip off the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals just down the road from the Meadowlands the NBA offices in sakas the site of the draft lottery to be held later today and Pat cochi and a Moder shot are over there with a plethora of special guests today it's going to be a fun show and a long one for you hi everybody Hannah Storm back in our studios in New York welcome to the NBA on NBC and with me today as usual Tom Tolbert and our very special guest a guy who used to have the cushy job of Television before he decided to work for a living Rivers head coach of the magic thanks for being here well thank you I did have an easier seat before yes well uh a couple years ago you had you were in the hot seat at the draft lottery weren't you what was that like three years ago there that work out real well uh the worst we could do was number five and and uh that's what we end up getting is the fifth pick but it turned out good it turned out being what's it like to sit there and wait for those little ping pong balls to pop up I don't like that type of Fate I like making your own fate you know that that's tough sitting there hoping for a pingpong ball uh for your friend franchise but it worked out well we got Rook of the Year Mike Miller so it it was good for us I don't think too many people feeling sorry for the luck of the magic when it comes to the draft lottery right after Shaq and then Weber who was traded for Penny no I don't think anyone's feeling sorry for us right now that's for sure it's funny the way the whole thing works out because I think we all get caught up and I don't know if you feel the same way we get caught up in who's getting the number one pick or who gets that number two pick but when it comes down to it if you look over the draft it seems like over the last five six seven eight years there's always someone between five 10 right around in there that may have S and he's the guy that ends up being a superstar nitzki falls down Paul Pierce guys like that I think I think sometimes we pay too much attention that was way down that was way down in the 30s we I was really Slip Sliding Away well don't you think a lot of people too though draft with a look for the future now especially with all the young players coming out the International Players as opposed to someone who can help you right away well I think you're forced to uh obviously if you're not one of the teams that has one through five or seven and you don't think it's a talent Rich draft uh then you start looking for the future who can help us if we can get a high school guy you know maybe in three years or four years if he had gone to college he would have been a lottery pick so you think of yourself as drafting a high school guy now who in four years would have been your lottery pick but you have them now or a lot of questions about like a Yao Ming we're going to talk a lot about today an international player all right well of course today's main attraction game one of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Nets and the Celtics and standing by there at The Meadowlands we have people all over the place today is Peter vessie Peter what's going on there what do you have for us what do I have here I Jim O'Brien in back and be giving in interviews uh doesn't want to talk to us though what do you want to know Hannah I don't know Pete what's the feeling besides uh Jim O'Brien not wanting to talk to you or what's going on there well I think that uh you know everybody's waiting to see what uh what Paul Pierce uh you know if he can live up to his uh nobody can guard me Proclamation uh and whether that turns into a Paul p Pierce against the Nets or uh it's the Celtics against the Nets uh you know I was talking to uh to Cedric Maxwell who kind of pulled such a stunt uh back in 84 remember that Hannah how old were you back in '84 cornbread let's see I was one year out of college being little little bit younger than you just a couple years remember remember what he said uh in game seven be before game seven against the Lakers he told all the superstars in his locker room to uh just chill out that uh they could hop on his back he was going to take him to the title I mean is that is that shades of Paul Pierce only in a in a decisive game versus a game one of the semifinals and I and I believe Maxwell got uh 24 points eight rebounds and eight assists in that game and he said he was scared to fail he had to do well you know Peter as long as we're talking ex Celtics here uh haven't you heard something on the Grapevine a couple of those old guys cooking up something say that again Hannah haven't you heard isn't there a little bit of something in the news about some Excel Celtics we hear that you may have uncovered Peter Bessie scoop yet yeah no this this this some encouraging news I have for uh pro basketball fans in Charlotte uh my sources are telling me that Larry Bird and ML car have a group and they have already applied for the expansion franchise should it come in Charlotte and uh obviously there have been a lot of groups that have applied for this already but uh have guys like that in there uh I mean haunted fans have uh or pro basketball fans down there figure they've lost the team now they all all I have to do to get a franchise down there again is to come up with an arena I don't think that the NBA will ever consider going going back there until a new arena is in place but uh should that happen uh it' be great to have bird and ml ml is from that area and um I mean maybe maybe people remember that they they didn't get along that well when ml was was running the uh the Celtics but uh they obviously have gotten together on this and you of course one of uh ml's longtime long-standing fans as we all know from Reading Mighty loose I used to call yeah other things something like that okay bye Peter wow that would be uh nice to have a team back in Charlotte what was it like when you played the playoffs down there that must have been disal it really was strange I really thought that it would be a sellout because um you know it might be your last time watching ba basketball in Charlotte and uh it was empty I mean I we could listen and hear everything Paul Silas was saying and he probably heard everything we were saying and uh it was strange it was it was not like playoff basketball atmosphere and and that for my players at least uh was sad because we have so many young players first time in the playoffs second time in the playoffs you want that playoff atmosphere you talk about these guys forming a group and great to have people like you who were players coaching and former players in the front office I think it's so important for the league all right in the regular season series now back to the Nets and the Celtics Boston won three of the four meetings and they dominated that's why so many people are picking the Celtics here and Paul Pierce he was Unstoppable he averaged 37 points in the four games between those two teams and this was his Command Performance back on December first in Jersey Pier scored two points in the first half he was just one for 16 in the first half and then unbelievable 46 points in the second half and overtime had 13 in the OT carried the Celtics to a 105 to 98 win and he averaged 11 points more against the Nets than he did in his regular season scoring average and you call that the best performance this season right doc well I think it was in the second half uh playing that well the key thing is one for 16 16 shots in the first half to be that confident to even shoot the ball in the second half is an amazing thing to me I went one for 16 once but it was over the span of a week I didn't get that many shots in the game I don't know what that guy did at halftime obviously like you mentioned the confidence and rightly so against the Nets how do the Nets defend this guy well I I I think it was a big mistake for Paul Pierce to even say anything I I think he knows he's had his way with the Nets the Nets know he's had his way with the Nets but to come out and say something now that puts the pressure on you to go out there and get your 34 35 points and now Kenyan Martin's thinking okay okay Germaine O'Neal did the same thing against me in the first round there's nobody here that can stop me well they stopped Germaine O'Neal and don't think the Nets won't take that personally because when somebody questions you about your offense it's hard to go out there and get hyped up over offense and take that personally but defense you can get out there and you can get hyped up and you can get more aggressive and you can key on one guy so whether he does or does not I to me it's one of those things I think you internalize maybe you feel that way but I don't think you say it no but I think a lot of times players say things and when it leaves their mouth they wish they could bring it back you mean like Tracy McGrady when he said that okay you know we'll talk about that lat we'll talk about that later okay Martin takes a lot of pride in his defense do you think that he he wants to play this guy you know straight up is that possible I don't think it's possible I think Mar's a terrific Defender but I think Paul Pierce might be a better offensive player all right meanwhile the Western Conference Finals began last night in Sacramento the Kings worked all season to secure that homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs but the Lakers just stole it right away from them and emphatically a wire to wire 106 to 99 Victory and boy it was hyped up there at Arco but that crowd was out of the game immediately a huge first quarter by the Lakers Kobe had 10 in the first the Lakers were unbelievable they went War emblem on him wire to wire and then Kobe was the guy in the first quarter and don't forget about the big fell shck in the third was awesome and in the fourth the Kings coming back off the turnover here's BBY to Chrissy Kings did pull within six that was about the only time it seemed to me the Kings got their running game going it was off the turnover how about Bobby Jackson he's incredible I me this guy shot unbelievable I don't know if they start tuo or not in the second game but if they do and he doesn't give them much get Jackson in quick all right look at this shot and notice where Chris Weber is hanging out on the floor we'll talk about that in a moment Robert Ory was great by the way 18 points Lano both end the floor so the Lakers take home court now we got game two on Monday night and Weber said something interesting after the game wow I I sure hope we get some calls going our way in game two boy if you're if you're going to pin your hopes on that that's not good yeah I you know what I I like the Kings and I picked the Kings just because I thought there was something wrong with the Lakers they they just didn't look like the Lakers of last year playing this Spurs but to be honest with you Chris Weber he's got to step up in the fourth quarter he's got to hit buckets at stop runs he's got to get you know Doc and I were talking earlier he's got to get those meaningful buckets and you can't complain we just showed you this play this is an important play in the game and then so Shaq gets a rebound over you no big deal turn around start battling get the ball don't look at the how do you fall down right there I mean Shaq I know is big and strong but there's no reason you end up on the ground at that point you back battle through adversity you battle through the calls it doesn't matter to you with good call bad call you keep going at that point you can't fall down it just that's your player that's supposed to be your franchise guy the guy you're paying $120 million to the effort at that point of the game it's got to be better how don't you have to to beat a team in a seven game series actually believe that you're better than them I mean how can they believe that having lost eight of their last nine to the Lakers well it's tough obviously and I think that's what that first quarter was all about uh the Lakers came out for statements you know usually the Lakers don't have to make statements they have the the big trophies and the Rings uh but you can see in the first quarter they had a focus like they had in the fourth quarter in the Spurs series and I thought that's what that was all about to show who is King uh and right now it's the Lakers I I I think the Kings have to get back into the running game and they can't turn the ball over I thought the Lakers were the team in the first half uh they got into transition the second half the reason the Kings got back into it was because they forc some turnovers so I think it's it's vital for the Kings to get the style of basketball the game game back to the way they want to play it and I think they have a chance of doing that now whether they can win the series or not I know uh but they have to play their style if they have any chance just got to win one at this point right game two all right coming up after the break we're going to join Ahad Rashad he's in salkus with a preview of the NBA draft lottery last year five high school seniors were selected in the NBA draft including four of the first eight picks we're going to check in with three of those players in a few minutes what a moment here it is for kwami Brown hey let's talk about the trade now the Chicago Bulls select Ken Excel I don't think you can take the chance on passing on that [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] young wow that is so cool can you do it again sure go get one boy okay so where does he get him yeah I don't know get [Applause] down for a great taste it won't fill you up and never let you down oh that's a first make it a Bud Light go this is where what it feels [Music] [Applause] like when you eat the wrong thing before a game prepare yourself with the pregame food you need Gatorade energy bar packed with the carbs and protein your body needs to tear it up get ahead of the game sounds budget is really working hard to improve Truck Rental yeah rate starting in 1995 hey service where our movers help load and unload the trucks can we make load and unload even better roller skates to make the move even faster [Music] [Music] MH they don't need roller skates no not roller skates but load and unload come on guys how [Applause] want to grow let's go man the calcium in milk [Applause] [Music] help the NBA on NBC is brought to you by America's Dair farmers and milk processors by budget who has a variety of great rental cars for people who like renting great cars and by Gatorade energy bar before you play grab a Gatorade energy bar cuz you can't play smart if you eat dumb welcome to the studio of NBA entertainment where 13 teams have turned their attention from basketballs to pingpong balls they'll be used to determine the outcome of the NBA draft lottery and we'll bring it to you live at halftime of the Celtics next game hello everybody Rashad here in sakas New Jersey today's lottery features the teams that didn't make the playoffs one of them will end up with the top pick in next month's draft back in 1996 the lucky team was the Philadelphia 76ers team president Pat cochi had a chance to celebrate and with good reason as the top pck turned out to be alen Iverson today Pat returns to the scene with a look at how the lottery Works Pat Amad that was a great day because it demonstrated that our luck had changed the Sixers luck had finally changed today there are 13 teams here today hoping the lottery brings them good luck how does it happen because of what you said pingpong balls yes not one but four pingpong balls and I have the procedure right here given to me by the king himself no not Elvis David Stern is in the house are you ready pingpong balls numbered 1 through 14 are placed in a hopper and four balls are drawn in succession there are a thousand one possible ways those numbers could come up and each combination is assigned to a different team for example the one with the best chance of winning the Bulls and the Warriors they have 225 chances on the flip side the Milwaukee Bucks only have five out of a thousand chances now for all of you conspiracy theorists for the first time in NBA lottery history there will be members of the media in that secluded room with the NBA officials so Oliver Stone relax the fix is not in back to you Ahmad all right thanks Pat one of the big stories of last year's draft was the number of high school players turning pro six declared for the draft draft and four were among the top eight selections including the top pick Washington's kwami Brown here's a look at quame and two other players who made the jump from high school to the NBA with the first pick in the 2001 NBA draft I've never had a feeling like that before juami Brown from win Academy runswick Georgia I don't think you can be prepared for it at any age um it's just everybody has a transition that they have to go through you know it's been like a roller coaster you're among the adults you know nothing you do goes unnoticed at Guard from North Carolina number 23 Michael Jordan all the attention that the media gives you when you're the number one pick especially me being my age you know he took a lot of that away from me and you know I'm thankful for that because you know I wasn't playing well they would have been killing me oh [Music] no you know there's advantage of having you know Michael Jordan in the same locker room that I'm in I mean who get to say that know um you know you have a great coach you have a coach that's teaching you he's so smart that you know he's almost impatient sometimes he's expect you to pick it up that quick we got to get back rebound the Ballam what's made for right here big fell get up on the board that's why we got you get how would enjy play you know you have two great minds working to try to help you and give you your all because they want you to be the best you can be with the eighth pick Cleveland Cavaliers select sagana joke from Dar car senagal and Oak Hill Academy you know coming from high school you're the biggest man campus you don't play against nobody sh here we go this what the NBA is all about just it CU I thought it was going to be easier than what I saw I ain't going to lie about that you know he talks one way he's like most kids I don't can't wait to play against sha then when he see Shaq he scared to death so I mean you know they talk like they really ready but they're not ready young like 19 20 coming to the league come in practice someday Co going to get on you like the players the veterans going to try to get on you you know you got to be strong too mentally get it get up what the concern is is that you don't want a high school kid to come out and become a bad kid that would hurt me more than he not becoming a great basketball player you know well okay we miss red tal Talent has been miss red before but to bring a kid in the league and then let him fail miserably as a person is worse Welcome to our late night segment of the NBA draft in the high school basketball game I got hurt and the I thought it was she a minor injury and uh and the doctor say it look like it's a ACS surgery and then I probably w't be out for next 6 months with the 47th pick in the 2001 NBA draft I thought I would be going somewhere in the first round when I got here his uh you know he had one bad very bad knee and our doctors didn't think he would ever play basketball they say they really need players right who can play right now and uh uh they feel like I I'm not ready to play when I my suggestion to him was to wait not try and and play basketball immediately uh because I thought he would damage himself for the rest of his life me they uh was trying to uh keep my draft right and that they want me to go to Europe I didn't want to go to Europe and play over there because my age I belong to Le I think I think it's my talent if things don't work out go to school or but I think that's not option for me I always feel like things w't work out for me the issue of high school players turning pro has been the subject of much debate and joining us now to talk about is NBA Commissioner David Stern who has proposed the minimum age of 20 for NBA players where exactly does that stand right now well with many other issues it's uh it's currently resides with the Union because we will not uh change the age limit without an agreement between the NBA and the union and they don't they're not ready to do that yet earlier today uh Peter vessie uh reported that um ML car and Larry Bird had applied for a franchise in Charlotte where does that stand at this point what do you know of that that well uh we did get a letter U that uh said they would very much like to have a team that they ml said that he uh was uh going to be in Charlotte this summer working hard on that uh on that very issue is there any possibility that if that would happen they would play next year in Charlotte oh no oh no there's uh unfortunately there's not a there's not an arena um ready to go I don't mean built but even planned and ready to go because had there been an arena in accordance with the plans that were made earlier the team wouldn't be leaving Charlotte all right big day today exciting day today we have the draft we have the Nets and the Celtics are you sticking around you going to the game I get to go to the game but but on a day like today and I when I watch uh those high school players the difficulty that they've had I feel very good about our NBA development league where where players do get a chance starting at the age of 20 to play in the minor leagues and eight of those players uh have been brought up to the NBA this year so so we we're saying to kids there is a there is a future uh all is not lost if you can't make it in the NBA spend a couple of years in college and then let us help you develop your skills it has got to be great for the NBA net Celtics two teams in the lottery last year now playing for the conference Championship no it's uh it's and it really relates to to the lottery and then the draft when you see the Pistons and the Nets and the Celtics who were out of it last year to be in it this year it it's it's something very important to the NBA to be able to say to our fans yes good management over time you'll be able to compete and that's that's what sports is all about all right commissioner enjoy the game today thanks all right coming up what next we'll head back to New York studio with our special guest Orlando Magic head coach Doc Rivers you're watching the NBA on NBC the co check in Hey listen set a stage on the mik hey call out the pck I want sh to be the [Applause] catcher it's crunch time why be play be crunch when you can be crunchy play Chocolate not in Shaq's house when he's got to have chocolate only creamy crispy nestly crunch will do crunch nobody thought our relationship would survive they thought we were both crazy I would fly from LA to New York and he would Fly New York to LA Coast to Coast every week for 5 years we never missed a weekend United made it easy for us to do that they were the ones that kept our relationship going my name is Christy prier I'm a 1K flyer on United Airlines you say airplane airplane in the old days athletes foot meant using lran AF or tanacon for four whole weeks who does that today they're out cuz lamil at changed everything Lamisil at kills the fungus with just one week's use do you really have four weeks to use those other guys when your feet itch and burn using Lamisil at one week keeps you athletes foot free for 3 months those oldtimers they don't promise that it's in a league all its own Lamisil at there's no better way to cure athletes foot King of the block we are War on my t-shirt yes a re in the streets Rock what we rock the battle is won Cross Beam me with the franchise you know how it's done this like that it's like this it's like this it's like it's like this it's like it's like it's like it's like like it's [Music] like my whole family is on America online I write my mom a lot she has AOL I get to share pictures with my sisters my brothers are on my buddy list it's like a community I keep in touch with my grandparents keeps us connected it's the best thing we ever did America online so easy to use no wonder it's number one the Mount Everest of rivers take a heart pounding ride as Chevy Avalanche presents into the Sango Gorge next Sunday 2:30 Eastern NBC superstars from entertainment and sports Harald the world's best athletes glorious World Sports Awards next Sunday at 3:30 Eastern on NBC armor to Grant bubled shot clock winding down that's a three back TI game I love that expression on your face you were like what just happened yeah that's the way I was feeling also because nothing was going right with that one play and and you get a three that's because you have a good player in Tracey mcgran things like that happen I thought he diagrammed a perfect I f it around a little bit Ki it around it out best looking like a genius there McGrady wow we're going to talk a little bit about the Orlando Magic since we got you here we're going to get all the scoop guy's lost in the first round to Charlotte but McGrady on that bad back averaging almost 31 points but what's the status of his health right you well once you have a bad back you you never have a great one for the rest of your life but you know I think Tracy is 22 years old and he understands it's something that he has to work on he'll be fine he'll be healthy for the rest of his career but he has a back that he has to watch and keep getting better and working on and that's key for us now you're going to have to manage this injury then yeah you do you're going to have to really watch his minutes and stuff yeah you you don't have to watch his minutes or anything like that but he has to know that he has a back and I think he understands that so uh he'll be fine he'll be great to go next year hopefully no back issues when the playoffs start next year uh and so we're looking forward to getting back what about Grant Hill I mean here's a guy who I'm sure feels as bad as anybody that he's not able to live up to this contract he signs a huge deal with Orlando he's going to be the number one guy does it maybe work out better if Grant comes back and Tracy has now established himself as the number one guy being Grant could be the ultimate two guy in the NBA we he'll just do anything to win well he just wants to win that's the great thing about having gr Hill uh he's made the all-star teams and had all the endorsements gr Hill wants to win and play basketball uh when we had him at the first 14 uh games early in the year we were averaging 106 a game when he left we went down to 100 so very important I guess you know when you don't have him for two years you say yeah you know maybe that's how it works but really I would rather for to had him for those two years than not will you be surprised or do you expect him to be fully healthy will he ever be the Grand Hill he was I think he will be I think it's going to take time uh for the first time in the three years that he's had this injury they've said he's 100% healthy uh now the rehab starts and he's doing that but once he comes back you don't sit out two years of basketball and just walk back out on the court and play well so I think there's going to take time for him to get his timing back uh but I think I think his foot will be healed and he'll be okay all right so we've got McGrady and Hill and then oo that other name is still out there that Duncan guy talk to him recently Tim Duncan he's GNA be a free agent again I'm not I'm not touching that one I paying for the fin do either it is a possibility though it's it's well we're going to have a lot of money uh next year and so there's a ton of free agents see how politically correct that is there's a ton of free agents and and we're going to look into that I tell you what we want to win next year though honestly we we don't want to wait we want to win next year all right what about uh Patrick Ying what's going on with him lot of talk that he would retire is he going to I don't know I don't think he knows we talked last week and we had a really good talk and and when he left uh my office I can tell you I don't think Patrick knew what he wanted to do I think he wants to wait and see how his body feels and and make that decision I think it's going to be a very very difficult decision for him to make by the way you have or have not talked to Tim I don't know if we clarified that over the last not okay just just wanted you to answer that question since we got you on the hot seat coming up a look back at the 1998 NBA draft Through The Eyes of the 10th pick can you believe it it was Paul Pierce the guy who has emerged as a huge star for the Celtics we're back in a [Music] moment NBC tonight The Cosby Show special is here and the critics are united I can't breathe they say it ranks is the best so funny and sweet you wind up wishing it were longer USA Today gives at 3 and 1/2 stars and TV Guide calls it a 10 out of 10 The Cosby Show a look back NBC tonight 98 Central hey honey hey I got dinner all right what'd you get wrapped sandwiches wrapped sandwiches H wraps what's next exercise jogging at 5:00 a.m. yoga feel the harmony oh honey I got Sundays too it's nice and naughty month at Sonic introducing Sonic wraps try one with breaded or grilled chicken then top it off with a 99 cent single topping sunde that's a balanced meal the Ford F-150 has an amazing appetite for power which gives it more available torque than Chevy Dodge or Toyota NBC 41 showed me with $1,000 in a great grand giveaway welcome back to sakas New Jersey the site of today's NBA draft lottery two teams who were in last year's Lottery have made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals the Nets and the Celtics in fact Boston was here six years in a row including including 1998 when they received the 10th pick now they never thought they'd have a shot at Paul Pierce but on draft night things took an unexpected turn good evening and welcome to the 1998 NBA draft I felt I worked hard throughout my college Years to earn the right to be a top pick I thought I had good workouts uh when I went out worked out for the teams but you know I guess other people felt different with the first pick the Los Angeles Clippers select Michael olandi from University of Pacific the Vancouver Grizzlies select Mike Bibby from the University of Arizona the Denver Nuggets select rfe lefr we thought the best two players in the draft at that time were Mike Bibby and Paul Pierce the fact that other teams didn't I mean you know it's surprising but they felt that they had their player I was shocked I I had him uh listed as my second favorite player nitzky first pierce just for you know for me you know the workout uh and the way I evaluate you know it just didn't show through evidently it didn't show through for a lot of people the Toronto Raptors select Antoine Jameson from the University of North Carolina uh Paul Pierce was his son unattainable goal that we had ranked in the top four really did not give any real consideration to I thought uh you know at worst I would be at the fifth pick with the fifth pick the Golden State Warriors select Vince Carter from the University of North Carolina it was sort of like a lost feeling for me because you know after uh the second the third the fourth the fifth pick went along it was like you know where where I'm going to end up at now I think it's the time we were uh 14 and we started wondering if he'd get to us I don't know we really even noticed it till it got to about the sixth or seventh pick and I thought and really this is going to be insignificant to us because he's going to go at any time now Robert trailer from the University of Michigan Jason Williams from the University of Florida so I'm just sitting there with each and every name being called like you know really what's going on was something going on there there's something happening with this player that's negative that that we don't know about that the teams that are have passing player and often times most times it's not you run into situations in the draft where you've got your player a player you believe will be a future star in the NBA and hence you make the decision when push comes to shove to let another player go by I'm looking at teams like you know okay this is the team that's going to pick me uh you know this is it right here I'm about to stand up and go to the podium the Philadelphia 76ers select Larry y when he didn't go eight I remember turning to Rick patino and going my God Paul Pierce is still there when he was still there at nine and that was my pick it was very difficult not to take you Dirk Nowitzki from verburg Germany Pierce was a sure thing and I took a lot of heat certainly for not taking Paul Pierce it was a crazy night for me you know as you know a couple guys I never even heard of I never heard of darkk nowinsky I never heard of Jason Williams I saw these guys play up and and to hear those names being called before mine I was was just in a it's the easiest decision if I work in the NBA to I'm 130 that I'll ever make with the 10th pick in the 1998 NBA draft the Boston Celtics select Paul Pierce from the University of Kansas you know I just use it for motivation for me just to come in and try to prove to these teams that they made a stake and not drafted me and so I have something uh to prove I don't think I can honestly say I thought he'd be a top 10 player which he I think right now he's proven to be if that draft did not go our way back in 1998 there's no question we'd be sitting at home right now watching Eastern Conference Finals rather than participating in them there were nine teams who passed to Paul Pierce back in 1998 and one of them was um the Philadelphia 76ers Pat um what do you remember about that draft I remember vividly I sat in the war room and I watched the activities there was Larry Brown and general manager Billy King the scouts and all the assistant coaches and they had a heated debate whether it was Paul Pierce or Larry yuz and they used all the time and they knew Paul Pierce was the real deal he was more mature but they thought Larry yuse had an upside he could play point guard with alen Iverson as a shooting guard and the year prior they had just picked Tim Thomas to play small forward what's the deciding factor when you're in the room and it's going one way or the other I think it's one of two schools of thought either the best athlete the best player regardless of position or the best player in the position you need all right let's bring in Doc Rivers in our New York Studio doc back in 1983 way back in 1983 uh the Hawks shows you in the second round with a 31st overall pick uh you know what it's like to have teams pass you by did you feel the same way that sort of uh Paul Pierce felt yeah except for I had to count to 30 and he only had to count to nine now that's a big difference but I did I when I came out had a couple teams to tell me that they were going to draft me uh and when they didn't I was upset obviously at the teams and at the players who went ahead of me uh Mike Pell finally calls me up uh says I'm going to the Hawks I'm upset at him and he yells at me hey buddy I'm the one who drafted you be happy with that so uh he said take it out on everyone else and that's the way I felt I said I want to take it out on every single player and team who didn't draft me and I'm sure that's the way Paul Pierce felt and he is certainly taking it out on every single time he'll be looking to take it out against the Nets coming up in just a little while coming up next we'll have a report from the metal lands where the Nets and the Celtics are getting ready for the Eastern Conference Finals you're watching the NBA on NBC [Music] [Applause] it happens in the blink of an eye that defining moment in every game when that moment comes will you have ice in your veins it's here it's clear new gator great ice thank you for calling American Express this is Tera Hilton how can I help you talking to our Card members I I just enjoy doing that I've been an American Express financial adviser for 13 years I get to know customers I listen to them they can give you all the service that you need thank [Music] you we were able to make different travel Arrangements some small way you were able to influence people's lives it helps take out some of the stress in their life which is an amazing thing to be able to to do now is the best time to join America Online a is very easy to use anyone can do it you've got mail I love AOL email like s everybody I know is on AOL I do feel good knowing that AOL has parental controls and if you want high speed service America Online has it for you AOL makes Broadband easy being on the phone and AOL all at the same time with the Broadband everything is so much faster it's the best thing we ever did Welcome AOL keeps getting better and better America online so easy to use no wonder it's number one call 18004 online NBC tonight the show where everything goes wrong with your favorite Stars NBC's funniest outakes 87 Central tonight next Saturday the WNBA on NBC returns Lisa Leslie and the defending Champion Sparks face Teresa Weatherspoon and the Liberty next Saturday 3 Eastern NBC and welcome back to our studio and New York we just ping ponging back and forth today right about an hour from now as the tip off of game one at the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the New Jersey Nets and Andrea Joyce is standing by at The Meadowlands what's it like over there Andrea hi Hannah it's getting crowded here you know people on this side of the Hudson are still shaking their heads over the Net's incredible transformation this season a lottery team just a season ago with 26 victories racked up 52 wins this season that's a franchise record and the key to that transformation Jason kid DED here at Continental Airlines Arena a short time ago ready to lead his team into Virgin Territory the Net's first ever Conference Finals but for them to continue this magical run the Nets know they have to contain Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker one of the most productive NBA Duos they're averaging a combined 47 points per game in the playoffs 59 against the Nets this season Nets coach Byron Scott knows the challenge Boston poses against this team you got to take away threes you know we we can't uh allow them to just catch and shoot threes um during the regular season against them coach they had too many wideopen threes and and they it seemed seemed to get into a comfort zone uh I want to make them feel a little bit uncomfortable um you know Paul piis Antoine Walker Rogers all these guys want to put pressure on them make him drivers you know I don't want to make them uh guys that can just shoot threes or shoot twos and then have the drive ball you know I want to make them onedimensional as much as possible problem is you never really know when Paul Pierce is going to get comfortable case in point December 1st right here in New Jersey the net seemingly contained Pierce he was 1 for 16 in the first half scoring just two points and then he kind of broke out a little bit in the second half in overtime scoring 46 points for a total career-high 48 now there were about 11,000 people here that night to witness that show today a sellout crowd more than 20,000 all of them Hannah hoping to make Paul Pierce feel as uncomfortable as possible back to you thanks Andre Andre you're doing a good job there you almost got taken out by the mascot I don't know hope you saw that Andre it's a dangerous place I got to move be careful out there all right now Tom you said yesterday that you like the Celtics in this series and Doc what about you I I would probably pick the Celtics also I think it's going to be a close series and I think it's going to go down to the wire uh but when you have two scores in Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce I think it's going to be very difficult someone else Van Horn KD someone else has to step up Martin and if they do uh then it could be a great series well you ever seen a top seed get less respect than the N than the Nets here no never I mean as as far back as I could remember you always think the number one seed well well they may not be the favorite they get some respect Indiana was supposed to beat him Charlotte was deep they were going to beat him now the Celtics are going to beat him you know where you're going to be wrong because you I P the Celtics too so you know if you picked the same thing I did and that's what Sonic and you pick the Kings got we'll talk about that later all right meanwhile the two- point guards they are getting ready for action tonight Jason kid he is the heart and soul of the New Jersey Nets leading the team on both ends of the floor and for Boston how about Kenny Anderson's playing the postseason huh the defense the unselfishness a big key and their run to the Conference Finals we'll send you back out to Ahad into to caucus when we return coach you were 5 and 79 last year why the playoff talk well we made a couple of key trades and we got the funk oh well uh glory be the funks on me B keep that funk alive keep that funk alive well it's 1975 and we just be keeping the [Music] alive [Music] oh yeah play on player yeah that's what I'm talking [Music] about the the first major advance for the fastest treatment of athletes foot is lamel at lamil at is the first non-prescription medicine proven to kill the fungus with just one week's use not even a prescription can beat that lram and AF and tanak and still expect you to treat for 4 weeks who's going to do that when your feet itch and burn using Lamisil at one week keeps you athletes foot free 3 months Lamisil at there's no better way to cure athletes foot I taught him how to do that reverse slam dun I taught him the fundamentals boxing out boxing out Dipsy doing rebound twist people up bounce p that's me I told him I showed him that that's me not you me that was me who you going to listen to how about yourself obey your thirst Sprite I thought you told him to be a dentist man don't move your head come on war emblem has done it again here comes War emblem War emblem to win he wins the pness and it's on to the B for a triy the triple pound now he looks to make history and become the first horse in nearly a quarter of a century to win the Visa Triple Crown the Belmont Stakes June 8th at 5 four Central on NBC yesterday the Denver Nuggets began a Six-Day trip to Europe some of the players and coaches are making a Goodwill tour of various US military bases today the team is in Naples Italy conducting a clinic at a Navy support site the nuggets are one of the teams in today's draft lottery and joining us from Naples right now is a general manager Kiki vanway Kiki uh so how did this tour come about [Applause] hey excuse me how Ahmad we have I don't know if you can hear me but we have a very exciting time over here in Naples Italy and we are so thankful to our owners Stan koni and David Stern for arranging this for us everyone's having such a great time uh this just couldn't be better over here you know this is really theug it way and the whole NBA's way of saying thank you to all the young men and women who are s sacrificing uh parts of their Liv to keep our freedom all right Kiki now your team has a 12% chance of winning the lottery if you happen to win it who are some of the players you'd consider I think we've got some players right here don't you think [Music] [Applause] America so I don't know are you considering draing one of those over [Applause] here I don't know if you can hear me am MOD but this is just crazy this is one of the best experiences I have ever had we're over here in Naples and it's just a lot of fun I can hear you but there's about a 3 minute delay so by the time you answer the question I'm on to another one but anyway thanks for joining us great job with the tour and good luck in the lottery today Aman thank you and good luck to all the players good luck to you guys from Naples all right Kik now we've been talking today about the issue of high school players jumping in the NBA last year three of them were among the top four picks and two ended up with the same team they are Eddie Curry and Tyson Chandler who are growing up together on the Chicago Bulls can they Excel it's easy to be drafted but can they earn the playing time these last 12 months have been uh just a learning experience up until this point we didn't really work work is hard to get the results you know that we've been getting to high school you can't imagine you know what you go through to NBA season unless you go through it but so much stuff comes on you mentally you know something that it's hard to prepare for I felt if I was at another place or playing for another team you know I was by myself I really wouldn't know what other rookies were going through so you know I couldn't say you know it's all right cuz Ed doing through the same thing the Bulls have been trying desperately to find some sort of hope we went through a lot this year you know changing coaches changing the players and everything we experienced I think more than this year than some players experienc in their whole career it's been such a rough season for the Bulls this season has really helped us made us stronger as young players I'm happy and proud that you know we finished the season off hard and you know we we didn't just give up at the end that nobody really thought we would develop the develop as fast as we did and really come into our own right now but I mean it's only going to get better most of the the guys here were drafted on potential so their skill level still has to develop I think the boyss you know really did their homework on you know drafting us too and and you know putting us out there together cuz I think we can really feed off of each other cuz you know Eddie being a big banger and big body in the middle and me playing the high post and kind of slashing I think we're only going to compliment each other in the future that's the type of finish that the Bulls can look forward to the next couple years for both Tyson and Eddie I mean we definitely going into the summer and into next season you know with a positive outlook I mean we feel that we can we've accomplished some big things at the end of this season we really developed a lot and just you know just come out with with our goals even higher so we feel we you know we can carry this team to Greatness in the years to come Tyson Chandler was originally drafted by the clippers but he was traded to the Bulls in exchange for their top player Elton bran Jerry Krauss is Chicago's vice president of basketball operations and he's with Pat cochi thanks zad J you made those bold moves to get Chandler and Curry how would you define and describe their first year in the pros well I think they both had fine years and certainly we looking forward to better things uh uh both of them uh started slowly and came on at the end of the year and played extremely well and uh we're really looking forward to great things we think they're both going to be outstanding players both them going to be stars in the would you say they lived up to your expectations I certainly think they did and uh they did it both on the court and off the court they're both great young people and uh they conducted themselves in a great away and they practiced hard and played hard and they learned the rudiments and uh certainly we're looking for some great things in the future from them what advice would you have for one of these teams up here if they were to select a high school player well I think the the the key well I think the good thing uh if you get guys who have good grounding both of those young people have great parents and uh uh they come from homes where uh they were taught the right thing and the way to do things and certainly that that's a big factor in both of those young people and uh I think they're outstanding and I think that's very important that they have the great background and and guys who are really going to work hard good people people of character now the Moment of Truth imagine that today you win the lottery and you get the number one pick what would you do with it I think i''d be very happy would you smile smile I C Jerry CR smile I'd certainly be smiling and be very happy and uh it would be certainly another positive step for for our franchise who would you take well I think that'll be determined along the line if we're lucky enough to get the pi would you trade the pick would you think of trading the pick I think you look at every alternative uh I don't think there's anybody in this profession it doesn't look at every alternative before you make a decision well Jerry thanks a lot man good luck today thank you Pat back to you Amad all right thanks Pat so the Bulls joined 12 other teams in today's draft lottery all of them hoping to land this year's top pick that pick could turn out to be a center from China named Yao Ming we'll have his story a little bit later the NBA on NBC continues in just a moment it's not about what's in it for Yao mang it's about what's in it for the Chinese basketball Federation Yao Ming in my opinion is the real deal fresh beer is just like fresh bread beer is a food product and fresh beer will always taste more drinkable it'll be lighter it'll be cleaner and it'll be the very best beer you can [Music] buy no Brewer will argue that fresh beer is better beer if you can get the freshest beer possible you're going to get the very best beer possible anything in the mail H junk hey look at this what a credit card pre you know what that me you already have a credit card but it's preapproved what do you want a trip to be muted the Cayman yeah or uh a nice din around you know what I want a house using credit wisely is the first step toward owning a home call for the free guide on credit from The Fanny May foundation for a list of lenders and credit counselors this is what it feels [Music] [Applause] like when you eat the wrong thing before a [Applause] game prepare yourself with the pre game food you need Gatorade energy bar packed with the carbs and protein your body needs to tear it up get ahead of the game NBC Monday the Fear Factor Tournament of Champions season finale the nine former winners Who Remain will face three insane challenges to find the one Champion now the best of the best face the worst of the worst in the Fear Factor Tournament of Champions season finale NBC Monday 13 teams will take part in today's draft lottery here's a look at their odds of winning the Bulls and the Warriors who tied for the League's worst record have the best chance they're followed by the Grizzlies nuggets rockets and Cavaliers the Knicks in the lottery for the first time in 15 years have a 4.4% chance of winning it one of the most intriguing players in this year's draft is the center from China 7 fo5 Yao Ming he has rare agility and skills for a player of size he's expected to be one of the top two picks but in many ways he's still a man of mystery just how mysterious is this Yao Ming he's a bit of an unknown because he he didn't play high school basketball here he didn't play college basketball here he didn't grow up where you could see him play we made several scouting trips to uh to China had an opportunity to see him play he is uh a very popular player in in [Applause] China we know quite a bit about him uh we know that uh the level of competition he he's played with teams have seen him in the [Music] Olympics there's the re from you can't teach 7 fo6 you can't coach that you can't buy it playing Above the Rim is important and if you can play Above the Rim without leaving your feet man you got to leg up on everybody else his next stop is all the way here on the other side of the world to the [Music] NBA in Chicago today the beginning of the Ming Dynasty walking in the gym on the loyala campus and seeing the attention that was was brought to that workout it brought us all together to see really a very talented player this is unprecedented for anybody there's never been a public workout advertised like this y Ming has a lot of mouring to do and a lot of development to do and he could be a very good NBA Center I think uh if somebody gives him the time to develop he uh doesn't have the uh upper body strength right now to really bang in the low post you know I like all these people trying to drag down Yao Ming like 7 Five Guys grow on trees still have to measure a man's heart uh his intelligence uh and of course uh along with 76 there has to be some sort of a body there and that's important can he understand the pounding he's going to get I don't know those are the intangible things that you can't read from a workout I do think it's important that he plays in a Marketplace that he will be most comfortable in I think uh his government wants him more than to play in the big city of New York I think they probably would rather have him play right there it's not the Chinese government it's the uh Shanghai team that want him Shai shark that wants him to play in San Francisco New York it will not preclude an NBA team that is enamored with him from taking him you know even if they are not in an area that has a you know a huge GE Chinese population there's a lot of risk uh in picking Yao Ming if you're in desperate need of a player uh you may have to wait on this one it's going to be more difficult than people think uh to get him over [Music] here Yao worked out in Chicago for about 65 NBA Scouts and Executives and one of them was an NBA legend who is now the new president of the Memphis Grizzlies Jerry Westney joins us right now Jerry now you have seen all the great big men that have played in this league how would you rate this young kid well you know really doesn't play like a big men he plays more like a perimeter player and but when you look at him and watch him play and well watch him work out I saw him play in the Olympic Games he affected the game but he was only able to stay in the game I believe 18 minutes because of fouls but he can really shoot the ball has a nice idea of what he's doing out there has good passing skills but I think you'd prefer to see him play Closer to basket and U he's going to be an interesting choice for someone because of his unique skill but again you'd like to see him play Closer to basket I think his most difficult transition for him will be on the defensive end um that's where he usually shows up with a lot of these big kids who are not used to playing against the quickness and size and strength of some of our players but he is a skilled player now for you though Mr Laker four decades out in Los Angeles what was it what was it about the challenge that you decided to take this job with Memphis my first year away from the game was just incredible to get away from it uh I I just had had been there so long that that the team was uh in a position where I knew it should be pretty good but every game was a wearing game and uh it's no fun when you go to the game and you felt your team was going to win you almost want to win every game because you think your team is that good but the reality of it is as I say I was both mentally and physically worn out um it's difficult when you have a great team because I think when you look at those teams you're always worried about the little things can this team stay healthy uh something could upset the apple card along the way one of your great players could get hurt and that's that's too much for anyone to take but I'd been there so long that it became so personal it was almost like a family and uh it was difficult to get away from it um but it was also good for me well you now you're taking over a team that just won 23 games last year what are your priorities there well my priorities there actually to get to know the people I'm working with first of all and more importantly we need to bring more Talent there and talented can stay with a team for longer than two or three years we need to build a nucleus for a team that's going to be together for a while to give our coaches a chance to succeed more importantly for the city which has embraced this team uh to have something to cheer about not now but a few years from now good to have you back in the NBA and good good luck today in the lottery thanks so much all right uh we'll be back at halftime with the NBA draft lottery would also like to get your opinion on which player will be chosen first in the draft you can cash your vote on NBA and we'll have the results at halftime now let's send it back to the New York Studio where Doc Rivers is the guest doc your team has the 18th pick who do you like in the draft yeah I like ya'all Ming I hope he's still there that that would be number one I think it's tough I mean really uh I think you draft best player available I think that's the key all right if you had the number one pick would you take me or who would you take well I don't know that that again is a tough decision uh Jason Williams is the guy that I've seen the most uh and I think that would be a tough guide for anybody to turn down what about you Tom Jay Williams I go with him I just like his leadership I've said it before I'll say it again ever since he was there as a freshman he looked like a guy who not only ran that team he relished running the team and he's a guy who maybe not the greatest shooter but he will step up take big shots he will make big shots I think his free throw percentage will get better I just love this kid's demeaner out in the court now why not Ming well because the unknown obviously you see the size I think it's very difficult first of all to turn down anyone 75 and and I find it amusing how all of a sudden we all loved them now everyone's starting to try to talk him down a little bit right Jerry W well he's GNA go five or six after uh but you know it is the unknown you don't get a chance to watch him like we are able to watch the college players and when you have the number one pick uh to take a gamble like that is very difficult uh I think he will be one or two or three in that in that area uh so someone will take that Gamble and I think they should what about Williams teammate Mike dun Ley I I like the way this guy plays you want to talk about having Savvy about the way you go about your business he can score inside he can score outside and you can tell he's dedicated how can you tell he gets better and look at his body his body did not look like that when he first came to Duke he has been working out in the weight room he's dedicated to what he's doing and you just watch the way he plays I mean he he I know this may sound ridiculous but he knows how to play basketball believe me there's a lot of guys in the NBA that don't have a clue about playing basketball they're great athletes and they can do a lot of fun things but don't really understand the game D le did wasn't a coach in the NBA right he's got a nice Legacy I'm wrong though a lot of guys playing that have no clue no there's a lot of guys that uh are learning the game and I think a lot of that is because of their youth I mean we have a young league uh the drawback to having a young league is basketball IQ the good part about that is they're going to get that and we're going to have a sensational league in a couple years and because of his dad you would think the teams will be very honest with dun leevy Jr about where he's going to be drafted all right we're closing in on game time me all at The Meadowlands and one key today at forward anine Walker I've barely talked about him but he's averaging almost 22 points a game in the playoffs he will use his diverse array of skills to battle the physical presence of the Nets Kenan Martin remember he was the first pick back in the draft two years ago back with more in a moment my whole family is on America Online AOL keeps me in touch with my daughter who's away at grad school I right my mom a lot she has AOL I get to share pictures with my sisters my college buddies on my buddy list my brothers are on my buddy list AOL is very easy to use it's like a community the parental controls help me Safeguard my kids I keep in touch with my cousins and my grandparents AOL brings the World to You America Online has stuff you won't find anywhere else America online so easy to use no wonder it's number one call 18004 online keeps us connected it's the best thing we ever did I taught him how to do that reverse slam dunk I taught him the fundamentals boxing boxing out Dipsy doing rebound twist people up bounce P that's me I Tau him I showed him that that's me not you me that was me who you going to listen to how about yourself obey your thir Sprite I thought you told him to be a dentist man don't move your head Professor we got issues with this ball yes number eight we've been expecting you I must sh our latest Innovation the spolding infusion basketball when you find yourself in trouble release the hidden micr pump and increase the air pressure this should give you the edge you need use caution number eight be eastn conference will stop at nothing to get this ball you've done it again Professor this is perfect choose from the complete line of five new infusion basketballs from sping get me undercover BR he's got a talent for disguise nobody touches the proo but when a dangerous criminal threatens the world he's the one to call Action is what undercover Brothers all about this summer it's time to unleash our secret weapon would you like to be my friend he had sex with a white girl was everything I dreamed excuse me Undercover Brother drop it this woman just came I meant the gun grated PG-13 at theaters May 31st the NBA on NBC is brought to you by the new movie Undercover Brother in theaters May 31st by spaling play the best play spaling and by Sprite obey your thirst Eastern Conference Finals just a few minutes away of starting the tip off between the Nets and the Celtics Peter vessie Still Standing By at The Meadowlands Peter what you got okay I'm here with Paul Pierce Paul considering your Proclamation that the Nets could not stop you how do you make sure that this game does not deteriorate into Paul Pierce versus the Nets oh that's easy you know we got 11 others guys on this team you know it's easy for them to get caught up into me and I just do a good job finding my other teammates they can hurt you also how do you control Jason kid on offense without sacrificing Kenny Anderson well he's tough you know he's a tough cover that's why he's First Team all NBA but we got to play good team defense load up to him and make sure he doesn't get get the team running in transition and get easy basket is by committee definitely by committee you know there's not one guy that can guard him so we need all Five Guys collapsing on them and then spread out and try to stop the other guys thanks Paul over to Andrea Joyce with Jason kid all right we just heard from Paul Pierce you guys are all too familiar with his numbers against you 37 average a game against you guys this season What specifically as a team will you guys do to slow him down well just try to make it as tough as possible Paul is a you know Allstar and uh you know he's one of the most talented players in this league so we're just going to try to make it as tough and hope that he misses more than he makes this is your first Conference Finals I know you have your game face on right now just a couple couple minutes before tip but can you describe your emotions what all of this has been like has it been better than you ever imagined this is what you played the game for this is what it's all about to have the opportunity to play for a championship and this is the closest I've been so hopefully you know it would happen you know year you know later on too in my career but this is great and this is what you know the basketball is all about the best east coast East Conference team's playing for you know for to go see who's going to play the West okay good luck today thanks a lot back to you Hannah all right thanks Andrew you know everybody's been talking about PA Pierce what about Jason kid who's going to stop this guy yeah I think that's the big matchup you know uh I think the Nets have more people to guard Pierce than the Celtics have to guard Jason kid I think that'll be a key matchup I wouldn't be surprised to see Eric Strickland in there guarding uh Jason kid at some point in and look for this too one of the key things I think is when Rodney Rogers comes in if Todd McCulla is in there or Collins is in there can they go out and guard this guy because when he spaces you out they leave the middle of the floor completely wide open and that gives them driving land he gives them passing LS and if you can't if Rodney Rogers is hitting shots you got to figure out what do you do with Mulla what do you do with Collins how do we close off the middle all right well very uh diverse history between these two teams let's see the Celtics have won 16 NBA titles and the Nets have won a total of 16 playoff games but none of that matters today tip off of game one coming up in just a few moments you're watching the NBA on NBC The Dream Season continues for the New Jersey Nets I don't think they have anybody the the most improbable season you could imagine 2 for 20 years NBC Thursday has been mustc TV God help us this Monday we're giving you all of it in one night somebody pitch me your favorite stars look back at 20 years of musy TV I'm going to blank in my shorts Monday 9:30 8:30 Central on NBC what could be better than saving money on auto service having an expert do the job Quality Care technicians work on Ford cars and trucks day in and day out fact is no one can do it better and our knowhow comes with a great price get ready for the season with our spring maintenance package just $34.95 or less make the Smart Choice quality Care Auto Service see your greater Kansas City Ford dealer today in 1869 we connected a nation east to west west to east today we connect the nation past to present present to Future so you might say that the road to the Future isn't a road at [Music] all the Ford F-150 has an amazing appetite for power which gives it more available torque than Chevy Dodge or Toyota NBC 41 showered me with $1,000 in the great grand giveaway they are one of the most stored franchises in all of sports and a team that was led by many of the greats it's all over the Boston are once again the world champions what a Celtics era came to an end a new one always began get it out deep h [Music] and their dominance Spann Generations now there's a steal by bird underneath the DJ l in might have one second left want to play my bir the Nets have a history of their own most of it written by an ABA innovator who was simply known as the doctor but now Celtic pride is back as this team is led by Heroes of a new millennium and a New Jersey the new kid in town a spark a Revival today these Superstars seek to write their own history as the battle begins for the Eastern Conference crowd game one next a capacity crowd better than 20,000 making their way to Continental Airlines Arena and East rer for game one of his best of seven Eastern Conference Final between the Boston Celtics and the New Jersey Nets best thing in the world baby what we live for right here opportunity opportunity to get to the final baby we back baby get ready tighten up your seat belt enjoy the ride well the players are ready and we're set to go hi everybody Marv Albert with PJ cariso will be joined in a moment by Andrea Joyce and this a matchup PJ of two teams that have made extraordinary turnarounds from a year ago a Celtic club that features Paul Pierce who has uh emerged during this postseason as one of the elite players in the game as a guy who just killed the Nets during the regular season what do the Nets try to do to keep them in check I don't know what they're going to be able to do Mark cuz his versatility makes him so difficult to cover Paul Pierce is stronger than most of the two guards who line up against him he takes them in and goes right to the basket he's able to shoot the three-point shot over 40% from three the ability to put the ball on the floor gets into the basket he lives on the free throw line he's torched the New Jersey Nets 37 a game 50 free throws in four games and unbelievable 75% from the three-point line and he's also managed to get nine rebounds they've yet to find the recipe they're going with the same people but I think we're going to see a lot of players defending Paul Pierce and there's no question that the acquisition of Jason kid catapulted this Nets franchise from 26 wins a year ago to best record in the eastn conference best record in New Jersey Net history and I think the best season Jason kid's ever had the MVP of the Eastern Conference Jason kid is played even better in the playoffs he stepped up his scoring but not at the expense of his teammates he still gets almost nine assists a game especially in late game situations Jason P wants the big shot he's carried this team on his back his numbers in the playoff leavs his team in almost every category seven times in 10 playoff games he's gone for 20 plus points Jason kids will to win is setting the tone for the New Jersey Nets and this crowd on its feet as the Nets are about to be introduced coming up in is game one of the best of seven the Boston Celtics are back in the Conference finals for the first time since 1988 for the Nets their first ever appearance in the eastn conference final series back with the starting lineups and the opening tip in a [Applause] moment let's go let go [Music] the Nissan [Music] Altima [Music] at Michelin our tires are rigorously tested their laser checked x-rayed for structural integrity and finally no tire leaves the factory without a thorough hand inspection going to let you go going to hold you in my arm forever going to try to make a for Michelin because so much is riding on your tires the NBA and WNBA continue to write new chapters to the read to achieve story okay let's read with each turn of the page players and coaches are encouraging families to open a book with their children do you like this book all right and by donating computers and books to create reading and learning centers the NBA is helping kids develop a lifelong love of reading be a part of the success and read to achieve the NBA on NBC is brought to you by Rocky Mountain Cold Kors light cold Down Easy by Nissan driven by Night and Day the 30-day continuous wear contact lenses and by Capital One who asks what's in your [Music] wallet we are back indoors at continent Airlines Arena where the Nets went 33 and eight during the regular season third best home record in the league and five up and one down at home in the postseason a look at the starting lineups Boston Celtics with Antoine Walker Eric Williams Tony B up front Henny Anderson and Paul Pierce in the back court and New Jersey with Kenan Martin Kei van hornn and Todd McCulla on the front line and Jason Kidd and Carri KD in the back court let's check in with Andrea Joyce Andrea Mar Byron Scott has been taking the emotional temperature of his team the last couple of days he told us they are loose maybe two too loose and borderline cocky but he thinks that's a good thing now the intensity of this young rivalry is definitely heating up when asked in the locker room today who was tougher Antoine Walker or Kenyan Martin Scott said that's a no-brainer Martin his comment followed something that Walker had said about Martin Paul Pierce meantime told me a short time ago the Celtics really believe they are the best team in the East and today's their chance to prove it so consider the pot stirred up they're ready to play back to you mark all right thanks Andrea the official Steve Javy Ron Garrison and and Jack n of Veteran crew on hand as Jason kid controls the opening pick McCulla fighting for possession with B this is K guarded by Pierce pass intended from Martin broken up by the team Celtics help defense has been their strength particularly in the last month Anderson who's played so out on the playoffs with the beautiful pass but the two just stopped by mull here's kles faced by walkter New Jersey looks to get out and run every time Celtics when they try and take it to the basket leave the back court exposed and we're hearing the TR of Defense right at the start Walker feeling for Martin a bad shot rebounded by kennel kid pushing it down to Martin yes the Nets with a four nothing lead I didn't think Kenyan Martin was squared to the basket but as soon as he got it from Jason kid he knew what to do so theet opening up on the Run Anderson the pass behind the key here comes kid again with the c and kidos gives New Jersey a six nothing B when you play for the New Jersey Nets you don't need to be told that to get out and run Jason kid will find you if you run the floor the Boston Celtics went 49 and 33 and the regular season second to New Jersey and the postseason beat the Sixers three games for two knocked off the Pistons in five Eric Williams not able to hit K from downtown and rebounded by MTI might be the first time Pierce has touched it Mar and fires from downtown as you mentioned PJ Paul Pierce 21 of 28 from three-point land in the four games in the regular season against the Nets Mulla strip NB New Jersey ball Good Help by Eric Williams but how about the New Jersey Nets getting out and running the floor Jason kid always has his head up Carri KD runs the floor extremely well and kid already has three assist nice head fake a rejection by B Tony B in his fifth year out of Texas Tech with the beautiful timing to come up with a block shot Keith Van Horn thought he was home free Tony B thought differently Mulla Mulla on the follow but he got a piece and B comes Pierce Todd McCulla needs to play well early if he wants to stay on the floor because Jimmy O'Brien is concerned with his quickness aulla call for the foul Paul Pierce running the floor the Nets talked about finding him Jason kid finds him one step too late Paul Pierce has said there is no one who can stop him oneon-one and he's in his first two shots here tonight I think he's got the numbers to back it up against the New Jersey Nets B pass saved by Van Horn who shoots it and hits the rainbow through Heath Van Horn who began to play with more fire in the series against Indiana fact had that playoff career high 27 in game five against the Pacers he's given the Nets a 95 lead pierced with the head fake on Martin andan Walker from downtown gets the friendly roll you need to play against these guys in the Nets will adjust as the series goes on you think you're close enough if they're getting three-point shots off without dribbling the ball you're not close enough oh beautiful pass man horn finding K on the Hop that's the key to the New Jersey Net half court offense the reads if you try and overplay they love to open the floor and back door Paul Pierce is getting the three-pointers up early Martin for kiddo we have seem some beautiful passing at both ends here are these opening minutes and the Nets now lead 13-8 transition defense is going to be so critical the Nets eight transition points already Williams getting the step but he was stopped the te thought he was fouled on the strip and here comes kid and horn for three saved by bti back comes Pierce he has Walker open on the far side but he shoots and hits Paul Pierce this time from two-point range had the foot on the line well Todd McCulla is not the guy guarding him but if he's back on defense and he's the first man at Paul Pierce you better go play him and that got away from KD what a frantic start Nets 13 Celtics 10 this crowd is gasping for air here the officials are not even blowing the whistle they're letting him play as they say Walker being played by Kid here's Anderson Kenny Anderson who has really picked it up in the postseason played very well in game five against Detroit in particular with both Pierce and Walker sitting down with five fouls K with a nice Fe from a c g KD beat Paul Pierce with the head fake drew the help and then found Todd mcco on the opposite side Kenny Anderson's jump shooting is going to be critical because Jason kid is such a good help Defender Anderson picked up on a switch by Van Horn so Walker looks to take advantage and he does on the post up against kid great recognition by the Celtics the that's 15 and the Celtics 14 game one of the best of seven Easton Conference Final series game two here in New Jersey on Tuesday night nice pass man BN to Mulla good hands by Todd Mulla they talk about Jason kids passing the entire net team distributes the ball in Todd mulla's hands which you talked about very very important pretty fake by Walker but he comes up short fa with the save beautiful play by bati to keep it alive but the shot clock is down to five Pierce from way downt and kid look to pck It Go short range to [Applause] KD and Horn gives it up here's KD eluding Anderson excuse me more I thought it was overp passing but they got the bucket anyhow Kenyan Martin had a mismatch and didn't want to take it throwing start for car K five of six 10 points and the Nets using their motion offense have a 1914 lead with five and a half remaining in the first it's in motion offense long pass to Kenyan Martin he finds Carrie KD what a great look but you had better get out and cover Paul Pierce he loves to play against the New Jersey [Music] [Applause] [Music] Nets [Music] I love football on TV shots of Gina Lee hanging with my friends and twins I love burritos at 4 a.m. parties that never end dogs that love cats and and Twins and no you it's the [Music] a million uses and Counting the 210 horsepower supercharge Nissan extera everything you need nothing you [Music] a lot can be said about the fact we only use 100% pure beef in our Burgers usually a mouthful this Friday seey s preview audiences were on their feet cheering for Jennifer Lopez this is what you wanted right in the movie That Rocks the summer enough rated PG-13 opens everywhere Friday day oh credit card bill there's interest rates just get a Capital One new hassle card lowest fixed rates you can get so who's getting rich off my credit card someone living large off your interest payments get a Capital One no hassle card it's got the nation's lowest long-term fixed rates and none of the hassle what in your wallet [Music] I can't stand that green and white I'll be honest with you I mean when I see U you know obviously you know the Fleet Center is not like the Boston Garden uh you know there you know Pearson Walker not Larry and and and Mel and and people like that but you know but you know I still see green and white and I still have memories of of the 80s uh and and it brings back a lot of great memories and it brings back some bad memories too you know cuz they had some great teams over there but I think the other thing that it brings out it brings it kind of gets to the point where it's uh right here where it's boiling you know because I really had a serious dislike for the Boston Celtics and I think they had a you know very serious dislike against that purple and gold well the great success of the Celtics obviously irritating Byron Scott whose Lakers faced the Celtics in the NBA finals in 1984 885 and 87 Scots Laker teams winning two of those three series hits on fire here at the start four of six nine points and the that's lead by three what Byron Scott doesn't like about that defense by Kenyan Martin is he's not making Paul Pierce dribble the ball you got to make him dribble it before he shoots it nice reversal by kiddos could not put it down Rodney Rogers has checked in for the first time he's been a very important player Off the Bench since coming over along with Tony D from the Phoenix Suns this is Rogers who has the range just under five remaining and this fast pace first quarter Mulla beating Rogers getting inside both teams go for the mismatch the Celtics run a pick and roll with Kenny Anderson and Rodney Rogers to make Mulla defend Rodney Rogers the Nets go inside McCulla is too big for Rodney Rogers to cover on the post third field goal from Mulla six points 21 16 New Jersey now Walker looking to put a move on Van Horn K is over to help Anderson Anderson was open because of the double team Here Comes kid dumped it off to Martin kid able to trace it down Kenyan Martin Todd McCulla with the rebound and with the score three offensive rebounds and Todd McCulla we said how important it was for him to get off to his start if he wanted a play he's doing that for Byron Scott and you can see the value of Jason kid who has yet to attempt a shot Eric Williams gets inside nice move by Eric Williams who grew up in in Newark New Jersey and has been an important player for the Celtics although it does not show up statistically look out gon with the [Applause] [Music] call and a loose ball foul on the Celtics it's on Eric William the players are ready this afternoon the ball's on the floor it's going to be a lot of players right there following good feed inside they tried to front Eric Williams he just uses his size and takes the little baby hook shot Byron Scott going to his bench the out standing rookie Richard Jefferson Aaron Williams comes on Lucius Harris Checks In For the First Time Jason kid with a beautiful move but his shot Off the Mark kid draws the foul new jerseys overpowering Boston underneath on the offensive boards they're coming up with loose balls they're scoring a lot of points in the paint foul on Pierce Jason splits the Trap right there he gets that deep you're in trouble it breaks down the defense gets his own rebound we talked about him Mark he's the best rebounding point guard in the league Tracy McGrady the only guard who gets any more rebounds and it's so important because Jason kid when he rebounds on the defensive end that just starts the net fast break now Jim O'Brien makes a change Tony Del has come on for Kenny Anderson right at the start of the Year Jason kid said the net would win 40 games well they've gone 12 over that number and here they are the East Conference Final facing the selage at the time 40 sounded like an exaggeration oh they thought 40 was a brass statement Jason probably feels bad now heated it 2518 Nets with the lead Nets show in zone They had success against Charlotte with the two three Zone Pierce play by Harris now Pierce gets off shot and hits just incredible shooting by Pierce that's his second from downtown five for seven 12 points playing Zone Paul Pierce might be a good guy to locate and a bad pass ends up in the back court and the ball back to Boston now a timeout called by the Nets 238 to go in the first and the Nets up by four Lucius Harris thinks he's close enough again he's not close enough if Paul Pierce can Arch the shot right over the top of the shorter [Music] Defender the legend was born in 1965 in the storage swamp of Florida and as befits the legend it began with a searing question coach asked why we didn't go during the game The Players weren't adequately hydrated and their performance suffered as the gator mared through the season they drank a carbohydrate electrolyte beverage created by University of Florida Doctors naturally we called our stuff Gatorade in conditions ever make a salamander sweat the Gators Thrive those boys drank that stuff and they became a second half team I saw it in my own two eyes in 1967 when the Gators won their first Orange Bowl Gatorade had arrived today Gatorade is the most researched sports drink in the world and it continues to fuel Champions wherever their [Applause] humbly born on the hard scrabbled grit irons of Florida are proven by generations of athletes and just as the games never end so The Legend [Music] [Applause] Continues the 255 horsepower Nissan Maxima you don't fight Russia and America you get them to destroy each other the Russians just blew up one of our aircraft carriers it wasn't the Russian who else has 27,000 nukes it's the guy with one I'm worried about from the bestselling novel by Tom CL a Neo fascist bought an a bomb on the black market benck Morgan Freeman in The Summer's most electrifying Thriller the bomb is in the sum of all fears directed by Phil Robinson radi PG-13 starts Friday May 31st the Mount Everest of rivers take a heart pounding ride a Chevy Avalanche presents into the S po Gorge next Sunday 2:30 Eastern NBC superstars from entertainment and sports Herald the world best athletes theorious World Sports Awards next Sunday at 3:30 Eastern on NBC it's a four-point lead for New Jersey over Boston the Nets they got off to that blistering start and during a a timeout Jim o' gathered his team together and said hey guys now you know what we're up against he didn't say it as politely as you just said it they're out and they're running G Kel runs the floor extremely well they find him Jason kid right there easy finish great catch and pass by Kenyan Martin touch pass Carri KD has great quickness yes he shoots the three-point shot very well but he's a good finisher because of the great foot [Applause] speed two and a half remain remaining and this first quarter here's Pierce giving it back walker for three and face down by Harris K met by Pierce Harris with the step on Rogers and then he's called for the double dribble he stopped the dribble put it back on the floor good pressure defense little confusion he thought he got away with it but Jackie nce was on the call the Boston Celtics one of the NBA's most story franchises back in the Conference finals for the first time since 1988 uh this is a team that has won 16 NBA championships and Paul Pierce continues the onslaught 14 for Pierce who was often started slowly and finished very strong in fact led the NBA in most points scored in the fourth quarter he also wanted to send a little message to Richard Jefferson welcome to the playoffs Jefferson is foul by Rogers they're back in their manto man the previous possession marked Richard Jefferson is an exceptional Defender but this is one of the best offensive players in the NBA Paul Pierce a guy who who looks for angles able to slash his way or hit the the outside shot and what a remarkable story Paul Pierce coming back from that near fatal stabing at a Boston nightclub just before the the start of training camp last season went on to have an outstanding year and he he told me the the police said that the leather jacket he was wearing saved him from being killed I remember talking to coaches Rick patino and Jim O'Brien at the time they were obviously extremely concerned not whether he would play basketball again just that he was going to survive and be healthy he certainly surpassed everybody's expectations Antoine Walker has seven and the Celtics within two as we come up on one minute remaining in the first they double up on kid Martin shooting over Walker h Martin with his second Feld goal 2925 the Nets with the lead now the matchup Harris defending on Pierce with help rebound back tap but handled by Kid here's Lucius Harris yes there's Jason kid again he comes up with call it a rebound call it a loose ball but it generates a fast break instantly luus Harris had a an excellent season Off the Bench highlight by game two in the Charlotte series when he hit 10 of 11 from the field the foul is called on Jefferson on the back of Rogers Rodney Rogers causes mismatch problems because the Celtics can use him at the center spot also at the three or the four he has the versatility we talked about with Pierce that's just a good Richard Jefferson got caught on the wrong side you can't play outside a man on the post he just led him right to the back asking Rodney Rogers no trouble at [Applause] all Rodney Rogers can shoot the three-point shot but he can also bounce it pretty good and he has good strength and leaping ability so he's an effective postup player also brief rest for Paul Pierce Danny Anderson is back and the Nets now lead 31 27 half minute to go in this first quarter Marv Albert PJ caroso Andre Joyce from the New Jersey metal act Jefferson with some room Face Down by Anderson able to go behind the back and they can hang on for a final shot of this quarter we're down to 10 seconds this would be the longest offensive possession of the quarter Anderson goes behind the back here's Del for three and time runs out that would not have counted Boston 11 for 23 New Jersey 13 for 23 Paul Pierce 6 of nine from the field 14 points after one game one of the Eastern Conference Final series it's the Nets by four you are watching the NBA playoffs on [Music] NBC at the Home Depot where driving down the cost of Home Improvement now is the time to buy Carpet choose from over 3,000 Styles colors and textures and right now get the carpet pad free with installation Plus for all your projects get no payments and no interest till January 2003 on any Home Depot consumer credit card purchase of $299 or more at the Home Depot we've got lower prices [Music] nailed [Music] come on the 240 horsepower Nissan Pathfinder in the blink of an eye your world can change introducing night and day the contact lenses that can be worn safely for up to 30 nights in days continuously a revolutionary new material allows your eyes to breathe even while sleeping no more cleaning no more changing ask your eye care professional for a free trial of new night and day or for more information visit night and day contacts.com and see for yourself next week the history of past hey teach I'm not sure why I got 29 Ron 29 how can one use tofu to make a lighter dish you wrote I can trade it in for Chicken shrimp the Friday's take on eating light it should never be light on taste so try our new pecan crusted chicken salad eat what you love love where you eat at Fridays next Saturday the WNBA on NBC returns Lisa Leslie and the defending Champion Sparks face Teresa Weatherspoon and the Liberty next Saturday 3 Eastern NBC the NBA on NBC is brought to you by NBA playoffs 202 love it [Music] live welcome back to Continental Airlines Arena East Rutherford New Jersey the Nets with a 3120 seven lead as we head to the second quarter only one shot attempt for Jason Kidd but four assists demonstrating why he is one of the best in the NBA in running the break getting a rebound or a steal I've always been taught to uh probe you know you know push the ball up hard make more than one guy at guard you you know maybe bring two guys over so that means somebody's going to be open even if I get stopped I I feel that I can find somebody and I've always been taught that you know as a little kid is sometimes I go too fast but uh I always can try to find somebody or be aggressive and take it to the basket I don't think he goes too fast nobody in the NBA does a better job watch Jason kid when he comes up with this ball he puts so much pressure on the other team's transition it's there Jason comes up with it now he's gone he talks about drawing help stop it right there the defender wants the help he's going to come over and help him as soon as he draws that help you'll see him come into the play and he finds Lucius Harris right there no one puts more pressure transition defense than Jason kid he comes at you and he'll probe he used the word probe sometimes the first guy doesn't come and help he'll turn the corner and draw help from somebody else Jason sitting down getting a rest good pressure by Jefferson Anthony Johnson has come on for the first time Anthony Johnson after originally being signed to attend contract then for the REM remainder of the season has done a nice job Off the Bench Johnson guarding Anderson shot clocked at three Walker yes it's a two- corter had the foot on the line and then Antoine Walker says to Richard Jefferson you cannot guard me I'm too big if you let me shoot over you you have to make me bounce the ball that'ss up by two here is Harris coming up short and back comes Del met by Johnson Walker wanted the basketball and he draws the foul foul on Collins just checked in that's the rookie from Stanford seven-footer Jason Collins did a nice job for the Nets in the postseason Series against Charlotte with Charlotte having so much size and feeling that would be an advantage but uh there Collins very effective off the benat both these coaches like to change their rotations depending on upon the opponent Jason Collins Byron scottf was a good fit against Charlotte he feels he's going to play a lot against the Celtics [Applause] also PA Pierce continues to sit down getting a rest antoan Walker the focal part of the offense he thought he was fouled but Byron Scott likes that Collins has made him put the ball on the floor two times in a row he'll take the foul rather than anine getting an open shot Collins able to come up with that loose ball here's Jefferson Williams is pushed fou by Eric Williams of the Celtics New Jersey Nets are really causing the Celtics problem on the boards they're dominating the boards particularly the offensive end and they're scoring points in the paint one-off transition and two on offensive rebounds 6-2 New Jersey offensive boards Aaron Williams at the line let's check in with Andrea joce Mark during the last time out Antoine Walker implored his teammates to settle down he said you guys are too high you've got to know your personnel Jim O'Brien meantime told them that the Nets are getting exactly what we don't want them to get transitioned in glass back to you guys all right thanks Andrea so the the Nets with a 33 29 lead although Jim o'ri has not been pleased with what has taken place to this point his Club is down by by only four Paul Pierce now back on the floor being guarded by luus [Applause] Harris Walker eluding Jefferson and hits and Antoine Walker Heating up he has 11 you forget about one half of this combination and immediately steps up and by it's a two-point net lead Johnson with a pass off the mark handled by Williams Aaron Williams with his first field goal that's 35 Celtics 31 Aaron Williams is an active player he got good looks against Charlotte but didn't finish the L to pierce the Paul Pierce able to use the height alus Harris Pierce now has six Harris goes about 65 maybe now he sees right over the top and Antoine Walker a very good passer averages five assists a game here's Johnson getting inside Anthony Johnson in his fifth year out of the College of Charleston playing with his fifth NBA team in five season Anthony played for Eddie Jordan when he was coaching to Sacramento Kings Pierce backing his way and it was deflected out last Touch by the Nets Boston with eight on the shot [Applause] clock during the regular season the Celtics took three out of four against New Jersey highlighted by that game December 1st here in Jersey Boston won an overtime and Paul Pierce one for 16 in the first half here's Rogers just getting it off finished with 48 points he had 46 of his 48 in that second half say he heated up a little bit in the second half and he overtime Johnson with the field goal it counts and the foul Anthony Johnson will go to the line fouled by Kenny Anderson Anthony Johnson with a good draws change right there little bit of a touch by Kenny and but not enough to stop Johnson from finishing going to the rack timeout is called 853 remaining first half the Nets up by six the Lakers the Kings Friday 9 Eastern 6 [Music] Pacific even though Jeep Liberty received the government's highest crash test rating for side and Driver front impact it's still nice to keep a little extra space between you and the next [Music] vehicle it's like closing a book that you've just loved reading grab your coat and get your hat leave your worries oh 12 years in one box wow tell me about it Jim makes it so simple that's a good thing in a financial advisor your 401k we'll just roll it over you won't miss a beat oh that's great from college to retirement planning our financial advisers help clients realize their dreams [Music] Street [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Killian's Irish Red One Look says a lot I'm so embarrassed all right guys bring it in bring it in Hey where's Billy he's sick he's our best player we can't play without him come on it's going to be okay but for the championship coach there going to be a lot of other games hey I can play do you know how I'm not bad he's tall what do you think all right let's hey if we win we get to go to McDonald's so don't [Music] play the NBA on NBC is brought to you by Chief Liberty Chief there's only one by Nike basketball.com by McDonald's we love to see you smile and by the new movie Undercover Brother in theaters May 31st we have been talking about the storied history of the Boston Celtics and this man is one of the major reasons why this franchise has 16 NBA titles Bill Russell an 11 time NBA champion five times NBA Most Valuable Player and he is with our Andrea drose Andrea well Marv as you mentioned no one knows success more than Bill Russell as you look at this young Celtics team what is it that impresses you most about them well attitude they work hard and they uh are growing together as a team so they'll be twice as good this time next year now I see you in the locker room before the games in the Celtics locker rooms and I don't really see you ever giving them advice I hear you laughing a lot and I'm wondering what your presence is in there you're hoping that rubs off on you well I I'll try to keep you lock room relaxed Because unless you relax you can't really play well and uh we try to tell show them how to be a professional well it seems like they've learned a lot from you what do you think the key is of this series as you're looking at game one oh they're just working hard and and know that they have to play together to be successful all right enjoy the rest of the game thanks for joining us back to you Marv all right thanks Andrea we mench the 11 championship teams and two of those championships won by Bill Russell as a player coach as Colin squeezes his way inside he is he is fouled by m if you see a player coach in today's NBA I don't think so I don't I don't think so either but if anybody could do it number six would be a pretty good [Applause] one Richard Jefferson will throw in it's a non shooting Affair 820 to go in this first half and the Nets now lead by seven New Jersey bench coming up big again a steel by Walker going all the way Antoine Walker goes the distance Antoine Walker now has 13 to go along with the 16 for Paul Pierce again more of the versatility the size the ability to shoot the ball and put it on the floor Jefferson got the step and the Nets now lead 42 35 Jason kid sending it out getting arrest Anthony Johnson has done a nice job though coming on and playing the point here's feeling for Jefferson Johnson over and it's called for the foul try to help out on the double team they came down with the help but they were a little late but talking about being late when Antoine Walker has the ball in transition you have to play him ball knocked Loose by Tony B that's the power forward leading the break Richard Jefferson just doesn't do a good enough job cutting him off we said yes make Antoine put it on the floor but you have to stop him Rodney Rogers checks back in coming on for Eric Williams here's Pierce looking to post up the help from Johnson Anderson draws the foul Kenny Anderson has had a number of open opportunities because of the double teams on Pearson Walker Johnson called for that [Applause] foul he's going to have that ability the entire series Mar because the point guards are looking to help out particularly when Pierce or Walker post [Applause] up you can log on to nbcsports.com for in-depth playoff coverage Steve Jones and former NBA coach Matt gcas will break down these Conference Finals and select the winner plus you can email Bill Walton your playoff questions and check out his latest mailbag on the hottest topics of the postseason a at nbcsports.com actually you can call Bill directly at his house he welcomes that you know that but he likes to say he's into the email concept I think we're working on a graphic we'll put his home number up a little bit later Johnson spinning his way and back comes Anderson the Celtics down by five Anderson with a high dribble looking to beat Johnson Walker for three kept Alive by ba out a quick release not able to hit mat horn snatching the rebound Jason kid is getting set to check back in but the New Jersey bench mark has done the job 15-2 they've outscored the Celtics a lot of that with Jason on the bench and Martin going to the left hand unusual shot Martin last Touch by the Nets now kid and Mulla check back in for Collins and Johnson Byron Scott loves the production he's getting from the bench particularly in the second round they struggled a little bit in the first series against Indiana but they came up big scoring almost 32 points a game against the Charlotte [Applause] Hornets Pierce squaring up finds delt Rogers for three yes Rodney Rogers from deep in the right hand corner he now has five points and Boston is within two now Del defending on kid Van Horn passed on the three bad pass Walker on The Intercept Walker putting moves on Martin Walker spinning his way going one-onone and then not able to hit good job defensively by Kenyan Martin and horn for three that's the second from downtown for Van Horn the Nets have led right from the start they're up by five they've led by as many as seven Pierce rebounded by Mulla 520 remaining first half Harris on a Rel Lucius Harris playing with that protective head gear missed six games right near the end of the season with a broken bone between his eye and and ear on the right side of his head so Harris extends to a seven-point New Jersey lead New Jersey started out running Boston's not doing a good job getting back Keith fin horn is shooting the ball extremely well from the three-point line in the playoffs you got to play him Lucius Harris that's just too wide open for as good a shooter as Harrison Van Horn [Music] are is man that Canam over can you dig it who's the captain want our it and all that Shack I'm talking about Shack pack we can dig the new Shack pack grilled salad dough bck and cheeseburger crispy fries with free warm cheddar cheese dipping sauce and a Coca-Cola classic you got to have a shack pack baby sh in the fight against evil get me Undercover Brother one man what's going down is willing to do whatever it takes would you like to be my friend that's white she devil get him on May 31st come on baby baby come on pull up a chair hey woo woo baby look at that look at that Undercover Brother rated PG-13 at theaters May 31st two points is two points don't be a show off I don't care if you slam dunk I don't care if you Che the layup two points is two points all you got to do is take a short shot box out rebound you ain't got to dunk on everybody forget about the theatrics all you getting for that is you ain't scored two points your whole life who you going to listen to how about yourself obey your thirst Sprite hey yo Kobe you think you getting some tickets c yeah see it's cool come on let's [Music] go with its patented four-wheel drive system Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo is extremely capable thanks but still as well-mannered as ever what a gentleman now get our 7-year 100,000 M powertrain Pledge on the most award-winning brand of 4x4s Jeep there's only one Tiger Woods the most dominant force in golf he's already won all four major championships in a row now he tries to pull off that amazing feed in the same calendar year his next challenge golf's greatest Championship the US Open starting Thursday June 13th on NBC welcome back to the New Jersey metal ANS the Nets with a 4740 lead on the Celtics 512 remaining in this first half head coach Jim o'ri of the Boston Celtics taking over last season for Rick patino on an interim basis they were 12 and 22 at the time and after O'Brien took over they played 500 ball over the final 48 games those numbers under uh Rick patino for the last season and a half but what an impressive turnaround by the Celtics when O'Brien took over which led to a multi-year contract as head coach and the Celtics have obviously responded to Jim O'Brien this is basically the same team except for the trade that was pulled off of the Phoenix Suns and the foul is called it is on Kenyan Martin that's his second Jimmy O'Brien made the point talking to us yesterday he feels this team the reason they're playing so well now they're just getting acclimated to Tony Del and Rodney Rogers that trade has really made them a better team they're playing almost 67 winning percentage 67% since that trade he feels now they're just getting comfortable with each other can imagine how difficult it is for Rick patino to handle what is taking place this season but he was asked about it the other day out on the foul and handled it with with great class saying that he's very happy for Jim O'Brien who was a long time assistant under Rick Patito on the college level then with the New York Knicks oh Rick is genuinely happy there's no question about that people have to realize he hired most of this staff Jim O'Brien is one of his closest friends most of these players are guys he brought to the Boston Celtics a lot of them are guys he coached in Kentucky so I do believe he's very happy for the success the Celtics are having you really believe that I do I honestly I I believe it because I think he knows he's the big part of a lot of these people being here wearing the green and white although it's a natural reaction to Phil Ha if it worked out with me I could have been coaching this ball Club well he could have been Jim O'Brien's made some great moves since he's taken over particularly on the defensive end all right here's Walker off the steel going behind the back very nice to the team to make it steal when we're bragging about their defense Del with a pretty move not able to hit Jason kid oh took a shot from Rogers and you hear the reaction from the crowd Jason still playing with that cut over the right eye suffered in in game three against the Charlotte and Rodney Rogers is not a guy that you want to make contact with not a tough call for the officials to make right there Rodney Rogers knocks Jason down Down Jason kid though is a very physical player you're going to have to knock him down about 400 times wh with eight points and the Nets now lead 49 41 many teams in the NBA could not run this offense that Eddie Jordan and Byron Scott have put in because you need a lot of players who can pass and catch the ball nice touch by Tony Delk Tony Del who came over with rney Rogers from the Phoenix Suns Tony Delk a key member of kuy's 1996 NCAA Championship team Most Valuable Player of the final four Martin nice pass Van Horn going back door Van Horn doing a good job moving without the ball and that's something the Nets do as well as any team in the NBA move without the ball they get those back door looks 13 assist for the Nets on 21 field goals good Hustle by Kid not able to come up with it that Del takes advantage there's the Tony Del Rick patino philosophy most people would have gone to the basket if he sees the ball it's green light firing that's 51 Celtics 46 beautiful pass Kenyan Martin from Jason kid who just picked up assist number seven condet are just chewing up the Celtics in the half court with their ball movement and passing nice hands by by Kel but it was knocked out of bounds and the Nets will talk it over time out with 245 remaining in the first half moving without the ball is an offensive skill watch Keith Van Horn is Rodney Rogers turns his head he pays for it to Van Horn layup now Jason kid finds Kenyan Martin Antoine Walker turned his head no one moves better without the ball than the New Jersey [Music] Net coach you were 5 and 79 last year why the playoff talk well we made a couple of key trades and we got the funk oh well uh glory be the Fun's on me Bob keep that funk alive keep that FK well it's 1975 and we just be keeping the [Music] alive mother oh yeah play on player yeah that's what I'm talking [Music] about
