5 Questions With John Wall

"5 Questions" is back.  I talked with the #1 pick of the 2010 Draft, Washington PG John Wall, prior to the Celtics-Wizards game on Wednesday night.  He is currently sitting out with a knee injury, but in 2 seasons he is averaging 16.3 points, 8.2 assists, and 4 rebounds per game.

1. How is the recovery (knee) process going?

Wall: It’s cool.  Same stuff I’ve been doing since I’ve been injured.  Just taking my time and trying to get healthy.

2. I know you haven’t been able to play, but have you noticed a difference between this year and last with some of the new veteran additions to the team?

Wall: I just think with the coaching staff, and the pieces we added to the coaching staff.  We added players that are going to contribute a lot.  I think we are very deep team.  We got a lot of veteran guys, and a lot of young guys that grew up and understand what it takes to win and lose in this game and how hard you got to compete every night.  We’ve been competing the first two games we just got in a deep hole in the beginning but we’ve been giving ourselves a chance to win.

3. You and [rookie] Bradley Beal are clearly the future of this team.  What do you think of how he played in the preseason and in the first two games?

Wall: In preseason he played pretty good.  So far, he started off good in Cleveland, but he’s been kind of struggling, but that’s a part of the game.  Just keep his motivation and keep taking shots, just be more aggressive.

4. Have you set any individual goals for yourself when you do come back?

Wall: Yeah I keep them to myself though.  I don’t like to tell my goals, I like to keep them to myself.

5. Do you have a target date to return?

Wall: No, no target at all.  No.

-Keefe

5 Questions With DeAndre Liggins

Testing your Basketball IQ here with this one. I talked to Orlando rookie DeAndre Liggins prior to the Celtics 102-98 win over the Magic last night at the TD Garden. Here is what the 1st year man, and 2nd round pick, out of Kentucky had to say.

1. How has the whole Dwight Howard-Stan Van Gundy situation affected you guys, especially down the stretch of the season?

Liggins: What you talkin about?

1b. You know, that Dwight could pick Stan's fate, and the front office?

Liggins: Pick what? I don't know nothing about that.

1c. You think those two have a good relationship?

Liggins: Yeah they do. From my perspective I would say they do. That other stuff you are talking about I don't know what you are talking about, like Dwight picking. Especially me being a rookie, I definitely don't know.

2. How has Glen Davis been like as a teammate this year?

Liggins: He'd been great man. He's our emotional leader. He's been playing well, he just needs to continue to play well for us.

3. How did Coach Calipari help you get ready for the NBA?

Liggins: Yeah he... I mean he defined my game. That't what got me here, and I'm going to continue to do that.

4. Any regrets at all skipping your senior season after watching them [Kentucky] win it all?

Liggins: No. I mean I knew we had a chance if I came back to win it all. I knew they were going to win it all, so I just made my decision. I don't regret it or anything like that.

5. How would you assess your rookie year?

Liggins: I mean I'm happy even though I ain't playing, but I'm learning. Summer league is coming up so I'm excited about that. Just continue to work hard, that's all I can do.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Derrick Favors

I talked with Utah 2nd year big man Derrick Favors prior to the Celtics-Jazz game on Wednesday night at the TD Garden. Here is what the Georgia Tech product and 3rd overall pick in the 2010 draft, who is averaging 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds had to say.

1. You guys have one of the best benches in the league (5th in bench scoring), is that something you take a lot of pride in?

Favors: Yeah it is. As one of the players coming of the bench, I think that when Al and Paul and other starters come out the game it’s up to us to keep the tempo going and to try to provide a spark for whenever the starters come back in.

2. It’s a great playoff race out West, I think you’re as close to moving up to the 4 seed as you are from potentially missing the playoffs all together. Are you a guy who checks other scores and is always looking at the standings?

Favors: I’m not. I’m pretty sure some of the other players are, but I’m not. I’m just coming out playing.

3. Is it starting to feel like a playoff atmosphere as the year winds down?

Favors: Yeah definitely out in the West. We are all fighting for the playoff spots, so it’s getting crazy out there.

4. You’ve been pretty dominant at home (19-6) but have struggled on the road (8-17), any reason you can think of for that?

Favors: I mean you win some you lose some. We just got to go out there and keep fighting, trying to improve our road record.

5. How do you think you’ve grown as a player here early in your career, and has it helped playing with Paul [Millsap] and Al [Jefferson]?

Favors: Yeah I mean just being patient in the post, and just how to approach the game, and being ready to play every night.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Gerald Wallace

I talked to Portland forward Gerald Wallace prior to the Celtics-Trail Blazers game on Friday night at the Garden. Here is what the Alabama alum and former All-Star, who is averaging 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists had to say.

1. You have a long history of facing Paul Pierce, what is that match up like?

Wallace: It’s always intense. You know he is going to get the bulk of the offense. The offense is always going to move through him. You’re always on your toes, they’re going to call a lot of plays for him. The offense mainly goes through him. So you have to get up for it and be prepared for it.

2. As a versatile guy you’ll probably be matched up with Kevin Garnett as well. At this stage of his career are you surprised that he’s still playing at the level he is?

Wallace: No I’m not. I think that guys that are his type evolve with the time. And he has done a great job of evolving his game to where he’s able to knock down an 18 to 20 foot shot on the screen and roll. His defense is still there because he’s nearly 7 feet tall, so that’s always gonna be a presence and he keeps himself in great shape.

3. With the trade deadline next Thursday, does that change the atmosphere in the locker room at all?

Wallace: No what they got to do has nothing to do with us going out on the floor and playing, it’s got nothing to do with us. It doesn’t change anything, we still got to play. Our main thing is we got to get a win, we need to go out and win.

4. You guys are on your longest road trip of the year, this is night 2 of a 7 game trip, and you haven’t played well on the road [5-13] is there any particular reason you can pinpoint for that?

Wallace: I mean you can pinpoint any kind of reason you want. Our main thing is we have to improve and get better, and right now we haven’t did that so far this season. So we got to come out with something and figure something out.

5. You got a player option for next year, have you thought about that yet?

Wallace: No comment. No comment.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Kevin Martin

I talked with Houston starting shooting guard Kevin Martin prior to Tuesday night’s Celtics-Rockets game at the TD Garden. Here is what the Western Carolina alum who is averaging 18.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists had to say.

1. At the beginning of the year everyone made a huge deal about the trade that didn’t go through (Lakers-Hornets-Rockets aka “Chris Paul to the Lakers Deal”) and all the talk was about Paul and Lamar Odom and how he handled it, how have you dealt with it?

Martin: Just play basketball and that’s all. That’s all I do.

2. Trade deadline is now a week from Thursday. How do you and your teammates focus on basketball and what needs to be done?

Martin: I think you think about more important things like getting better as a team and making it to the playoffs.

3. Guarding Ray Allen tonight, you’ve been doing it throughout your career. What’s that like?

Martin: Ah, you know, you just got to make sure your legs are warm, cause Doc is always running him off screens. So you got to be prepared for that.

4. What has Kevin McHale been like as Head Coach this season?

Martin: Oh he’s been great. He’s definitely been a great inspiration for our team this year. Somebody who has been through the fire before. And established a style of play of toughness and things like that, so I think that’s why we’re at the point we are, because of him.

5. Western Carolina, what was the story behind that? Were you not heavily recruited coming out of high school?

Martin: (smiles) Ah, nah you know. Just like my career been kinda overlooked and underrated. So that’s why I think I’m the player I am today, because a lot of that stuff fuels me.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Mike Bibby

I talked with New York back up point guard Mike Bibby prior to Sunday afternoon’s Celtics-Knicks game at the TD Garden? Why Mike Bibby you ask? Well Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire were getting pre-game treatment and not talking. Tyson Chandler declined an invitation to go on “5 Questions,” as he was also getting some treatment. I talked to Landry Fields last time the Knicks were in town and Jeremy Lin was shooting around, getting treatment, going to pre-game chapel. Plus, I’ve always been a fan of Mike Bibby, so here we go.

1. What do you think of Rajon Rondo as a player? Obviously you guys had some good match ups while you were playing with the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs.

Bibby: Good player. You know one of the top Point Guards in the league. Had about a week that I worked with him when he was at Kentucky. He knows my cousin so, we brought out when he was in school. Great player.

2. Speaking of College, you had a great run back in ’97, were there any players that you either played with or against that didn’t develop into solid NBA players that you thought would?

Bibby: Umm. Not that I can think of right now. I mean there is still a lot of people, well a few people that was in college at the same time as me and came in the same draft. So there is still a few of us left and we’re just hanging in there.

3. What was your thoughts on Sacramento keeping the Kings in town?

Bibby: It’s good. I’m happy for the city and the Maloofs. I think it’s good for the city to just keep it going. It’s a great basketball town and it would be sad to see them leave.

4. Less than 2 weeks to the Trade Deadline, you’ve been a part of a lot of these. Does it change the feeling in the locker room? Is there more tension?

Bibby: It depends. You just want to… some guys want to get traded, some guys don’t want to get traded. It’s a buisness. What ever happens happens. But when you’re still on that team, you got to play for that team.

5. With Baron [Davis] back and Jeremy [Lin] you aren’t getting a lot of minutes. What do you do to stay ready?

Bibby: I get my work outs in still. Get the treatment that needs to be done and just keep going.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Greg Monroe

I talked with Detroit star forward Greg Monroe prior to the Celtics-Pistons game on Wednesday night. Here is what the 2nd year big man out of Georgetown, who is averaging 16.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game had to say.

1. Just your 2nd year in the league, but playing so well, were you disappointed at all not to make the All-Star team?

Monroe: No I wasn’t. Because those guys who made it, definitely deserved it. I’m just trying to get better. If I get better maybe my time will come. But I’m not worried about that right now. I’m in my second year, I’m gonna focus on making sure I get better each year and make sure I help this organization get more wins.

2. You already have gotten much better from Year 1 to Year 2, is there a specific reason for why you think that is?

Monroe: No, I think I’m just more comfortable and confident, I’d think that’s about it. I definitely worked on my game I think I got better, during the summer and the lockout. But you know, just being more confident and more comfortable. The more time you play in this league the more settled you’ll be and better you get.

3. You will be playing in the Rookie-Sophomore game on All-Star Weekend, I think the draft is tomorrow, do you care who picks you, Shaq or Barkley?

Monroe: Umm, nah I don’t acutally. I’m just honored to be in the game, hopefully I’m one of the first guys pick (laughes), that’s probably about it.

4. What’s it been like for you matching up with Kevin Garnett the few times you’ve faced him in your career?

Monroe: It’s been great. Just like I said, the first time it’s kinda surreal, someone you looked up to a whole lot growing up as a young basketball player, then being on the court with him, it’s a little surreal. But then you got to compete, you know he’s gonna compete, so you got to come out hard and try to compete, that’s what I try to do.

5. Have you been following the whole Jeremy Lin thing?

Monroe: I mean everybody is following it man. You can’t ignore it. He’s definitely having a good run. He’s playing at a very high level, I’m happy for him. You know it’s one of those great stories, one of the good things about the NBA, is that situtaions like that can happen. He got his chance, he’s taken huge advantage of it, he;’s playing well. I wish him the best, unless he’s playing us. Just one of those things that makes this league, and professional sports period special. There are a lot of guys who have stories like that and its good to see anyone like that be successful.

BONUS QUESTION:

What are your thoughts on your rookie point guard Brandon Knight, seems like it could be a bright future with you two.

Monroe: Yeah, he’s going to continue to get better. I know he’s been good for us this year and he’s going to continue to get better. I see big things for him in the future as long as he keeps working I know that’s something he’s going to do.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Ronnie Brewer

I talked with Chicago starting guard Ronnie Brewer prior to the Celtics-Bulls game on Sunday. Here is what the 6th year man out of Arkansas who is averaging 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists had to say.

1. You guys have a lot of the same players back from last year’s team which was the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Do you feel that you are better this year?

Brewer: We have a year under our belt, to gel, build chemistry, comradery, another year under Thibs’ system. So I think overall we are getting better. Last year we had a lot of injuries, this year the same thing, so we are learning how to play with injuries, and overall just get better as a team.

2. How are you guys dealing with this season, obviously a young and athletic team you’re set up well, but with not a lot of practices how is that?

Brewer: You have to learn quickly, make adjustments in walk-through and film and test it in games. We have a lot of guys on this team who can do a lot of different things, and I think that helps to our advantage. When some guys who aren’t having great nights we have other guys who step up and make up for it.

3. What’s it like guarding Ray Allen?

Brewer: I mean he’s a tough tough assignment. He comes off two or three screens, has a quick release, one of the best shooters to ever play the game. It’s definitely a tough test for me individually and our team as a whole.

4. How is it with Coach Thibodeau, you mentioned having a year under your belt now, but how was that adjustment, just how defensive minded he is?

Brewer: Man, to me, that’s what allows us to win. He expects greatness on defense, get stops. You can really tell on our team, when we’re successful, we’re defending, we’re rebounding, and that leads to easy baskets. So the adjustment for some guys who were defensive minded was pretty easy, but we’re still learning to get better.

5. How has the addition of Rip Hamilton helped you, a veteran guy who plays the same position?

Brewer: Yeah man, he’s a tremendous addition to this team. He’s only going to make us better. For a vet like him he’s very opened minded you can ask him anything he’s open to tell you what’s helped him be so successful for so many years. He’s huge for us, we’re definitely hurting and missing him right now.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Josh McRoberts

I talked to Los Angeles back up big man Josh McRoberts prior to the Celtics-Lakers game Thursday night at the Garden. Here is what the former Duke Blue Devil, who is averaging 2.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in his first year in LA had to say.

1. How have you guys been able to deal with all the trade rumors, it started before the season with the deal that got vetoed, and it seems like ever sense there has been trade rumors, how do you deal with it?

McRoberts: When that first one happened, I wasn’t even here, I wasn’t around. That’s part of the profession. I was involved in a deal last year that didn’t go through at the deadline, and some rumors this summer when I was a free agent even, so it’s all part of the territory.

2. How have you been accepted by your teammates, I mean you are coming in to a team with guys like Kobe, Fisher, Gasol, who have been here awhile and won titles together?

McRoberts: They’ve been great. It’s a good group of guys. Any time you come to a team like this, that knows how to win. That’s the most important thing, so they’re going to welcome you as long as you are on the same page as them. And that’s all I’ve ever cared about is winning basketball games so they’ve been very accepting.

3. What is Coach [Mike] Brown like?

McRoberts: He’s a very detailed oriented. We’ve had to put in a lot of new things here offensively and defensively, with everyone being new, it’s a new system for everyone. He’s a hard worker, I don’t think the guy ever sleeps. I think he is always watching film and we know that he’s going to be ready every night.

4. How would you describe your role on the team? Energy guy, defense first?

McRoberts: Yeah I think they want me to try to bring energy to the team and rebound the basketball. I think I can do a lot of things that will help us out and a lot of little things that maybe won’t show up in the stat sheet every night.

5. Have you had a chance to watch Duke at all this year with Austin Rivers?

McRoberts: Nah, I haven’t watched at all. I saw the highlight of him last night hitting the big shot against Carolina, but I haven’t seen any games.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Kemba Walker

I had a chance to talk with Bobcats rookie Kemba Walker prior to the Celtics game against Charlotte on Tuesday night. Here is what the UConn star, who is averaging 12.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game had to say.

1. How much communication have you had with Michael Jordan this year?

Walker: Not much. I mean when we are at home he is around. We see him then, but he’s busy, so not much really.

1a. Has he talked to you individually at all?

Walker: No.

2. You were a scoring point guard in college, how difficult is that to bring into the NBA, trying to set up guys but also get your points with a group you haven’t been able to play with much?

Walker: I think I’ve actually done a pretty good job. We talk with the coaches and watch film, try to get better. But I think I’ve done pretty good.

3. You guys have a lot of injuries right now, will this help you in the long run, getting all this playing time?

Walker: Yeah I think so. I think so. I was on and off, having some ups and downs during the course of the season. But yeah, me playing a lot will definitely help. For me, Bismack, and Cory, us being rookies that’s going to help a lot, especially when those guys come back. I think we’re going to be a much better team, because I know what to do more when I’m out on the floor more with the second group. So yeah, it’ll be a lot better.

4. Are you already the leader of this team?

Walker: No, I’m not the leader.

4a. Who is the leader?

Walker: (long pause): Well, yeah right now maybe I am the leader, with all the guys out. I’m the point guard, floor leader. But D.J. [Augustin] and Corey [Maggette] are the leaders. It’s D.J.’s team.

5. Any extra motivation playing against an All-Star point guard in Rajon Rondo, measuring stick kind of game?

Walker: Nah man, not really I just played Steve Nash the other night, I got Chris Paul. (Seems like every night in this league right?) Basically it is. Bascially you just got to go out there and play basketball. Play hard and try to win, that’s all you can do.

-Keefe

5 Questions With O.J. Mayo

I talked with Memphis guard O.J. Mayo prior to the Celtics-Grizzlies, Super Bowl Sunday game at the Garden. Here is what the 4th year man out of USC, who is averaging 12.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2 assists per game had to say.

1. You started every game your first two years in the league, last year and this year you’ve been coming off the bench. Are you more comfortable with one role, which do you see yourself doing in the future?

Mayo: Whatever the team needs. Just a ball player, gonna give 110% whether I start or come off the bench.

2. You were a point guard in high school and college, do you think you could be a point guard for a full season in the NBA?

Mayo: Yeah, yeah, one day. It’s all about being a complete guard. People put so much emphasis on if you are a 1 or a 2. Thing is if you are a complete guard you can help a lot of teams, and right now being a complete guard is helping the Memphis Grizzlies.

3. You are a restricted free agent after this year, could you see yourself playing in a place like Boston?

Mayo: Yeah sure. If there is an NBA team I’d be happy to play there. But right now my main goal is to play for Memphis and hopefully help get them their first NBA Championship.

4. Is there any stigma about Boston? In the past not all athletes have wanted to play in Boston, it took KG some convincing. Does that still exist?

Mayo: I’ve never heard of that. It’s always been one of the top organizations in basketball. Ever since you were a little boy start playing basketball you always heard about the Boston Celtics and Larry Bird, all the great players, it’s always been a great organization.

5. You guys play well when Rudy Gay is healthy and Zach Randolph is out and vice versa, but when both are playing you are only a couple games over .500. Any idea as to why that is?
Mayo: I think our team focus level rises when one of the other is out, because we know how big they mean to the team and when they are out we feel like we may get doubted as to how great we can be, and we try to prove the naysayers wrong. But when they both get healthy I think we will be even a tougher team to deal with.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

What are the challenges for someone like you who will likely have to guard Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo in the same game, guys who play completely different?

Mayo: You know you just got to know your scouting report, and trust your scouting report. Obviously Rondo is a great point guard, great in transition and even better in the half court as far as making other players around him better. And Ray Allen is a great shooter, never stops moving, and comes well off screens. You just got to know the scouting report and make them play the other end honest as well.

Who you got in the Super Bowl today?

Mayo: I got the Giants.

You going to be able to watch it?

Mayo: Yeah we will be back in town.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Landry Fields

I talked with New York starting guard Landry Fields prior to the Celtics-Knicks game at the TD Garden. Here is what the 2nd year man out of Stanford, who is averaging 10 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists had to say.

1. I’m sure you guys are frustrated with your record to this point of the season (8-14), but do you feel that you’re close to putting it all together?

Fields: I do. I think as of late it’s been good, we’ve been playing hard and learning from our mistakes and film and getting with our coaches, I think it’s been good as of late.

2. What’s it like playing without a true point guard? I know Shumpert has come in and started a bunch of games, Carmelo has had to run the offense a lot through him, so how does it change things?

Fields: It’s different in some regards, but I think they’ve done a great job. I think Shump’s been doin the best he can in his first year. I’m sure whatever can be cleaned up will be by the coaches.

3. Is there a Knicks-Celtics rivalry, like the other New York-Boston team rivalries?

Fields: I mean, you know, a lot of time yeah, but right now all the games are important.

4. What’s it like guarding Ray Allen, having to chase him around all night?

Fields: It’s tough, but it’s something you got to go out there and do. Watch a lot of film on it, so go out there and do my best.

5. You have to pick the Giants because you’re in New York?

Fields: Yes, I have to pick the Giants because I’m in New York.

Did you have a team growing up?

Fields: Not really, so I’ve adopted the Giants.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Jerryd Bayless

I talked with former lottery pick and Toronto guard Jerryd Bayless prior to tonight’s Celtics-Raptors game at the TD Garden. Here is what the 23 year old Arizona product had to say.

1. With Bargnani being out, and you being healthy now, do you feel like this is an opportunity to establish yourself more as a scorer?

Bayless: I’m actually not starting tonight, but it was. It’s just different. I think at times we’ve had trouble scoring without Andrea, and coach wanted to put me in to try and put a couple more points on the board.

2. Is that frustrating, starting some nights then coming off the bench. Would you rather have a more defined role?

Bayless: It is what it is, I got to play through and do whatever I can to help this team. You know whatever that is, I’m willing to do.

3. You came up with an incredible high school class and you were one of the best, everyone knows you have the talent. Do you see the success of guys like Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, and Eric Gordon, and think that if you were in a different spot you’d have the same success?

Bayless: I couldn’t be happier about where I am right now. I love being in Toronto. I’m just happy to be here. Everything happens for a reason, and whatever happens, happens.

4. You more comfortable in the NBA playing the point or off the ball?

Bayless: I am 100 times more comfortable playing the point. Playing off the ball is different for me.

5. What is like matching up against Rajon Rondo?

Bayless: Rondo is a really good player. You got to try to keep him out of the paint, he makes everyone around him better, and that’s the hardest part about it. But you got to try and just do the best you can.

BONUS QUESTION

Who you got in the Super Bowl?

Bayless: Patriots.

-Keefe

5 Questions With Anthony Parker

I talked with Cleveland starting swingman Anthony Parker prior to the Celtics-Cavs game tonight. Here is what the Bradley alum, who is averaging 6.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and a team best 2.4 assists per turnover, had to say.

1. From an outside perspective, what is your view of the Celtics, they are 9-9, but are they still an elite team?

Parker: You know, I think a lot of people had questions coming into this season with the condensed schedule and not a lot of time to prepare and everything, so does it favor them, does it hurt them? I think they are a veteran team that knows how to win, and regardless of injuries, you see now that they have the capabilities that come playoff team they are probably going to be a team that no one wants to see in the First Round.

2. How has the short preseason and limited practice time effected you guys? I think you've surprised some with your record to this point.

Parker: I think that it is something that everyone has had to deal with, everybody is on a level playing field. Coaches have done a good job of mixin in, getting in shape, and getting everyone after it, and putting in sets, but also knowing when we need a break. You know it's definitely something you have to teach on the fly, and there is a gradual chemistry and feel between the players that kind of evolves as the season goes on, but you know, everybody is dealing with it.

3. What kind of challenge is it for a player like you who has to guard both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in the same night?

Parker: They are both great at what they do, and its completely different. And I think that is why they complement each other so well. Paul Pierce is really good on the ball, creating his own shot, and creating for other players, isos, and stuff like that. Ray Allen is just constant motion, players really look to screen for him, and he's one of the best are learning how to use the screens and getting his shots off. It's a different challenge, but equally tough.

4. How have the Cleveland fans been, now a full year removed from LeBron James?

Parker: Well I think last year the Cleveland fans have been great, this year they have been great. There is a new energy, a new hope, especially with the young guys we have in the organization now. I think this year we have kind of turned the corner, we haven't gotten as many questions about the last couple years. I know that is a sign of turning the corner and talking about the roster we have now.

5. I know he was the #1 pick in the draft, but are you surprised by just how quickly Kyrie has been able to come in and have success?

Parker: I mean the kid can play. And considering he missed most of his one year of college, he's only logged, I don't know how many hundreds of minutes since high school. So just his pace that he plays with, his ability, his natural talent and his feel for the game is far ahead of what I expected from him, his future is bright.

BONUS QUESTION

Who do you got, Pats or Giants in the Super Bowl?

Parker: (laughs) You know what, I'm a Bears fan. So one of the corny answers, I just want a good game. But either way, I think if Eli wins it, you know I'm happy for him in that market and kind of taking the beaten he's done. But then for Tom Brady to come back and win, what would it be, his 4th? (Keefe: Yeah, it would be his 4th win.) I think that would be awesome, and it would certainly cement him as being one of the elite quarterbacks of all time.

-Keefe

5 Questions with David West

I had a chance to talk with Indiana forward David West prior to tonight’s Celtics-Pacers game. Here is what the Xavier product, who is averaging 11.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season had to say.

1. Keefe: What has been the key to your team’s success against the Celtics this season?

West: I don’t know. We just try to have the same approach, regardless of who we playing. Try to be aggressive and set the tone defensively.

2. Keefe: How have you been able to fit in with the Pacers in your first year, just 15-17 games in?

West: Well you know, not trying to do too much. Took me my time in terms of learning these guys. Didn’t come in and try to impose who I am on this team. You know, this is a good core, good group. I still am trying to find the best way for me to fit.

3. Keefe: What is Coach Vogel like?

West: I mean he’s good. He’s young and energetic. He keeps things positive even when we don’t play well. He’s able to get us goin, get our mind away from the game we just had and go out and get another one.

4. Keefe: Do you consider you guys a top contender in the Eastern Conference?

West: No I don’t. Nah, it’s too early, and we haven’t done anything except win a couple games.

5. Keefe: What did you make of Tu Holloway and all that went on back at Xavier?

West: I mean the game was over. But you know. Sometimes it becomes more than basketball, and that was the effect of that.

BONUS QUESTION!

Patriots or Giants in the Super Bowl?

West: Giants.

You a Giants fan?

West: Little bit.