<font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2">I tried my best to record the quotes said during tonight's conference. A full transcript will be up shortly. The folowing is some memorable quotes: </font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td class="alt2" style="border: 1px inset ">Danny Ainge - "Ownership had a strong desire to put a winning product on the court...It's going to be a lot of un this year...Without Ray Allen, we don't get Kevin Garnett [Garnett shrugs]...Over the next two years, there is a chance to be a very special team." Kevin Garnett - "Well, I'm happy to be here...It's been the hardest seventy-two hours of my time in the NBA...And when Boston traded for Ray Allen, my whole situation changed...This is probably my best opportunity to win a ring." Danny Ainge - "We're not done...We need supporting players...Theywon't be the big three until they win." Paul Pierce - "I think this is a tremendous day for Kevin, myslef, the whole organization...The Boston Celtics is an elite franchise...A shot at a ring drives Kevin; drives Ray...I know how unselfish they are...Whatever it takes to make it work...I feel like a rookie again." Danny Ainge - "These guys are very familiar with each other." Wyc Grousbeck - "Thse players emboy Celtics pride...I'm proud to have them here...Boston is a special town...This is a great time to be a Celtics fan." Ray Allen - "I have great respect for the organization...Opponents will walk into this building knowing they have a lot to be afraid of...We share similar responsbilities...It's a great pleasure and honor to be here." Doc Rivers - "I put my heart into this game, these players...On this trade, I love it...It gives us a chance, a hope...I wish training camp started tomorrow [laughter]...Thse are three classy unslefish players. Danny Ainge - "Dave Wohl is having conversations with other free agents." Kevin Garnett - "I reached out to Paul's four phones. He didn't call me back. Luckily, Ray had two phones." Paul Pierce - "I didn't recognize the area code. [laughter]" Kevin Garnett - "I reached out to Antoine about the city...He gave nothing but compliments...I'm exictied...It's like being in a Lamborghini, going 200, head out of the window." Paul Pierce - "You done that, man?" Kevin Garnett - "I don't have a Lamborghini." Paul Pierce - "These guys thrive under pressure...I couldn't ask for any better." Kevin Garnett - "I'm passionate. I'm confident...We know that gelling and chemistry is a big part of this...It feels good to have two big guns next to me...Real good...I think the East has gotten better...I wouldn't go that far to say that we're the team to beat...I will say we will be a force to be reckoned with." Paul Pierce - "I've always thought that we're the team to beat since I was a rookie. I'm an optimist. Ray Allen - "Other teams see us coming, they have to pick their poision [off camera, "well said."]" Kevin Garnett - "I really felt that it was my only scenario...This came to be the best scenario...When you speak on basketball, when you sepak on fans and the way they fell about sports here." Danny Ainge [on reports that Garnett didn't want to come to Boston] - "False reports..." Kevin Garnett - "I have never been on a cruise. I've never been on a cruise. Let that be known. Yeah. Serious. [laughter]." </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </font></p>
<font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2">Danny Ainge - "We're not done...We need supporting players...Theywon't be the big three until they win."</font></p> That's a great thing to say. So many of these teams will spend a fortune to get a couple top players and then try to cut corners when it comes to filling out the roster. But it takes a whole team to win a title and you need those role players. Suddenly pinching pennys after you've made that kind of expenditure always seems idiotic to me. Boston's got their exceptions and if they have any sense they'll get a PG, a swingman and a big or two with some real experience. I don't see any reason they couldn't, and it'd definitely help them. </p>
I can't wait for training camp/the season to start. It's going to be one hell of a ride for the Celtics and all the fans.
I think you left out the best quote, and it was from Ray:</p> "I remember going back in the days when this organization would battle against the Lakers, and every time they came in here they were afraid to walk into The Garden. And I think those are the days that we're heading back to here. You know, the opponent walks into this building knowing that they have a lot to be afraid of."</p> And yeah it was funy when Ray said the "pick your poison" line. KG nudged him and said "Well said." Ray turns to him and says "Yeah, I know, that was good." </p>
I liked the part in the press conference when Doc got the least applause on the table when they introduced him.
