Q&A with Mike Gorman

We had a chance this week to catch up with FSN Celtics Play by Play man Mike Gorman for a few minutes and get his thoughts on the team to this point. Mike was on road for much of the last week, so we kept the questioning brief. For the rest of the season, we’ll check in with Mike occasionally and get his thoughts on things going forward regarding the Boston Celtics.

1) First of all, there seems to be a growing impatience with some regarding this team. Do you think they’re on the right track?

I do. Al Jefferson and Delonte West are potential All Stars. Gerald Green is a gamble but has a huge upside if he turns out to be the player most think he will be. Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen can be solid contributors on a winning team and Ryan Gomes and Justin Reed still may turn out to be keepers. There has to be a marked improvement on the defensive end, but there are plenty of reasons to believe the C’s are headed in the right direction.

2) What makes a successful NBA coach successful today? What made one 20 years ago.

Could write a book on this one. Big difference is the players. So many young ones who don’t yet know how to play. Today’s coach has to coach, teach, and parent all at the same time. That’s not to say that coaches in the past have not had to do all that, but certainly not to the degree that today’s coach does. Another major difference between now and then is the window of opportunity for a coach today is much smaller. Coaches who last more than two seasons become senior members of the fraternity. Crazy, but true.

3) Ricky Davis has been second in the league in minutes played. Do you think his drop in numbers is due to him wearing down a little bit, or is he just not playing as well as he did the first month of the season?

Ricky I’m sure would disagree with me, but something closer to 36-38 minutes a game may prove to be better long term for Ricky and the Celtics on both ends of the floor.

4) Any chance we’ll see Gerald Green this season? Have you had a chance to see him in practice? What are your thoughts on him?

Gerald is a work in progress who will doubtless benefit from his time in the development league. My guess is that we will see him in a Celtic uniform before the year is out. I have not seen him other than the summer league. I am told that he needs work on both ends of the floor, but has continued to show the potential that made the Celtics change their draft plans when he became available.

5) Who is your favorite player to watch in your travels around the NBA?

Allen Iverson without question. So much heart in such a small body and he always…always gives 100%.