Ty (Downingtown Pennsylvania): Who did you enjoy coaching the most last year? *Who did you enjoy coaching the least last year? *-Optional

Jim O'Brien: I loved coaching Allen Iverson. He came to play everynight and you always had a chance to win with him out there. It will be intersting to see if the Buckscan handle him tonight. He killed them last year.


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Sam (Madison, WI): Big Bucks fan and I'm seeing them in the 6-8 spot in the East this year, but for the future do you think a team without a dominant talent can ever contend, or have we just turned ourselves into the Memphis Grizzlies of the Eastern Conference?

Jim O'Brien: Great trade for Magloire will get them a playff spot but it is hard to get to the next level without a dominating player. Detroit might be the closest thing.


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Eric (Boston, MA): A common Parcells/Belichick/Weis saying: "You do what your players can do" When you were in Boston, sometimes you got criticized for the type of game the Celts were playing at the time, but I always thought of that saying. Do you subscribe to this motto, or do you have a definite style?

Jim O'Brien: I agree 100%. You have to develop a plan around your talent and their abilities. I prefer playing a tough half court defense with trapping of the pick and roll but you can't always doit.


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Damien (Columbus, OH): Hey coach - it seems like every year the so-called experts pick the Celtics to finish in the bottom half of the East, yet they continue to make the playoffs. In my extremely biased opinion, I think they'll prove everyone wrong again this year - what do you think? Also, with all the flak that PP has gotten about his leadership skills, will Ainge give him a shot to show that he can lead this team of young players? He's still got several good years left, and I would hate to see him go.

Jim O'Brien: Paul is going to have a great year. Thet are a little young and Jfferson, who is star in the making, will have to come up big. Someone is going to have to step up at the point.


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Obiefan 67(Scranton Pennsylvania): Why do you rely so heavily on statistics. I recall you saying "points allowed is a bogus stat". Is this the reason why the 76ers gave up so many points last year? I think with a philosophy like that you wouldn't do too well.

Jim O'Brien: The two most important stats are field goal offense %and field goal defense%. Phoenix gave up a lot of points and won a bunch of games.


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Drew (Philly): Miss you in Phily coach, I thought you got a raw deal after the team improved so much last year and appeared to be coming together at the end of the season. Anyway as the closest observer of his rookie year, how good of an NBA player can Andre Iguadola be in the future?


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Mike (boston): Speaking from your own experiences with the celtics and paul pierce do you think that they would trade him? If so how grim does the future look for bostron

Jim O'Brien: They should not and will not trade Pierce this year. He is a great player and will improve his leadership this season.


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Lane (San Mateo, CA): I've often noticed that NBA teams don't seem to be in place for help rotation after a second and third pass, as compared to what I see when watching college teams. Is this just because NBA players are so much quicker and it's harder to cover so many quality players? Or is there something else such as lack of practice time or even lack of attention to detail that is the reason for this? Thanks.

Jim O'Brien: The best defensive teams in the league do a great job of rotating to the ball on D. San Antonio, Detroit and Miami are great examples. Thet take great pride in playng tough minded D. Many teams like the Bucks, Magic and even tne twolvwes will pick up their D this year.


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Lobo: Santa Monica, CA: Will any curent team get even close to the 72 win Bulls record this year?

Jim O'Brien: No. UNLESS a team like the Spurs or the Heat stay perfectly healthy which is very,very hard to do.


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Patrick (Atlanta): Is Andre Iguodala the best defensive player you've ever coached?

Jim O'Brien: Andre is good but not great at the defensive end YET. He was wonderful as a rookie and played the other teams best perimeter player. Bruc Bowen was the best I ever coached.


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Alan (Tulsa, OK): Do you find it strange that the Pistons really get no attention from the media? Is it because of Flip's prior playoff record? Do you think the East has made progress as far as competing with the west goes? If you could coach one player, who woyuld you coach?

Jim O'Brien: Detroit is going to have another great year. Flip can really coach the offensive end. He inherits a terrific man to man defensive group. The pistons thrive off not getting any respect.


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Shane D. (Minneapolis): Do you fear any repeating of last year's brawl to any extent between players?

Jim O'Brien: Everyone learned their lesson last year. David Stern handled it tough and perfectly. You will see none of that this year.


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Rick (Oregon): Do you think it was a mistake adding Walker to the Heat? A team that already took last years defending champs to Game 7?


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Isaac (New Jersey): It seems like the nets have been stockpilling players and draft picks in order for a big trade. Do you think they can pick up a big name via a trade? Maybe KG?


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Michael (Bloomington, IN): How important is Ron Artest to the Pacers this year? Is he the MVP candidate on the Pacers? Where do you see them come playoffs?

Jim O'Brien: Artest will be a candidate for MVP. He is the key to the Pacers title chances.


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Goose (Chicago): Jim, what are your thoughts on the dress code? I think everyone overdid the racial inference it supposedly had. If you work for a firm and they want you to dress a certain way, do it. What is wrong with a little professionalism?

Jim O'Brien: I didn't understand it at first but the more I listened the more sense it made. Who can argue with David Stern's decision making.


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Robert Hughes (Baltimore MD): With all the addition to the heat are there enough balls to share between the stars on that team!!!

Jim O'Brien: Jayson Williams and Antoine Walker will defer to Shaq.


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Dan (Pennsylvania): Which team do you think will surprise people the most this year?


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PJ NYC: Do you think the Knicks have playoff potential this year?

Jim O'Brien: I think the Knicks wil make the playoffs this year and every year Larry Brown is the coach. Adding Curry in the middle is a real key.


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MIKE (HOUSTON,TX): DO YOU SEE GOLDEN STATE AS A FAVORITE TO WIN THE PACIFIC THIS YEAR?

Jim O'Brien: Mike Montgomery will drastically improve the Warriors. Getting Baron Davis was really pivotal They are still too thin up front to win their Division.


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Ray Prota (Cold Spring, NY): How far will the Cavs go or will they even make the playoffs?

Jim O'Brien: The cavs will finish in the top four in the East.
they will be much improved and have a chance to get to the second round.


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Nick (Florida): Do u think the magic can make it to the eastern conference finals if the heat get knocked out, cause they can match with deroit and the pacers.

Jim O'Brien: Orlando has a chance to be really improved this year but Grant Hill has to come back soon and play the remainder of the year for them to make the playoffs.


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Brandon (St. Paul MN): What do you expect to see out of Eddie Griffin this year in MN? Will he finally prove his 7th overrall pick talent?

Jim O'Brien: Eddie Griffin will have a strong year under Dwayne Casey. He can be a key to the Wolves. Casey will get the most out of him.

Jim O'Brien:


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Maxx (Chicago, IL): Hey Jim, I wanted to know if you believe that the Bulls can be as good as last year, or is the surprise factor gone with Curry and will they falter this year?

Jim O'Brien: Losing Curry and Antonio Davis will be difficult for them to overcome. They will be hard pressed to repeat last years record.


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ken (dover, delaware): Who wins Heat versus Spurs everyone healthy?

Jim O'Brien: Coin flip. But the heat will be very,very hungry to put a banner up in Florida. This would be a great final series.


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Chad (Denver, Co): who is the real key to success in Denver? Melo, camby, or Karl?

Jim O'Brien: Success in the league is always a combination of a partnership between the players and the staff.


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GERARDO (HOUSTON,TX): WHERE WOULD YOU RANK THE ROCKETS CHANCES TO WIN IT ALL THIS YEAR?

Jim O'Brien: I would rate their chances as decent. They have the weapons to make a run at the Spurs.


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Stephen (Boston): Do you think the Nets have a chance of competing this year in the East if Kidd, Jefferson, Carter and Krstic stay healthy?

Jim O'Brien: The nets have the best perimeter in the nba. If they get a solid effort and contribtion from their front court they will be a load.


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Joe (Los Angeles, CA): The lakers roster really puzzles me this year. How far will they go with Phil back?

Jim O'Brien: If Kobe and Odom can become the MJ and Scottie of the 90's they will make the playoffs. To do anything but make the post season this year is asking a lot.


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Brandon (LA, CALI): With Andre Kirilenko back from injury and Ron Artest back from suspension, who do you think will win defensive player of the year award???

Jim O'Brien: Do not forget about Bruce Bowen.


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Dannny (Ohio): How will the Mavericks do in the playoffs?