#26 - Abby Chin - NBC Sports Boston Celtics Pre and Post-show Host

Michael Marcangelo: 0:24

He's no longer on the team but like, aside from that horrific injury, why do you think Abby? Why did Gordon Hayward not work outhere?

Abby Chin: 0:32

I don't think you can say aside from that horrific injury, I think that that horrific injury on the first game that he was wearing green in a season that was supposed to be, you know, headed to the Finals, who knows with he and Kyrie running mates. I don't think you can discount that.

Craig D'Alessandro: 0:51

On this episode of missing the point. We sit down with NBC Sports Boston zone Abby Chen, will discuss her sudden return to NBC as the new host of Celtics pregame postgame show following a brief absence after serving seven years as the Celtics sideline reporter will also discuss the rise and fall of Kyrie Irving's tenure on the Boston Celtics. what's gone wrong for the season the playoffs the last few years, and what she expects from them in 2021. But first some housekeeping. missing the point is a one hour podcast recapping the biggest stories in the world of sports with the New England flavour. The show notes and transcript from today's episode can be found in the description box below, as well as on our website, www dot MTP show.com. If you're new to the show, please consider subscribing. It's the easiest way to see we publish new episodes. We are on iTunes, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your podcast. Be sure to rate us and leave a review of any of our shows. We always appreciate your feedback. Let us know how we're doing and how we can sound better. Also, be sure to follow us on all of our social medias. All of our links will be in the show notes and check out our brand new website WWW dot MTP show.com that's MTP show.com. And now this is missing the point Episode 26 but it's all relative.

Michael Marcangelo: 2:29

Welcome to missing the point I am your host Michael Mark Angelo joined alongside by DK sizzle Dave Clark rayshawn Buchanan and today we have a very very special guest. She currently hosts Celtics pregame and postgame coverage for NBC Sports Boston. Previously, she was a correspondent for The 2018 Winter Olympic Games. She also covered the Portland Trailblazers and Pac 12 football for Comcast SportsNet Northwest. And before that, she covered Alabama and Auburn's national championship runs from the heart of the SEC at CBS 42 in Birmingham, Alabama. The one the only Abby chin Abby, how are you?

Abby Chin: 3:06

I'm doing well. How are you guys?

Michael Marcangelo: 3:08

Awesome. Thank you so much for taking the time.

Abby Chin: 3:11

Happy to be here.

Michael Marcangelo: 3:13

So not a lot has been going on in your life over the last couple of months, huh? No, no,

Abby Chin: 3:18

not much, you know, just hanging at home being a mom was doing for the past few months. There was a lot of other things going on.

Michael Marcangelo: 3:27

So obviously, like the big news broke recently that you are that you are back with NBC Sports Boston. So tell us a little bit about that. And just kind of what it was like for you to have, you know, your your fan base really demand that you come back?

Abby Chin: 3:42

Yeah, well, it's a very exciting time, I could not be more thrilled to be in this role. And it is something that so when the news of the layoffs first came out, and all of the fan support that I received then blew me away. And while I know that Celtics nation is strong and mighty, and very passionate, I did not know that there was such a strong that I had such a strong impact on that group of people. And so it meant a lot to me. It really lifted me up during that time. That was it. I mean, it wasn't, it was a sad time because I had my dream job for seven seasons. I got to do you know, to cover the best franchise in sports, I traveled with the team, I was at every practice every shoot around and you know, just doesn't get better than that in this business. And so I was sad to see that chapter and, and then as I just joked, I did try to enjoy the time that I had with my family. I have two young children, Mabel, who's almost five now and my son Silas will be two in January. So I was just living the mom life. And then I found out that Kyle got the opportunity in Sacramento and he was very excited about that. And I reached out to my former bosses and said, I would love a shot at that job. I think I can be great at it. And they gave me a shot and I didn't have to audition. But I got it and so here we are, and I could not be more excited.

Michael Marcangelo: 5:16

So what was it like auditioning for a role at a network that you would work for for seven years like they had tape on you. They knew a little bit of Like what you could bring to the table, right?

Abby Chin: 5:26

Yes. I mean, I hope so. Yes. But I think it's a different job than what I was doing on the sidelines. And that's something that they have seen me do a lot more of for, like I said, the better part of seven seasons. And so, um, and while I had hosted some during my various maternity, stints and things like that, it's one thing to do it and just kind of fit in. It's another thing to do at every show for what we're, you know, at two games, typically plus playoffs, plus the preseason. And then also just working on that chemistry with scowl and everyone else that you're working on. And while I do have those relationships scowl, definitely treats Kyle and has treated Kyle differently in the past, and he would treat me and so I think it's kind of working on some of that and seeing what that looks like. And then they also, as far as I know, you know, wanted to see what was out there and what's available to them and wanted to go with the best person possible.

Dave Clarke: 6:23

During my prep for the show my internet sleuthing on you, Abby, I, I came across an interesting fact. Mike, just read off your list of amazing accolades and jobs. But I found out your production system on Monday Night Football, is that the case?

Abby Chin: 6:38

It was Yeah. My first job out of college with at ESPN. It actually was at ESPN classic. And I had submitted a resume for just an internship two years before that. And they called just before graduation and said, we have this job at a production system job. It is being classic, you know, and I said, awesome, sign me up. We'll be in Connecticut tomorrow. And it just worked out at the time. I will tell you, they were looking for diverse candidates. And I'm a diversity double whammy. It's what I like to call myself being a woman in sports and then also with my Chinese heritage. So, um, worked out for me Yes, and then classic dissolved and I got picked up by they called it remote production at the time. And so I worked on Monday Night Football, I did the X Games. I also did the W NCAA tournament, which was really cool is like the only champion that actually gets crowned on ESPN. And so it was pretty it was, it was a great time, it was only a year that I did that. And then I decided to make the jump to try to do on air work.

Dave Clarke: 7:45

I was fine production assisting. So interesting, not only because I did it for a long time and film, but also because it's such a broad job description. You know, like it's when you get into it, especially in such a, like a behemoth of an industry is broadcasting or any any kind of industry that has production assistance, you have really no idea what to expect going in. And I'm sure a lot of our listeners are, you know, interested in breaking into larger industries? And like was that intimidating for you? When you first started off were like, you know, it's such a broad job description. Like I said, when you get there, it's like, you just do everything, you know, like you run around, you do everything you learn a ton, I'm sure but like was that? Is it in your experience? Was it overwhelming when you're repeating or how was that for you?

Abby Chin: 8:27

Like I said, when I started it at ESPN classic, which, if you don't know was the arm of ESPN that basically focused on documentaries they did. They started doing sports centuries, which were the autobio or the biographies on great sports legends. And then at the time, they were developing these shorter shows. So the show I worked on was the top five reasons you can't blame. But a lot of my job description was sifting through old tape and film. And then also going through interviews and finding sound bites that would work it was everyone kind of interviewed with the same background so that you could use it for multiple shows. And so that wasn't intimidating. That was something that I had done in internships, and when I went for my interview actually, the manager pointed that out that you're doing you do a lot of what we are doing here. And so that wasn't intimidating. It was different making the jump to the remote production because I hadn't done any of those before and you bring up Monday Night Football that is an enormous production something that I haven't ever been a part of, you know, they have four or five television trucks one for you know, the replays alone and however many cameras they have for that is is just incredible how much goes into one production of Monday Night Football and how many people it takes and and so that was something different but also something really exciting and fun. It was the first time that I got to travel regularly for work and that was something that was really cool. And it was just you do like you said you do a little bit of everything. And then you also depending on who you're working with either pick up some of their slack or you know get to learn from those people. And so it was just an incredible experience. I was also when I lived in Bristol, Connecticut, I met my husband there so we moved you know from Bristol, Connecticut to Birmingham, Alabama and then to the Pacific Northwest. Last in Portland, Oregon, and then now we're here in Boston. And so it's just yeah, part of the ride.

Dave Clarke: 10:31

Yeah, serendipitous than that. You got that pa job, though for you. I wonder if that helped you at all the what seems like culture shock going from sifting through tape into a ton of moving parts over a Monday Night Football, all this craziness happening then going on to move from one place to the other to the other. Did that help you? When you landed, say, you know, the Celtics job for the first time, like trying to get into the culture of basketball that we have in in New England is was probably a little bit of a culture shock. I would think you know, like, like you said, our fan base is pretty unique. Did that experience help you at all to try and kind of adjust and like learn or was it just like, Okay, I gotta start from scratch here.

Abby Chin: 11:14

I wouldn't say I gotta start from scratch, because I think every experience that you have leads up into these moments. Um, the fan base here is very passionate. I would say the only place that I've experienced that has something similar is, as you mentioned, at Craig, the SEC, and Auburn, Alabama football it is I mean, honestly, when I lived there, that's the most famous I have ever felt people coming up to me on the street asking me if I was going, you know, headed to Kentucky that weekend, they knew my schedule, they knew where I was going. And you know, down south, you can't take the time to go to a grocery store, if you don't want to see anyone is on Saturdays. Because no one leaves their home. They're watching college football. And so I did get to experience that and then coming up here this job so I move so I got into the NBA when we lived in Portland because the blazers are the only professional franchise that the CSN at the time are now there NBC Sports Northwest had the rights to and so I was hosting, I started hosting college football shows, and then that evolved into the NBA. And that's how they found me here in Boston. And I had done some sidelines. And I was originally hired here to anchor and report which is something that I was used to that I was pretty familiar with. And then making the jump to covering the NBA was a bit of a learning curve. But um, I was lucky. And then in that that first season with the Celtics was also Brad Stevens first season. And it was also the first season after they traded away Paul Pearson kg and so they won 25 games. But I tell the story all the time that first season, the Celtics had I think they had, we either had 10 or eight preseason games. So we did and they were terrible. They had 25 wins that season. So the knack? No, none of their games got picked up nationally. And so we did all 92 games, and they had that had never been done before. So I got a lot of reps that first season, especially in the preseason with 10 preseason games. And so by the time the season finally rolled around, I was we hit the ground running,

Dave Clarke: 13:26

this must have been so nice to come in with the new guard though, like regardless of not winning a ton of games in that first season. Like, it wasn't as if you were being inserted into a various stat, like, I'm sure there was a lot that was established, but to kind of come in with a new regime, and sort of get, you know, get your boots on the ground with them at the same time was probably like I would think a helpful experience now.

Abby Chin: 13:46

For sure. Um, I had moved to Boston, I think about six months before. So I was here for in January for that last stretch of doc. And that's the like, Doc, as you guys know, is such a great interview a great person. He's just a lot of fun to be around. And honestly, when Brad got the job. I was I remember I was at a happy hour. And then the notice came through my phone. And I was like what Brad Stevens that is bizarre. And then two months later, they were like, we're we're thinking about making some changes. When do you want to do this? And so yes, it did work out that all of that. But, you know, you talk about the old guard, Mike and Tommy were still there. And they're the ones calling the games and they are the best of the best. But I am lucky in that they are also two great people. And so they welcomed me with open arms, as did the production crew. Paul, Lucy is our producer. And he is he does everything. I mean, you know, I talked about Monday Night Football and all the moving parts in that policy does, I think about five different jobs that they had in this one truck from Monday Night Football and he was just amazing at what he does. He's been doing it for decades. And so they were really great to me in the beginning and very kind of holding my hands through things and you know, giving me little tips and pointers there. And so it was they made the transition as easy as possible.

Michael Marcangelo: 15:05

So how long do you feel like it took you to like hit your stride here in Boston? I asked that because I can't honestly remember like when you weren't doing the games. That's how you just feel like you're just a fixture here. So I wonder like if there was a moment when you were like, you know what? This This feels right now.

Abby Chin: 15:21

I don't know. Um, I know those first couple of seasons and This might be too much information. But those first couple of seasons i was i over prepared I had, like 10 to 15 storylines ready to go for every game and you know, whatever I didn't use would roll over, but I would type them out on my laptop. And then I would also write them on a note card to like see it and be it when the whole hits. And so it was on me to sell to my producer what was coming, but I felt like I had to be prepared for any and everything possible, I can still remember a be tour father, Ronnie hit that I had about him being dressed and like throwing a ball with something because I had written it on like a different note cards, because I was like, we're definitely going to use it, this game, I got to get it, I gotta have it. We never used it. But uh, so I did that. And for at least a couple of seasons. And then I think, and maybe this is true of many women, but I had Mabel in 2015. And so going through that the pregnancy, and then going through the maternity leave, I think that was the first time that I actually like, got a moment to breathe. And after that, I had to be more efficient and what I was doing, I couldn't sit there and take all day writing tiny and no cards. And, um, that forced me to be better because I also had to take care of another human being. And so I think that moment is when I really felt like I can do this job. I know, I know what I'm doing. And I know that I'm going to do it. Well.

Michael Marcangelo: 16:54

Yeah. You had mentioned before that, that you that you came in here with the new guard. Right. And so you've been here since that 25 win season all the way through, you know, a couple of Eastern Conference final runs. You've been here through it. And the guy that I want to mention now, Kyrie Irving, who has made some headlines recently about how he feels about people like us more particular you in the media and how we will not deal with them because they're pawns what what was your experience, like with Kerry? And how do these comments like really make you feel?

Abby Chin: 17:25

he clarified those comments saying that he wasn't specifically speaking? Yeah, but um, I don't know. We're going to give him the benefit of the doubt there. What I remember about Kyrie is he came in on that first press conference day, and was gregarious and so excited to be there. And I remember scowl and Kyle and Mike all introducing themselves. He's like, I know you guys have been watching you he was great and seemed really excited to be there. And you know, really had the charm on and then just slowly over those next two years, it just kind of fell away. I luckily was in on my second maternity leave was Silas, that press conference after the shoot around in New York where he said I don't know anybody anything. And I feel like that's really where the tides turned. And then I remember I told the story on air the other day, the we had, there was a practice right before their first postseason series. And that last season, he was here. And I asked him, you know, what do you take away from those 82 games because they were all over the place that season and and had really low lows and some really high highs where they looked amazing, like they did in that first round series against the Pacers, but asked what did you What do you take from those 82 games and he looked above all of us, you know, the scrum, you guys have all been an immediate Scrum, all of us news, like, all of this is irrelevant. And he was like, looking above us and not acknowledge, like, didn't make eye contact. And it's just like, and, you know, I think he was at the time he was speaking about the larger outside world and distractions, but you know, the way that he treated us, and in that moment, and it was just, that to me, epitomizes how Kyrie views the media and views the journalist trying to do their job. And then you saw it reflected again, in his most recent comments. So I don't find them surprising. I do hope that eventually he figures out that, you know, we're all trying to get to the same goal, which is grow the league and we all have this passion. And while Yes, you may be an artist, I mean, people are just doing their jobs and finding their art in their own way. And so I hope he can eventually figure out and respect that respect the jobs that everyone is trying to do.

Rayshawn Buchanan: 19:50

I mean, it Yeah, he's just someone that wants it his own way, though. That's just how he's always been. He's been like, he's like that he probably was like that at Duke too, or st passionately with high school. It wasn't always like that.

Abby Chin: 20:01

But I mean, all the great work that he does for the community and for so many people, but it's also you know, you have been given this platform and part of that is talking to the media and you know, all the things that that has afforded you.

Rayshawn Buchanan: 20:15

Right so to kind of still stick stick with the Kyrie era, So, obviously, you know, we had another Houston conference run where you know, they fell short in six games too much Me. So just in your, in your humble opinion like Who do you think had a more disappointing season like the this year saw things that was the 2018 2019 Celtics?

Abby Chin: 20:34

Oh 2018 2019 Celtics. By far, I mean, that team came in with I mean, it's finals are bust, and they're gonna challenge Golden State for the title. And so to fall off, so, especially and then see, like I mentioned, we have that up and down season it really was all over the place. But then that first round series against the Pacers where they dominated they swept I remember, Jalen brown walking down the hallway with a broom and Terry talking postgame like I've never slept anyone This feels amazing. And then we went to Milwaukee, and that first game against Milwaukee and they were incredible, I remember was an afternoon game where everyone was like Yanis has no idea what's happening. And then it was just it just fell off a cliff and with Kyrie trying to guard Be honest for long stretches for some unknown reason. And so to me that was the most disappointing I really thought we were going to the finals I thought I was gonna be in a duck boat with Mike and Tommy

Rayshawn Buchanan: 21:39

Yeah, no, I mean No, I completely agree with you like i was i was so pissed at that team like I remember going to some games playing the season mastering I was at the game I guess Indiana where they actually sealed the fourth seed for the night was going back and forth and carriers that game when they lay up and you know, the cows going crazy. And I guess I'm I cool. I Oh, we get Indiana. We're gonna run through them. I didn't think we were gonna sweep them. But they did. And now my Okay, they were they beat Milwaukee like, Oh, yeah, well just want to be a kid one, like, no matter who we face, like, and then all of a sudden, they quit. And it was just like, Damn, I really like this. This is how you're gonna go out. But it just looked like it almost like it was almost like it was in a bubble in 2018 2019 where they just wanted to leave. And it was just like, Well, why would you want to leave this moment like you had you had the talent. You say to stay healthy? Why not go on and try to win it. And then if you want to leave afterwards, go do that. But you know, we'll leave it at that. I said, you know, we exhaust carry a lot over here in Boston, because we're so we're so mad at him, but kind of want to transition to this year's team. Right? So, you know, so we have some people that have left so you know, like and his cancer is now back in Portland back in the Northwest. I know Brad Wanamaker is now going and going to state. So essentially coming in and you know, now we have Tristan Thompson coming in. And we have Jeff Teague. So you know, just what was your thoughts about those additions? And do you consider those to be upgrades over what they had last year?

Abby Chin: 23:00

I think that the jury's still out on Jeff T, despite the incredible preseason games that he had to write open the season, especially offensively, but I think Brad Wanamaker did so much defensively, that maybe got overlooked and just the calming presence that he provided in the locker room. And I know that Teague has so much of that better and experience that he's bringing but I think I am I want to see him do it over the course of a season and see what he's gonna bring. And he can bring that offense consistently, consistently off the bench, but I think that that's he's going to be really important as we know with kemba missing so much time with that knee and

Dave Clarke: 23:39

that's what that knee what's going on with that Nate he got any insight inside info on that? Because it's, you never want like a weird, you never know. We never want a weird injury for your star guard. Right? Like, when you when you kind of only get half the story like I think his knees better it looks and then he plays like he played and you know, in that in that bubble playoffs? It's like do you get Do you have any inside scoop? We can cut it out? We won't even tell the public just tell us if you know what's going on with that knee? No, I

Abby Chin: 24:04

wish I did and and the way that they describe it, as well as they're just trying to strengthen everything around it. I think for me, the most alarming part was when he had the four months off during the pandemic and the layoffs and then came back and the first couple of practices it he tweaked something and obviously didn't feel right. It didn't obviously wasn't the same guy through the postseason. And he has said that and he said how much it sucks not being that guy because he's been waiting for those moments and that stage for his entire career and then to not

Dave Clarke: 24:32

be at your best so many Kimbo moments came up, you know, so many yummy, typical Kimble moments came up and he wasn't able to, to kind of show us that. Yeah,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 24:41

I don't know though cuz I'm kind of in between on it cuz I feel like he has some good moments against Philly that first round. Right. And it's

Abby Chin: 24:50

one of the games.

Rayshawn Buchanan: 24:51

Yeah, you know. Yeah, exactly. So but then you get to the Toronto series. And I mean, he makes one of the best plays I've seen in a long time in the postseason no matter where it was that that bumps past the tie stick to that that should have ended game three and I mean, we went off on our in our group chat about that I was so Oh, my gosh, dado. I was like, I can't get mad, just thinking about it right now. But it was just like, we weren't talking about that before game three, I feel like as much so I'm just like, I feel like once they started to lose a little bit, and you know, they played like, I remember that game six was like a double over time. Um, so I feel like once you They played more minutes. That's when the need became more though, you know to me it's just like Hey, y'all have to get yet you have to get the job done right we talked about it with the Patriots do your job, do your job and beat two teams you're supposed to beat you know we have a you know, a resonant Toronto, Raptor hater over here. And and DK says, oh, okay, Dave, you know, he thinks that Serato was I don't I don't hate the Raptors. I

Dave Clarke: 25:45

just, this is sorry, Abby. This is an ongoing plot here that you're now like involved in. But he did

Unknown: 25:51

the Raptors.

Dave Clarke: 25:52

I don't it's not that I hate the Raptors. I was backed into a corner because they kept trying to tell me the Raptors were good. And I just don't think that they're that good. So we got into a lot of things. Yeah. Well, just in general, I thought once they lost Kyrie kawhi. I thought it was all over for them. And I was right. So like, here we are,

Abby Chin: 26:08

say they were pretty good last year when they were. Yeah,

Dave Clarke: 26:11

they were pretty good when they had, you know, one of the top three basketball players on the planet on their team, but like not so much anymore. But thankfully, because we have a podcast, every stupid thing that I say gets recorded and then throw it back. Because I also said a few weeks ago, and I know these guys are gonna bring it up. I also said a few weeks ago, we should probably consider trading Jason Tatum. And then Jason Tatum decided,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 26:28

yeah, thank you, as

Dave Clarke: 26:30

I understand, it wasn't a smart thing to set for content purposes. But then, of course, Jason Tatum comes back, looking not 19 anymore looking like a 45 year old grown man, like with 20 more pounds on him and apparently two more inches. So I can just see that that's gonna get thrown back in my face, which I'm a Celtics fan. Like, I want that to happen in some ways, but I think I'm gonna hear about it for a long time. So yes, I was wrong to say that, but I wasn't wrong about the Raptors.

Michael Marcangelo: 26:56

Given that, uh, you know, last season was the most interesting NBA season probably ever because of the bubble, right? I thought that that was the one league that figured it out and figured it out better than any other major, major sporting leagues. So I'd love to hear like what your experience was like, especially because you couldn't do all the things that you are that you are normally able to do like at the garden. So what was the bubble? Like?

Abby Chin: 27:22

I wasn't in the bubble. I didn't get to go. I was outside. Thankfully, especially because I have two kids. So I don't think that would have worked for me anyway. But it did it changed everything and we're still doing it. We're all of the media availabilities are on zoom. But like you said, typically, yes, I travel with the team. I didn't, I wasn't on every flight just because of family, but I could have been and so but then you know, you go from the plane to a bus to the hotel, and then back and you just get little glimpses of the guys. And, but you also just get a feeling of being in those locker rooms, you know, there is availability at every shoot around, and there's availability, inside the locker room before every game, so you just kind of get a feel or a vibe. And we were not able to get that, obviously being outside the bubble, but it was nice, and that we are the broadcast partner, I did get to do some one on ones and exclusive interviews and talking to guys. And it was interesting to me. How much more no welcoming and not necessarily open, but they were like actually excited to see me they're like Abby, hey, look at you in the face, you know, not just over some not just staring at some random camera, you know, on a zoom screen. And that was nice to note, you know, I feel like they did. They missed us a little bit, you know where they're at. But they definitely missed our presence a little bit. But it is an it changes the job. And so it's not necessarily talking about the feelings or the vibes or what you're seeing, noticing on the sidelines, it's more of what the players are telling you. And you have to kind of get that's the challenge, right to get the most out of them in the settings. And so it was a good, it was a different challenge. And, you know, hopefully, in, you know, Brad's favorite word is versatility. Hopefully, it may be a little more versatile and what I can do in this industry that is ever changing. But it certainly was, I mean, like you said, I think it was remarkable what the NBA did, and for how long they had that in the bubble, and just the undertaking and just how big that was and what a success. It was. And now I'm just I'm really curious, hopeful crossing my fingers that they're able to continue that success outside of a bubble and hopefully not have too many hiccups

Rayshawn Buchanan: 29:50

this season. Right? Agreed. But that's all kind of adding on to you know, the interviewing part. So obviously, you know, we talked about you've been here for seven years and you know, you came in under the new regime. So, you know, who would you say has been your favorite player to interview in your time here so far?

Abby Chin: 30:08

Um, I mean, one on one it's probably Marcus smart, he's probably gonna say that. But I mean, if we're gonna go way back and inside scrims, I would say Gerald Wallace, and it was only here for my first season. But back in the day, Gerald told us Like it was and was just like we played like, Bs tonight and this is what needs to change this is what this is who's doing it this is what needs to stop and those were the most honest conversations I think I've ever had in an NBA locker room

Rayshawn Buchanan: 30:41

he gave us he gave us a pass on the one that good plays of that that first season there that pastor Jeff Green when he hit the game winner in Miami. Yeah, that was one of the few good you know moments of that year so I remember that So no, that's cool. But yeah, I didn't call Obi Marcus my before the show. I was like I thought so. Because I mean, everyone loves Marcus smart, you know, so why not? Yeah, exactly. Emotion

Michael Marcangelo: 31:02

given that, that this that this year Celtics team has so much potential right and there is we there is this feeling amongst all of us sports fans at the Eastern Conference Finals just aren't enough anymore. Like you just need to take that next step. What do you think the Celtics are missing? And have they are dressed in the offseason so far?

Abby Chin: 31:20

I mean, what are they missing another versatile wing who can guard any position? Like a Gordon Hayward? You know? Nice. Yeah. And then also added Tristan Thompson and Jeff Teague. I think that would be really nice. Yeah, um, I do like those additions. I am really interested to see obviously one preseason game I've been trained by Payton Pritchard. And Aaron, I feel like showed some pretty nice flashes. And if he can be that sharpshooter that we've heard about, which is such a hard thing to do to make this jump at this level, which is what makes what Tyler hero and Duncan Robinson were doing in the Eastern Conference Finals last season so remarkable. Because I've seen them the Celtics try to bring in these guys. I mean, from James young to I wasn't necessarily when Carson Edwards had eight threes in that preseason game, and everyone's like this is that we got it. And you know, it's it's it's hard to do at the NBA level and at a consistent rate. So I think that that would be huge for Aaron Naismith. If he can be that knockdown shooter and someone to help them spread the floor and take some of the pressure off of Jason and Jalen. But I do think that you talk about the expectations, the East has gotten a lot better, a lot tougher. And then in particular, you look at the team the Celtics are going to face in their second preseason game, the preseason finale in the Brooklyn Nets with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and that just if, if Kyrie can hold it together for one season, which he did here in Boston to he kept it together for one season. You know, I think they're gonna be scary. And because it's freaking KD even though he's coming off.

Dave Clarke: 33:09

He's still gonna be amazing, though. Like, you can just you can just tell

Abby Chin: 33:13

he has athleticism to be great. Be at the top of his athletic game.

Dave Clarke: 33:18

I mean, but he's also kind of a weird dude, too, right? I mean, he's had his moments with like, weird burner accounts and like media interactions also. So my it might be wishful thinking on our part, because we're Celtics fans, but like, maybe they'll implode because of their personalities. Like, who knows? Because if they don't, I think the east is already locked at this point. Right, right. Yeah, I mean, those are that's two generational talents on one team. So it makes me a little bit nervous, but maybe I'm a pessimist. Oh,

Abby Chin: 33:44

my youngest. Yeah,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 33:46

I mean, to me it's still just him like I felt like people put a lot of stock or Chris Middleton for some reason to me. He's He's a glorified mo Williams. Mo Williams was a glorified mo Williams. I wasn't sure I mean, you know, finally, you know, that's another Alabama reference because that's what he went to school, but it was like he was he was a he's okay. But I mean, he did when y'all got hurt. Yeah, he got them a win in that series, but it was like, okay, like, why don't why don't you do this when he's on the floor. Now if he's getting 25 a game next day Yanis now you've got a problem because Yanis is going to get 2530 whenever he wants. And you have two guys that can do that. That's different, but I just I don't I don't see that. But, uh, you know, everyone's still hype on my family. Are you Are you high on Miami? Like just because they beat us like I just I'm because I'm not so.

Abby Chin: 34:30

I don't think just because they beat the Celtics, I think that the Miami culture that you hear so much about is legit. And they've proved that in the bubble. And I think that Tyler hero is a problem. And Duncan Robinson looks like a real problem and just their development and the way that they play and so self that self so selfless, and move the ball and even defensively even though they're running a zone that should be able to should be easy to break. Clearly. It wasn't

Unknown: 35:03

right, right.

Dave Clarke: 35:04

They should have it should have been especially easy for us. That was the strangest thing is we have versatile wingers who can shoot you know, so like I just couldn't understand how we weren't breaking that zone down and just fine in that space. But like I've been saying for years, you know, I was totally on the bandwagon of Spoelstra just being elevated by having the brawn and his team and like Mike famous Mostly on our podcast was like I think Spoelstra is actually a pretty good coach. And I was like, no. And then, of course, we see like a coaching masterclass from Erik Spoelstra the Celtics, so they have him too, which is helpful. Yeah. Which is huge.

Abby Chin: 35:36

So I do I think, you know, there's someone, they're not going to be an easy out for sure.

Rayshawn Buchanan: 35:42

Yeah, I agree with that. I just, I just, I think there's some people that have them still above Boston because of what just happened. I feel like they're being prisoner of the moment. But that's what that's what we do we overreact. Right. Like, like you said, people already high paying push it. And it's been one game, but I am too. I'm biased. I think it's gonna be great. You know, but it's just like, I felt the same thing about Carson Edwards. And then he had a couple of flashes in their regular seasons, and he kind of just went away. So I'm actually want to go back to the subject. So could we touch a little bit about it with going hey, we're leaving. So thankfully, Danny, he was able to get a training session for him because, you know, our group chat was on fire about him not getting anything for him. Um, you know, when I was I was like, Hey, you know, give it time, something's gonna come about and it did, and thankfully, um, so I know they can't use the full 28.5 I think it's around like 22 million because they want to be under a certain number for the salary cap. So you know, who was some guys? Would you like to see outside outside to go to here? We're coming back. I know, he's already gone. But you know, what does that mean? Is that come to mind that fit with that 22 million salary or under that you'd like to some like to see come here to Boston?

Abby Chin: 36:49

I mean, I know a lot of people talking about Harrison Barnes eventually being available. I think that Danny Ainge rightfully is in a wait and see mode. I mean, you don't know what this team looks like. Does Jeff Teague provide that scoring off the bench that they've been missing so sorely? Over the last couple of seasons? Does Tristan Thompson come in and take the starting job from Daniel Tyson, then you're actually pretty short up in the front court, when you can throw in at Rob Williams from time to time. And then yeah, you're looking on the wings, which would be a Harrison Barnes but I feel like you just don't know yet. And they're trying to figure out who they are. We want to see what kind of leaps and what kind of players Jason Tatum and Jalen brown are going to be when they are put in this position. And we saw it a little bit from Jason obviously, in the bubble. But Jalen, I think, obviously, all we've talked about is him taking on more having the ball in his hands being able to be the guy. And I want to see what that looks like. And I think the Celtics do, too. And then you kind of work around that and see where the holes are, and then what becomes available. But like, we have talked about that I have been with this team throughout this whole rebuilding period. And I have it has been too many draft nights too many trade deadlines were like something's gonna happen. And because they had all these assets, they're in every single rumor. Yeah. And then you know, right.

Rayshawn Buchanan: 38:18

This is pissed off Right, exactly.

Abby Chin: 38:19

comes up empty. Yeah. And not necessarily empty. I mean, obviously, Jalen and Jason worked out. Danny made some moves with that. But you know, the night that Jalen got drafted and was booed inside TV garden because they were involved in so many different rumors and thought Jimmy Butler's coming and all of that and so

Rayshawn Buchanan: 38:40

that was really I I listened to Chris

Abby Chin: 38:42

Dunn is one of the last person to trade him to Chicago Yeah,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 38:46

yeah, that well, thank God that didn't happen because man Oh, yeah,

Abby Chin: 38:50

I am. I am just skeptical that you know, something big actually comes of that. And I want to see what this team looks like.

Rayshawn Buchanan: 39:00

Well, if they do just as a personal wish list for me, I don't know how the other guys feel but I want Aaron Gordon, like that's what I want. I think that from athletic, athletic standpoint, he fits he fits with Brad wants to do now defensively I think he's more of a liability but if you can, either Gordon or even looser Fitch because like Orlando, you're in there, like they're not they're not in purgatory, but it's like, they're close. So it's like,

Dave Clarke: 39:24

unless they know something we don't about that need, though, because they did that with with eyeties hip, you know, like, they're like

Abby Chin: 39:32

your biggest star and, and what do you get for that? You know,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 39:37

yeah, I mean, that's, that's true. I mean, I saw some wild rumor about kemba Walker going to Orlando for lucid vision. I think like Terrence Ross and I'm just like, I don't know why Orlando would would do that. I think as as a Boston fan, that you would maybe entertain that. So they were looking to Trey Campbell all offseason because he

Dave Clarke: 39:54

was coming off his first All Star year right?

Rayshawn Buchanan: 39:56

Yeah, no, I mean that that's true. I know. But there's no there's no Kyrie coming back though. There's no

Abby Chin: 40:02

Disney has changed much from when they decided to pay him coming out of Charlotte. And and that is something that Rick Brownell, who's the beat writer for the Charlotte Hornets reported, you know, after speaking with Mitch Kupchak, the cameras knee did play a part into why they weren't willing to sign him to that Supermax and so you had a chest injury.

Dave Clarke: 40:24

is a little extreme his ankle exploded? Like that's not.

Rayshawn Buchanan: 40:28

I mean, and I mean, I've heard I know he's cuz he did a lot of Celtic shows last year. Like we did. So I know I know he's a reporter, but again, I'm not buying anything coming from MJ. He if he said that about kemba Walker and wasn't going to give him the Supermax, which would have been like 220 mil, but she wanted to give Gordon Hayward 120 and he's been injury prone and he just got hurt again, like, come on. I'm not I'm not buying up there from from MJ. I was outside of his shoes. And then and then Okay. And then last year, he got hurt in San Antonio, when he was smacking in San Antonio, Ronnie got hurt.

Michael Marcangelo: 41:03

He's no longer on the team. But like, aside from that horrific injury, why do you think Abby, why did Gordon Hayward not work out here?

Abby Chin: 41:11

I don't think you can say aside from that horrific injury. I think that that horrific injury on the first game that he was wearing green in a season that was supposed to be, you know, headed to the vinyls, who knows when he and Kyrie run and mates, I don't think you can discount that. And as you guys were just saying, clearly, it took him a while to come back from that. And I think it took him even longer mentally to come back from that. And then who knows, when you're an elite athlete like that, I don't know what that's like, either. You know, how you're how you're overcompensating doing things differently than you used to the muscle memory has changed a little bit. And so I don't know if that, you know, opens you up to other injuries.

Dave Clarke: 41:52

And you always look a little nervous underneath the basket, I think, which is understandable.

Abby Chin: 41:55

I don't know always. But he definitely wasn't he was, he was never the player here that he was in Utah, and how aggressive he was in getting to the basket, getting to the foul line, and demanding that, that level of aggression. And so I agree with you on that. I don't that's why i say i don't think you can take away that catastrophic injury, and then you throw in all the drama, you know, so then carries there for the next season? And is Kyrie really bought in? I don't think so. So I just, you know, came back from this horrific injury didn't know if I would play again, and now you're not even you don't even want to play like what am I supposed to do? And so I think it's all connected. And I do think that, ultimately, I won't, I wouldn't blame him if he was just looking for a change of scenery. And then also seeing the writing on the wall. He wants to be the guy. He was that guy in Utah, he left x, he thought that's what he was gonna get here. And now it's Jalen and Jason's team, I should say, Jason and Jason's team. But um, and so, you know, and I don't blame him for getting the bag either. So,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 43:00

oh, no, I mean, listen, I want 120. Maybe I'm walking to my mother. I'm going but I just I'd like say, it's just me. I'm not trusting MJ, like, Don't tell me you didn't, Amber, but you want to go back and pay Gordon Hayward who had had injuries as well. So let's, let's not,

Abby Chin: 43:15

you see what you're missing with that star and not, you know, innate in the league. Yeah.

Michael Marcangelo: 43:22

I think, like for him, he was a guy that I wanted it to work because he really wanted it to work, too. I mean, he got injured this year, he had to leave the bubble. And then he chose to miss the birth of his most recent child to play. That's the guy that you want on on your team and in your locker room. So for me to sit, he's gone. If I was, I was really, you know, really sad to see it. And you also just answered my next question. I'm still gonna ask it. So I apologize. You know, it's it's Jalen, or Jason, whose team is this and why.

Abby Chin: 43:51

So, talent ceiling wise, it's Jason's leadership in the locker room. It's Jalen. And I think we're seeing that and just how much more outspoken he is. And I think that's a role that he that comes more natural to him and one that he wants. But I think the best thing about those two is I don't think they ever have that conversation. They it's something that Jeff Teague pointed out, he didn't realize how close those two were. And while it they, they've told us that it's taken some time for them to get to this point. I think they are really good friends, they want each other to succeed. And they understand that for this team to succeed, they both need to be the best at who they are and the most of who they can be. And and I don't think that that steps on each other's toes, as we've seen on the court over the past few years. And so I don't think you they need to make that distinction. I think that we know in crunch time it's the ball should be in Jason Tatum's hands and scowl is all over me. But you know, some of those long three that he took against Miami, I'm okay. I'm okay with the numbers back it up. I mean, that's that's not a bad shot. And so I'm so

Rayshawn Buchanan: 45:07

glad you said that because I agree. so damn it. I agree.

Abby Chin: 45:13

And you want him in those moments for this season and the next season and the season after that? Yeah,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 45:17

yes.

Abby Chin: 45:18

No, yes. No. Um, and I think you're gonna get

Dave Clarke: 45:21

Jalen brown a lot of credit for that too, right. Because I think it was have been really easy for him to, you know, because I you know, any any elite athlete is going to think that they're the best guy in the court like that's how they got to where they're going to be. Jalen brown spent his entire career being the best basketball player on most teams that he's played on. Right. And I think that, you know, he's had, he's had almost as many moments like in the regular seasons, as Jason Tatum does, his athleticism is off the charts, I think it would have been really easy for him to get to kind of take his ball and go home, when all the coverage was about Jason Tatum, when like all of his leaps were covered more than Jalen getting better. He's a year ahead of them, you know, on the team, he was there a year before before Tatum was, and I think it would have been the easy way to just be like, Oh, I should be the best guy. I want my own team, which is what a lot of nba stars do nowadays, right? Like a lot of them, kind of kick up a fuss and go like, I want my own team. But instead, like you're saying, he found a way to work with them. And they find a way to work with each other and like and play to each other's strengths. And I think that, you know, that's not easy for everybody to do. So I think Jalen brown deserves a lot of credit for that.

Abby Chin: 46:23

Absolutely. I think that 2000 is it 1718 season with Kyrie and while Terry was still here, and I think that season was very humbling for Jalen, because his role was not nearly what he expected it to be coming off of what he did in the playoffs having to deal with that. And we saw that he struggled with it for the first half of the year. But something clicked inside him and and he figured it out, he realized, you know, that he I don't know if it's, you know, you can only control what you can control and that part of it and but I think that that was really humbling for him. And I think that that has changed his perspective and for the better and and seeing and realizing what is possible when you do you know, play for others. And it's not only about you,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 47:15

right, and I think it kind of clicked into my head as he was talking but and this is really before you know, you were here and then you know when all of us were much younger, but this door really reminds me of Pearson Walker, because parents wasn't comfortable being the guy that was going to be vocal until kg got here. Right. But early on in his career when they made that run against the nets. You know, it was Antwan that was the guy get into people's faces like jail is not that guy get into people's faces. I don't think that I know of, but he's going to be the guy who's going to be more vocal? Because in the bubble to market. Right, right. Right. We have been markers. Right, exactly. But you know, I feel like that might make you do that. So that that's understandable, but I just feel like that's kind of what they remind me of they remind me of that arm of that duel where, you know, I sent him a groan and set like Paul did. I don't know, who knows. But, um, it likes it. It's good as they continue to play off each other. And, you know, hopefully, it's just something that continues to play off in front of our eyes that Jason becomes the man and, you know, you know, they become maybe two new kawhi and PG who knows, but but also performed better. And

Unknown: 48:25

he,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 48:27

I mean, I mean people think I mean people people hold on, people are really excited about them last year coming into last year, though, um, PG has to be much better in the playoffs. We know that but I mean, kawhi is a champion and we wanted him here last year to the I

Dave Clarke: 48:39

think Jalen Browns got Paul George qualities. Also, I think that he had been like, Well, yeah, when he hits his prime, I think that he's gonna be a very similar player. Aaron Rodgers. Hopefully that not in the playoffs? Yeah,

Rayshawn Buchanan: 48:50

right.

Dave Clarke: 48:52

I know. I knew he meant I knew he meant Yeah.

Michael Marcangelo: 48:54

As we're kind of winding down here I'd be I wanted to make sure that I talked a little bit about this because the world but more particularly Celtics nation lost. I mean, I mean, it's it's most prominent face earlier this year with with Tommy heinsohn. Right. I mean, he was one of the one of the best players in Celtics history, one of the best coaches, and the best color commentator, I think that I've ever I've ever listened to. You never had to wonder where his allegiances were to again, you you always felt bad for whatever referee was in earshot of him. So I love if you could just, you know, obviously, talk a little bit about your experiences with him. I know that there is a memory that you that you did mention in the athletic, but I didn't know if you had any others, but also like how big of a force was he? at the garden day in and day out?

Abby Chin: 49:42

He was massive. Tommy is bigger than life. And you're right. The season is completely different without him, and that was apparent in the first preseason game. When I came in, seven years ago, I did not understand comprehend. The Legend of Tommy heinsohn and who he was. I knew who he was as a basketball player. I knew about him. I didn't know you know what he meant to self expands and to see it every day. I mean, you know, the Celtics do the they used to do Brad has changed it a lot but it used to be a scrimmage. TV garden for all of the season ticket holders and Tommy you know sit courtside and it is just globs and globs of people that are just just want to get a glimpse, just want to see Tommy and hopefully talk to them or get them to sign something. And then I also got to go to the silver Circle Awards, which is a broadcasting award where Mike and Tommy were honored. And it was so interesting to me to hear people much older than us. Talk about how Tommy has just been such an enormous figure in their lives for their whole lives. Because I mean, that's the thing is that Tommy has been involved he is he is the definition of the Celtics, you know, through decades. And so to hear people talk about that the stories that you know what they remember him wearing the suits that he wore on the sidelines or yelling at the rest when he was a coach. And then also everything that he did as a player. And so I coming to learn that and understand that I'm glad I didn't know it coming in, because I think I would have been much more intimidated. And I'm not sure I would have been able to talk to him and just go up to him. And the as everyone has talked about in the lunchroom, or the media, the media room at TD Garden and be like, hey, Tommy, how are you? Um, but he was wonderful to me. And that's the story I told I, I feel like he was never, you know, I was I came in, he didn't know who I was, and, and how much experience I had her anything. And he never made me feel like I didn't know. He never made me feel like I wasn't a part of the team. And that was wonderful. To me. And it was huge. It was huge for you know, you say you don't remember games when I wasn't on them. I think it's the fact that Mike and Tommy respected me and welcome in and talk to me like I was a part of the team made a huge difference. And if they didn't see that in me, I don't think I'd still be here. And the story I did tell to Steve Buckley of the athletic was during my first maternity leave, and I was super pregnant. And I was going into the studio because I just cannot walk on the sidelines anymore. And I went to the lunchroom and I said Tommy, you're stuck with me for the next couple of weeks. And he said, don't worry about it darling, we will make beautiful television, there's something something along those lines. And he was just so coming He's like, and it just made you realize, you know what a great teammate he was, I knew he was there for me, he was going to help me through that. And, and he's just fun. He's a happy guy, my biggest regret is that I didn't get to go on the road with Tommy, because the stories that he tells and the stories that everyone tells about him just at dinners and our epic, and I think it just would have been so much fun. And what blows my mind is that Tommy for just how incredible he was as a player that he had to have. He had to have a summer job, you know, their stories that he came back, he had been loading, either it was either loading up trucks or loading a boat and a dock and he came back stronger, and everything was clanking off the back board. And red was like stop working out. No more lifting weights for like, you know, he, he, he he quit playing to sell insurance because he was making more money doing that. And he had a family to support. And then they roped him back into coach. So, um, he is a figure who is larger than life and he will be missed forever. But he will always be a part of the organization as well.

Michael Marcangelo: 54:01

Yeah. And he was an amazing painter too. I think you know that right? He was I did not know that I you know, we I have like a family connection with him. I'm not related. But he gave one of my uncle's a painting. And I was like, who painted this and it's signed, like Tommy heights. And I'm like, That's unbelievable. Like most people, he asked for a jersey signed by him, we have a watercolor painting, which is just, it's amazing. He was he was a great, great human, great coach. And just, I just you're gonna you notice that he's not there. And that's, that's something that to be said about him in sports in today's media where everything is so fast paced, you stop and you and you notice that Tommy heinsohn is no longer calling the games are on the games. So I do I know that we do have to wrap up one last question, actually to ask questions. I lied. What are your expectations for the Celtics this year? Where were they going to finish?

Abby Chin: 54:51

I mean, this is Boston. The expectation is banner number 18. Well, I do think I do. I will be disappointed if they don't make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals. Um, I mean, just because I want to see Jason and Jalen, get that much better than they then can, you know, carry this teamwork that's in their head at this point, going to the Eastern Conference Finals this many times and not being able to get over that hump. No, I don't think Don't think no Thank God

Dave Clarke: 55:26

it's in mind but

Abby Chin: 55:29

just for me as covering this human being around them every series is its own entity and so no to me it's not like we have this wall I think that there's you know each it's with all the free agents it's circumstantial and every circumstance has been different

Michael Marcangelo: 55:44

so obviously upset sorry obviously you know we can we can find you in pre and post on NBC Sports Boston but for all the listeners out there, where can they find you on social media if they want to learn a little bit more about you

Abby Chin: 55:55

at TV Abby? I'm on Instagram Twitter. That's really it. I did snap for a while but um,

Dave Clarke: 56:03

that died or you have two children? I think I think two social media accounts is is planning

Abby Chin: 56:07

priorities working on it. Yeah. And um, Kyle used to go live I think on Instagram like before on Twitter, too. Oh, was it on Twitter was it

Rayshawn Buchanan: 56:18

might have been both but yeah,

Abby Chin: 56:20

yeah, either one. So I'm gonna try and keep that alive a little bit. So you can see you guys can catch a real glimpse of scalf what he's really like. People want to see that but a gallon Forsberg will be on the show and Chris Mannix will be doing some big park and park of course Park. I love park so much. We did those things during the day. It was

Unknown: 56:48

the game

Abby Chin: 56:51

Yes, yes. Oh my gosh, that was so fun. There were the highlights of my week. Yeah, you

Rayshawn Buchanan: 56:55

guys. You guys are killing it.

Dave Clarke: 56:57

You know?

Abby Chin: 56:59

We beat Kyle and scout twice. And they started

Rayshawn Buchanan: 57:03

Yeah. And I know Danny Ainge and Marcus march to be your team to win a they fail to so

Abby Chin: 57:09

and so did a Danny like talked about it all summer. Everyone was like Danny still mad you guys beat him.

Dave Clarke: 57:16

He doesn't like to lose. does not like to lose.

Abby Chin: 57:19

He definitely is one of those like, hates to lose more than he loves to win, I think for sure.

Michael Marcangelo: 57:24

Well, Abby, thank you so much for taking the time to join us today. It was it was awesome having you. We are I mean we were just so lucky to be able to talk to you. And obviously we're so happy to have you back at NBC Sports, Boston to be able to watch it for pre and post. So for Gk sizzle Dave Clark rayshawn Buchanan, the best Producer Craig D'Alessandro I am Michael Mark Angeles signing off for missing the point. Thank you so much.

Craig D'Alessandro: 57:46

Thanks for listening to this episode and missing the point. missing the point is a one hour podcast recapping the biggest stories in the world of sports. What the New England flavor. The show notes and transcript from today's episode can be found in the description box below, as well as on our website, www dot MTP show.com. If you're new to the show, and enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing. It's the easiest way to see when we publish new episodes. We are on iTunes, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate us and leave a review of any of our shows. We always appreciate your feedback. Also, be sure to follow us on all of our social medias. All of our links will be in the show notes. Check out our brand new website WWW dot MTP show.com that's MTP show.com. For all of us here at missing the point. I'm Craig D'Alessandro. We'll talk to you next time.