Hang Danny Ainge’s jersey up in those rafters please. The guy is just smarter than everyone else
If Danny was smarter than everyone else, Riley wouldn’t have three times as many rings as GM than Danny. Nor would Buford have five times what Danny has for rings as GM. Nor would Stevens in the 2020s 😉
Riley doesn't, he has 2 as an executive. And only got them because Lebron chose Miami.
Riley was coach and team president in 2006-2007 (he’s been team president since 1995, so he’s done two separate stints as coach/GM and believe he’s the last person to successfully do that in the NBA, or at least do it and win a title). And Riley successfully pitched LeBron on Miami, not the other way around. I know we like to hate Riley for being the Showtime Coach, but Danny is a baby compared to Riley. Respect for and fear of that man. He almost got us this year even.
I'd have to say if you give me a choice of Prime Riley or Prime Ainge I'd pick Riley. Ainge is no bum but you have to give Riley some credit. Drafts well. picked up Strus when the C's dropped him. Found other g league players. Stuck with Spol when he almost got fired but hired him. It's a well run organization who gets the most out of it's players. Ainge taking the chance on Kyrie when there were already rumors that he was not good for a locker room is a huge deciding factor. Lots of draft misses and mistakes. I think this is a pretty easy call.
I give Riley less credit than Ainge because it's easier to attract free agents or players with enough clout to force a trade to South Beach.
Mourning, Shaq, Lebron, Bosh, Butler, Ray Allen, Haslem, etc. They played in Miami because they were attracted more to the city and culture of Miami, not because Riley is some genius GM.
It's pretty easy to be a good GM in Miami and LA.