I still maintain Ainge needs to go. You can't call your players out like that.
But, while I didn't think it was so, a lot of people on this board, in the national media, and even Vegas pegged Boston as the favorite in the Eastern Conference last year. They were supposed to be the team to beat. Is it really that crazy for a young kid to start believing the hype and wondering how the team compared to great teams in the past? I mean obviously last year's team didn't have a Bird level player, but I think you could maintain reasonable player comparisons (not style, but talent) at the other positions. So if you are Brown and you think you match-up very well or maybe even better at several positions, the bench, etc. I don't think it is a completely crazy question to ask.
Ainge though, should have kept all of this private. I think he has lost touch with what it means to be a GM. He constantly calls out the players, coaches, etc. in situations he doesn't need to. His inability to pull the trigger and make moves, has cost the team for the last several years as well. His health is a real concern and has probably hampered him in his ability to give 100% to the job. It is time for him to retire and for Zarren to take over fully.