I thought it was meant more towards CelticsStrong members than anyone else.
I think it was to Kyrie all the way and perhaps Brown and Hayward.
I was listening live and it didn't come off like it was directed at the players. Ainge completely downplayed the "drama" and made a joke about an incident between him and Bill Walton.
He also said that he's never traded a player due to off-court chemistry issues. It's always been about how the pieces fit on the court.
I didn't hear it live, but in print it clearly did not read as being directed at players. Not sure how anyone would have that take.
Its to the media, it doesnt make sense for him to criticize his players, danny is never gonna do something that will lower the value of his players.
Agree completely. It was to media and bloggers and Bill Simmons of the world. Media who are into drama basically. Or those like Simmons and other bloggers who are overly invested in how players behave, what they say, etc..when they're not on the court.
On the topic of over-sensitivity. I'm tired of the overused phrase "stunt their growth". As in: "I'm worried such a move will stunt the growth of player x." Do people realize how competitive most of these guys have to be by nature to scratch and claw their way to the NBA? Do people understand how much confidence in one's ability it takes? Instead of wringing hands over stunting a players growth, I;d prefer to think of it more as the underfeeding of bloodthirsty shark.
An aside for keeping players focused: Brad should show the team the post game presser by Roy Williams, I think after the recent horrible Carolina loss at home. Where he talks about players getting down when their shot is not falling (remember Marcus Smart talking about the same thing earlier in the year when he chided some Celtics players for this). Williams says if a player does that they should just go and find a mommy to hug (or something like this). In other words, if you want to win, young Celtics, contribute with your defense, intangibles, deflections, etc, and your offense is gravy on this talented team.
...sorry went off topic a bit...